
The spring holiday known as Golden Week is upon us in Japan, and if you would like to lay claim to the title of manga super fan, you may want to spend your days off reading these canonical series. Without further ado, here are the 20 most popular manga of all time, based on publication numbers!
20/19. Sangokushi (三国志), Rurouni Kenshin (るろうに剣心)
Mitsuteru Yokoyama’s retelling of Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Nobuhiro Watsuki’s tale of a reformed assassin tie for the last spot on the list with 70 million copies each.
18. BLEACH
The chronicles of Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki add up to 74.6 million copies.
17. Hajimi no Ippo (はじめの一歩)
George Morikawa’s story about a high school boxer rising to fame has been going strong since 1989, with 75,500,000 copies to date.
16. Captain Tsubasa (キャプテン翼)
Another sports-themed series, Captain Tsubasa follows the exploits of a youth soccer team. It’s one of Shonen Jump’s most popular series ever at 80 million copies.
15. Sazae-san (サザエさん)
Lovable housewife Sazae-san first debuted in 1946 and has been around long enough to have gone from a symbol of leftist feminism to a symbol of nostalgia for traditional society—and to rack up 86 million copies.
14. Kindaichi Case Files (金田一少年の事件簿)
One of the earliest works in the mystery manga genre, this series about a crime-solving high school kid has printed 90 million copies.
13/12/11/10. Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳), Touch (タッチ), Astro Boy (鉄腕アトム), Doraemon (ドラえもん)
A post-apocalyptic psychic warrior, baseball playing twins, a gifted robot boy, and a time-traveling robot cat share a slot at 100 million copies each.
9. Slam Dunk
Takehiko Inoue’s series about a highschool basketball team (Anyone sensing a pattern here?) is credited with the rising popularity of basketball in Japan. No wonder, with 119 million copies out there.
8. Oishinbo (美味しんぼ)
Who would have thought a comic about a guy that likes to eat would rack up 130 million copies?
7. Naruto
Everybody’s favorite fox-faced ninja has published 135 million copies!
6. Detective Conan/Case Closed (名探偵コナン)
Gosho Aoyama’s series about a detective undeterred by his transformation into a child has published an impressive 140 million copies.
5. Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo (こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所)
Despite its way longer than average name, this comedy cop series has garnered fans to the tune of 155.3 million copies published.
4. Dragon Ball (ドラゴンボール)
Even non-manga fans will know this one, unless they’ve been living under a rock for the last 30 years. Goku has 157 million printed copies.
3. Black Jack (ブラック・ジャック)
Another entry by the great Osamu Tezuka, this series follows the title character’s adventures righting medical wrongs and teaching jerks a lesson. A whopping 176 million copies have been printed.
2. Golgo 13 (ゴルゴ13)
This venerable manga series about a professional assassin has been in continuous publication since 1968, racking up 200 million copies.
And finally, blowing the competition out of the water at an astounding 300 million copies, the most popular manga of all time is…
1. One Piece
Source: CuRAZY
Images: Wikipedia, Manga Zenkan

















Top ten “Legendary deceased manga artists whose new work I wanted to read” 【Ranking】
“Malnourished” manga anthology issue shows just how good physical media fans have it in Japan
Top 100 manga of all time chosen by survey of 150,000 Japanese people
Otaku quiz: How many guest artists from Tokyo’s awesome Dragon Ball manga cover mural can you name?
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Almost exactly half of the new adults in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are foreigners
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
These 7-Elevens are gettin’ fancy! We try their pate and terrine【Taste Test】
Japan’s last two pandas leaving for China next month, Ueno Zoo announces final day for twins
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Leave a Reply