One Piece Tops Latest Rankings For Biggest First Print Runs In Manga
The manga industry continues to showcase blockbuster demand for select titles, with new data revealing the top-performing first print volumes from April 2024 to March 2025. As expected, some of the most influential franchises maintained their hold on the charts, led by Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, which soared above its competition in initial print volumes. The figures highlight both the enduring popularity of major series and potential gaps left by titles nearing their end or facing uncertain futures.
Manga Print Rankings Reflect Loyal Fandoms
In the latest annual roundup of first-print statistics from Japan's biggest manga publishers, the numbers highlight how a handful of franchises continue to drive physical sales. Shueisha leads the pack with multiple chart-topping volumes. Volume 109 of One Piece emerged as the standout, with an astonishing 3.2 million copies printed in its first run—more than double that of the next closest competitor.
Image Courtesy: One Piece/ Official X (formerly Twitter) Account
Following closely behind were Jujutsu Kaisen Volumes 29 and 30, each with 1.8 million first prints, and Spy x Family Volume 14, which reached 1.3 million. Other fan favourites, including Hunter x Hunter and My Hero Academia, also claimed strong spots despite ongoing publication gaps or approaching finales.
Shueisha’s Strength and Its Emerging Challenge
While Shueisha has dominated the first print landscape year after year, this round of figures subtly reveals a challenge for the publisher’s long-term lead. Several of its top-selling titles—namely Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Oshi no Ko—have already concluded or are scheduled to wrap up soon. With these series nearing their final arcs, the absence of immediate successors in terms of readership scale could affect the publisher’s dominance moving forward.
Image Courtesy: One Piece/ Official X (formerly Twitter) Account
Although Shueisha still boasts an enviable library, with franchises like Kaiju No. 8 and Kingdom maintaining strong sales, the transition phase after high-profile endings is always closely watched in the manga world.
Hunter x Hunter’s Future Still Hazy
Despite its sporadic publishing schedule, Hunter x Hunter continues to draw immense fan interest. Volume 38 reached a first print count of 1.3 million, matching the performance of Spy x Family. However, the future remains uncertain. Series creator Yoshihiro Togashi resumed working on the manga recently, announcing progress on Chapter 424, with a goal of finishing 50 new chapters. But the series has already entered hiatus again, raising doubts about its consistency in the coming years.
Should Hunter x Hunter remain irregular, it might lose its footing in future sales charts—even as anticipation keeps fans invested.
Kodansha and Shogakukan Keep Their Place
Though Shueisha holds most of the top spots, Kodansha and Shogakukan titles still made it into the top 10, albeit with smaller print figures. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Volume 14 saw 700,000 copies, while Detective Conan Volume 106 followed closely with 600,000. Oshi no Ko, a relatively newer hit, registered 550,000—though its first print success may decline if its manga conclusion does not align with an ongoing anime boost.
Interestingly, despite the clear shift toward digital manga consumption in Japan and overseas, physical print demand for major volumes remains robust. Long-running titles with loyal fan bases continue to justify large initial runs, proving that traditional book sales are still an essential part of the manga economy.
Digital Growth and What Lies Ahead
Although these numbers underline the commercial strength of manga’s most beloved franchises, the shift toward digital platforms can't be ignored. New and mid-tier series may not appear in physical rankings due to lower print volumes but could still enjoy massive readership through online services. As reader habits evolve, publishers may need to reconsider how success is measured—especially as the industry prepares for the post-Jujutsu Kaisen and post-My Hero Academia era.
Still, the enduring success of One Piece serves as a testament to the power of long-form storytelling and well-built fictional worlds. As Oda’s legendary saga nears its final stretch, its legacy in sales and influence continues to grow, marking it as one of manga’s most formidable forces even decades after its debut.
Manga Print Rankings Reflect Loyal Fandoms
In the latest annual roundup of first-print statistics from Japan's biggest manga publishers, the numbers highlight how a handful of franchises continue to drive physical sales. Shueisha leads the pack with multiple chart-topping volumes. Volume 109 of One Piece emerged as the standout, with an astonishing 3.2 million copies printed in its first run—more than double that of the next closest competitor.
Following closely behind were Jujutsu Kaisen Volumes 29 and 30, each with 1.8 million first prints, and Spy x Family Volume 14, which reached 1.3 million. Other fan favourites, including Hunter x Hunter and My Hero Academia, also claimed strong spots despite ongoing publication gaps or approaching finales.
Shueisha’s Strength and Its Emerging Challenge
While Shueisha has dominated the first print landscape year after year, this round of figures subtly reveals a challenge for the publisher’s long-term lead. Several of its top-selling titles—namely Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Oshi no Ko—have already concluded or are scheduled to wrap up soon. With these series nearing their final arcs, the absence of immediate successors in terms of readership scale could affect the publisher’s dominance moving forward.
Although Shueisha still boasts an enviable library, with franchises like Kaiju No. 8 and Kingdom maintaining strong sales, the transition phase after high-profile endings is always closely watched in the manga world.
Hunter x Hunter’s Future Still Hazy
Despite its sporadic publishing schedule, Hunter x Hunter continues to draw immense fan interest. Volume 38 reached a first print count of 1.3 million, matching the performance of Spy x Family. However, the future remains uncertain. Series creator Yoshihiro Togashi resumed working on the manga recently, announcing progress on Chapter 424, with a goal of finishing 50 new chapters. But the series has already entered hiatus again, raising doubts about its consistency in the coming years.
Should Hunter x Hunter remain irregular, it might lose its footing in future sales charts—even as anticipation keeps fans invested.
Kodansha and Shogakukan Keep Their Place
Though Shueisha holds most of the top spots, Kodansha and Shogakukan titles still made it into the top 10, albeit with smaller print figures. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Volume 14 saw 700,000 copies, while Detective Conan Volume 106 followed closely with 600,000. Oshi no Ko, a relatively newer hit, registered 550,000—though its first print success may decline if its manga conclusion does not align with an ongoing anime boost.
Interestingly, despite the clear shift toward digital manga consumption in Japan and overseas, physical print demand for major volumes remains robust. Long-running titles with loyal fan bases continue to justify large initial runs, proving that traditional book sales are still an essential part of the manga economy.
Digital Growth and What Lies Ahead
Although these numbers underline the commercial strength of manga’s most beloved franchises, the shift toward digital platforms can't be ignored. New and mid-tier series may not appear in physical rankings due to lower print volumes but could still enjoy massive readership through online services. As reader habits evolve, publishers may need to reconsider how success is measured—especially as the industry prepares for the post-Jujutsu Kaisen and post-My Hero Academia era.
Still, the enduring success of One Piece serves as a testament to the power of long-form storytelling and well-built fictional worlds. As Oda’s legendary saga nears its final stretch, its legacy in sales and influence continues to grow, marking it as one of manga’s most formidable forces even decades after its debut.
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