With the first half of 2024 coming to a close, the best-selling manga of 2024 so far has been unveiled. Although a lot could change between now and the end of the year, the current scope of the industry has shown an immense amount of change and growth as far as what fans are reading, and genres that are becoming more successful.

Like most years, there are some new and unexpected additions, some long-time veterans, and some who soared to great heights because of their anime.

This year’s is particularly interesting, as fans have discovered some hidden gems that have dethroned giants, like One Piece and My Hero Academia, which is a good sign.

10

My Hero Academia Is Going Out With A Bang

1.26 Million Copies Sold

My Hero Academia has been a powerhouse and has been one of the best-selling manga for many years in a row. Interestingly, the series has only released one volume so far, which makes this feat all the more interesting. With the final war nearing its end and My Hero Academia most likely ending this year, the series will also be celebrating its tenth anniversary in July, proving an impressive decade-long run.

A fateful encounter with Japan’s number one hero, All Might, displays Midoriya’s selflessness and his determination to help others despite being weak, and this inspired and touched All Might’s heart. With his time as a hero running out for All Might, he chose Midoriya to be his successor for his bravery and gave him his quirk, One For All, and thus begins Midoriya’s path to succeeding his idol, as he enrolls in the prestigious U. A High School to become a real hero.

9

Mashle Was One Of The Best Anime This Year

1.27 Million Copies Sold

The premiere of Mashle: Magic and Muscles season 2 was a huge success, and the series has recently been greenlit for a third installment. However, what really made the anime popular was the incredibly catchy opening song “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts, which had millions of videos made using the sound. This led to digital manga sales increasing ten times over, and many people were interested in the anime adaptation.

Mashle is a hilarious action series revolving around Mash Burnedead, a boy born without magic in a world where magic is everything. To compensate for his lack of magical abilities, he relies on his immense physical strength. He enrolls in a prestigious magic academy to become the Divine Visionary, all while keeping the fact that he has no magic a secret to protect himself and his father.

8

Kingdom Continues To Dominate

1.6 Million Copies Sold

The historical masterpiece by Yasuhisa Hara is one of the longest-running manga series, and it has shown no decline in a long time. It is one of the few series to surpass a hundred million copies in circulation. The series is currently in its Hango Campaign arc, and the action is underway after some intense depiction of the politics between Qin and Han.

Kingdom is a dramatized depiction of Ancient China in the Warring States Period. The series is about the king of Qin, Ei Sei, and the peasant, Shin, who meet in a fateful and unexpected encounter. Ei Sei’s goal of unifying China and Shin’s dream of becoming a Great General led the two to fight incredible wars, conflicts, and diplomacy. With incredible art, masterful portrayal of war, and an interesting cast of characters that is rooted in history, Kingdom will continue to be one of the most popular manga for a long time.

7

Spy X Family Saw Incredible Success This Year

1.6 Million Copies Sold

Spy X Family has had a great year thus far, with the movie Spy X Family Code: White being a financial success. The second also ended in December 2023, and this definitely helped the manga secure a spot in the top 10. A game titled SPYXANYA: Operation Memories will be released on all major consoles on June 28, proving the franchise’s popularity. With a lot more to come out of the series, Spy X Family has proven itself to be a hit with both children, adults, and anyone who appreciates an action-packed comedy.

Spy X Family is as ridiculous as it gets, following a deadly assassin, a brilliant super spy, and a telepathic child pretending to be an average family, so each can achieve their goals. It is about spy Twilight, who must create a fake family to complete a mission. He adopts the telepathic Anya and marries assassin Yor, unaware of their true identities. Together, they navigate humorous and thrilling situations, balancing their secret lives while forming genuine bonds.

6

Haikyuu!! Returns Years After It Ended

1.86 Million Copies Sold

Just like how Slam Dunk‘s manga saw an incredible increase in sales last year due to the movie, Haikyuu!! surged in popularity due to its theatrical release, one of this year’s biggest anime movies. Fans waited for more than four years for a sequel, and the ending of the beloved manga was adapted into movie form. With a second part of the movie on the way, it is very likely that Haikyuu!! will maintain its position into the end of the year, and even in 2025.

The short but athletic Hinata finally joins high school and can play volleyball in a proper team, but he finds his “rival” Kageyama joins the same school and club as well. Despite not getting along, the freshmen duo are absolute beasts on the court, striving to reach nationals beside their teammates. The road to that goal isn’t easy though, as they face defeat, tiresome training, and challenges that push them to be not only better players, but also humans.

5

Blue Lock’s Momentum Is Still Strong

2.14 Million Copies Sold

2023’s best-selling manga, Blue Lock, has kept up its momentum, partly due to the release of the Blue Lock Episode Nagi movie. The manga did the impossible last year by dethroning One Piece and being the first non-Shonen Jump series to rank first in 20 years, making it a historical achievement. Sitting comfortably in the top 5, Blue Lock‘s future season with the second season of the anime releasing in October 2024, adapting the series’ best arc.

This sports manga is different from most sports manga, throwing away the teamwork theme and emphasizing selfishness. 300 young players are brought together in a project called Blue Lock that aims to produce a striker that will lead Japan to a World Cup victory. Only one player will make it out, and each stage eliminates many players who can’t keep up. Isagi Yoichi is one of the lucky participants, and this project gives him a chance to shed his past and work to be the best player he can be and score his own goals.

4

One Piece Needs No Introduction

2.18 Million Copies Sold

One Piece

is a veteran in best-selling rankings, and it is doing well so far. The Egghead Arc has been nothing short of suspenseful and exciting, with the biggest mysteries in the series finally being resolved. Every week has something exciting for fans, making twenty years of serialization worth it. With the Straw Hat crew now heading to Elbaf, the One Piece manga is well into its final saga and fans definitely do not want to miss out on it.

This incredible fantasy is about Luffy, a charismatic and ambitious young pirate who dreams of the greatest title: Pirate King. His adventures take him all around the world, and he recruits lifelong friends who help make the show what it is. However, One Piece is more than just that: it is an incredible mystery and action series that discusses real-world themes, uncovers centuries-old mysteries, and explores the huge world through the lovable protagonist.

3

Apothecary Diaries Defied All Expectations

3.7 Million Copies Sold

Apothecary Diaries is a new addition to the list, and the success of the light novel and manga is owed to the incredible anime that dominated 2023. The lovely female protagonist, unique take on Chinese history, and interesting plot catapulted the series to incredible heights, and the anime was promptly announced for a second season. The series’ depictions of politics and darker themes make it all the more unique.

Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a sharp-witted apothecary who is abducted and sold into the emperor’s palace. Using her extensive medicinal knowledge and keen observation skills, she demonstrates her value beyond just being a worker, and her talents soon attract the attention of the enigmatic eunuch Jinshi, leading to a deeper and more dangerous involvement in court affairs.

2

Frieren Soared To Wild Heights

4.3 Million Copies Sold

Prior to 2023, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End was already selling plenty of copies and consistently ranked well without having an anime. However, the masterpiece of an anime courtesy of Studio Madhouse brought attention to the manga, which went from 10 million copies to more than 20 million in the span of 6 months. From the beautiful animation, stellar soundtrack, and down-to-earth characters, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End was one of the highlights of 2023, and easily one of the best fantasy anime over the last decade.

Frieren treads on unfamiliar ground in the fantasy genre: what happens to the world after the Demon Overload is defeated? The millennium-old elf travels around the world after defeating the demons alongside her party, and the death of her friend Himmel ignites her desire to connect with humans, something she never cared to do. She learns to empathize, takes on responsibilities, and comes to understand humans better.

1

Jujutsu Kaisen Reigns Supreme

4.6 Million Copies Sold

Jujutsu Kaisen has remained one of the most successful recent anime series, and the current arc has been nothing short of exciting; albeit emotionally taxing. With twists and turns, new techniques, shocking developments, and bombastic action, the manga continues to prove why it deserves to be at the top. It is close to hitting the 100 million copies mark, which it will most likely do before it ends, given the anime is still ongoing.

Yuji Itadori is unlucky enough to have the King of Curses, Sukuna, reside in his body trying to take control. However, he is unique, given that he can resist the curse from taking control. He is sentenced to death, but before he is killed, he goes on an action and death-filled journey to find and consume all of Sukuna’s fingers, and only then can he die, taking Sukuna alongside him. It isn’t as easy as it sounds though, as many villains and masterminds stand in his way, but he takes them on with his friends and teachers.

Source: WSJ_Manga.