Top 10 Best Selling Manga

1 One Piece

One of the most well known, popular manga, One Piece has been running since 1997 to present day. The series has sold 416 million copies, spanning over 85 volumes. This series holds the Guinness World Record for Most Copies Published for the same Comic Book series by a Single Author. One Piece follows a pirate crew, led by Monkey D. Luffy, as they sail the world searching for the famed treasure, the One Piece. Along the way, they meet many friends and foes alike. The series possibly has over 1,000 characters total, all very different in looks and personality. One Piece has been adapted into an anime series, an original video animation, 13 animated films, and 11 television specials. Collectible figures, plushies, keychains, and many other merchandise has also been released for this series.

2Dragon Ball

Another well known series, written by Akira Toriyama, and running from 1984 to 1995. This series has sold 240 million copies over 42 volumes. This series follows Son Goku from his childhood, through adulthood, as he trains in martial arts and explores the world searching for Seven Dragon Balls. Dragon Ball is regarded as one of the most influential series ever made. Many manga artists such as Eiichiro Oda (One Piece), Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto) and Tite Kubo (Bleach) citing Dragon Ball as a source of inspiration. The series has been adapted into two anime series by Toei Animation. Two films , animated and live-action, have also been made based on the series. Collectible trading card games, action figures, several collections of soundtracks, and a large number of video games have also been made

3Naruto

This is a series almost everyone has heard of, and usually names when it comes to bringing up anime or manga. Written by Masashi Kishimoto and running from 1999 to 2014, Naruto has sold 220 million copies, and spans over 72 volumes. This series follows the title character, a young ninja named Naruto, as he strives to become stronger, noticed and become Hokage. The series is divided into two parts, first is covers Naruto's preteen years, and the second part, called Naruto Shippuden, covers his teen years. This series was based on two one-shot manga by Kishimoto, and has been adapted into an anime series by Studio Pierrot and Aniplex. The series also spawned 11 movies, several OVA, light novels, video games, trading cards, and multiple figures.

4Golgo 13

Now we start to get into the series that have sold 200 million and more. Golgo 13 was written by Takao Saito, running from 1968 to present. This series has sold 200 million copies, spanning 184 volumes. The series follows the title character, who is a professional assassin for hire. This is a more serious series, compared to the others on this list, seeing as how the main character is very quiet, kills with no emotion, and very little is known about him. Golgo 13 has been adapted into two live-action feature films, an anime film, original video animation (OVA), an anime television series, and six video games.

5Kochikame

Another one I have never heard of, Kochikame is written by Osamu Akimoto, running from 1976 to 2016. This series has sold 157 million copies, spanning over 200 volumes, and holds the Guinness World Record for Most Volumes Published for a Single Manga Series. This is a comedy manga taking place in the present day, in and around a neighborhood police station in the downtown part of Tokyo. Mainly revolves around the misadventures of middle-aged cop Kankichi Ryotsu. Kochikame has been adapted into a television anime series, three theatrical animated films, two live-action movies, several stage adaptions, and a live-action television series

6Pokémon Adventures

Originally released in Japan as Pocket Monster Special, written and drawn by Hidenori Kusaka, Mato, and Satoshi Yamamoto, running from 1997 to present day. Has sold a total of 150 million copies, spanning 52 volumes. This is a manga based on the video games, and Satoshi Tajiri once stated the Pocket Monster Special series is closest to what he pictured the Pokémon world to be.

7Case Closed

If you have been around the anima and manga world for a while, chances are you have come across this one a few times. Written by Gosho Aoyama, running from 1994 to present. Case Closed has sold 140 million copies, spanning 91 volumes. This is an ongoing detective series, following an amateur detective who was transformed into a child while investigating a mysterious organization. He solves a multitude of cases while impersonating his friend's father and other characters. Case Closed was adapted into an anime series, which resulted in animated feature films, OVA, video games, audio disc releases and even live-action episodes

8Oishinbo

Now, to be honest, this is one I have never heard of yet it sounds interesting. Written and illustrated by Tetsu Kariya and Akira Hanasaki, running 1983 to present day. Has sold 130 million copies and spans 111 volumes. This is a long running cooking manga, which depicts the adventures of a culinary journalist and his partner. The manga was adapted into a 136 episode anime, along with two sequel anime television specials and a live-action film.

9Slam Dunk

The first sports-based manga on this list, Slam Dunk. Done by Takehiro Inoue, running from 1990 to 1996. Slam Dunk has sold 121 million copies, spanning 31 volumes. As stated at the beginning, this is a sports themed manga, focusing on a high school basketball team. A delinquent, who has no luck with girls and is the leader of a street gang, is finally noticed by the girl of his dreams. Said girl ends up introducing him to the basketball team. Delinquent turned sports star, what a charming plot. In 2010, the creator Inoue received special commendations from the Japan Basketball Association for helping to popularize basketball in Japan.

10Astro Boy

Starting it off with probably the oldest manga and anime on this list, Astro Boy. Written by Osamu Tezuka, and running from 1952 to 1968. Has sold a total of 100 million copies, spanning over 23 volumes. This manga follows the adventures of an android named Astro Boy and a selection of other characters. When the manga was adapted for television, it became the first popular animated Japanese series that embodied the aesthetic that later became familiar worldwide as anime. The series was remade in the 1980's as New Mighty Atom, still known as Astro Boy in other countries, and remade again in 2003. In November of 2007, Astro was named Japan's envoy for overseas safety. In October 2009, a computer animated film, based on the original manga, was released. In March 2015, a trailer was released announcing a new animated series.

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