A complete guide to the best-selling manga since 1980

For decades, Shonen Jump Weekly has been the heart of the manga industry, setting trends and introducing readers to some of the most iconic characters and stories in Japanese pop culture. Known for publishing thrilling action series, heartwarming coming-of-age stories, and unforgettable adventures, Shueisha's flagship magazine is home to many of the best-selling manga in history. With each passing year, the magazine's bestsellers have not only captivated millions of readers, but also defined entire eras of manga.

Although the magazine has many forgotten gems that deserve more recognition, it is the bestsellers that are most remembered for being successful around the world. Except for five years, the best-selling manga in Japan between 1980 and 2024 has always been a series published in Shonen Jump Weekly.

Spanning more than four decades, these series show how Shonen Jump has evolved while still producing innovative stories. Looking at this data is not only a way to know which manga series are the most popular in history, but also which type of manga, or which authors, were most successful in a specific era, thus providing a fun historical look at the evolution of . shonen manga.

1980s: the founding of an era

A new wave of action and adventure

The 1980s marked the beginning of the rise Shonen Jump with series like Akira Toriyama Dr. and Kinnikuman dominating its pages. Mangas like this defined what readers expected from the magazine: creative world-building, complex characters, and action-packed stories.

In 1984, Kinnikuman became a phenomenon, its entertaining story and combat sequences redefining the action genre. Meanwhile, comedy and adventure manga like Dragon ballwhich debuted in 1984, revolutionized storytelling with Akira Toriyama's unique humor and memorable fight scenes. It's clear that Toriyama's artistic style brought a revolution to manga, completely dominating the decade. At the end of the decade, Dragon ball It established itself as the best-selling series, setting records and paving the way for a new generation of manga.

1990s: A Golden Age of Manga

The Reign of Dragon Ball and Sports Manga

The 1990s were what many fans consider the golden age of manga, as Shonen Jump became known for consistently publishing titles that would achieve legendary status. Dragon ball It remained a huge hit into the early '90s, selling millions of volumes worldwide and getting an anime adaptation that was also extremely successful.

But in the mid-90s there was a change with the publication of Buried, a basketball manga that broke sales records and attracted readers other than traditional action manga fans. Takehiko Inoue's exciting story and realistic characters made Dunk a bestseller from 1994 until the end of the 90s. By the end of the decade, One piece debuted in 1997 and quickly became one of the most popular series in Shonen Jump history. Its whimsical world, lovable characters, and entertaining story captivated fans around the world and set the stage for a new era of manga.

2000 to 2024: The Age of Titans

One Piece, the Big Three and a New Generation

From the 2000s onwards, One piece dominated Shonen Jump like no previous series. Eiichiro Oda's pirate epic has consistently topped the sales charts for over two decades, creating an unprecedented legacy that has solidified its place as the best-selling manga of all time.

Beside him, naruto and Bleach formed the “Big Three”, attracting a large global audience and bringing shōnen manga into the mainstream. These series pushed the limits of manga storytelling and art, making them Shonen Jump an even greater global influence.

In the 2020s, newer titles such as Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen gained prominence, bringing back some of that nostalgia Shonen Jump popularity. The gripping stories and high-stakes action of both series have won over a new generation of fans. My Hero Academy it also became a very popular series, even though it never reached number one on the sales charts.

Shonen Jump Bestsellers show their ability to evolve over time, staying true to their roots as a platform for exciting and moving stories. From the explosive battles of the 1980s to the more nuanced storytelling of today's hits, Shonen Jump has proven to be the gold standard of manga publishing. If history continues to repeat itself, Shonen Jump will continue to define and redefine the manga industry for generations to come.