Japan has once again solidified its position as the world leader in manga by unveiling the must-read manga of 2025. This announcement reflects the very essence of Japanese culture, where each year brings a host of exceptional works. In 2025, certain titles have captivated the collective imagination thanks to their original plot, meticulous illustration, and exemplary publication. Here is what we find in this ranking:
- Impressive sales figures, evidencing global enthusiasm,
- A diversity of genres ranging from shonen to dark fantasy,
- Established series at the top as well as new gems to discover,
- An increasing influence on the anime universe and beyond,
- A dynamic reflection of manga publishing and the work of Japanese illustrators.
In the following sections, we will analyze in detail why this manga became essential in 2025, its economic and cultural impact, the evolution of readers’ tastes, as well as the graphic and narrative trends that propelled it to the top.
- 1 Detailed analysis of the must-read manga of 2025 in Japan
- 2 The role of Oricon and the key manga sales figures of 2025
- 3 The cultural and economic influence of the must-read manga in Japan
- 4 What new talents and trends are shaping manga in 2025?
- 5 Anime adaptations and their impact on manga popularity in 2025
Detailed analysis of the must-read manga of 2025 in Japan
The manga that has established itself as indispensable in 2025 in Japan is none other than One Piece, which reached a new milestone with the release of its volume 111. With 1,370,154 copies sold, Eiichiro Oda’s series clearly stands ahead of its competitors and confirms its hegemony over the global manga market. This performance is not isolated. It is noticeable that this manga not only places its standout volume at the top of sales but also puts two other volumes in the top 10, with volumes 112 and 113 sold respectively at over one million and nearly 800,000 copies.
This recurring success reflects an impressive loyalty from readers and a consistency in the quality of the plot and illustrations. The meticulous edition also helps maintain interest over time, with layout and print quality always meeting expectations. One Piece does not back down in the face of fierce competition, notably against Jujutsu Kaisen, which closely follows the leader with its volumes 29 and 30, both well placed in the top three annual sales, at over 1.2 million copies respectively. This competition highlights a strong trend in Japanese culture to support dynamic shonen series rich in twists and turns.
The popularity of One Piece is also explained by its ability to evolve with its times. Its plot skillfully blends adventure, humor, and deep themes, while renewing its universe and characters. This is why the series was elected best of 2025 by Oricon, which remains the official sales reference.
Beyond mere commercial success, this manga impacts the publishing and illustration sector. Many young talents are inspired by it, and the anime industry largely relies on these successes to create new adaptations that make a sensation with an international audience. To learn more about this manga dominating the rankings, you can also consult this article on One Piece in 2026.
The role of Oricon and the key manga sales figures of 2025
Oricon plays an essential role in identifying strong trends in manga in Japan. Its annual ranking is more than just a sales barometer; it’s a key indicator to understand which titles truly mark 2025. Here is a summary table of the ten best-selling manga according to Oricon in 2025:
| Position | Title | Volume | Units Sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | One Piece | 111 | 1,370,154 |
| 2 | Jujutsu Kaisen | 30 | 1,329,993 |
| 3 | Jujutsu Kaisen | 29 | 1,298,880 |
| 4 | One Piece | 112 | 1,217,769 |
| 5 | My Hero Academia | 42 | 977,955 |
| 6 | Spy x Family | 15 | 802,206 |
| 7 | One Piece | 113 | 796,155 |
| 8 | Spy x Family | 16 | 633,210 |
| 9 | Kingdom | 74 | 583,210 |
| 10 | The Apothecary Diaries | 15 | 566,342 |
This ranking reveals several key points: on the one hand, One Piece’s dominance, placing three volumes in the top 10, including the first place, illustrates its status as an indispensable manga icon. On the other hand, Jujutsu Kaisen, with two volumes in the top three, shows how quickly its influence is growing. Finally, the presence of series such as My Hero Academia, Spy x Family, or Kingdom reflects the richness and diversity of current readers’ tastes.
The Oricon ranking often has a direct impact on the international popularity of titles, boosting both manga sales and anime adaptations. Those who wish to deepen their knowledge of the must-read shonen of 2025 can consult this specialized guide on the must-read shonen 2025.
The cultural and economic influence of the must-read manga in Japan
The success of a manga like One Piece in 2025 concerns not only the literary or graphic aspect. It is also a major cultural and economic phenomenon that influences an entire industry, from publishing houses to anime studios, as well as fans and collectors. First Descendant and other rising manga illustrate this trend toward editorial diversification, offering new narrative and visual playgrounds.
The must-read manga of 2025, by establishing itself on the market, generates considerable economic spillovers:
- Increased physical and digital sales,
- Growth in derivative products (figurines, clothing, accessories),
- Boost in licensing for anime adaptations on major platforms such as Netflix,
- Direct impact on cultural tourism with events, exhibitions, and dedicated conventions,
- A ripple effect on new artists and illustrators, contributing to the vitality of Japanese culture.
For example, the enthusiasm surrounding the second season of the One Piece anime on Netflix has further solidified global appeal, reaching both enthusiasts and viewers less familiar with the manga. This dual manga-anime presence enhances immersion in this rich narrative world, creating a genuine mass phenomenon.
The Japanese market thus remains a true innovation laboratory for graphic and narrative trends that then flow into international scenes. This is also why industry professionals closely follow the rankings and analyses published each year, such as those listed in this article on anime news on Netflix.
What new talents and trends are shaping manga in 2025?
Beyond giants like One Piece or Jujutsu Kaisen, the manga scene in 2025 is buzzing with the emergence of new voices and graphic styles. The Next Manga Award 2025 is indicative of this vitality, rewarding both print and web works. For example, Ichi the Witch and Strikeout Pitch were recognized for their originality and narrative potential. These titles bring a breath of fresh air and explore less traditional subjects, giving new dimension to manga publishing.
The market is also betting on graphic renewals where the illustrator plays a pivotal role. The quality and uniqueness of illustrations are becoming determining criteria to captivate an increasingly demanding audience. The success of certain series attests to this evolution, where each page is designed to create an immersive and powerful visual experience.
This trend fits perfectly within an industry that combines the tradition of Japanese manga with modern influences stemming from cultural globalization. All of this is summarized in the following list of major developments shaping manga in 2025:
- More complex plots, mixing action and psychology,
- Innovative and diverse graphic styles,
- Publishing adapting to digital media while valuing paper format,
- Increased presence on anime streaming platforms, facilitating discovery,
- Growing fan engagement through social media and live events.
To discover these new releases that may well become your future must-reads, explore further with this article dealing with shonen and adventure titles to follow in 2025.
Anime adaptations and their impact on manga popularity in 2025
The interdependence between manga and anime is a key understanding factor to analyze the popularity of works in 2025. Indeed, the anime adaptation plays a crucial role in giving a second life to series, amplifying their reach particularly with international audiences.
The animation studio works closely with illustrators and writers to faithfully transpose the original universe while taking advantage of the video medium to enhance emotion and action. Among the flagship releases, it is noticeable that several series in the Oricon ranking have benefited from quality adaptations on renowned global platforms. For example, the popularity of One Piece is partly due to the successful broadcast of its anime, notably with season 2 launched on Netflix, attracting new viewers weekly.
Animes accompany manga popularity through specific elements:
- They offer a dynamic and colorful version of the plot,
- They use music and voices to intensify immersion,
- They promote global distribution through streaming services,
- They create cultural and community events around their release.
The role of animes in Japanese and global culture continues to grow, and 2025 perfectly illustrates this. For enthusiasts wishing to deepen their knowledge of the most outstanding animes of the moment, here is a link to a selection of top animes and mangas on Netflix not to miss.
