The U.S. manga market continues to thrive, with new reports confirming that the medium’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down, especially with the popularity of big series likeSolo Leveling. At ComicsPRO’s Pre-Conference Sneak Peek, Circana Senior Executive Director Kristen McLean shared key insights into the state of the industry according to@MangaAlertson X, revealing that manga remains a dominant force in the graphic novel space. From fast-growing series to trends in box sets and horror titles, manga’s grip on American readers is stronger than ever.
With breakout series likeDandadanandFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endleading the charge, and long-time favorites such asOne Piecestill going strong, the variety and depth of manga available to readers have undeniably fueled sustained growth for the medium. Meanwhile,South Korean manhwa titles likeSolo Levelingare also huge successes, proving that international comics are reshaping the industry landscape in the U.S. market.
The Rise of Bestselling Series and Box Sets
Solo Leveling, Dandadan, and Many Other Manga Titles Are Skyrocketing
Titles with recent anime adaptations lead the way, withDandadan, Delicious in Dungeon,andFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endtopping the fastest-growing manga series list. These series, alongside the ever-reliableOne Piece,are attracting both longtime fans and new readers. Light novels are also seeing strong success, withThe Apothecary Diariesdominating sales in that category, while the Chinese manhuaHeaven’s Official Blessingleads in its genre. This highlights a growing appetite for diverse stories beyond just traditional Japanese manga.
The Apothecary Diaries Is Flying Off the Shelves Thanks to Its Hit Anime
The Apothecary Diaries has been successful for years, but the 2023 adaptation by Crunchyroll has taken the series to another level entirely.
Manga box sets are also a big force in the market. These collections offer value and convenience for fans who want entire story arcs in one purchase. Long-running series likeOne PieceandNarutohave long benefited from this trend, but now newer titles are also seeing strong box set sales, making it easier for readers to jump into expansive stories without hunting down individual volumes.
Horror and Manhwa’s Growing Influence
Despite Shōnen Manga Being the Most Popular, Horror Has Carved Out Its Own Niche
While shōnen and fantasy manga remain the bestsellers, horror titles have also seen a huge growth in sales. Series likeJujutsu KaisenandChoujin Xare among the fastest-growing in the genre, reflecting the demand for supernatural and dark fantasy storytelling.Horror has always had a niche following in manga, but the success of these titles proves that more readers are starting to look for eerie, action-packed stories.
At the same time, manhwa is rising in popularity, withSolo Levelingleading the charge. As the top-growing manhwa series in BookScan for 2024,Solo Levelinghas proven that Korean comics are no longer just an emerging trendbut a major player in the U.S. manga market. Manga’s dominance in the U.S. is undeniable, and with a steady influx of new series, tropes, and cross-cultural influences, its popularity is only expected to grow.
Solo Leveling
Cast
Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, the world’s weakest hunter, who gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program after surviving a brutal monster attack. As he navigates his newfound abilities, Jinwoo embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of his powers and the dungeon that altered his fate.
