The most high-rated anime comic books, or manga, of all time include One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Ball, Attack on Titan, Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist, My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer. Each has sold tens of millions of copies or more and has been adapted into popular anime series, and they remain favourites with Indian fans.
Manga is the Japanese word for comics, and most famous anime shows began as manga. In this 2026 update we have removed Spirited Away, which appeared in the earlier list, because it is an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki and not a comic book. We have also added sales figures so readers can see how popular each series is.
Quick facts: highest-rated manga series
| Manga | Creator | Serialised | Copies in circulation (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Piece | Eiichiro Oda | 1997 to present | 600 million |
| Dragon Ball | Akira Toriyama | 1984 to 1995 | 260 million |
| Naruto | Masashi Kishimoto | 1999 to 2014 | 250 million |
| Demon Slayer | Koyoharu Gotouge | 2016 to 2020 | 220 million |
| Attack on Titan | Hajime Isayama | 2009 to 2021 | 140 million |
| My Hero Academia | Kohei Horikoshi | 2014 to 2024 | 100 million |
| Fullmetal Alchemist | Hiromu Arakawa | 2001 to 2010 | 90 million |
| Death Note | Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata | 2003 to 2006 | 30 million |
Figures are from Wikipedia’s list of best-selling manga and mostly refer to copies in circulation, not exact sales.
Also readThe 10 Best DC Comic Books of All Time, From Classics to New Hits
Most high-rated anime comic books ever
1. One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat crew as they sail in search of the legendary treasure called the One Piece. It has run in Weekly Shonen Jump since July 1997 and had 115 volumes as of July 2026.
With about 600 million copies in circulation, it is the best-selling manga of all time and holds a Guinness World Record. The story is in its final saga. Netflix released the second season of its live-action series, One Piece: Into the Grand Line, on 10 March 2026.
2. Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who dreams of becoming the strongest in his village and winning its respect. Its themes of determination, friendship and never giving up have made it a favourite with readers around the world.
The manga ran from 1999 to 2014 across 72 volumes and has about 250 million copies in circulation.
3. Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama
Dragon Ball is one of the most influential manga ever made, ranked among the five best-selling series of all time with about 260 million copies. It ran from 1984 to 1995 across 42 volumes.
It follows the martial artist Son Goku from childhood to adulthood as he joins a quest to gather seven wish-granting Dragon Balls. Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto have both said Goku inspired their own heroes.
4. Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata
Death Note is a psychological thriller about Light Yagami, a high school student who finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. The battle of wits between Light and the detective L is what keeps readers hooked.
It is the shortest series here, with 12 volumes published between 2003 and 2006, which makes it a good starting point for new readers.
5. Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama
Attack on Titan is set in a world where humanity is nearly wiped out by giant humanoid creatures called Titans. It explores fear, survival, freedom and the cost of war.
The manga ran from 2009 to 2021 across 34 volumes and has about 140 million copies in circulation, including digital sales.
6. Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
Fullmetal Alchemist follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who search for the Philosopher’s Stone to restore their bodies after a failed alchemy experiment. It mixes fantasy and adventure with questions about sacrifice and redemption.
It ran from 2001 to 2010 across 27 volumes, with about 90 million copies in circulation. Its story is complete, so readers can finish it without waiting for new chapters.
7. My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi
My Hero Academia is set in a world where most people have superpowers called Quirks. It follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without a Quirk who still wants to become a hero.
The manga ended in 2024 after 42 volumes and about 100 million copies in circulation.
8. Demon Slayer by Koyoharu Gotouge
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba follows Tanjiro Kamado, a teenager whose family is killed by a demon and whose younger sister Nezuko, the only survivor, is turned into a demon. It ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from February 2016 to May 2020 across 23 volumes.
It has about 220 million copies in circulation. Its anime film Mugen Train (2020) is the highest-grossing anime film of all time, and the first Infinity Castle film premiered in Japan on 18 July 2025.
How to start reading manga in India
- Begin with a shorter, complete series such as Death Note or Fullmetal Alchemist.
- Buy official English editions from bookstores or online sellers to support the creators.
- Use official apps and licensed platforms instead of pirated scan sites.
For more pop culture lists, visit our Entertainment and Infotainment sections.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best-selling manga of all time?
One Piece by Eiichiro Oda is the best-selling manga, with about 600 million copies in circulation.
Is One Piece manga finished?
No. One Piece is still running in Weekly Shonen Jump and is in its final saga, with 115 volumes as of July 2026.
Is Spirited Away a manga?
No. Spirited Away is an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, not a manga series, which is why it has been removed from this list.
Which manga is best for beginners?
Death Note (12 volumes) and Fullmetal Alchemist (27 volumes) are complete, well-paced series that suit first-time readers.
Sources: Wikipedia: List of best-selling manga, Wikipedia: One Piece, Wikipedia: Demon Slayer.
