Shonen Jump: A Complete Guide of the Manga's Bestsellers Since 1980

For decades, Weekly Shonen Jump has been the beating 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, heartfelt coming-of-age tales, and unforgettable adventures, Shueisha's flagship magazine has been 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.

While the magazine has plenty of forgotten gems that deserve more recognition, it's the best-sellers that are most remembered for making waves around the world. Except for five years, the best-selling manga in Japan between 1980 and 2024 was always a series published on Weekly Shonen Jump.

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

1980s: The Foundation of an Era

A New Wave of Action and Adventure

The 1980s marked the early rise of Shonen Jump with series like Akira Toriyama's Dr. Slump and Kinnikuman dominating its pages. Manga like this defined what readers came to expect from the magazine and that was creative world-building, complex characters, and action-packed stories.

By 1984, Kinnikuman had become a phenomenon, its enjoyable story and combat sequences redefining the action genre. Meanwhile, comedy and adventure manga like Dragon Ball, which debuted in 1984, revolutionized storytelling with Akira Toriyama’s unique humor and memorable fight scenes. It's clear that Toriyama's art style brought a revolution to manga, thoroughly dominating the decade. By the end of the decade, Dragon Ball had cemented 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 was what many fans consider the golden age of manga, as Shonen Jump became known for consistently publishing titles that would reach legendary status. Dragon Ball remained a huge success through the early '90s, selling millions of volumes around the world and getting an anime adaptation that was also extremely successful.

But the mid-'90s saw a shift with the publication of Slam Dunk, a basketball manga that broke sales records and appealed to readers other than traditional action manga fans. Takehiko Inoue’s gripping story and realistic characters made Slam Dunk a bestseller from 1994 through the late ’90s. By the end of the decade, One Piece debuted in 1997 and quickly rose to become one of the most popular series in Shonen Jump history. Its whimsical world, lovable characters, and fun story captivated fans worldwide and set the stage for a new era of manga.

2000s to 2024: The Age of Titans

One Piece, the Big Three, and a New Generation

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

Alongside it, Naruto and Bleach formed the “Big Three,” attracting massive global audiences and bringing shōnen manga into the mainstream. These series pushed the boundaries of storytelling and manga art, making Shonen Jump an even larger global influence.

In the 2020s, newer titles like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen have taken the spotlight, bringing back some of that nostalgic Shonen Jump popularity. Both series' emotional stories and high-stakes action have gained a new generation of fans. My Hero Academia also became a really popular series, even if it never reached the top spot of the selling charts.

Shonen Jump's bestsellers show its ability to evolve with the times while staying true to its roots as a platform for thrilling and emotional stories. From the explosive battles of the 1980s to the more nuanced storytelling of today's hits, Shonen Jump has proven itself 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.