The world of shonen manga continues to captivate readers worldwide with its thrilling action, compelling characters, and epic storylines. In 2024, several series stood out, achieving remarkable success through high sales, impactful adaptations, and devoted fanbases. Here’s a look at 10 of the biggest shonen manga series that dominated the year.
Jujutsu Kaisen: The Year’s Top Performer
Jujutsu Kaisen, created by Gege Akutami, has cemented its place as a modern classic. It was honored as “Manga of the Year” by Da Vinci Magazine and its conclusion in 2024 provided a dramatic and emotional end to the series. Known for its blend of thrilling battles and deep philosophical themes, Jujutsu Kaisen maintained immense popularity over its six-year run. In 2024, it topped the sales charts, selling over 7.6 million copies and outstripping even the renowned One Piece by over 2 million sales. This achievement marks the third time in four years that Jujutsu Kaisen has claimed the top spot on Oricon’s best-selling manga list, demonstrating its lasting impact and fervent fan base. The manga’s conclusion was a major talking point, with fans eager to see how Yuji Itadori’s story would end. The end of the manga run makes it unlikely that it will top the sales charts in 2025, but a potential third season of the anime by MAPPA could keep it in the top rankings.
One Piece: The Enduring Legend
Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, a series that has been running for over two decades, continues to be a juggernaut in the manga world. Even with the release of three new volumes in 2024, it settled for second place in sales, with over 5.2 million copies sold. Its consistent performance and dedicated fanbase demonstrate its lasting appeal and cultural impact. One Piece is a testament to the power of long-form storytelling, proving that a well-crafted adventure can resonate with readers across generations. Despite being the second best-selling manga in 2024, it still shows incredible staying power.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End: A Rising Star
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe, experienced a meteoric rise in 2024. The series jumped from 11th place in 2023 to 3rd place in 2024 with sales increasing by an astounding 99%. The manga sold nearly 5 million copies in 2024. Nine of its volumes ranked in the Top 50 best-selling volumes of the year, more than any other series in 2024. The series’s anime adaptation by Madhouse significantly boosted its popularity, attracting a broader audience and further increasing its manga sales. Frieren’s success can be attributed to its nostalgic tone and beautiful visuals, resonating deeply with fans. It also made history by dethroning Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to become the highest rated anime title on MyAnimeList in March.
My Hero Academia: A Superhero Staple
Kōhei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia remained a highly popular shonen manga in 2024, consistently appearing on best-seller lists. By April 2024, the series, including its spin-offs, had over 100 million copies in circulation worldwide, cementing its status as one of the best-selling shonen manga of all time. This manga continues to be popular with fans as they follow Deku’s journey to become the world’s greatest hero. Although the manga concluded in 2024, its legacy will continue to have an impact on the genre.
Sakamoto Days: Action and Humor
Sakamoto Days solidified its position as a fan favorite in 2024. The series is known for its unique blend of humor, exciting action, and engaging character dynamics, attracting a dedicated readership. It reached a significant milestone with over 7 million copies in circulation by December 2024. The creative storyline and fast-paced battles helped it stand out in the competitive world of shonen manga.
Other Notable Shonen Manga of 2024
While the above series dominated sales and popularity, several other shonen manga also made a significant impact in 2024:
- The Apothecary Diaries: This series sold over 4.7 million copies, securing its place among the best-selling manga.
- Blue Lock: With over 3.8 million copies sold, this series continues to be a popular sports manga.
- Kaiju No. 8: This title achieved over 3.3 million sales in 2024, showcasing its appeal to a wide range of readers.
- Kingdom: This historical epic manga sold over 3.2 million copies, maintaining its popularity.
- Haikyu!!: Despite not releasing any new volumes in 2024, this sports manga sold over 3 million copies, a testament to its popularity and dedicated fanbase.
- Spy x Family: This manga, known for its unique blend of comedy and action, sold over 2.6 million copies.
- Kagurabachi: This series garnered significant attention for its intriguing premise and dynamic action.
- Gokurakugai: This manga was popular among readers in 2024 due to its exciting storyline.
New Shonen Manga of 2024
Several new shonen manga debuted in 2024, making their mark with unique storytelling and art styles. These include:
- Centuria: Filled with action, drama and supernatural elements.
- No\Name: This manga is a new addition to the genre.
- Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi: This manga combines exorcism with wit.
- Goze Hotaru: A new series that gained popularity in 2024.
- MAD: This manga was a popular new title of 2024.
- Galaxias: A new manga that showed promise.
- Hero Organization: Another new manga that was released in 2024.
- Monochrome Days: A relatable story told in a unique art style.
- Ichi The Witch: A new series with an interesting plot.
The Continuing Evolution of Shonen Manga
The shonen manga genre continues to evolve, with new series pushing boundaries and established titles maintaining their popularity. In 2024, series like Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End demonstrated the depth and diversity of the genre. Whether through high sales, critical acclaim, or a loyal fanbase, these manga series have left a significant impact on the world of comics and entertainment, shaping the landscape for years to come. As we move into 2025, it will be interesting to see which manga titles will emerge as the new giants of the genre.
