The year 2023 was marked by the resounding success of “Jujutsu Kaisen”, and at the start of 2024, it is clear that this manga is at the top of Japanese trends. Season 2 of the anime and the release of the new volume of the manga have propelled sales of Gege Akutami’s work to impressive levels.
A Spectacular 2023 for Jujutsu Kaisen 2024
The previous year was truly spectacular for “Jujutsu Kaisen”. Despite the controversies linked to MAPPA’s working conditions, nothing has been able to tarnish the reputation of this manga which has reached heights comparable only to “One Piece”. But credit where it’s due, because if Gege Akutami’s work is in such an enviable position, it’s no wonder that translates into exceptional manga sales.
The Overwhelming Dominance of “Jujutsu Kaisen” in 2024
The year 2024 is off to a sensational start for “Jujutsu Kaisen.” The data collected by @WSJ_mangawhich regularly monitors manga sales in Japan, testify to the total domination of manga from its first week on sale.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
The first week of 2024 saw “Jujutsu Kaisen” cross the million copies sold mark, while its closest competitor, “Frieren,” didn’t even reach 300,000 copies sold. Two main reasons explain this impressive gap:
1. The Impact of Anime Season 2
The echo of the second season of the anime still resonates. The season concluded at the end of December, and it makes sense that this upward trend would continue into January.
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2. The release of the 25th Volume of the Manga
On January 4, “Jujutsu Kaisen” released its 25th manga volume, with Sukuna on the cover. These elements combined had Japanese fans rushing to get their copy.
Deserved Recognition for “Frieren” and “The Apothecary Diaries”
It is important to note the respective positions of “Frieren” and “The Apothecary Diaries”, which ranked second and third in terms of manga sales. Although their numbers are not as impressive as those of “Jujutsu Kaisen,” they have been consistently among the best-selling manga in Japan for weeks. Personally, I think it’s a well-deserved recognition for two works whose anime is exceptional.
Conclusion
In summary, the numbers don’t lie, and they testify to the undeniable popularity of “Jujutsu Kaisen”. For many months, it was rare to see sales of a manga exceed one million units in a single week. Recently, only “One Piece” has accomplished such a feat. Of course, this also indicates that the manga market is slightly less dynamic than in the past. Regardless, the achievements of “Jujutsu Kaisen” in this period of relative stability are exceptional.
