Blue buckle was the best-selling manga of 2023 from December 5, 2022 to November 27, 2023, according to Oricon. The anime, which debuted last October, has been credited by many fans for introducing the series, but the quality and international appeal of Blue Lock speaks for itself. The series represents Kodansha’s first title to top the list since Oricon started counting in 2003. Here are all of the best-selling manga of 2023:
The best-selling manga by title and volume in the first half of 2023 was reported earlier this year. Blue Lock’s chart-topping performance is hardly surprising when you consider the series led the competition by nearly double the margin in the first half of 2023. One Piece also had an impressive effort, moving from number 5 to number 3. The 2023 list means Jujutsu Kaisen is dethroned as the best-selling manga of 2022, after reaching 12 million copies last year. Overall, only Blue Lock surpassed the 10 million mark this year, while in 2022 there will be 4 units surpassing this mark.
The main character of Blue Lock, Yoichi IsagiFor those who haven’t read it, Blue Lock is published by Kodansha, with story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and art by Yusuke Nomura. The series has been collected into 26 volumes as of August 2018, including the spin-off manga Blue Lock: Nagi Volume and an anime series. The upcoming film adaptation of Blue Lock: Nagi Episode recently released a new trailer. The second part of the main story has also been announced.
Kodansha USA licenses the series in North America and describes the plot as follows: The Japanese team struggles to regroup. But what’s missing? An excellent Striker who can guide them to victory. The Japanese Football Federation desperately wants to create a striker who is hungry for goals and hungry for victory, and can be the decisive tool to overturn a losing situation…and to do that, they have gathered 300 of Japan’s best and brightest young players. Who will emerge to lead the group…and can they overcome the muscle and ego of those who stand in their way?
Source: Oricon© Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, Kodansha/“Blue Lock” Production Committee
