20 Years Later, This Record-Breaking Manga Becomes a Best-Seller Once Again

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While it might not be as widely discussed as popular series like One Piece or Dragon Ball, Kingdom is a hugely successful and enduring manga. It’s been a quiet giant in the industry for twenty years, consistently ranking among the best-selling titles. Set during China’s Warring States period, Kingdom boasts a complex and compelling story, earning both critical acclaim and numerous records.

The manga Kingdom has consistently sold well over the last few years. The release of Volume 78 on January 19, 2026, has pushed it back to the top of the sales charts, leading many to wonder why it hasn’t become more popular with a wider American audience.

20 Years in the Making, Kingdom is Still a Game Changer

The latest Oricon manga rankings, released on February 2, 2026, show that Kingdom Volume 78 was the best-selling title with around 303,000 copies sold. Medalist came in second, but with only 68,000 copies sold, it was significantly behind Kingdom. Blue Lock rounded out the top three, selling approximately 62,000 copies.

Beyond consistently achieving top weekly and monthly sales, Kingdom is a dominant force in yearly manga rankings. According to Oricon, it has been among the top 10 best-selling manga for the past five years. It ranked 9th in 2021 and 6th in 2022, followed by 10th in 2023. Kingdom then rebounded strongly, climbing to 7th place in 2024 and 5th in 2025.

While many popular manga gain traction through viral memes, Kingdom stands out for its powerful and moving portrayal of war. Its impressive sales figures demonstrate that it’s valued for its depth and artistry, not just fleeting internet trends.

Kingdom’s Sturdy Legacy is Stunning

Kingdom first appeared in 2006, and no one expected it to continue for so long – over two decades and still going strong! This historical story has shown that long-running manga aimed at older audiences can be just as popular as any other series.

By October 2025, over 80 million copies of the Kingdom manga had been sold worldwide. This shows the manga’s continued popularity, with readers still enjoying it even after more than 70 volumes have been published.

The manga Kingdom received significant recognition, starting with the grand prize at the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2013. It continued to gain acclaim, winning the first annual Tsutaya Comic Awards’ All-Time Best Section in 2017 and earning high praise from magazines such as Da Vinci. In 2019, Kingdom was named the top book of the year by Da Vinci magazine.

Kingdom Set the Benchmark for Its Manga Genre

Kingdom is published in Young Jump, a magazine for young adult men. While Golgo 13 is the best-selling seinen manga with over 300 million copies sold, Kingdom and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure have similar sales and are competing for second place. Despite other titles in the seinen category, Kingdom consistently achieves higher yearly sales than most.

The latest volume of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (volume 138) came out in December 2025, but it didn’t become a bestseller. Kingdom reached that same milestone with only half the number of volumes. While manga series like Vagabond and Berserk are well-known, their sales still don’t compare to Kingdom’s.

Historical manga aren’t uncommon, and series like Vagabond and Vinland Saga have explored similar themes. However, Kingdom stands out due to its massive scope. It’s built on years of political maneuvering and brilliant military strategy.

Kingdom stands out as the only historical war manga to achieve mainstream popularity. It successfully focuses on its specific genre, building a detailed and immersive world. Remarkably, the series has kept readers engaged for decades with its long-running story, all without relying on any supernatural powers or themes.

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2026-02-20 05:38