Dr. Stone Creator Reveals Why Manga’s Global Success is Inevitable!

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For quite a while now, anime has been gradually moving into mainstream acceptance, but the past few years have seen a significant surge in its popularity. At the same time, manga readership is also experiencing growth, as demonstrated by the transformation of platforms like Manga Plus and Viz Media, among others. One popular series that has carved out a space for itself in the Western market is “Dr. Stone“, whose creator, Boichi, recently expressed his thoughts on manga’s recent global success.

At the Napoli Comic Con 2025, Boichi – the creator of Dr. Stone and author of numerous series such as Sun-Ken Rock and The Marshall King – spoke in an interview published by Lo Spazio Bianco. When asked about the growing popularity of anime and manga in the West, Boichi expressed a belief that this success was inevitable, likening it to a “natural occurrence.” His reasoning for this belief was rooted in the vast array of genres and styles that manga encompasses, making it appealing to a wide audience, including Western readers.

Dr. Stone Artist Boichi Attributes Manga’s Popularity to Variety

Since 2004, Boichi has been part of the Japanese manga industry, witnessing its growth for more than two decades. Boichi accurately pinpoints what makes manga popular, not just in the East, but also in the West. In a recent interview, Boichi elaborates: “Manga’s appeal could be considered a natural occurrence because its primary objective is to entertain. It offers enjoyment and an extensive range of genres. This wide array can draw in more and more readers, even among foreign audiences, who can pick and choose from the diverse selection of genres.

In many cases, people might overlook the fact that manga offers a wide variety of genres beyond just shonen battle series. Genres like shojo, josei, and seinen have their own unique stories to tell, and these are often underrated. No matter where you’re from, the tales that manga weave can be appreciated by almost everyone. In a recent interview, Boichi shared this same perspective, even mentioning BL (Boys’ Love) as an example, stating, “For instance, in the magazine I showed you earlier, there is also a BL story; why couldn’t it gain popularity in Europe too? Your preferences guide which comic you decide to read.

In essence, Boichi’s statement implies that the future holds great promise for Japanese manga, given its wide variety. It’s likely that manga will become even more widely appreciated in the coming years, provided that publishers persist in making the medium easier to access globally. Regrettably, there is still room for improvement in this aspect, as shojo, josei, and even popular seinen manga such as Berserk, are not yet as easily available digitally. However, let’s hope that things improve over time.

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2025-05-22 02:13