Japanese economy’s big chunk comes from the ever-growing anime and manga industry. As streaming makes anime more accessible globally and manga circulates at a rapid rate outside Japan, the industry is making bank and Oricon’s latest financial reports of best selling media franchises of 2023 suggest the same.
While 2023 saw a huge drop in sales revenue for many giant anime franchises, it turned out to be a gifted year for some debutants as well. In this article, we’ll take a look at the list of Japan’s top-selling franchises based on its local sales data (Blu-rays/DVDs, Music Videos, Light Novels and Manga). So, without further ado, let’s get started.
10. Kingdom – US $18.3 Million
One of the longest-running manga series and hugely popular amongst Japanese readers, Kingdom has proven to be a hit historical manga in the past couple of decades. Penned by Yasuhisa Hara, the series provides a fictionalized account of the warring states period of China back in the Zhou dynasty era.
The franchise made a remarkable profit in 2023 and most of it came from the manga sales which grossed over 3 million copies. With more manga volumes to come and the release of the fifth season of anime this year, Kingdom is most likely to produce much better chart numbers in future as well.
9. Spy × Family – US $20.5 Million
Action-comedy series, Spy × Family has been quite successful since its anime debut in 2022. While the manga remained top-selling on the charts in 2023, the sequel of the anime television series continued to be a blockbuster, making it one of the best selling media franchises of 2023.
Forger family’s magical charm is doing wonders for the series and it’s reflected in the series financial reports. Additionally, the first feature film of the franchise, titled “Spy × Family Code: White”, is currently screening theatrically in Japan and is scheduled to release worldwide in 2024.
8. Love Live – US $21.1 Million
Love Live! has been the most consistent and top-earning IPs in the past decade. Debuting in 2010 as a multimedia project, the franchise has delivered multiple anime titles, films, light novels, and music videos that have gone on to record remarkable sales numbers both in and out of Japan.
Despite not having a mainstream anime season, the franchise secured a name on the list because of its decent number of Blu-ray/DVD sales. With a net revenue of around US $21 million, 2023 turned out to be a better year for Love Live! as compared to the previous one.
7. Bocchi the Rock – US $22.6 Million
Musical hit Bocchi the Rock! received a round of applause for entertaining the fans in 2023 with its heartfelt and inspiring story about friendship, music, and overcoming social anxiety. The anime became so popular in Japan that it beat the likes of “Chainsaw Man” in music CDs and DVD sales.
Oricon estimates that the franchise earned around US $22 million in the debut year which is really groundbreaking considering the series standard marketing. The anime is about Hitori “Bocchi” Goto, a socially anxious high school girl yearning to make friends and perform live with a band as a guitarist.
6. My Happy Marriage – US $26.1 Million
A shojo-themed series in the list of best selling media franchises of 2023 is a rare sight which is why it’s a moment of celebration for the fans of My Happy Marriage. It wouldn’t have been possible if not for its anime adaptation that took over the hearts of the viewers in the fall season.
Following the premiere of this romance anime on Netflix, the sales of the source material skyrocketed and by the end of 2023, My Happy Marriage became the top-earning light novel with over 900 thousand copies sold. If anyone still hasn’t watched or read this series, then make sure to check it out after reading this.
5. Slam Dunk – US $29.3 Million
The last time Slam Dunk was seen on television screens or in print media was way back in the late 1990s. It wasn’t until December 2022 that the franchise made a return with its first feature anime film, making it a momentous and grand spectacle for enthusiasts.
As the film was released theatrically on a global scale, it turned out to be a blockbuster and grossed $279 million worldwide. The box office’s number is reflected in the increased sales of the manga as well, giving it a seat at the best selling media franchise of 2023 in Japan.
4. Oshi no Ko – US $34 Million
First, a spectacular anime pilot and then the rise of source material amongst the top-selling manga of 2023, Oshi no Ko has come a long way this year and is still going strong. The series has become the centrer of attention, especially among the male audience because of its enthralling subject and slice-of-life elements.
The biggest takeaway from the anime premiere of Oshi no Ko was its theme song “Idol” by Yoasobi which broke multiple records and topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100. It remained the number-one song throughout 2023, cumulating a huge revenue for the franchise through the sales of physical and digital copies of the music video.
3. Jujutsu Kaisen – US $34.3 Million
Nothing comes in the way of Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen and remarkable sales numbers year-on-year. While the ongoing manga went through a series of shocking events, the anime aired the much-awaited Shibuya Incident arc this year which resulted in almost triple manga and DVD sales in just 6 months.
Blu-ray/DVD sales of the second season of the anime television series augmented the earnings for the franchise as it concluded its successful yearly run with a total income of US $34.3 million in 2023. Overall, both manga and anime had equal contributions to the commercial and financial prosperity of the franchise.
2. Blue Lock – US $42.9 Million
One of the best sports titles to be released in recent years, Blue Lock is the leading best selling manga of 2023. Being a popular series in Japan and getting into the list of best selling media franchises of 2023 has been only possible for it thanks to its anime debut and the striking art style of the manga.
Another reason why Blue Lock had a major bump in sales last year is because of the Japanese national football team’s phenomenal performance in the FIFA World Cup 2022. Many enthusiasts and newcomers cited it as a doing of “Project Blue Lock” and got invested in the series thereafter.
1. One Piece – US $44.43 Million
One Piece has been in business for over two decades and there’s hardly been any year where it hasn’t been in the top 10 of any list. More fun and better years are still ahead for the franchise, but 2023 was a year to celebrate as the manga crossed 520 million copies in sales and the anime got greenlit for a remake version.
Just like every year, One Piece broke into the list of best selling media franchises of 2023 as well with an estimated sales of over US $44 million. On a side note, the earnings are still less than in 2021 but nonetheless, it was a great year for the franchise and series creator Eiichiro Oda who’s one of the richest manga writers of all time.
Which one of the following best selling media franchises of 2023 is your favorite? Feel free to comment down your thoughts and make sure to recommend some other franchise like the ones listed above, also don’t forget to share this article with your fellow otaku friends.
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