This year, the football Blue Lock is the best selling manga Of 2023 and has surpassed big names like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen in terms of sales in Japan.
Blue Lock is the best selling manga Of 2023, based on sales data disclosed by Oricon. Authored by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, the football manga has secured the top spot with an impressive 10.52 million copies sold.
This accomplishment is accompanied by noteworthy milestones. Blue Lock is the best selling manga Of 2023 sports manga since Slam Dunk in 1996, signifying a substantial achievement. Furthermore, it holds the distinction of being the first manga from Bessatsu Shonen Magazine in recent years to achieve this coveted ranking.
Blue Lock is The Best Selling Manga Of 2023
For those not acquainted with the term, “spokon” is derived from the Japanese words “supotsu,” meaning “sport,” combined with “kondo,” signifying “spirit,” and “kon,” representing “obsession.” Consequently, “spokon” refers to a work associated with sports.
While it may not have gained as much international recognition, Blue Lock is the best selling manga Of 2023 and has emerged as a sensation within Japan. Outshining renowned series like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen, which enjoy widespread popularity globally, Blue Lock has made a significant impact on the Japanese audience.
The second-highest selling manga is Jujutsu Kaisen, with an impressive 8.54 million copies sold, closely followed by One Piece in third place with 7.19 million copies sold.
Oricon’s data in May initially positioned Blue Lock at the pinnacle with 8 million copies sold in the first half of 2023. Chainsaw Man secured second place with 4.4 million copies sold, and Slam Dunk claimed third place with 4.1 million copies sold. This trend persisted in the October data, maintaining Blue Lock’s lead at the forefront with 10.1 million copies sold.
The surge in Blue Lock’s popularity can be attributed to various factors, potentially fueled by the release of its anime adaptation and the significant exposure gained when Japan’s soccer team showcased uniforms designed by Nomura during the recent Olympics. This heightened visibility likely propelled the series into the mainstream spotlight.
Blue Lock stands out as a distinctive sports manga, narrating the journey of Yoichi Isagi, a striker with aspirations of becoming the world’s best. The series is renowned for its high-intensity and dramatic matches.
The anime adaptation of Blue Lock premiered in October 2022, produced by Studio Eight Bit. It received acclaim from both critics and fans, possibly contributing to the increased sales of the manga. Furthermore, a Blue Lock film is presently in development and is set to release in Japan on April 19, 2024.
Also Read: Blue Lock Chapter 243 Spoilers & Raw Scans
