Whenever there is a debate about which manga is the most popular in the anime world, the names that pop up are the Big Three and Dragon Ball. The Big Three of anime includes One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach. There is a reason why these four are considered to be the most popular anime of all time. They have built their success and fandom from scratch and are the foundation of all anime and manga when it comes to marketing.
One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach were the main forces in the 2000s and were pillars behind the success of the manga industry. But in the modern age, the old ways are getting replaced. Manga these days do not require years to build their success. One of the recent manga, Kagurabachi, is leading the line by surpassing popular manga.
Kagurabachi is the Driving Force In The Changing Anime Industry Ahead of Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach
Kagurabchi began releasing its first chapter on September 19, 2023, and since then has become one of the most popular manga. Its fandom seems to grow with each day and it has already surpassed popular manga like Dragon Ball Super, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Spy X Family, Chainsaw Man, etc. Its popularity has not been limited to Japan only instead, it has had its grasp on Western countries, too.
Also Read: Kagurabachi Proves Once Again Why it Deserves to be One of the Best Shonen Manga
As previously mentioned, the popular manga of the past generation took years to make a loyal and large fandom. At first, the serialization began in Japan, and if the manga was popular, then it was adapted into an anime, and then it was aired in Western countries. It was a long process. But nowadays, the craze of manga has increased tenfold, which has helped the business to be booming.
There are several manga reading sites online, with Manga Plus being the most popular one. With a minimal amount, people can subscribe to it, and within a few hours of release, they can access the latest chapters. The Western countries do not have to wait long for the anime. They can read it through the paid sites. Kagurabachi has a great plot, fight sequences, characters, etc., which has made it more appealing to the people, and as a result, it is bringing in more revenue to the $28 Billion Anime industry.
More on the Anime Industry Revolution
The anime industry is worth more than $28 billion. Instead of waiting for anime adaptations, the manga is getting a hike in sales from the initial stage. It has created a boom in that industry. Due to the astonishing sales number, Yuta Momiyama, the editor of Shueisha, posted on his X account, “We are on the verge of realizing an era in which the series will grow into a popular work all over the world.”
海外向け漫画誌アプリMANGA Plus by SHUEISHAで本日課金機能実装しました。
— モミー 【少年ジャンプ＋編集】 (@momiyama2019) October 4, 2023
全世界で連載作品の最新話が読めるだけでなく、最新話まで課金して追いつけるようになりました。
これまで海外ではアニメになると人気が出ると言われてきました。しかし状況は変わってきています。… https://t.co/GSdN7e8izH
The editor pointed out that one of the biggest reasons for such growth is due to Western countries taking an interest. The world has become smaller, and as a result, everything can be accessed with minimal effort. There is no doubt that manga like Kagurabachi is developing the manga industry, but Dragon Ball, Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece are the manga that shaped the industry.
Kagurabachi and Kaiju No. 8 may have climbed up the popularity ranks, but One Piece still tops the Manga Plus’ most popular anime list. It is good that the industry is changing, but it also creates pressure on the creators to keep up the good work. One wrong step and the fans might shift to another manga. A healthy competition is always welcomed.
Also Read: 1 Arc Naruto Live Action Film Needs to Absolutely Nail if it Wants to Dethrone One Piece
