Among the best-selling manga of all time, Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto has never surpassed the long-standing record set by One piece. While Naruto he got close once, finishing right behind One piecehas never won first place.
The main reason lies in the focus of Weekly Shonen Jump (WSJ). The publishers acknowledged One piecehas huge potential right from the start and also with comparable support for Narutoit couldn’t match the cultural impact that the Oda series had already established. While Naruto remains a major franchise generating huge annual sales, it simply competed with a generational series that had already cemented its legacy.
Oda always ahead of Kishimoto
Eiichiro Oda’s first start failed One piece a natural advantage, debuting two years earlier Naruto. This benefit has helped build anticipation and build a huge fan base.
Beyond the times, One piece it offered a broader, more universal appeal from the start. While Naruto‘s ninja life story is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, some elements seemed niche or implausible to global audiences. One pieceon the other hand, it created a great pirate adventure that explored themes of family, freedom, and dreams, universally recognizable concepts that made long-term domination almost inevitable.
The peak of Shippuden versus the decline of Boruto
During story arcs such as Pain, the Five Kage Summit, and the start of the Ninja War, Naruto Manga sales have peaked, fueled by excitement and emotional drive Shippuden. However, once Shippuden finished and Boruto began, that momentum waned, clearly reflected in sales. In the meantime, One piece continued to accelerate.
With the recent God Valley story arc, Oda proved that even after 28 years, the series can deliver shocking moments while maintaining and expanding its audience.
Appeal sustained despite new competition
Even with emerging new generation series like Kagurabachi, Blue block, TasteAND Ichi the witch…, One piece has maintained its appeal, keeping longtime fans engaged and attracting new readers—a feat Naruto I couldn’t support the post-Shippuden.
In conclusion, while Naruto remains an iconic manga with global influence, One pieceThe timing, universal themes, and enduring narrative of have ensured that it remains the best-selling manga in Japan, year after year.
Sources: GameK
