Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man Shake Up US Sales Charts: Manga Domination Continues
Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man have effectively taken over the US graphic novel market in the first months of 2026. Gege Akutami's phenomenal series Jujutsu Kaisen claimed the number one spot on the February Circana BookScan list with its 29th volume, while Tatsuki Fujimoto's Chainsaw Man saw its 20th volume rise to second place on the New York Times "Graphic Books and Manga" list in April. These achievements demonstrate that the popularity of Japanese manga in the Western world is not merely a passing fad, but has become a mainstream pillar of the market.
The undeniable influence of the third anime season, which aired between January and March 2026 and covered the "Culling Game" arc, has fueled Jujutsu Kaisen's unwavering ascent. Although the main manga series concluded in September 2024 with 30 volumes, its circulation exceeding 150 million copies worldwide and the newly released short sequel series titled Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo continue to keep the fanbase engaged. In the US specifically, the 29th volume published by VIZ Media drew both new readers and collectors to stores.
On the other hand, Chainsaw Man remains a hot topic following the conclusion of its second part (Part 2), known as the "Academy Arc," with chapter 232 in March 2026. The series' 20th volume gained significant sales momentum as soon as it hit shelves in the US on March 3, 2026. Tatsuki Fujimoto's chaotic and emotional storytelling has turned the tale of Denji and Asa Mitaka into a modern classic. Following the Reze Arc film released in late 2025, fans are now eagerly awaiting the second anime season themed around the Assassins Arc, expected to arrive in late 2027.
The lists are not limited to just these two giants; the new generation of the manga world is also making a thunderous entrance. Kei Urana's Gachiakuta and Takeru Hokazono's highly acclaimed Kagurabachi series have proven they are future "hit" candidates by entering the top 10 on BookScan lists. Furthermore, the consistent performance of series like Dandadan and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End highlights the American reader's appetite for genre diversity. It appears the manga industry will maintain its position at the pinnacle of the global entertainment world throughout 2026.
