A chart has been released showcasing the top 25 “manga properties” in North America – unfortunately, the results are as anticipated with Naruto infecting the chart with its generic (lack of) charm.
The chart outlines the first and second fiscal quarter of 2011.
Officially, the ranking has been devised based on “interviews with retailers, distributors, and manufacturers” – which when translated out of its ambiguities presumably means sales, stock, and related financial, profitable, and potential aspects. The series are of course being ranked in this method according to how much they can fill their publisher’s pocket, rather than quality – something clearly indicated with Naruto being ranked first.
The term “manga properties” defines the series as a business asset and how well it performs as such, not as a Japanese illustrated comic.
The ranking:
01.) Naruto – Viz Media
02.) Bleach – Viz Media
03.) Vampire Knight – Viz Media04.) Black Butler – Yen Press
05.) Death Note – Viz Media
06.) Blackbird – Viz Media07.) Rosario + Vampire – Viz Media
08.) Fullmetal Alchemist – Viz Media
09.) Dragonball & DBZ – Viz Media10.) Soul Eater – Yen Press
11.) One Piece – Viz Media
12.) Maximum Ride – Yen Press13.) Alice in the Country of Hearts – Tokyopop
14.) Hetalia – Tokyopop
15.) Yu-Gi-Oh! – Viz Media16.) Pandora Hearts – Yen Press
17.) Bakuman – Viz Media
18.) Fruits Basket – Tokyopop19.) Dendeki Daisy – Viz Media
20.) D. Gray Man – Viz Media
21.) Yotsuba! – Yen Press22.) Ouran High School Host Club – Viz Media
23.) Shugo Chara – Del Rey Manga
24.) K-On! – Yen Press25.) High School of the Dead – Yen Press
The only remotely surprising aspect of the list has to be the inclusion of remedial service series High School of the Dead – oppai are simply never too popular.
Aug 19, 2011 @ 13:05 CDT
Viz manga Viz manga Viz manga.
Kind of pisses me off for some reason.
Aug 19, 2011 @ 13:25 CDT
It almost disgusts me like a swarm of insects that won’t go away.
Aug 19, 2011 @ 13:53 CDT
Ah, taking a look at manga stats here in the States always reminds me of just how far we’ve come from our meager beginnings, and how so very, very far we have to go. -Nod nod-
That aside, I’ve long since worn out my patience of seeing Yu-Gi-Oh! as a top contender. To say the series has been milked for everything it’s worth would be a severe understatement. It needs to die and let superior card-based series, such as Battle Spirits for example, take the lead from now on.