2008’S best selling manga—a great year for manga and especially anime. The “Big Three” were in full effect, dominating the top five. At number three, 20th Century Boys, a classic manga by the esteemed Naoki Urasawa, made its mark. Meanwhile, the now largely forgotten Hitman Reborn! secured the fourth spot.

Do you know what four out of the five top titles have in common? They all belong to the shōnen demographic and four of those in Shonen jump magazine. However, at number three, we see the first seinen manga on the list. Not far behind, Nana became the first shōjo title to appear.

While none of the titles on 2008’s best selling manga list were first published that year, fans did see the conclusion of several beloved series, including The Prince of Tennis, Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu, and Kōkō Debut.

2008’s Top 50 best selling manga

Oricon only tracks physical copies sold in Japan. “Oricon Years” are from November to November.

Movie tie-ins and rereleases.

You’ll find that some titles on the list had actually finished their run before 2008 but saw a boost in sales due to tie-ins or re-releases. 20th Century Boys, for example, received a surge in popularity thanks to its live-action movie adaptation, the first of three films, which premiered in 2008.

Rookies had already ended in 2003, but a live-action drama adaptation that aired in 2008 helped revive interest and boost sales.

Meanwhile, The Prince of Tennis manga concluded in March 2008, but it remained popular thanks to the ongoing anime and the Prince of Tennis musicals. Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu also ended in 2008, yet its sales remained strong due to the excitement surrounding its live-action movie, which was announced that year and released in 2009.

And last but not least, Hana Yori Dango experienced a major resurgence in 2008, fuelled by the success of its live-action movie, Hana Yori Dango Final.

Manga That Ended in 2008

Manga readers were lucky in 2008, as only a few titles came to an end on 2008’S best selling manga list. These included:
Prince of Tennis – Ended in March 2008

• Serialized from 1999 to 2008.
• The sequel, New Prince of Tennis, started in 2009.

Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu – Ended in 2008

• Serialized from 2005 to 2008.
• Received a live-action movie in 2009, boosting post-serialization sales.

Kōkō Debut – Ended in 2008

Continued to be popular due to a live-action film adaptation in 2011.

Serialized from 2003 to 2008.

Anime manga cross over

Anime plays a huge role in boosting manga sales. A well-made anime with strong production quality, compelling storytelling, and a dedicated fanbase can significantly drive manga sales—sometimes even turning a mid-tier series into a best-seller.

A real-world example of this is Jujutsu Kaisen. Following its anime adaptation in 2020, the series saw a dramatic surge in popularity, with manga sales skyrocketing from around 600,000 per year to over 30 million in 2021.

However, success isn’t always guaranteed—execution, timing, and marketing all play crucial roles in determining whether an anime adaptation can truly boost manga sales.

Shōnen Anime Airing in 2008:

1. One Piece (Ongoing since 1999)
2. Naruto: Shippuden (Airing since 2007)
3. Bleach (Airing since 2004)
4. Gintama (Airing since 2006)
5. Soul Eater (Premiered in 2008, ended in 2009)
6. D.Gray-Man (Airing since 2006, ended in 2008)
7. Detective Conan (Ongoing since 1996)
8. Hunter x Hunter (1999 anime had ended, but OVAs were still released until 2004; no TV anime in 2008)
9. Prince of Tennis (OVA: National Tournament) (Final OVA episodes aired in 2008)
10. Major (Season 4) (Aired in 2008)
11. Tsubasa: Tokyo Revelations (OVA) (2007–2008)
12. *Shaman King (Reruns and Kanzenban re-release were ongoing, but no new anime in 2008)

Seinen Anime Airing in 2008:

1. Detroit Metal City (OVA released in 2008)

Shōjo & Josei Anime Airing in 2008:

1. Nana (Had ended in 2007, but was still popular in 2008)
2. Vampire Knight (Premiered in 2008, second season aired later in 2008)
3. Natsume Yūjin-chō (Premiered in 2008)

2008’S best selling seinen manga

Seinen manga is aimed at young adult men, typically featuring mature themes, complex storytelling, and detailed artwork. Unlike shōnen manga, which targets younger boys, seinen delves into deeper psychological, philosophical, and societal issues.

It often presents more realistic depictions of violence, relationships, and morality, making it a more nuanced and thought-provoking genre.

• 20th Century Boys
• Detroit Metal City
• Nodame Cantabile
• Pluto
• Rookies
• Saint Onii-san
• Team Medical Dragon
• Vagabond
• Worst

2008’S best selling Shōjo & Josei manga

Shōjo manga is aimed at young girls, focusing on romance, drama, and emotional storytelling. It often features expressive artwork and character-driven narratives.

In contrast, josei manga targets adult women, exploring more mature themes such as realistic romance, career struggles, and complex personal relationships. This gives josei a more grounded and nuanced perspective on love and life.

• Nana
• Kimi ni Todoke
• Black Butler
• Host Club (Ouran High School Host Club)
• Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu
• Kōkō Debut
• Hana Yori Dango
• Vampire Knight

2008’S best selling Shōnen Manga

Shōnen manga is aimed at young boys, typically featuring action-packed stories, adventure, and themes of friendship, perseverance, and self-improvement.

It is known for its dynamic artwork and fast-paced storytelling, making it one of the most popular manga demographics.

• One Piece
• Naruto
• Hitman Reborn!
• Bleach
• Soul Eater
• Gintama
• Fullmetal Alchemist
• D. Gray-Man
• Detective Conan
• Hunter x Hunter
• Fairy Tail
• Hayate no Gotoku (Hayate the Combat Butler)
• To Love-Ru
• Eyeshield 21
• Bloody Monday
• Kekkaishi
• Ace of Diamond
• Ahiru no Sora
• Major
• Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle
• Air Gear
• Hajime no Ippo
• Nabari no Ou
• Prince of Tennis
• Shaman King (Kanzenban Edition)
• Zatch Bell

Simplified best selling manga table

The table below shows 2008’s best selling manga in a simplified format, making it easier to find each title. It corresponds to the images above for reference.

Final Thoughts on 2008’s best selling manga

I hope you enjoyed learning learning about 2008’s best selling manga, a year dominated by shōnen manga, with giants like One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach leading the charge. Yet, hits like 20th Century Boys  and Nana  proved diverse stories could thrive too. Anime, movies, and adaptations breathed new life into older series like Hana Yori Dango and The Prince of Tennis, showing how multimedia keeps manga timeless.

Though shōnen ruled, 2008 highlighted manga’s power to captivate all audiences—young or old, through action, drama, or heart. A year where endings met reinvention, and storytelling reigned supreme. Learn about the authors of the highest ranking manga here.