10 Highest Grossing Manga And Anime Franchises

The highest grossing manga and anime franchises are more than just entertainment; they represent a vast, multi-billion-dollar industry that has captivated audiences across the globe.

From their origins in Japan, these series have expanded into global phenomena, dominating various markets through anime adaptations, merchandise, video games, and more. With iconic franchises like Pokémon, One Piece, and Mobile Suit Gundam, the reach and influence of these creations extend far beyond their original manga or anime formats.

This article dives deep into the leading names that have shaped the industry, exploring how these franchises have become financial powerhouses and what makes them stand out in the competitive world of manga and anime.

1. Pokémon: The Unstoppable Global Franchise

The Pokémon franchise began first with a video game and further expanded into other media formats, such as but not limited to an anime series, trading card games, movies, toys, and merchandise. Pokémon obtains its revenues from various different streams: the trading card game is the most lucrative in history, while its anime series remains one of the favorite franchises with more than 20 seasons.

From fluffy toys to garments, everything is sold all over the world, and at least a good amount of money the franchise retrieves is solely through its merchandise. Add to that its blockbuster video games, including Pokémon Go, which swept across the world like a storm, and you get an unstoppable franchise. Pokémon keeps reworking itself without ever losing that core charm which has irreversibly made it a global cultural icon.

2. Hello Kitty: The Queen of Merchandise

Few people instantly connect Hello Kitty to the highest grossing manga and anime. Hello Kitty has grown into a juggernaut within anime and manga. She is generally known for her merchandise empire. Character licensing over the years has extended into various anime adaptations and manga series, adding to the revenue stream for this character.

Interestingly, Hello Kitty is not Japanese by origin, at least not canonically. According to Sanrio, Hello Kitty is a little girl hailing from London, UK—a fun fact that often surprises fans. Despite her British birth, Hello Kitty’s popularity spread mainly in Japan and then throughout the world. These days, she appears on everything from school supplies to luxury items, and her merchandise ranks among the top-selling lines around the world.

3. Anpanman: Japan’s Cultural Superhero

Anpanman, a superhero with a head made of bread, may not be as globally recognized as Pokémon or Hello Kitty, but it is a cultural juggernaut in Japan. Created in 1973 by Takashi Yanase, Anpanman has become a staple of Japanese children’s entertainment. The franchise’s characters appear on countless products, from toys to food items, making it a merchandising powerhouse within Japan.

Beyond its domestic success, Anpanman’s influence extends to the broader anime and manga industry. Notably, the character was an inspiration for the wildly popular series One-Punch Man, whose protagonist shares similarities with Anpanman in terms of design and humor. Despite its more localized appeal, Anpanman’s massive merchandising revenue secures its spot as one of the highest-grossing franchises in the anime and manga world.

4. Mobile Suit Gundam: A Model Kit Phenomenon

Mobile Suit Gundam really revolutionized the mecha anime genre. However, while the anime series and films of the franchise are really popular, the actual cash cow behind this franchise would have to be its plastic model kits—mumbly known as Gunpla. These models are highly intricate and take a very long time to make and customize, hence explaining how this franchise has remained profitable for so long.

But what really sets Gundam apart from the crowd, or makes it really special within anime history, is the political and highly philosophical themes involved in the mecha battles themselves. One cannot deny that its influence on subsequent mecha series has been great. Since then, this original series has spawned many video games, just tons of toys, and even full-scale real-life statues of the Gundam.

5. Dragon Ball: A Shonen Powerhouse

Perhaps few anime and manga franchises have crossed borders like Dragon Ball. At its birth, in 1984, Akira Toriyama’s creation developed into a series of anime, manga, movies, and merchandise that swept the entire world. The anime series of Dragon Ball Z popularized anime with the Western world, introducing iconic characters such as Goku and Vegeta.

What might surprise people, however, is that for all its popularity, Dragon Ball actually rests rather low on the list of the highest-grossing franchises. Which hasn’t stopped the series from continuing to expand its reach through new anime series in Dragon Ball Super, films, and a line of merchandise that seems endless, from action figures to clothing.

6. Fist of the North Star: A Surprising Contender

The Fist of the North Star, the 1983 post-apocalyptic martial arts series, surely counts as one of the most surprising entries on this list. The story of Kenshiro, a fighter fighting to protect the innocent in a world that absolutely has no regard for the law and which is completely devastated. Popular though the anime and manga may be, at least some portion of the revenue generated by this franchise comes from pachinko machines—a type of mechanical game not just popular but a favorite in Japan.

It is fascinating to consider that Fist of the North Star continues to generate an astonishing amount of money today, considering pachinko has become a form of gaming entertainment that remains extremely popular in Japan. Its effect on later series of action throughout and outside its native Japan borders is immeasurable, and it remains a landmark in anime history.

7. One Piece: The Best-Selling Manga of All Time

Having sold over 500 million copies of the manga, One Piece is the best-selling manga of all time. This Eiichiro Oda creation, a pirate adventure, has captured the attention of many since its release in 1997. Its anime adaptation only made the series popular, while Netflix’s latest live-action adaptation is sure to draw audiences new again.

Still, despite this enormous success, One Piece does not rank as high as one could imagine it would. Although most of its revenue materializes from sales of manga and merchandise, the long-running anime series, along with a strong global fanbase, cements the notion that this revenue will continue to rise for years to come.

8. Yu-Gi-Oh!: A Card Game Legend

Yu-Gi-Oh! is one hundred percent worthy to enter the highest-grossing manga and anime franchise list. Another iconic franchise deeply setting marks into the anime and manga world, basically through its revolutionary trading card game, is Yu-Gi-Oh! by Kazuki Takahashi in 1996. It soon grew from being only manga into a huge phenomenon encircling the whole world. When this anime series first hit the air in 1998, fans were being thrown head-first into the high-stakes world of Duel Monsters, and it wouldn’t be long before the real-world card game followed suit.

Yu-Gi-Oh! instantly became one of the hottest collectible card games in the world. It has sold more than 35 billion cards since its creation and boasts probably the most vigorous competitive scene across many continents, with tournaments and championships. Along with the success of the game itself, the franchise has gone on to create Dahl video games, films, and a broad range of merchandise.

This mix of strategy, competition, and especially linkage to an anime series has allowed this franchise to keep its popularity going. The high and ever-expanding library of cards within Yu-Gi-Oh! enables constant innovation to keep players invested. The combination of anime, card game, and merchandise locks Yu-Gi-Oh! on literally one of the highest-grossing anime and manga franchises.

9. Neon Genesis Evangelion: A Cultural Touchstone

Neon Genesis Evangelion is an anime series created by Hideaki Anno that first released in 1995. It is one of the most influential and highest-grossing anime franchises of all time. It has a highly elaborative storyline dealing in depth with psychological, philosophical, and existential themes that struck a chord with viewers worldwide. Hats off to Evangelion, considering it has been able to amass such a large revenue with merely a few episodes; however, its greatness and huge die-hard fanbase keep this show alive.

This includes toys, figurines, and apparel, within which Evangelion has enjoyed great success for many years. But a big factor in this financial dominance is Evangelion’s enduring popularity within Japan’s pachinko industry—those themed machines have made the franchise millions over these years. Additionally, a number of commercially successful movies hit theaters, such as the recent Rebuild of Evangelion films, which pushed the series to further its global reach.

The music of Neon Genesis Evangelion has indeed become an integral part of Japanese pop culture, from its iconic theme song, “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” to the various applications of classical music in the series. It has also been reimagined in forms such as video games and art books, among many other mediums. Not only is it an anime, but it’s a cultural and financial juggernaut. Treading a more rare line, Evangelion can blend philosophical depth with mesmerizing merchandising power while remaining at the top of the anime world.

Get the Neon Genesis watch order here.

10. KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops’ Surprising Longevity

KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops (or Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo) that deserves it’s spot on the highest grossing manga and anime list that but may not be well-known outside of Japan, but it has achieved phenomenal success domestically. Created by Osamu Akimoto in 1976, KochiKame holds the record for the longest-running manga series, spanning over 40 years with 1,960 chapters before its conclusion in 2016. Its anime adaptation also enjoyed a successful run from 1996 to 2004, further boosting its popularity.

The series follows Kankichi Ryotsu, a bumbling but good-hearted police officer, and his comedic adventures in Tokyo’s Kameari district. With its lighthearted, episodic nature, KochiKame became a favorite in Japan for its humorous take on everyday life and its relatable characters. Despite its relatively niche global presence, the franchise’s longevity and cultural relevance in Japan have translated into substantial financial success.

KochiKame continues to generate revenue through the reprints of its manga, merchandise, and periodic anniversary events, including special edition manga volumes and anime reruns. Its ability to capture the everyday struggles and joys of life, mixed with comedy and nostalgia, ensures that KochiKame remains a cherished part of Japanese pop culture. Though it may not have the international fame of some other franchises, its immense domestic success secures its place among the highest-grossing manga and anime franchises in history.

Conclusion

The world of anime and manga has grown beyond its origins in Japan to become a global cultural and financial powerhouse. The Highest Grossing Manga and Anime franchises, from Pokémon and Hello Kitty to One Piece and Mobile Suit Gundam, have all found ways to extend their influence through various media and merchandise, generating billions in revenue. Whether through video games, model kits, trading cards, or even pachinko machines, these franchises have mastered the art of cross-media expansion and deserve their spot on the highest grossing manga and anime list.

What’s clear is that the profitability of these franchises often stems not just from their anime or manga but from their extensive lines of merchandise and licensing deals. While some, like Anpanman, enjoy more localized success, others like Dragon Ball and One Piece continue to dominate on a global scale. Looking ahead, the rise of streaming platforms, live-action adaptations, and ever-expanding merchandise lines ensures that the influence and profitability of these iconic franchises will only grow.

The world of anime and manga is more than just entertainment—it’s a multi-billion dollar industry that shapes pop culture and brings people together worldwide. With new series emerging and old favorites staying strong, we can expect to see even more success stories in the future of anime and manga.

Read the highest grossing manga and anime franchises here.