Black Clover manga sales: copies in circulation and growth timeline
Yuki Tabata's magic-battle series is a mid-tier Shueisha hit by cumulative circulation, with documented jumps tied to anime broadcast and film announcements.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Black Clover has more than 18 million copies in circulation globally, according to Shueisha materials cited by Animehunch. The figure combines print and digital releases and was announced in connection with the manga's 33rd volume in November 2022. Otaku USA reports the series had previously crossed 15 million copies by May 2021.
How many copies of Black Clover are in circulation?
Animehunch reports that the 33rd volume cover of Black Clover, released November 4, 2022, revealed a total circulation of 18 million copies worldwide. Shueisha is cited as the source.
The 18 million figure is a combined print and digital total. It includes tankobon volumes sold in Japan as well as licensed editions in other territories.
At that point the series had been on hiatus for several months, with creator Yuki Tabata resting and planning the final arc, yet circulation continued to climb.
Sales milestones over time
Otaku USA reported in May 2021 that Black Clover had crossed 15 million copies in circulation, according to Weekly Shonen Jump issue 26. That means the series added roughly 3 million copies over the following 18 months.
The earlier 15 million milestone came shortly after the 170-episode anime adaptation ended in March 2021, suggesting the broadcast run helped sustain manga sales.
The gap between milestones also reflects the manga's shift into its final arc, where weekly chapter pacing can slow and volume releases become the main sales driver.
Black Clover circulation milestones and related media dates.| Milestone | Date | Source |
|---|
| 15 million copies | May 2021 | Otaku USA / Weekly Shonen Jump |
| 18 million copies | Nov 2022 | Animehunch / Shueisha |
| Anime broadcast | Oct 2017 to Mar 2021 | Animehunch |
| Anime film premiere | Mar 31, 2023 | Animehunch |
Publication and anime context
Black Clover began serialization in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2015. Animehunch notes that 32 tankobon volumes had been collected as of April 2022, with the 33rd volume following in November 2022.
The anime adaptation by Pierrot ran for 170 episodes from October 2017 to March 2021 on TV Tokyo. A film, Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King, premiered in March 2023 and was distributed worldwide by Netflix.
The film and the continued serialization gave Shueisha multiple reasons to keep the manga in print and promote new volume releases internationally.
What the circulation number means
As with most publisher circulation figures, the 18 million total counts volumes shipped to retailers plus digital sales, not strictly consumer purchases. It is therefore larger than what Oricon would report through its physical retail panel for any comparable period.
Oricon does not publish a complete yearly sales history for Black Clover in English. Readers should treat the 15 million and 18 million milestones as the verifiable public record rather than reconstructing yearly totals.
No complete yearly chart data: Public English-language sources do not provide a year-by-year Oricon sales curve for Black Clover. This guide uses only the publisher circulation milestones that have been disclosed.
Where Black Clover ranks among Shonen Jump titles
At 18 million copies, Black Clover sits below Shueisha's biggest historical hits such as One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Naruto, but above many shorter or newer Jump series. Its per-volume average is moderate because the count is spread across more than 30 volumes.
The series' commercial value to Shueisha also includes the anime, film, games, and merchandise, which are not captured in the manga circulation figure alone.
That multi-revenue structure is typical for established Weekly Shonen Jump properties, where manga circulation is the foundation but animation and licensing provide the larger return.
Frequently asked questions
How many copies of Black Clover have been sold?
Shueisha announced more than 18 million copies in circulation globally as of November 2022.
Did the anime boost Black Clover manga sales?
The 15 million milestone was reported in May 2021, near the end of the 170-episode anime run, and the total rose to 18 million by late 2022.
Is the 18 million figure print only?
No. Animehunch reports the 18 million total combines print and digital releases.
How many volumes of Black Clover are there?
At least 33 tankobon volumes had been released by November 2022.