Chainsaw Man manga sales: Oricon annual history and circulation
Chainsaw Man's strongest Oricon year came after its anime aired, but its annual sales are smaller than the biggest Shonen Jump blockbusters.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Chainsaw Man sold 3,438,930 copies in Japan during Oricon's 2022 tracking year, rose to 5,348,618 copies in 2023, then fell to 1,377,179 copies in 2024. The manga has over 30 million copies in circulation worldwide as of 2025. Oricon's figures count physical sales from late November to late November and exclude digital.
How has Chainsaw Man sold year by year?
Oricon's annual series rankings show Chainsaw Man at #8 in 2022 with 3,438,930 copies, #5 in 2023 with 5,348,618 copies, and #17 in 2024 with 1,377,179 copies. The 2021 ranking does not include Chainsaw Man in the top five, and publicly available Oricon data for that year does not place it near the top.
The jump from 2022 to 2023 came after the anime adaptation aired and new volumes were released. The drop in 2024 reflects fewer new volumes and a smaller back-catalog boost.
Chainsaw Man annual physical manga sales in Japan, per Oricon.| Year | Oricon rank | Copies sold | Notes |
|---|
| 2021 | Not in top 5 | Not disclosed | Series had not yet broken into annual top tier |
| 2022 | 8 | 3,438,930 | First full year after anime announcement |
| 2023 | 5 | 5,348,618 | Peak annual sales |
| 2024 | 17 | 1,377,179 | Fewer new volumes |
Why did 2023 sales exceed 2022 and 2024?
The anime adaptation premiered in October 2022, so its full sales impact showed up in the 2023 Oricon window. Oricon's 2023 tracking period ran from November 21, 2022 to November 19, 2023, capturing the post-anime volume rush.
By 2024, the initial anime-driven spike had faded and the series was publishing fewer new volumes. The 2024 total is therefore closer to a steady-state level for an established series with a dedicated core audience.
What is Chainsaw Man's total circulation?
IGN India reported in 2025 that Chainsaw Man has over 30 million copies in circulation. That total includes digital editions and overseas print runs.
Otaku USA Magazine reported in March 2021, before the anime aired, that the series had more than 9.3 million copies in circulation. The growth from roughly 9 million to over 30 million shows the anime's effect on total reach.
How does Oricon track manga sales?
Oricon compiles physical sales from a panel of Japanese retailers. Its annual ranking runs from late November to late November and does not include digital sales.
ICv2's 2022 report notes that Chainsaw Man was not in the top five in Japan despite strong North American sales, which suggests a larger share of digital or international readership than Oricon's physical ranking captures.
Physical versus digital: Oricon counts only physical retail sales. Total circulation figures from publishers include digital and overseas copies, so the two measures can move in different directions.
Where does public evidence stop?
Shueisha does not publish monthly sales reports for Chainsaw Man. The annual Oricon rankings are the most reliable public source for year-to-year comparison, but they do not capture the full audience.
Because the series has a significant digital and international readership, the Oricon numbers understate total readership. The 30 million circulation figure is a better measure of total reach, while the Oricon numbers measure physical retail performance in Japan.
Frequently asked questions
What was Chainsaw Man's best-selling year?
2023, with 5,348,618 copies sold in Japan according to Oricon.
How many Chainsaw Man copies are in print?
Over 30 million copies worldwide as of 2025, including digital editions.
Does Oricon count digital manga sales?
No. Oricon's annual manga ranking counts physical copies sold at participating retailers.
Sources and methodology
- Oricon (Japan) Manga Sales 2023, Oricon. Official Oricon 2023 ranking: Chainsaw Man #5 with 5,348,618 copies.
- Oricon (Japan) Manga Sales 2024, Install Base. Oricon 2024 series ranking: Chainsaw Man #17 with 1,377,179 copies; includes 2023 comparison.
- Oricon (Japan) Manga Sales 2022 White Paper, Install Base. Oricon 2022 series ranking: Chainsaw Man #8 with 3,438,930 copies.
- Chainsaw Man Creator's Short Story Collection Gets Prime Video Anime Adaptation, IGN India. Reports over 30 million copies of Chainsaw Man in circulation as of 2025.