Demon Slayer’s Unprecedented Rise: A Short Manga Shatters One Piece’s Longstanding Records in 2025

The world of manga has been dominated by a few long-running giants for decades. For over a decade, Eiichiro Oda’s epic, One Piece, has reigned as the undisputed champion of the yearly sales charts. However, a phenomenon that has been building for years has finally reached its zenith. Koyoharu Gotouge’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, a series that concluded its manga run in 2020, has not only cemented itself as a cultural juggernaut but has also achieved a feat no other manga has—it has consistently outsold One Piece in key metrics, putting it in a league of its own.

The recent release of the Infinity Castle film trilogy has acted as a catalyst, propelling Demon Slayer’s manga sales to new heights, nearly five years after its conclusion. This unprecedented performance is a clear signal that the manga industry is shifting, with concentrated impact and a tight, compelling narrative proving to be more effective than sheer longevity.

The Numbers Tell the Story: Demon Slayer’s Record-Breaking Sales

While One Piece still holds the title of the best-selling manga of all time with over 516.6 million copies sold worldwide, Demon Slayer’s success is a different kind of monster. Its sales trajectory is a testament to the power of a successful anime adaptation and a cohesive, complete story. As of July 2025, Demon Slayer has surpassed 220 million copies in circulation worldwide.

But here’s where the comparison becomes truly staggering:

• Yearly Sales Domination: Demon Slayer first surpassed One Piece in annual sales back in 2019, breaking a record One Piece had held for 11 consecutive years. In 2020, the gap widened to a monumental degree, with Demon Slayer selling an astonishing 82.35 million copies compared to One Piece’s 7.7 million. This was the largest single-year sales disparity in manga history.
• Average Sales Per Volume: This is arguably the most impressive record Demon Slayer is on the verge of breaking. With only 23 volumes in its entire run, Demon Slayer has an average of 9.57 million copies sold per volume. This is nearly double the average sales per volume of One Piece (4.59 million), a series with over 111 volumes. This metric highlights just how popular each individual volume of Demon Slayer is, making it more accessible and appealing for newcomers.
• Post-Conclusion Momentum: Unlike other manga series that see a significant sales drop after their conclusion, Demon Slayer has maintained its momentum. The release of the Infinity Castle movie, which is shattering box office records in Japan, has reignited interest and driven both new and old fans to purchase the entire manga series.

Why Demon Slayer Succeeded Where Others Failed

The reasons behind Demon Slayer’s explosive success are multifaceted.

• The Ufotable Anime Adaptation: The 2019 anime series by studio Ufotable was a game-changer. Its stunning animation, fluid combat, and powerful emotional storytelling propelled the series from a popular manga to a global cultural phenomenon. The anime’s quality was so high that it drove millions of viewers to purchase the entire manga series to find out how the story ends.
• A Complete, Accessible Story: Demon Slayer’s short, 23-volume run is a key factor in its success. It’s a low barrier to entry for new readers compared to the more than 100 volumes of One Piece. Fans know they can read the entire story from start to finish without a decades-long commitment.
• Emotional Resonance: The series’ themes of family, loss, and redemption have resonated with a global audience. The simple, yet deeply moving, narrative and its memorable characters have created a lasting legacy that continues to sell volumes long after the final chapter has been published.

While One Piece remains a titan, Demon Slayer’s rise to the top of the sales charts in a few key areas signals a new era for the manga industry. It proves that an emotionally resonant story with a conclusive ending and a stellar anime adaptation can achieve a level of commercial success that rivals decades-long epics. The debate over which manga is “better” will rage on, but the numbers show that Demon Slayer has already carved out its own unique and impressive place in history.