Manga Becomes a $63B USD Global Phenomenon

• Manga is projected to reach $63B USD globally by 2033.
• Digital manga platforms like Manga Plus and K MANGA are successful worldwide.
• France highly boosts manga’s global fandom apart from the U.S.

Once considered a niche art form confined to Japan, manga has evolved into a global entertainment powerhouse, creating its own industry. Helmed by blockbuster anime adaptations such as Naruto, Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece, My Hero Academia, amongst others, the industry is now on an unprecedented development trajectory.

Cross-Media Synergy: Streaming Platforms Boosts Manga Popularity

The manga industry's growth is boosted by creative storytelling, digital platforms, and licensing ecosystems equally. Major streaming platforms, such as Crunchyroll, has launched a dedicated manga app as part of their wider strategy to bring manga and anime fans together. 

The app will have licensed titles from major publishers and will be available to subscribers as an additional or packaged benefit, reflecting a broader business logic. Successful anime adaptations attract global attention, leading to increased demand for manga IP and related items like games, live-action adaptations, and merchandise, enlarging cross-media franchises. This creates a bigger fandom economy. 

According to Dentsu research, “3 in 10 anime viewers globally have spent more than $200 USD last year on IP-inspired merchandise.” The proportion of some markets also rises to 40%. Other major streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ are increasingly growing their anime catalogs, as consumer enthusiasm surges.

This convergence of media represents a shift. It tells that manga is no longer Japan's hidden secret. It is now an essential component of global pop culture infrastructure.

The New Era of Manga: Digital Distribution

While streaming services expand their footprint, the digital manga publishers are also backing the industry with a strong consumer base. Shueisha's Manga Plus app has been a game-changer in the sector. It publishes new Shonen Jump chapters both in English and Spanish for global audiences (simulpub). 

VIZ Media, on the other hand, dominates the U.S. market, with a Shonen Jump subscription that has a library of 20,000+ chapters. Kodansha’s K MANGA, which was launched in 2023, delivers simulpub manga like Attack on Titan and Blue Lock directly to readers worldwide. BookWalker is another prime Japanese e-book store for paid volumes, light novels, and backlist titles. 

Marking an important transition from the unauthorized scan sites that have disrupted the industry for years, the distribution of manga through these platforms ensures that the revenue is funneled back to the creators and helps combat piracy.

International Market Dynamics: Frances Surprises, Japan Still Leading

In 2024, manga industry in Japan generated over ¥704 billion (≈ $4.65B USD), with digital sales accounting for 73% of total revenue. Nevertheless, France takes a surprising lead here in the European, as well as the global market.

LeMonde.fr reports that 36 million manga copies were sold in France in the year 2024, with 42% of the population over the age of 15 reading manga or watching anime. Manga generated 11% of France's total book market revenue.

Even Dupuis, the popular Franco-Belgian publisher has entered the manga space with its label Vega, but has no major hit titles yet. In contrast, rivals such as Kana, Glénat, and Ki-oon have already published popular titles like Naruto, Dragon Ball, and My Hero Academia.