A New Gen Manga Looking Poised To Surpass Naruto Globally

Naruto has ruled the anime and manga world for decades. With more than 250 million copies sold worldwide, Masashi Kishimoto’s ninja epic is one of the biggest cultural exports Japan has ever produced. In Japan alone, Naruto’s manga sold around 153 million copies, ranking it among the top five best-selling titles in Weekly Shonen Jump history.

However, that long reign just met a challenger. Koyoharu Gotouge’s “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” has officially outsold Naruto in Japan, hitting over 165 million copies despite having only 23 volumes. That’s roughly one-third the length of Naruto’s 72-volume run. The new-gen series has achieved in a few years what took older franchises decades.

Infinity Castle Pushes Sales Higher

The recent release of “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – The Movie” has reignited the franchise’s global fire. The film premiered in Japan on July 18, 2025, and quickly became a worldwide hit under the banner of Ufotable and Sony Pictures.

The movie marks the beginning of a three-part film trilogy adapting the manga’s climactic arcs. With record-breaking ticket sales and global hype, Demon Slayer is now closing in on Naruto’s worldwide figures. The series currently sits at around 220 million copies in circulation, leaving only a 30 million gap before catching up.

All four anime seasons, from the original 2019 debut to the “Swordsmith Village Arc”, are available on Crunchyroll, while the manga remains accessible digitally via MANGA Plus and in print through VIZ Media.

Still a Race, Not a Knockout for Naruto

Despite headlines claiming Demon Slayer has “beaten” Naruto, that phrasing is editorial, not official. Shueisha or Oricon have not declared an overall record. What’s factual is simple: Demon Slayer leads domestically, but Naruto still holds the global edge.

Predictions that Demon Slayer could surpass Naruto’s total sales by the end of the decade remain speculative. Market trends, reprints, and future spin-offs could all shift the numbers either way.

Still, one thing is clear, Demon Slayer isn’t just another hit. It’s a cultural wave redefining what modern anime can achieve. And if its momentum continues, the ninja of Konoha might soon have to bow to the Demon Slayers of Taisho-era Japan.