‘One Piece’ is the second best-selling comic ever, can it beat ‘Superman’s’ record?
Eiichiro Oda’s manga is closing in on a century-old record, but time may be running out.
In 2022, 'One Piece’ officially surpassed 'Batman’ to become the second best-selling comic of all time. As of early 2025, it has sold over 530 million copies worldwide, an astonishing feat for a series that began in 1997. That puts it within striking distance of the all-time leader, 'Superman’, whose estimated lifetime sales sit at around 600 million copies.
But with 'One Piece’ nearing its final arc, the question is no longer just if it can catch the Man of Steel, but whether it can do so before the story ends.
A younger challenger with a finite finish line
What makes this race so compelling is how different these two titans are. 'Superman’ debuted in 1938 and has been published continuously ever since, with countless reboots, alternate timelines, and creative teams. It’s a franchise designed to never end.
‘One Piece’, on the other hand, is the work of a single author: Eiichiro Oda; and has been running since 1997. It’s a linear, cohesive story with a planned conclusion. Oda has confirmed that the manga is in its final saga, and most industry watchers expect it to end within the next few years.
That means 'One Piece’ has a limited window to close the gap.
How fast is One Piece selling?
According to Oricon and Shueisha data, 'One Piece’ sold approximately 5.28 million copies in 2024. That includes new volumes, reprints, and box sets across global markets. If we use that as a baseline, here’s what the road to 600 million looks like:
- At 5.28 million copies per year: It would take about 13 years to reach 600 million, landing around 2038.
- At 7 million per year: It would take roughly 10 years, reaching the milestone by 2035.
- At 10 million per year: It could catch up in about 7 years, around 2032.
- At 15 million per year (a surge scenario during the final arc): It could close the gap in just under 5 years, by 2029–2030.
To realistically catch 'Superman’, 'One Piece’ would need a significant sales surge, likely driven by its final volumes, global box sets, and continued anime and Netflix exposure.
Can it actually catch ‘Superman’?
It’s possible, but not guaranteed. Here’s what would need to happen:
- Strong final volumes: Recent volumes like #109 are still shipping over 3 million copies in their first print runs. If that pace holds through the final 10-15 volumes, that’s another 30-45 million copies.
- Global reprints and box sets: Collector editions, anniversary bundles, and digital sales could push the total even higher.
- Cross-media momentum: With the anime still airing, Netflix’s live-action remake ongoing, and merchandise sales booming, 'One Piece’ remains a cultural force.
Still, catching up to 'Superman’, with its nearly 90-year head start and ongoing publication, is a monumental task.
A different kind of legacy
Even if 'One Piece’ never overtakes 'Superman’, its achievement is already historic. It’s the best-selling comic ever created by a single author, and the only one in the top three with a definitive ending in sight. While 'Superman’ and 'Batman’ will likely continue indefinitely, thanks to multiverses, legacy characters, and rotating creative teams, 'One Piece’ will end on Oda’s terms, making its success feel not just impressive, but deeply personal.
And that’s what sets it apart. 'Superman’ may hold the crown for now, but 'One Piece’ is the only contender that earned its place in half the time, with one voice, and one story.
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