Manga Market Size, Share, Growth, Global Trends, Forecast 2034

Manga Industry Perspective:

The global manga market size was worth around USD 15.8 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 86.2 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 18.5% between 2025 and 2034. 

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Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global manga market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 18.5 % over the forecast period (2025-2034).
• In terms of revenue, the global manga market size was valued at around USD 15.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 86.2 billion by 2034.
• The rising global popularity of Japanese culture is expected to drive the manga market over the forecast period.
• Based on the content type, the digital segment is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period.
• Based on the genre, the action and adventure segment is expected to dominate the market over the projected period.
• Based on the audience, the adults (Aged Above 16 Years) segment is expected to dominate the market over the projected period.
• Based on gender, the male segment is expected to dominate the market over the projected period.
• Based on the distribution channel, the online segment is expected to dominate the market over the projected period.
• Based on region, North America is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.

Manga Market: Overview

Manga is a term that refers to several kinds of Japanese comic books and graphic novels. They all have their own ways of narrating stories, styles, and cultural importance. Most people read manga from right to left. It generally tells stories by using over-the-top facial expressions, spectacular action scenes, and intricate background information. Most of the time, it is published in tankobon style, which means that several chapters are compiled into one volume. It features a diverse range of story types, including action, romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, and comedy. It's excellent for business that more manga has been translated into other languages because individuals from other nations can read it in their own language.

Manga Market: Growth Drivers

Why does the rapid globalization drive the manga market growth?

The rapid growth of globalization and digital distribution is a big reason why the manga business is growing so quickly. This is because it makes it easy for people all around the world to get to know manga. The popularity of manga has spread across borders due to the rise of several digital platforms and websites. The market seems promising, as translated versions are available on several internet sites, such as Crunchyroll, ComiXology, and Manga Plus. These platforms have made it easier and more legal for people all over the world to read and enjoy manga in a variety of languages.

As a result, more people are reading manga series without having to be in a specific area. This has eliminated the limits on physical distribution, allowing manga publishers to reach a larger audience and attract more potential customers. So, the fact that digital manga is easy to get and widely available is helping the business grow all around the world.

Manga Market: Restraints

How does the high competition from other entertainment media hinder the manga market’s growth?

The manga market is strong and growing around the world, but it has plenty of competition from other forms of entertainment, especially with younger viewers who like digital media that is faster and more interactive. Video games, social networking, streaming services (like Netflix and YouTube), and even Western comics and graphic novels are all tough competitors for the manga industry.

Mobile games and short films are popular with younger people because they are fast-paced, interactive, or audiovisual. This can make watching manga, which demands more sustained attention, less appealing. Manga has to compete with a lot of other fun digital experiences as well as conventional print, since people are tired of screens, have different tastes in leisure, and have a lot of entertainment options.

Manga Market: Opportunities

How does the rising number of product launches offer a potential opportunity for the manga industry growth?

The increasing product launches are expected to offer a lucrative opportunity for the manga market. For instance, in June 2025, Kikkoman is using one of Japan's most popular cultural exports, Manga, to communicate the distinctive characteristics of Kikkoman Soy Sauce to the owners of India's more than 1.5 million eateries.

Apart from owners, chefs, line/junior chefs, cooks, and culinary school students will be encouraged, in a traditional manga style, to switch to Kikkoman to enhance the flavor of their meals, indicating an innovative and engaging approach to marketing in India by this global Japanese brand.

Manga Market: Challenges

Why do the cultural and censorship barriers pose a major challenge to market expansion?

Censorship and cultural variations make it challenging for the manga market to grow around the world while also complying with local laws and customs. Manga, which is designed for Japanese readers, frequently has themes, art, and explicit content (sexuality, violence) that are more acceptable in Japan but are seen as sensitive or inappropriate in other nations. Censorship or editing is often needed in nations like the US and Europe, where cultural norms and rules are tougher.

For instance, to avoid bad public perception, sexually explicit or violent information may need to be taken down or buried. Some fans who enjoy original content may not like this process of adapting to different cultures, yet it is vital to reach a broader audience and follow local laws. Therefore, the cultural and censorship barriers pose a major challenge to the manga market.

Manga Market : Report Scope

Manga Market: Segmentation

The global manga industry is segmented based on content type, genre, audience, gender, distribution channel, and region.

Based on the content type, the global manga market is bifurcated into printed and digital. The digital is expected to capture the largest market share over the projected period. Digital manga is becoming more popular in many nations around the world as it becomes easier to access digital media. Many people outside of Japan are interested in translated comics, particularly in Europe and North America. Local publishers use the web to make information available in a lot of different languages. This rise is possible because individuals can quickly read manga on mobile phones, tablets, and computers, making it easier and more flexible to read. Digital platforms are constantly evolving and adapting content to cater to diverse cultures, which means that the demand for digital manga will continue to expand globally.

Based on genre, the global manga industry is bifurcated into action and adventure, sci-fi and fantasy, sports, romance and drama, and others. The action and adventure segment holds the major market share. There is a new trend in action-adventure manga to have strong, original main characters who question typical cliches. Like society, readers are becoming increasingly interested in people with varied abilities, experiences, and points of view. These heroes often possess attributes such as resilience, leadership, and self-discovery that people worldwide can relate to. Because of this, manga series with a variety of distinct characters are getting more popular in Japan and other countries. This is making the action-adventure genre distinct.

Based on the audience, the global manga market is bifurcated into children and kids (aged below 10 years), teenagers (aged between 10 and 16 years), and adults (aged above 16 years). The adults (aged above 16 years) segment is expected to hold the largest revenue share during the forecast period. The market for adult-oriented mature romance and drama comics has grown considerably. Older readers can relate to these stories better since they often deal with the complexities of relationships, like unrequited love, betrayal, personal growth, and making up. Adult romance and drama comics, on the other hand, give a more realistic and grounded portrayal of how people connect and deal with their feelings. These stories have been successful in both home and foreign markets, so publishers are working harder to provide content that will appeal to mature readers who want deep, emotional stories.

Based on gender, the global manga industry is bifurcated into male and female. The male segment is expected to capture the largest market share over the projected period. Manga adaptations of well-known video games and anime are becoming increasingly popular among the male population. By converting their anime or video game plots into manga formats, which enable a more in-depth examination of characters and plotlines, numerous popular franchises are growing their universes. To learn more about their beloved worlds, male readers who enjoy these original games and shows are frequently eager to follow the manga versions. This pattern highlights how manga is still being incorporated into other entertainment media, which appeals to male fans who are already familiar with these larger multimedia properties.

Based on the distribution channel, the global manga market is bifurcated into online and offline. The online segment is expected to dominate the market in 2024. The webtoons and vertical scroll forms are making the internet manga business unique. Webtoons, originating from South Korea, are easy to read on mobile devices and are gaining popularity worldwide, particularly in North America and Southeast Asia. Manga publishers are turning more of their works into webtoons to take advantage of the growing demand for content that is easy to read and performs well on mobile devices. This trend is narrowing the gap between conventional manga and the rapidly growing webcomic sector, making online manga more widely accessible.

Manga Market: Regional Analysis

Why does North America dominate the manga market over the projected period?

North America is expected to dominate the manga market over the projected period. There are many more libraries and schools in the area that have manga. Manga is becoming increasingly prevalent in schools and libraries because it can get kids and teens interested in reading who might not otherwise do so. Because of this trend, manga has become a part of education, especially when it comes to getting younger readers to read. Because of this, publishers are changing their books to make them interesting to both schools and regular people.

Manga Market: Competitive Analysis

The global manga market is dominated by players like:

• Bilibili Comics Pte. Ltd.
• Akita Publishing Co. Ltd.
• Good Smile Company Inc.
• Bungeishunjū Ltd.
• Hitotsubashi Group
• Houbunsha Co. Ltd.
• Kadokawa Corporation
• Kodansha Ltd.
• Nihon Bungeisha Co. Ltd.
• Shogakukan Inc.
• Seven Seas Entertainment Inc.
• Shueisha Inc.
• VIZ Inc.
• Yen Press LLC

The global manga market is segmented as follows:

By Content Type

• Printed
• Digital

By Genre

• Action And Adventure
• Sci-Fi And Fantasy
• Sports
• Romance And Drama
• Others

By Audience

• Children And Kids (Aged Below 10 Years)
• Teenagers (Aged Between 10 To 16 Years)
• Adults (Aged Above 16 Years)

By Gender

• Male
• Female

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa