Oshi no Ko manga reaches 20 million copies in circulation

Tuesday, December 17, 2024, saw X user and reputable manga news source @MangaMoguraRE reveal that the Oshi no Ko manga has reached 20 million copies in circulation. This is for the entire series overall, which spans 166 chapters collected into 16 compilation volumes, with this news coming following the official release of the 16th volume in Japan.

This news is also exciting as it confirms the Oshi no Ko manga to be one of the best-selling manga series of all time, although certainly on the lower end of that list. Nevertheless, the smash-hit manga series from author Aka Akasaka and illustrator Mengo Yokoyari has still hit one of the most significant milestones in the entire manga industry.

Oshi no Ko manga crosses 20 million mark despite a heavily critiqued ending

The Oshi no Ko manga’s latest feat is also made more significant by nature of the series’ ending, which was all but universally panned by the larger community and fandom. Although there were some who approved, an overwhelming majority felt disappointed by certain choices in the manga’s final few issues. This sentiment has remained even after comments from Akasaka that the series ended exactly as he envisioned.

In any case, Akasaka’s series is now in the presence of some notable company, such as Atsushi Ohkubo’s Fire Force, Osamu Tezuka’s Buddha, Masanori Morita’s Rookies, and Yoshiyuki Sadamoto’s Neon Genesis Evangelion manga adaptation of the original anime. Although all of these series are in the 20-29 million range, considered the bare minimum number to be considered one of the best-selling of all time, they qualify nonetheless.

It’s also worth mentioning that while the Oshi no Ko manga may be over, the television anime adaptation from Doga Kobo is still going strong following its second season. A third season for the series has already been announced, which will surely drive further manga sales as anime-only fans get closer to the story’s climax. As of this article’s writing, no release information is currently available for the third season.

Akasaka and Yokoyari’s manga series began serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump magazine in April 2020 and concluded in November 2024. Of the manga’s 16 total compilation volumes, eight are currently available in English, with the ninth and tenth volumes planned for release in February and May 2025, respectively.

The series follows OBGYN Gorou Amamiya, whose new patient is the pregnant Ai Hoshino, a famous pop idol whom he admires. Likewise, her pregnancy is kept a total secret, but this doesn’t stop an obsessive fan from murdering him. However, he’s then reincarnated as Ai’s son Aquamarine “Aqua” Hoshino, with Ai later being killed in front of him and his twin sister Ruby, inspiring him to find his mother’s killer and avenge her.