Hold onto your seats, manga and anime fans, because the latest rankings are in, and they’re shaking things up! ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ Vol. 15 has claimed the top spot on Japan’s Book Hot 100, leaving competitors in the dust. But here’s where it gets interesting: this isn’t just about physical book sales. The chart, released by Billboard Japan, combines data from physical books, e-books, library loans, and even social media buzz to give a comprehensive look at what’s trending. And this is the part most people miss—the series isn’t just dominating in stores; it’s also a hit online, ranking No. 3 in e-commerce (EC) and cracking the top 50 on social media. With its second anime season set to drop in January, Frieren is proving it’s here to stay.
Coming in at No. 2 is The Apothecary Diaries Vol. 21, the manga adaptation of the beloved novel, while The JOJOLands Vol. 7 makes a splashy debut at No. 3, securing spots in the top 20 across physical stores, EC, and e-books. But here’s the controversial part: is The JOJOLands truly deserving of its high ranking, or is it riding the coattails of its creator, Hirohiko Araki’s, legendary status? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Meanwhile, The Strange House Vol. 6 lands at No. 7, showcasing its strong physical and e-book sales, while Human Specimens leaps to No. 8, likely boosted by its live-action drama adaptation on Prime Video. Speaking of adaptations, Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray Vol. 22 holds steady at No. 4, proving its enduring popularity.
Here’s the full top 10 for this week:
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Vol. 15 (Physical: 1, EC: 3, E-books: 1, Subscriptions: -, Social Media: -)
- The Apothecary Diaries Vol. 21 (Physical: 3, EC: -, E-books: 2, Subscriptions: -, Social Media: -)
- The JOJOLands Vol. 7 (Physical: 2, EC: 14, E-books: 7, Subscriptions: -, Social Media: -)
- Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray Vol. 22 (Physical: 4, EC: -, E-books: 4, Subscriptions: -, Social Media: -)
- Jun Shison Anniversary Photo Book “final” (Physical: -, EC: 1, E-books: -, Subscriptions: -, Social Media: -)
- Naruse wa Miyako wo Kakenukeru (Physical: 10, EC: -, E-books: -, Subscriptions: -, Social Media: 3)
- The Strange House Vol. 6 (Physical: 5, EC: -, E-books: 11, Subscriptions: -, Social Media: -)
- Human Specimens (Physical: 11, EC: -, E-books: -, Subscriptions: -, Social Media: 7)
- Naruse wa Tenka wo Toriniiku (Physical: -, EC: -, E-books: -, Subscriptions: 1, Social Media: 4)
- World Trigger Vol. 29 (Physical: 6, EC: -, E-books: 16, Subscriptions: -, Social Media: -)
One last thought: With Frieren dominating both sales and social media, is it fair to say it’s the most well-rounded hit of the year? Share your opinions below—we’re all ears!
Note: There will be no chart release on Jan. 1, 2026. The chart covering Dec. 22–28 will be published on Jan. 8, followed by the Dec. 29–Jan. 4 chart on Jan. 9. Don’t miss out—sign up for weekly updates to stay in the loop!
