Rumiko Takahashi Manga Has Over 230 Million Copies in Circulation Around the World

by Joseph Luster
October 14, 2024

The manga of Rumiko Takahashi—the author behind classics ranging from Maison Ikkoku and Urusei Yatsura to Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha and many more—is beloved around the world. To further cement that notion, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions reported that the total of all of Takahashi’s manga that’s currently in circulation globally has rocketed past 230 million copies.

This impressive number was cemented as of August 2024. That’s a lot of rom-com, fantasy, action and martial arts-infused misunderstandings!

Back in 2017, when the 35th volume of the RIN-NE manga hit stands in Japan, that number stood at over 200 million copies, so 50 million more have been added to the pile since. This is sure to increase further with the currently-airing Ranma 1/2 anime, which has MAPPA putting a 2024 spin on the fan-favorite series.

Rumiko Takahashi first debuted as a professional in 1978. The author has gathered many well-deserved honors over the years, including the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame in 2018, the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame in 2021 and the French government’s Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres honor in 2023.

Netflix is streaming the new Ranma 1/2 anime and VIZ Media publishes the manga—among many other Takahashi works—in English, summing up the story like so:

Ranma 1/2 Plot
From the legendary oeuvre of master creator Rumiko Takahashi, the mixed-up, madcap, martial arts romantic comedy Ranma 1/2 returns!

After taking a surprise dip in a cursed spring while on a training journey in China, martial artist Ranma Saotome and his father, Genma, aren’t quite themselves anymore. Now Ranma turns into a girl whenever he’s splashed with cold water, and Genma turns into a panda! Their new forms cause nothing but confusion at the Tendo dojo, where Soun Tendo is waiting to introduce one of his three daughters to Ranma—as his fiancée! Turns out Genma and Soun arranged the match long ago, but the girl, Akane, and the boy, Ranma, aren’t exactly crazy about the idea, or each other! Or are they? Watch the gender switching, jealous rages, and martial arts battles unfold all over again!

Source: Anime News Network

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