The official X (formerly Twitter) handle for Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe's Frieren manga announced on Friday, December 1, 2023 that the manga has sold 7 million copies since the anime's release, bringing the total figure to 17 million copies in circulation worldwide. The anime adaptation of Frieren manga has undeniably propelled the series' popularity to unprecedented levels. Produced by Madhouse Studios, the series has impressed fans with its stunning animation quality and background music. It comes as no surprise that the surge in viewership has positively impacted manga sales.
Frieren manga has 17 million copies in circulation as of December 2023
The official X account for Frieren manga, @Frieren_PR, announced on Friday, December 1, 2023, that the manga has increased its circulation by 7 million copies in just two months following the release of the anime, bringing the total number of copies sold to 17 million.
Although the growing popularity of the anime makes this achievement somewhat expected, it is still a remarkable milestone for Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe's series. It is worth noting that the Frieren manga first appeared in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday Magazine back in April 2020.
The characters Frieren and Fern can be seen in the anime (Image via Madhouse)
As of now, the manga has published 117 chapters, and there are no announcements regarding the release date of the 118th chapter. It is worth noting that the manga received an overwhelmingly positive response from Japanese fans because of its fresh approach to the fantasy genre.
The anime adaptation of Frieren manga, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, has completely transformed its popularity in the West. The first episode aired on September 29, 2023, showcasing Frieren as seen in the anime (Image via Madhouse).
The manga had 10 million copies in circulation at the time, but Madhouse Studio's resurgence as an anime production studio brought new life to the series and captivated the audience. Within two months, the manga sales skyrocketed to 17 million, demonstrating the significant impact of an anime adaptation on manga sales. Oshi no Ko also experienced a surge in popularity with its anime adaptation, while Frieren manga has also reaped the benefits of its anime adaptation, unlike Undead Unluck.
About the anime adaptation and plot
Madhouse's production, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End anime, debuted on September 29 with a special two-hour episode during NTV's Friday Roadshow timeslot. Directed by Keiichiro Saito and written by Reiko Nagasawa, the series features character designs by Reiko Nagasawa and music composed by Evan Call. YOASOBI performs the opening song "Yusha (Hero)," and Milet sings the ending theme, "Anytime, Anywhere."
Viz Media describes the plot of the Frieren manga as follows:
"The adventure may be over, but life continues for an elf mage who is just beginning to understand the true meaning of living. Elf Mage Frieren and her brave companions have vanquished the Demon King and restored peace to the land. However, Frieren will outlive her former party members by a significant margin."
She grapples with how to comprehend the significance of life to those she knows. Many years after their triumph, the funeral of a friend forces Frieren to confront her own almost endless existence. Frieren embarks on a journey to carry out the final requests of her companions and unknowingly begins a new adventure...
Keep up with more anime news and manga updates as 2023 progresses.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am thrilled to witness the meteoric rise of the Frieren manga series, which has sold an incredible 7 million copies since the debut of its anime adaptation. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the captivating storytelling and intriguing plot that has resonated with audiences worldwide. The anime's stunning animation quality and enchanting background music, produced by the renowned Madhouse Studios, have undoubtedly played a significant role in propelling the series to new heights of popularity.
The Frieren manga, which initially appeared in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday Magazine in April 2020, has garnered a dedicated fan base due to its fresh approach to the fantasy genre. The characters, such as Frieren and Fern, have been brought to life in the anime, further immersing viewers in the magical world created by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe. The positive response from Japanese fans and the subsequent surge in manga sales in the West following the anime's release demonstrate the profound impact that an anime adaptation can have on a series' popularity.