Eiichiro Oda May Just Be the One to Beat J.K. Rowling’s Impossible Looking Harry Potter Record, One Piece Has Now Sold Over 500 Million Copies

Few creative works have achieved the same kind of global cultural impact that J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series has seen since its debut in 1997. With over 600 million copies sold worldwide, the Harry Potter franchise marked itself as a literary phenomenon, and breaking its records seemed impossible until a certain manga series from Japan began its quiet yet ambitious journey the very same year: Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece.

Starting its serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in July 1997, One Piece has combined high-seas adventure, quirky humor, and deeply emotional storytelling; growing from a niche hit into a global phenomenon. As the series continues to reach new heights of popularity, could Eiichiro Oda achieve the impossible and surpass Harry Potter‘s monumental sales milestone?

One Piece: Eiichiro Oda’s record-breaking legacy

One Piece‘s entire journey is marked with nothing but milestones and new achievements. In June 2015, Eiichiro Oda’s beloved series was awarded a Guinness World Record for having the most copies published for a single comic book series by one author. With 320 million copies in circulation at the time, Oda’s creation was already the gold standard in manga sales. 

Fast forward to this success, the series hit the 500 million copies mark by 2022; a monumental leap in just seven years. This figure includes both physical and digital sales, with readers spanning over 58 countries and regions. Oda’s relentless creativity and knack for storytelling have kept fans hooked for more than 25 years.

In terms of record-breaking, J.K. Rowling‘s Harry Potter series remains one of the highest-selling book franchises of all time, with an estimated 600 million copies sold globally as of yet. The seven-book series has been translated into over 80 languages; further expanding its reach. Its success also paved the way for blockbuster movie adaptations, theme parks, merchandise, and spin-offs, securing its place in pop culture history.

While these numbers appear intimidating, One Piece‘s journey suggests it might not be as untouchable as it seems. The manga has consistently grown in popularity, with a further massive surge in readership following the release of Netflix’s live-action adaptation in 2023.

What makes One Piece a global phenomenon?

One Piece is a story that primarily revolves around the themes of chasing dreams, overcoming adversity, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship. These timeless themes resonate across cultures and age groups; making it a universal hit. Eiichiro Oda‘s vast world-building could be a perfect rival of Rowling’s magical universe. 

While Harry Potter concluded with its seventh book in 2007, One Piece is still ongoing; with Oda showing no signs of slowing down. Its continued serialization is ensuring a steady flow of content, keeping the fanbase engaged and expanding. From anime adaptations to video games, merchandise, and now a successful live-action Netflix series; One Piece mirrors Harry Potter‘s pop culture dominance. The series is still attracting new fans, boosting manga sales in the process.

Harry Potter‘s reign as the top-selling book series of all time has long seemed unattainable. However, Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece has proven time and again that it is more than just a manga, it is a global cultural force. With over 500 million copies sold and counting, One Piece is well on its way to making history once again.

One Piece is currently available to read and watch on Viz Media and Crunchyroll, respectively.

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire