The latest Circana BookScan rankings for March 2026 put Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man volume 20 at the top of the U.S. adult graphic novels chart — a clear sign that the series continues to dominate readers’ attention. This month’s list also highlights the continuing strength of hit shonen franchises like Jujutsu Kaisen and One Piece, plus notable entries from manhwa and classic long-running series. Below we break down the rankings, analyze why Chainsaw Man reached #1, and explore what these sales trends mean for collectors and casual readers alike.
Table of Contents
March 2026: Circana BookScan Top 20 (Adult Graphic Novels)
The complete Top 20 list for March — based on piece sales reported by Circana BookScan — demonstrates both the power of established franchises and growing interest in collected side stories and omnibus editions. Here are the ranked titles:
- #1 — Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man volume 20
- #2 — Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen volume 29
- #3 — Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen volume 1
- #4 — Kei Urana’s Gachiakuta volume 1
- #5 — Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece volume 111
- #6 — Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen volume 28
- #7 — Toyotarō and Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Super volume 24
- #8 — Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece Omnibus Edition volume 1
- #9 — Koyoharu Gotouge’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba volume 1
- #10 — Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run hardcover volume 6
- #11 — Chugong & DUBU’s Solo Leveling side story volume (volume 15 of Solo Leveling series)
- #12 — Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen volume 2
- #13 — Mokumokuren’s The Summer Hikaru Died volume 1
- #14 — Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen Volume 0: Blinding Darkness
- #15 — Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen volume 26
- #16 — Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen volume 25
- #17 — Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen volume 3
- #18 — Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen volume 27
- #19 — Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run hardcover volume 1
- #20 — Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen Volume 4: I’m Gonna Kill You
Why Chainsaw Man Volume 20 Reached #1
Chainsaw Man landing at #1 is the result of several converging factors. First, Tatsuki Fujimoto’s storytelling and the series’ unpredictable, high-impact chapters generate strong immediate demand for collected volumes. Second, continued visibility from anime seasons, official English releases (including Viz Media editions), and a steady flow of merchandise keep the series in mainstream conversation. Finally, collectors buying physical volumes — especially later volumes that close arcs or contain bonus content — tend to boost first-month piece sales, which is how Circana BookScan calculates rankings.
The pull of a finale and collector demand
When a long-running or high-profile series reaches major story beats, volumes that collect those chapters often see spikes in sales. Volume 20’s chart-topping performance suggests that readers are either catching up or re-investing in physical copies for their collections. Special edition printings, retailer exclusives, and cross-promotion (digital-to-print pipelines) also help push numbers upward.
Jujutsu Kaisen and the Shonen Stronghold
Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen occupies an exceptional share of this month’s list — multiple volumes appear throughout the Top 20, including recent volumes and early entries. This pattern reflects a healthy combination of new-reader discovery (volume 1 through the early volumes selling steadily) and ongoing series momentum (later volumes benefiting from anime seasons, specials, and sustained marketing).
Why multiple volumes chart simultaneously
Popular series often chart with both early volumes and newest releases at the same time. New fans pick up volume 1 through omnibuses, while long-time readers purchase current volumes — producing overlapping sales for different numbered volumes in a single month.
Manhwa and Side Stories: Solo Leveling’s Presence
Notably, the Solo Leveling side-story volume (credited to “Disciples” at REDICE Studio for the art) reached #11 in March. Side-story collections and spin-off volumes are increasingly valuable: they provide new content for established fanbases and can drive renewed interest in the original series. The manhwa market’s growing visibility in U.S. retail channels is reflected in these chart entries.
What Circana BookScan Measures (and Why It Matters)
Circana BookScan (formerly NPD BookScan) collects weekly point-of-sale data from more than 16,000 U.S. retail locations — including e-tailers, big chains, mass merchandisers, and independent bookstores — covering roughly 85% of the U.S. trade print book market. Rankings on the BookScan chart are based on piece sales, which is why physical collector behaviors and retailer reporting practices can significantly influence a title’s position. For more details on the March list, see this report from ICv2. Source: ICv2
How This Affects Buyers and Collectors
If you’re a reader deciding what to buy next, this chart is a useful snapshot of what’s trending and what other fans are actively purchasing. Collectors should watch for second printings and retailer exclusive editions — these can affect long-term value and availability. Casual readers may prefer to sample top-ranking series through omnibuses or starter volumes (many of which also appeared on March’s list).
Buying tips
- Check for special or signed editions if you prioritize collectibility.
- Compare local indie bookstore stock with online retailers to find exclusive variants.
- For newcomers, start with a series’ volume 1 or a recent omnibus to get a broad intro.
Final thoughts
March 2026’s Circana BookScan Top 20 underscores the continued commercial strength of standout manga and manhwa titles — with Chainsaw Man volume 20 taking the crown this month. The list highlights both enduring series (Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece, Demon Slayer) and the growing market for side stories and omnibus editions. For fans and collectors, these rankings offer practical insight into what to add to your shelf next — whether you’re chasing a must-have collector’s copy or diving into a new series from volume 1.
