Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen continues to dominate the U.S. manga market — the manga’s 30th volume landed at #1 on Circana BookScan’s Top 20 adult graphic novels chart for May 2026. The same month saw several other volumes from the franchise place highly across the list, demonstrating the series’ continuing sales strength and cultural reach. Below we break down the May rankings, explain what the Circana BookScan chart measures, and explore what these placements mean for readers, collectors, and the broader manga market.
Table of Contents
May 2026 BookScan Top 20 — Key Rankings
According to the May chart compiled by Circana BookScan (reported by ICv2), the top adult graphic novels were led by Jujutsu Kaisen volume 30. Several other manga and graphic novels also appeared across the top 20, including perennial sellers and recent releases.
- #1 — Jujutsu Kaisen volume 30 (Gege Akutami)
- #3 — Jujutsu Kaisen volume 1 (Gege Akutami)
- #4 — Jujutsu Kaisen volume 29 (Gege Akutami)
- #5 — Witch Hat Atelier: Grimoire Edition hardcover volume 1 (Kamome Shirahama)
- #6 — Gachiakuta volume 1 (Kei Urana)
- #7 — Kagurabachi volume 7 (Takeru Hokazono)
- #8 — Witch Hat Atelier volume 1 (Kamome Shirahama)
- #9 — Jujutsu Kaisen volume 26 (Gege Akutami)
- #10 — One Piece Omnibus Edition volume 1 (Eiichiro Oda)
- #11 — Jujutsu Kaisen volume 28 (Gege Akutami)
- #12 — Jujutsu Kaisen Volume 0: Blinding Darkness (Gege Akutami)
- #14 — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run hardcover volume 7 (Hirohiko Araki)
- #15 — The Summer Hikaru Died volume 1 (Mokumokuren)
- #17 — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba volume 1 (Koyoharu Gotouge)
- #20 — The Summer Hikaru Died volume 7 (Mokumokuren)
What is Circana BookScan and why it matters
Circana BookScan (formerly NPD BookScan) collects weekly point-of-sale data from over 16,000 U.S. retailers, including e-tailers, chains, mass merchandisers, and independent bookstores, covering roughly 85% of the U.S. trade print book market. The BookScan rankings are based on piece sales, making them a practical barometer of consumer purchases in physical and some online channels. (ICv2’s market report on the May chart contains the full list and context.)
Why Jujutsu Kaisen volume 30 topping the chart matters
Landing at #1 on the BookScan adult graphic novels chart is a strong indicator of mainstream demand. For a long-running shonen property like Jujutsu Kaisen, a new mainline volume reaching the top spot signals several things:
- Fresh demand for the ongoing narrative — new volumes often spike sales as readers catch up or collect the latest installments.
- Back-catalog strength — multiple Jujutsu Kaisen volumes also placed in the top 20 (including volume 1 and several later volumes), showing that new releases drive readers to purchase earlier entries.
- Cross-media effects — anime seasons, films, merchandising campaigns, and digital exposure typically amplify print sales; even if those promotional specifics vary over time, the chart confirms the series’ continued market traction.
What this means for collectors and retailers
Retailers often use BookScan trends to guide reorders and stock decisions. A #1 rank for a new volume suggests retailers may increase reorders for prior volumes and collector editions, while collectors can expect heightened demand (and periodic stock shortages) for first printings, special covers, or omnibus editions tied to popular series.
Other notable titles and market takeaways
May’s top 20 shows a healthy mix of long-running franchises, new series, and deluxe editions. Highlights include:
- Witch Hat Atelier (Kamome Shirahama) — both the regular and Grimoire Edition hardcover volume 1 placed highly, reflecting sustained interest in high-quality hardcover presentation and illustrated fantasy manga.
- One Piece Omnibus — omnibuses and omnibus-style reprints remain popular with new readers who prefer catching up in larger chunks.
- JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure & Demon Slayer — established classics persist in the market, often buoyed by reprints, collector editions, and continued discovery by new readers.
- Newer voices — entries like Gachiakuta and The Summer Hikaru Died show that newer or less mainstream creators can break through when promoted effectively or when the title finds an enthusiastic readership.
How readers should interpret the rankings
BookScan charts reflect real-world purchases, not library checkouts or purely digital reads, so they’re especially useful for understanding which print editions consumers are buying right now. A few practical takeaways:
- If a series you follow reaches the top 10, consider pre-ordering future volumes — retailers may allocate limited print inventory to meet demand.
- High placement for deluxe hardcover editions (like Grimoire Edition Witch Hat Atelier) signals a market appetite for premium formats, which can be useful for collectors deciding between paperback and hardcover investments.
- Cross-series presence (many volumes from the same franchise charting simultaneously) indicates strong discovery and backlist sales — a healthy sign for libraries and bookshops planning displays.
Tips for buying and collecting during high-demand months
- Pre-order new volumes from trusted sellers to lock in first-print copies and retailer-exclusive covers.
- Compare editions (standard vs. omnibus vs. hardcover) for price-per-volume value and shelf space considerations.
- Follow publisher announcements and authorized retailer exclusives to spot limited editions early.
Final thoughts
Jujutsu Kaisen volume 30’s #1 placement on Circana BookScan’s May 2026 chart is a clear sign of the series’ continued commercial power in the U.S. print market. With several adjacent Jujutsu Kaisen volumes also ranking, plus strong showings by other high-quality manga and deluxe editions, the chart reflects both the breadth of reader tastes and the robust demand for physical manga editions. Whether you’re a casual reader, an avid collector, or a retailer, these rankings are a useful snapshot of what fans are buying — and which titles are shaping the conversation in the manga market right now.
