To promote the release of the latest ICv2 Guide to Anime Manga, the retailer website teases its “Top 50 Manga Properties” list by revealing the Top 10 titles. None of these names should really surprise anyone (although I’ll admit I didn’t realize Vampire Knight was quite so popular):
1. Naruto
2. Bleach
3. Kingdom Hearts
4. Fruits Basket
5. Death Note
6. Full Metal Alchemist
7. Vampire Knight
8. Absolute Boyfriend
9. Loveless
10. Tsubasa
ICv2 bases the chart on BookScan sales for the first quarter of the year and Diamond sales to the direct market.
The site mentions that despite the amount of exposure shonen properties like Naruto, Bleach and Full Metal Alchemist receive on American TV, the Top 50 contains almost as many shojo manga as shonen.
