Akira Toriyama Creator of DRAGON BALL Third Position, 15 Richest Manga Artists in Japan - Who is the First Rank?

Kapanlagi.com - Mangaka has become one of the popular professions in Japan. Mangaka is the key figure behind several popular franchises that have been created. One of them is One Piece created by Eiichiro Oda.

Recently, sad news came from one of the famous mangaka, Akira Toriyama. The creator of Dragon Ball manga passed away at the age of 68. It was announced on Friday (8/3) that Akira had passed away on Friday, March 1, 2024, due to a blood clotting disease in the brain membrane.

Having a career since the 80s, Akira became one of the richest mangaka in Japan. However, the fact is that Akira is not the richest mangaka. KLovers, here are the 15 richest mangaka in Japan.

1. Eiichiro Oda (One Piece) - 3.5 Trillion Rupiah

Congratulations to KLovers who guessed One Piece as the manga that made Eiichiro Oda the richest mangaka. KLovers' guess is correct because Eiichiro Oda occupies the position as the richest mangaka in history, at least for now. The manga One Piece created by Eiichiro Oda occupies the position as the best-selling manga of all time and has sold more than 516 million copies.

Eiichiro Oda is also involved in the production process of the anime, anime films, and the live-action One Piece project produced by Netflix. Eiichiro Oda's wealth is currently predicted to exceed 230 million dollars or around 3.5 trillion rupiah. This amount is certainly far compared to other mangaka, including Rumiko Takahashi who is in second place.

2. Rumiko Takahashi (Inuyasha and Ranma ½) – 1 Trillion Rupiah

Rumiko Takahashi is the mangaka behind the creation of two highly popular series, Inuyasha and Ranma ½. When combined, the sales of these two manga alone have reached 105 million copies, not to mention the numerous other manga titles created by Takahashi. This has led to Takahashi being predicted to have a wealth of around 65 million dollars or 1 trillion rupiah.

3. Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball) – 855 Billion Rupiah

Although the manga version of Dragon Ball created by Akira Toriyama only has a total of 42 volumes that have been completed since 1995. However, these 42 volumes have managed to sell 260 million copies to date.

In addition, the Dragon Ball story continues in the form of an anime series and feature films, with Akira Toriyama still involved in the production process. Therefore, it is not surprising that Toriyama is estimated to have a wealth of 55 million dollars or around 855 billion rupiah. Akira Toriyama passed away at the age of 68 on March 1, 2024.

4. Gosho Aoyama (Detective Conan) - 777 Billion Rupiah

Case Closed or known as Detective Conan is one of the manga and anime series that has been running for a long time and has become a favorite of various generations. As of the release of this article, Detective Conan has had 103 manga volumes sold more than 270 million copies. This sales also made Gosho Aoyama, the creator, experience a huge profit and have a wealth of more than 50 million dollars or 777 billion rupiah.

5. Hajime Isayama (Attack on Titan) - 715 Billion Rupiah

Just like Bleach, the anime Attack on Titan is still ongoing, but the manga actually ended in 2021. The Attack on Titan manga has sold 110 million copies to date and has received live-action adaptations and anime films. This is what makes Hajime Isayama estimated to have a wealth of 46 million dollars or 715 billion rupiah.

6. Tite Kubo (Bleach) - 622 Billion Rupiah

The Bleach series created by Tite Kubo was once one of the Shonen Big Three due to its highly acclaimed story quality. Although the anime is still ongoing, the Bleach manga actually concluded in 2016.

Kubo received criticism for the slow pacing of the Thousand-Year Blood War arc from fans. However, this criticism did not hinder the Bleach manga from selling 130 million copies and earning Kubo a fortune of 40 million dollars or 622 billion rupiah.

7. Yoshihiro Togashi (Hunter X Hunter) - 466 Billion Rupiah

Hunter X Hunter may be one of the most popular works ever created by Yoshihiro Togashi. It's no wonder, as the Hunter X Hunter manga has sold over 84 million copies despite frequently going on hiatus or not being published for quite some time.

Prior to Hunter X Hunter, Togashi was also known as the mangaka of the Yu Yu Hakusho series, which sold over 78 million copies. So, it's not surprising that Togashi has a fortune of 30 million dollars or 466 billion rupiah. Moreover, Togashi is one of the mangaka who has created many manga, so it's understandable that his wealth exceeds that of Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto.

8. Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto) - 420 Billion Rupiah

Maybe many KLovers agree that Naruto deserves to be called a manga and anime that has become very popular worldwide. So, it's not surprising that the Naruto manga has sold over 250 million copies to date.

The sales of the manga and the existence of the anime adaptation of Naruto have made Masashi Kishimoto have a wealth of around 27 million dollars or about 420 billion Rupiah. Kishimoto's wealth is indeed more than the previous two mangaka. However, Kishimoto's wealth is still considered small compared to the success of Naruto, which is so famous.

9. Hirohiko Araki (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) - 233 Billion Rupiah

Hirohiko Araki's creation, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, has become one of the favorite manga and anime series for many people in recent years. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga has also become one of the best-selling manga of all time, with over 100 million copies sold. Therefore, it is not surprising that Araki is predicted to have a wealth of around 15 million dollars or 233 billion Rupiah.

10. Gege Akutami (Jujutsu Kaisen) - 186 Billion Rupiah

Although never showing his face, Gege Akutami still made it onto the list of the richest mangaka through his only popular work, Jujutsu Kaisen. As of July 2023, Jujutsu Kaisen manga has sold over 80 million copies and has made Akutami have a wealth of around 12 million dollars (186 billion rupiah). Jujutsu Kaisen has also been adapted into an anime since 2020.

11. Takehiko Inoue (Slam Dunk & Vagabond) - 186 Billion Rupiah

There may be many sports manga circulating, but Slam Dunk can be said to be the most famous basketball-themed manga. Mangaka Takehiko Inoue describes himself as a basketball fan, explaining why his narration feels so authentic and credible. Slam Dunk tells the story of the Shohoku High School basketball team, who struggle against opponents far more experienced than themselves.

Interestingly, Inoue's net worth of 12 million dollars (186 billion rupiah) comes from Slam Dunk and Vagabond. Vagabond itself is an epic martial arts manga. Vagabond follows the story pattern in Musashi, a novel by Eiji Yoshikawa. Slam Dunk and Vagabond have sold over 250 million copies combined.

12. Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist) - 155 Billion Rupiah

The incredible popularity of Fullmetal Alchemist has swept the world for years, giving rise to countless memes and discussions in various anime fandoms. Written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa, this Shonen manga ran from 2001 to 2010. The first anime adaptation was released before the manga was finished, resulting in a very different narrative and outcome for the protagonists.

Fortunately, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood covers all the shortcomings of its predecessor by faithfully following the manga's storyline - providing what can only be described as a perfect conclusion. Viewers who haven't watched the final anime will be treated, but readers can also enjoy the manga. Arakawa's personal wealth of 10-15 million dollars (155-233 billion rupiah) mostly comes from Fullmetal Alchemist.

13. Osamu Akimoto (Kochikame: Tokyo Beat Cops) - 155 Billion Rupiah

KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops may not be the longest-running series in history, but it once held the Guinness World Record. This series has the highest number of volumes published for a manga series until 2021, with 201 volumes and 1,960 chapters. KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops is a comedy manga illustrated and written by Osamu Akimoto.

This manga tells the funny misadventures of the character Kankichi Ryotsu, an old police officer who is not too concerned about doing his job well (or at all). Osamu's manga ended in 2016, with nearly 160 million copies produced. Therefore, it is not surprising that he is estimated to have a net worth of around 10 million dollars or 155 billion rupiah.

14. Naoko Takeuchi (Sailor Moon) - 155 Billion Rupiah

Naoko Takeuchi claims fame with Sailor Moon, one of the most famous animanga series in history. Sailor Moon has spawned a franchise consisting of several anime series. Sailor Moon began airing in 1992, while "Death Busters" by Sailor Moon Crystal finished airing in 2016. The story revolves around Usagi Tsukino, or Sailor Moon, as she goes on a quest for the Legendary Silver Crystal.

Although it has sold nearly 50 million copies, this Shojo manga falls behind some more popular Shonen series. Allegedly, the Sailor Moon franchise has generated billions of dollars overall. Interestingly, Takeuchi has been married to Yoshihiro Togashi since 1999, so their combined wealth is estimated to be much higher.

15. Yasuhisa Hara (Kingdom) - 155 Billion Rupiah

Kingdom is currently the longest-running Seinen manga in the military historical genre. Mangaka Yasuhisa Hara has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Grand Prize category at the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize awards. Although initially receiving low ratings from readers, Yasuhisa improved several aspects and gained support from around the world.

This manga takes place during the period of war in China, featuring the unbeatable power of the protagonist. Kingdom has many anime series, video games, and films. This has led to Yasuhisa Hara estimated to have a wealth of up to 10 million dollars or 155 billion rupiah.

(kpl/ums)