Laura Carollo
Research expert covering cinema and film
Manga in France - statistics and facts
Manga is one of Japan’s most popular cultural exports. Over the past few decades, Japanese comics have been translated into numerous different languages, and today, the art form is read and enjoyed by millions of people across all ages and demographics worldwide. Perhaps surprisingly, the manga phenomenon is particularly pronounced in France. The country currently ranks as the second-largest manga market outside Japan while also hosting Europe’s second-largest annual comics festival in Angoulême. France is home to a thriving anime and manga fanbase, and thanks to recent breakthrough hits like “Demon Slayer”, demand has never been higher. Not only are manga titles more easily accessible than ever, but shelves are now also stocked with Japanese-inspired French manga (or manfra).
France’s manga market is thriving
France’s manga history dates back to the early 1990s when translations of popular titles such as “Akira” were first introduced to the public. Prior to that, several Japanese anime series had already captured millions of TV viewers and paved the way for many print editions to come. Another explanation for the positive reception of manga in France is the country’s rich history of graphic novels or bandes dessinées. Industry data shows that the demand for manga has rapidly increased in recent years, with the number of manga volumes sold in France soaring to a record 48 million in 2022. In 2020, manga accounted for over half of all comic titles sold in France, outperforming genre and children’s comics alike. A more detailed look at sales numbers reveals that shōnen manga, marketed towards young male readers, remains by far the most sought-after manga type in France.Manga consumption trends
Teens and tweens made up the largest manga audience in France in 2020. While young readers have flocked to comic books and manga for decades, the growing appetite for this art form was once again evidenced in mid-2021, when the French government launched the Culture Pass. The smartphone app, which allowed 18-year-olds to spend up to 300 euros on arts and culture, was predominantly used to purchase manga titles, prompting the news media to call it the “Manga Pass”. In 2022, the first volume of Oda Eiichiro's hit series "One Piece" sold more than 250.000 copies in France, making it the best-selling manga of that year. Even though these and other titles are still predominantly read in their print versions, French manga fans are increasingly turning to digital sources and webtoons. Various new platforms and online content formats have entered the market in recent years, highlighting how the industry is adapting to the expectations of its digitally versed consumers.
