The latest volume of the popular light novel series, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, has reached the top of the charts in Japan. Volume 31 of Tensei Shitara Suraimu Datta Ken, penned by Taiki Kawakami, Fuse, and Mitz Vah, currently leads the Billboard Japan Book Hot 100, as of .
The Billboard Japan Book Hot 100 is a comprehensive ranking system that doesn’t rely solely on traditional sales figures. It incorporates physical sales, e-book purchases, library loans, subscription data, and even social media engagement to create a holistic view of a book’s popularity. This methodology reflects a broader shift in how reading habits are measured in the digital age.
The success of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Vol. 31 isn’t just a win for the authors, and publisher. it’s indicative of a larger trend within the Japanese book market. Manga, and adaptations of popular web novels, are currently dominating the top spots. The series leads both physical store sales and e-book charts, and also holds a strong position at No. 6 in e-commerce rankings.
Following closely behind is Yumi Tamura’s Mystery to Iu Nakare (Don’t Call It Mystery) Vol. 16, currently at No. 2. The timing of this success is notable, as a live-action television drama adaptation of the series aired in , likely boosting interest in the source material. Volume 16 marks the beginning of a new story arc, titled “Island Arc,” which may also be contributing to its strong performance.
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s critically acclaimed Chainsaw Man Vol. 23 maintains a strong presence, holding at No. 3 after debuting at No. 2 the previous week. The series continues to perform well across multiple metrics, ranking No. 4 in both physical stores and e-book sales.
The top five is rounded out by titles originating from Shosetsuka ni Naro, a popular user-generated novel site often referred to as “Naro-kei.” These include comic adaptations of “Mugen Gacha” (Unlimited Gacha) and the “Seventh Prince” series, demonstrating the growing influence of online literary platforms on the mainstream publishing industry. This highlights a significant shift in how stories are discovered and consumed, with online platforms acting as incubators for future bestsellers.
Further down the chart, Ryunosuke Matsushita’s Sci-Fi mystery suspense novel, Ichijigen no Sashiki (Labyrinth of Hortensia and the Minotaur), is experiencing a surge in popularity. The book has climbed from No. 15 to No. 8, driven by improvements in physical store sales and a strong social media presence. This upward trajectory suggests a growing word-of-mouth effect and a dedicated fanbase.
The top 10 titles on the Japan Book Hot 100, tracking the period from to , are as follows:
- Tensei Shitara Suraimu Datta Ken (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime) Vol. 31, Taiki Kawakami, Fuse, Mitz Vah (1・6・1・-・-)
- Mystery to Iu Nakare (Don’t Call It Mystery) Vol. 16, Yumi Tamura (2・2・2・-・-)
- Chainsaw Man Vol. 23, Tatsuki Fujimoto (4・-・4・-・-)
- Shinjiteita Nakamatachi ni Dungeon Okuchi de Korosarekaketa ga Gift “Mugen Gacha” de Level 9999 no Nakamatachi o Te ni Irete Moto Party Member to Sekai ni Fukushuu & “Zamaa!” Shimasu! (My Gift Lvl 9999 Unlimited Gacha: Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon, I’m Out for Revenge!) Vol. 21 (Comic Edition), Takafumi Omae, Shisui Meikyo, tef (5・-・3・-・-)
- Tensei Shitara Dai Nana Ouji Datta no de Kimama ni Majutsu o Kiwamemasu (I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability) Vol. 22, Yosuke Kokuzawa, Kenkyo na Circle, Meru. (6・-・5・-・-)
- In the Megachurch, Ryo Asai (-・-・-・18・1)
- Mairimashita! Iruma-kun (Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun) Vol. 47, Osamu Nishi (3・-・-・-・-)
- Ichijigen no Sashiki (Labyrinth of Hortensia and the Minotaur), Ryunosuke Matsushita (-・-・-・-・3)
- Kindaichi Papa no Jikenbo (The Case Files of Kindaichi Papa) Vol. 3, Seimaru Amagi, Fumiya Sato (8・18・-・-・-)
- Ao no Hako (Blue Box) Vol. 24, Kouji Miura (7・-・-・-・-)
The numbers in parentheses indicate each title’s ranking across different metrics: physical stores, e-commerce, e-books, subscriptions, and social media. The dominance of manga and web novel adaptations on this chart underscores the evolving landscape of Japanese publishing and the increasing influence of digital platforms and online communities.
