‘Fuma Kikuchi 1st Photo Book Latido’ Tops Japan Book Hot 100; ‘Chainsaw Man’ and ‘BORUTO’ Trail Behind
Japan’s latest publishing rankings are in, and this week’s results highlight the powerful draw of idol culture and blockbuster manga. ‘Fuma Kikuchi 1st Photo Book Latido’ Tops Japan Book Hot 100; ‘Chainsaw Man’ and ‘BORUTO’ Trail Behind, marking a major milestone for the timelesz member as he claims the No. 1 spot.
Fuma Kikuchi Claims No. 1 With “Latido”
Fuma Kikuchi’s debut photo book, Latido, enters at No. 1 on Billboard Japan Book Hot 100 for the chart dated Feb. 12. The ranking reflects sales and engagement from Feb. 2 to Feb. 8.
The Japan Book Hot 100 is a comprehensive metric that blends physical bookstore sales, e-commerce purchases, digital downloads, subscription data, library lending figures, and social media buzz. Kikuchi’s first photo collection excelled particularly in the e-commerce category, propelling it straight to the summit.
Photographed in Spain’s picturesque Basque region, Latido captures Kikuchi in a more relaxed and natural state as he steps into his thirties. The project offers fans a more intimate glimpse of the artist, showcasing understated moments against scenic European backdrops.
Manga Powerhouses Follow Close Behind
Landing at No. 2 is Volume 23 of Chainsaw Man, created by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The long-running manga continues to enjoy massive popularity, especially as its anime film adaptation of the emotional Reze arc extends its theatrical run. Volume 23 performed strongly in both physical bookstores and digital formats, while also securing a Top 5 position in e-commerce.
Coming in at No. 3 is BORUTO-TWO BLUE VORTEX Vol. 7, illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto and supervised by Masashi Kishimoto. The title ranked highly in physical store sales and e-book downloads, reaffirming the enduring appeal of the Naruto universe’s next generation storyline.
Other Notable Entries in the Top 10
Several fan-favorite series and fresh titles round out this week’s Top 10:
Blue Box Vol. 24 by Kouji Miura
Idol Keieisha by Tadayoshi Okura
Gokurakugai Vol. 6 by Yuto Sano
Kingdom Vol. 78 by Yasuhisa Hara
In the Megachurch by Ryo Asai
Re-Living My Life with a Boyfriend Who Doesn’t Remember Me Vol. 7 by Gin Shirakawa, Eiko Mutsuhana and Yugiri Aika
2.5 Dimensional Seduction Vol. 25 by Yu Hashimoto
The mix of idol-led publications and dominant manga franchises once again demonstrates the diversity of Japan’s publishing landscape.
Sci-Fi Mystery Makes a Move
Outside the Top 10, Ichijigen no Sashiki (Labyrinth of Hortensia and the Minotaur) by Ryunosuke Matsushita surged to No. 15 after ranking outside the Top 20 the previous week. The science-fiction mystery follows a genetics graduate student named Haruka as she unravels the disappearance of her sister, uncovering secrets tied to DNA research.
The novel earned major recognition after winning the grand prize in the paperback division at the 23rd Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! Awards, further boosting its visibility among readers.
