Is Manga Book Grading The Next Big Trend? See What Sells
- Patrice Journ
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Not too long ago, Beckett faced significant criticism when they ventured into manga grading, covering both manga books and magazines like Weekly Shonen Jump. When they announced this service a couple of years ago, opinions were divided. However, today, the service is beginning to attract increasing interest from collectors.
Critics were quick to question the value of grading mangas. Some considered it a money grab, arguing that mangas are meant to be read, not encased. They claimed that the condition of a manga is easy to determine unprofessionally. Others noted that, unlike comics with rare first editions and variants, mangas seemed out of place for grading. Skeptics argued there wasn’t even a market for graded mangas. The critiques were varied and widespread.
As manga enthusiasts, we see them as collectibles worthy of grading. Many in our community treasure these books, whether they’ve been read extensively or kept in mint condition. Now, owners are contemplating whether to encapsulate these treasures to preserve them. Authenticating and verifying first editions, especially with the risk of counterfeits from places like Malaysian printing farms, adds appeal. Limited editions, though rare, like the Yu-Gi-Oh example below, further pique interest.
On the market front, manga grading is catching on. Japanese dealers, with confidence in their well-preserved stocks, are grading and selling mangas for substantial amounts, while Western counterparts benefit from limited edition covers that command handsome prices.
Let’s take a quick look at some prevailing trends for manga books on eBay:
BGS One Piece Vol.1 1997 Manga Book Jump Comics Japanese
With nearly 517 million copies sold globally, One Piece stands as the best-selling manga of all time. It's no surprise that the first volume sells briskly. A raw edition in excellent condition can fetch around $200, while graded versions range from $500 for grades 7-9 to over $1,000 for grades 9 and above. Clearly, these iconic first prints are rising in value.
Other volumes generally start at $70 and up for grades of 9.0 or higher. Volume 105 particularly catches attention, showcasing the new Four Emperors—Luffy, Shanks, Buggy, and Carrot. High grades of this volume can exceed $150.
BGS Dragon Ball Vol.1 1985 Manga Comic Shonen Jump Japanese
This classic requires no introduction. The first Dragon Ball manga volume, featuring young Goku riding Shenron, is iconic. Raw copies in great condition sell for $70 to $250, while graded versions range from $500 to $1,000.
BGS Yu-Gi-Oh Vol.1 2003 Limited Edition /5000 Holo Foil Cover Manga English
When launching the English version, Viz Media LLC produced a limited run of 5,000 copies with a holo foil cover. This English edition of Yu-Gi-Oh is rare both graded and ungraded. Non-graded copies sell for $200 to $300, and a BGS-verified copy (without a grading score) recently sold for $500 on eBay.
BGS Naruto Vol.1 2000 Weekly Shonen Jump Japanese
In more recent times, Naruto from 2000 exemplifies manga grading success. First volumes graded below 8 sell for about $300, while those graded 9 and above have sold from $1,600 up to $2,500 for grades exceeding 9.4. One auction for a 9.2 grade even reached $5,200.
Conclusion
While we're witnessing considerable traction, especially in the Japanese market with titles like Kaiju and Berserker showing significant sales figures, manga grading is gaining cultural importance. Sales of manga magazines like first appearance in Weekly Shonen Jump Comics also remain substantial in Japan.
Grading manga shares criteria with comics in terms of grading standards and market value. A 9.8 grade can significantly raise a volume's value, even if not in high demand. Limited edition manga covers can fetch thousands with grades as low as 5 or 6. Significantly, demand outpaces supply on some titles, as there are more collectors seeking graded mangas than dealers offering them.
Currently, BGS is the primary reputable grader for manga. CGC mentioned hiring manga experts in early 2024 but later clarified that manga grading services aren't yet in their plans. Grading a manga at BGS costs $30 for standard service, slightly above the base price of $25 that CGC and PSA charge for modern comics. More options would be welcomed, and it's likely that if the interest continues to grow, CGC and PSA will launch manga services to compete.
In conclusion, grading manga might be a more valuable pursuit than many initially thought. And you, will you grade your mangas now? Disclosure: When you click or make a purchase through our links, we may earn a small percentage, which helps us maintain and improve our site.
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