How Tony Tony Chopper Became No. 1 on Billboard Japan’s Book Hot 100

When we mention characters in One Piece, names such as Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, or even Shanks tend to take center stage. However, in one of the most wholesome surprises of 2026, one very beloved character, Tony Tony Chopper, quietly stole the spotlight recently. ONE PIECE CHOPPER’s Volume 1 came out at No. 1 on the newly-released Billboard Japan Book Hot 100 released on April 30 (via Billboard Japan), which shows that Chopper, the beloved doctor of the Straw Hat pirates, remains one of the franchise’s most adored icons among fans.

This result should not surprise any true fans of the series, though. Chopper is more than just comic relief in One Piece; he embodies qualities such as kindness, innocence, and even heartbreak. Whether it was crying after Dr. Hiriluk’s death, standing beside Luffy in impossible moments, or saving allies with his medical genius, Chopper has built a fanbase of his own. And with his first spinoff project, Chopper was finally recognized in a huge way.

The Secret Behind Chopper’s Enduring Popularity in One Piece

Of all the characters within One Piece, Chopper has traditionally been one of the most commercially successful. This is due to his cute appearance, ability to transform, distinctive hat, and immediately recognizable face, making him well-suited for merchandise products, crossovers, toys, and marketing efforts.

Chopper falls into the unusual category of being a character that hard-core anime fans adore, and casual viewers recognize, while younger audiences immediately relate to. This wide appeal may be a major factor behind its chart performance in Billboard Japan’s Book Hot 100.

In addition to this, Chopper’s character arc is among the most emotionally fulfilling arcs within the Straw Hat crew. He starts out as an outcast reindeer who was rejected by both humans and animals. He found family through Dr. Hiriluk and Dr. Kureha, and ultimately joined Luffy’s group, where he was accepted fully.

That story of belonging still resonates deeply. And very recently, Chopper’s appearance in Netflix’s One Piece Season 2 live-action series has also renewed attention around the character. Chopper is also one of the few characters who can seamlessly shift from comedy to tragedy in a very short time. One moment, he is hiding poorly behind a wall, and the next, he is putting his life on the line to save his friends in battle. That balance keeps him timeless.

Chopper Outshone Some of Japan’s Biggest Manga Names

The Billboard Japan Top 10 list for the recent week featured some top-notch competitors from manga and publishing. Chopper outshone manga series such as Skip and Loafer Vol. 13, SPY×FAMILY Vol. 17, Blue Lock Vol. 38, REAL Vol. 17, and Detective Conan Vol. 108.

Here are the top 10 entries from the Billboard Japan Book Hot 100 released on April 30 (via Billboard).

RankTitleAuthor(s)

1	ONE PIECE CHOPPER’s Vol. 1	Eiichiro Oda
2	In The Megachurch	Ryo Asai
3	Skip and Loafer Vol. 13	Misaki Takamatsu
4	SPY×FAMILY Vol. 17	Tatsuya Endo
5	Hyakusho Kizoku Vol. 9	Hiromu Arakawa
6	Blue Lock Vol. 38	Muneyuki Kaneshiro & Yusuke Nomura
7	Isekai Ojisan Vol. 15	Hotondoshindeiru
8	REAL Vol. 17	Takehiko Inoue
9	Hon nara Uru Hodo Vol. 3	Ao Kojima
10	Detective Conan Vol. 108	Gosho Aoyama

The lineup includes some of manga’s biggest names, which makes Chopper’s No. 1 finish even more impressive. While the Chopper-based slice-of-life spin-off seems like nothing in comparison to the chaos that is happening in the main manga series due to the events of the Final Saga of One Piece, it proves how smart Eiichiro Oda is at managing his franchise.

Manga fans do not care solely about discovering the secrets behind Imu, Joy Boy, or the legendary treasure of One Piece. Sometimes they just enjoy spending more time with their favorite characters.

Series Title	One Piece
Manga Author	Eiichiro Oda
Chapter 1182 Release Date (US)	May 10, 2026
Manga Rating (Mal) – as of May 2, 2026	9.21 / 10
Where to Read	Manga Plus by Shueisha, Viz Media

Here are some of the frequently asked questions –

So now the big question – Could Chopper’s success lead to a full anime spinoff next? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

One Piece manga is currently available to read on Manga Plus by Shueisha.