15 Popular Anime and Manga in Singapore in 2026: Insights from Local Anime Events and Box Office

Japanese anime and manga are attracting attention from all over the world, and their popularity is no exception in Singapore. However, it is true that it can be quite difficult to get hold of the latest titles that are trending in Japan in a timely manner in Singapore.

So this time, we’ll introduce manga that are currently exploding in popularity in Japan, as well as titles recommended by the OTABASE editorial team.

We’ll also touch on the anime and manga scene in Singapore, so please read to the end.

｜Highlights from 【AFA Singapore 2025】



The Anime and Manga Scene in Singapore

In Singapore, Japanese subculture has taken root to the point where “Comic Con (Comic Convention)”—the local equivalent of Japan’s Comiket—is held there. American comics and games are also popular, but Japanese manga enjoys a solid fan base as well, with new titles like “Chainsaw Man” and “Blue Lock” becoming bestsellers at Singapore’s “Kinokuniya” bookstores.

Meanwhile, when it comes to anime, Southeast Asia’s largest event, “Anime Festival Asia (AFA),” is held in Singapore, which shows just how popular anime is there. At AFA 2022, talk shows featuring luxurious guest lineups were held for titles that were also making waves in Japan, such as “Lycoris Recoil” and “Attack on Titan.”

＞＞＞【Related Article】A Complete Guide to Event Details and Tickets for “AFA Singapore 2025”!

【Latest 2025 Edition】15 Anime That Are Truly Popular in Singapore

1. Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

※Source: https://www.the-numbers.com/

“Demon Slayer” holds one of the greatest box office records in the history of Japanese anime films in Singapore.
The local box office revenue for the film “Mugen Train” reached an astonishing figure of approximately 1.93 million US dollars, becoming an unprecedented hit for an anime title.

Since entering 2025, “Infinity Castle” has begun screening in IMAX format, once again drawing huge attention. Furthermore, at a collaboration campaign held at ANIPLUS Café, limited-edition food menu items and original goods sold out as soon as they went on sale. Having achieved overwhelming results across all three pillars—box office, merchandise sales, and real-world events—it truly stands as one of the most powerful IPs in the region right now.

2. Jujutsu Kaisen

*Source: https://mothership.sg/

The theatrical film “Jujutsu Kaisen 0” earned $1.65 million USD in the Singapore market, ranking 2nd in the anime film box office rankings as of 2022. The major local cinema chain Golden Village held multiple fan-only screenings priced at 38 to 42 Singapore dollars per ticket, all of which sold out completely.

Even after the film’s release, fan enthusiasm shows no sign of cooling down, with collaboration projects such as the ANIPLUS Café tie-in and the interactive exhibition “Jujutsu Kaisen Experience” at the AFA Singapore venue. On Instagram, posts under the hashtag “#JJKSG” have surpassed 50,000, demonstrating an overwhelming presence on social media as well.

3. ONE PIECE

*Source: https://www.aniplus-asia.com/

【Video Material Instructions】 ONE PIECE logo + footage of the line in front of ANIPLUS Café + Netflix SG ranking screen

“ONE PIECE” boasts overwhelming name recognition and brand power in Singapore as well. In the collaboration project with ANIPLUS Café that started in June 2025, long lines formed almost every day, with fans continuously waiting for restocks of merchandise.

The theatrical film “FILM RED” was distributed locally by ODEX and generated a huge response. It has also consistently ranked at the top of the viewing charts on Netflix SG, showing its strength on streaming platforms as well. Even now, more than 20 years since the series began, new young fans keep joining one after another, once again proving the enduring strength and influence of this IP’s brand.

4. Haikyuu!!

*Source: https://www.aniplus-asia.com/

【Video Material Instructions】 Haikyuu!!

‘s key visual + theatrical release poster + character drink photos from ANIPLUS Café

“Haikyu!!”, themed around volleyball, is known for being especially popular among female fans despite being a sports anime. The theatrical film “The Dumpster Battle,” released in May 2024, was a massive hit in Singapore, running to packed houses day after day.

In 2025, an official collaboration café was held at ANIPLUS Café, and the drink menu featuring fans’ favorite characters along with the photo spots became a huge topic on social media. Looking at the number of Instagram posts, its momentum even surpassed that of the “SPY×FAMILY” collaboration running around the same time, showing just how popular it was.

5. Slam Dunk (THE FIRST SLAM DUNK)

*Source: https://geekculture.co/

The film “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK” recorded impressive box office results in Singapore, earning approximately 900,000 US dollars within just half a year of its release. With basketball being beloved as a national sport in the country, the excitement among audiences at screenings stood out remarkably compared to other titles.

After its release, Shohoku High School merchandise and reissued uniforms sold like wildfire, drawing attention as a successful example of anime and sports culture blending together beautifully. Notably, screenings at Shaw Lido saw a great number of fans returning repeatedly as repeat viewers.

6. Suzume no Tojimari (Suzume)

*Source: https://encorefilms.com/

Director Makoto Shinkai’s latest work, “Suzume,” recorded a box office of 2.5 million US dollars in Singapore, proudly securing the top spot in the country’s anime film box office rankings.

Major cinema chains such as Shaw Theatres and Golden Village extended the film’s screening period, and it generated such a strong response on social media that the hashtag “#SuzumeSG” trended for a time. While screenings were primarily shown in Japanese audio with English subtitles, the film was also widely embraced by the local general public, particularly couples. It stands as a fine example of how the film’s beautiful visuals and delicate emotional expression deeply resonated with audiences in the multicultural city of Singapore.

7. Chainsaw Man

*Source: https://www.gv.com.sg/

The “Reze Arc,” released in September 2025, sold out its IMAX special screening tickets on the very first day of sales, proving just how popular the series has become. An official pop-up store opened for a limited time at Bugis+, and limited-edition T-shirts and figures sold out in no time.

The dark and stylish world of the series perfectly matches younger generations’ sense of fashion, and it’s drawing attention as a trending IP that symbolizes “anime x street culture.” During the opening weekend of the screening, the hashtag “#ChainsawManSG” was posted more than 100,000 times, causing an explosive surge of excitement on social media.

8. Pokémon

※Source: https://www.singapore-map.com/attractions/pokemon-center-singapore/5569

“Pokémon Center Singapore,” which opened at Jewel Changi Airport, has become a hugely popular tourist spot with lines forming every day since its opening. In January 2025, a new card set’s release day drew a line of over 1,000 people, and the excitement was so intense that sales had to be temporarily suspended for safety reasons.

Visitors include not only children but also many adults who come as collectors, and items like limited-edition Pikachu plush toys sell out instantly. It’s a truly symbolic example of how an IP born from anime can have a major impact on the real economy.

9. Attack on Titan

※Source: https://www.jomrun.com/event/Final-Season-Attack-On-Titan-Run-Powered-by-JomRun-Singapore

“Attack on Titan” continues to enjoy strong, enduring popularity in Singapore even after the original manga concluded. ANIPLUS Café held official collaboration cafés twice, in 2022 and 2023, and both events remained fully booked throughout their duration.

A collaboration with the Japanese restaurant Aburi-EN offered a limited-time menu, drawing significant attention as a model for blending the food and beverage industry with anime works. Even after the story came to an end, multiple fan events have been held to share in the lingering emotion, and the volume of posts on social media has remained at a high level.

10. SPY×FAMILY

※Source: https://girlstyle.com/sg/article/136593/spy-family-pop-up-store-bugis

“SPY×FAMILY,” a series centered on the theme of family bonds, is beloved across a wide range of age groups in Singapore as well. The theatrical film “CODE: White” was released in February 2024 through Encore Films, becoming a huge hit from its very first week.

A collaboration project with ANIPLUS Café featuring Anya-themed dessert menus generated a lot of buzz, successfully bridging both the family audience and the anime fan market. On Instagram, posts tagged with “#AnyaForger” have surpassed 150,000, and the series is frequently featured in local media as well.

11. Detective Conan

※Source: https://chinatown.sg/visit/detective-conan-in-chinatown/

Ever since Singapore was featured as the setting for the film “The Fist of Blue Sapphire,” “Detective Conan” has seen a surge in popularity locally. The excitement has even led to “pilgrimage tours” visiting locations featured in the film, such as Merlion Park and Marina Bay Sands.

In 2025, a special screening of “One Eyed Flashback” was held, once again confirming the strong support from fans. It’s regarded as a successful model where tourism resources, the film industry, and anime content have come together seamlessly.

12. Gundam

※Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgu3k1r5Kms

“Gundam,” a mecha anime beloved for many years, also maintains a passionate fan base in Singapore. At events like AFA Singapore and Jewel Changi Airport, Gunpla exhibitions and limited-edition merchandise sales are held almost every year, with plastic model sellouts frequently making the news.

The age range of buyers is remarkably wide, and it’s common to see parents and children attending together. As an IP that combines the three joys of “building, watching, and buying,” it continues to maintain a strong and lasting popularity.

13. BanG Dream!

※Source: https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/nanawoakari/info/544982

“BanG Dream!” has built a solid fanbase in Singapore as a media-mix work that combines anime and music. At AFA Singapore 2024, a live performance by the voice actor unit was held, and tickets sold out within just 24 hours of going on sale.

After the live show ended, long lines formed at the merchandise area, and sales of related goods were also strong. As a successful example of combining real-life events with music content, it has influenced other anime IPs as well.

14. NARUTO

※Source: https://sgmagazine.com/things-to-do/naruto-the-gallery-debuts-at-universal-studios-singapore-with-pop-up-cafe-and-official-merchandise/

“NARUTO” holds an important position in Singapore as, so to speak, a “gateway to Japanese anime.” “NARUTO: THE GALLERY,” held at the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands in 2024, was a huge success, recording an average of over 5,000 visitors on weekends.

It has received high praise as an immersive event blending exhibits, video, and cafe space. Although the work itself is a long-running series, it proves that its brand power, beloved across generations, remains strong even today.

15. Lycoris Recoil

※Source: https://geekculture.co/

The official “Lycoris Recoil” pop-up event held at Orchard Central in 2023 caused a huge stir as the first standalone deployment in Singapore. A wait of just 2 hours formed in line from the very first day, and limited-edition goods sold out instantly.

The unique worldview blending girls’ action with everyday cafe scenery meshed well with Singapore’s cafe culture, gaining support from a wide range of fans.

It is expected to gain even more traction going forward as an IP aimed at a new generation of fans, particularly among young women.

Conclusion

Japanese manga and anime are extremely popular in Singapore as well, with events unique to the local scene being held there too.

Anime is no longer just a niche hobby for a small group of enthusiasts—it has grown into a major economic content driving box office revenue, merchandise sales, and tourism.

The 15 titles introduced here are all genuinely popular works, backed up by objective numerical data. Be sure to use this as a reference when considering anime business opportunities in the Singapore market.

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