ICv2's latest ICv2 Retailers Guide to Anime/Manga includes the Manga Top 50 for Q1 2004, as selected by the editorial staff of the Guide.  The list ranks only ongoing properties with new releases planned for Q2; eight 'perennial' properties with no new releases planned are included in the Top 50 but unranked.  Based on sales reports for both the bookstore and comic store channels, as well as interviews with retailers, publishers, and distributors, the list can help retailers identify those properties that are selling well in a variety of venues.  The top half of that list is as follows:

 

  1. Rurouni Kenshin
  2. Trigun
  3. Fruits Basket
  4. InuYasha
  5. Hellsing
  6. Demon Diary
  7. Yu Gi Oh
  8. Ai Yori Aoshi
  9. Alice 19th
  10. Ai Love You
  11. Fake
  12. Berserk
  13. Kare Kono
  14. Gravitation
  15. Dragon Ball Z
  16. Tokyo Mew Mew
  17. Shaman King
  18. Pet Shop of Horrors
  19. Azumanga Daioh
  20. Samurai Deeper Kyo
  21. Full Metal Panic
  22. Ragnorak
  23. Ranma ?
  24. Aquarian Age
  25. Pita Ten

ICv2 also looked at the top anime properties, again putting together information from multiple channels and sources to come up with a list of the top properties based on sales across channels.  The top Q1 anime properties are:

  1. Witch Hunter Robin
  2. Inu Yasha
  3. Initial D
  4. Kiddy Grade
  5. Dragon Ball GT
  6. Boys Over Flowers
  7. Samurai Deeper Kyo
  8. Last Exile
  9. Heat Guy J
  10. Tenchi Muyo GXP 
Info on how to get the Guide, which contains the complete lists of the Top 50 Manga and the Top Anime Properties, as well as the top Q2 launches, and much more, see 'ICv2 Releases Retailers Guide to Anime/Manga #6.'