Since its release on 23 October 2025, Asterix 41: Asterix in Lusitania has achieved exceptional results on the French market. By the evening of 28 December, 1,649,604 copies had been sold in France, according to figures from market research institute GfK shared by publisher Les Éditions Albert René. This makes it the strongest Asterix album launch in twenty years.
Compared over the same sales period, the album outperforms recent predecessors: sales are 2.2% higher than Asterix and the White Iris (2023), 4.7% above Asterix and the Griffin (2021), and 4.8% higher than Asterix and the Chieftain’s Daughter (2019).
The last time an Asterix album reached similar figures was in 2005 with Asterix and the Falling Sky. That album ended the year at 1.651 million copies sold, benefiting from two additional weeks of sales. It was also the final volume written and drawn by Albert Uderzo, who co-created the series with René Goscinny in 1959.
Print Run and Market Impact
Worldwide, Asterix in Lusitania was printed in a total run of five million copies across all languages. Two million of these were allocated to the French market alone, where the album has become the best-selling French-language publication of the past year.
Strong International Results
The album’s success extends well beyond France. In Portugal, where the story is set, sales reached 150,000 copies—five times the country’s usual average of around 30,000 for a new Asterix release. In Spain, sales increased by 7% compared to previous albums, while in Germany—one of Asterix’s strongest foreign markets—sales rose by 2%. No official figures have been released for the Dutch-language edition.
Why the Gauls Are Thriving
According to Céleste Surugue, Managing Director of Les Éditions Albert René, the album’s success can be attributed to multiple factors. She points to the positive reception from both critics and readers, the strength of the Fabcaro–Didier Conrad creative team, and the broader popularity of the Asterix franchise. Recent successes such as the Netflix animated series created by Alain Chabat and the continued popularity of Parc Astérix have further reinforced the brand’s visibility.
What’s Next for Asterix
The next album, Asterix 42, is scheduled for release in autumn 2027. Meanwhile, 2026 will feature several other Asterix-related projects. Among them is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Twelve Tasks of Asterix, culminating in the December release of a new animated film, Asterix and the Kingdom of Nubia, directed by Alexandre Heboyan and inspired by the classic story.
Traditionally, Asterix adventures set abroad are often followed by a return to the Gaulish village, making a home-front story a likely scenario for the next album.
