A method for producing fullerenes, characterized in that said method includes
a
step (a) of contacting an aromatic compound-containing starting material with a
supercritical fluid or a subcritical fluid in the presence of a transition metal
element-containing catalyst at a temperature in a range of from 350 to 800
C. and at a pressure in a range of from 3 to 50 MPa. Said supercritical fluid or
said subcritical fluid is formed from one or more kinds of materials selected from
the group consisting of an aromatic compound as said starting material, a solvent
for said aromatic compound, a solvent for said catalyst, water, dinitrogen monoxide,
and ammonia.