There’s something about shonen anime that just resonates with viewers. Perhaps it is because the medium offers the widest range of narrative styles; whether it's action, drama, sci-fi/fantasy/supernatural, sports/school, horror/mystery, historical, or comedy, there’s a shonen anime just waiting for you. The most well known may be action and coming-of-age stories, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This style of anime targeting a younger audience makes space for a variety of themes; so its popularity turned out several massive crowd pleasers.
Despite the countless number of good shows available, there are some extremely well-made shonen anime that stand out from the pack. The best-of-the best hit all the highlights: likable characters, engaging action scenes, rich and compelling themes rooted in adventure, friendship, learning right from wrong, and overcoming obstacles. They offer a variety of animation styles with relatable character design and engaging color schemes at their core.
It’s not enough to simply follow the formula; the best shonen offers something extra that keeps you coming back again and again. So, which ones stand out the most? With all of this in mind, and understanding this is a constantly, and hotly debated list, here are my top 15 picks for shonen anime.
15. Black Clover
Black Clover leans on the traditional shonen tropes to anchor its story about two orphans each intent on becoming the Wizard King. Although the character archetypes and story setup are pretty straightforward and the animation occasionally inconsistent, Black Clover is driven by solid writing and highly relatable themes like trust, strength and perseverance. The action sequences are dynamic, the characters memorable, and the battles worth the build up. It’s a reminder that a wicked smart use of magic systems and engaging worldbuilding can still set a battle anime apart from the pack.
14. Assassination Classroom
Assassination Classroom aims right for the feels, and your funny bone. Set in an elite middle school with a strict hierarchy, this action comedy shonen is a quick-witted, emotion-laden tale of a group of underperformers, Class 3-E, who must assassinate their teacher before he destroys the world. The catch is, he may be an off-kilter monster but he’s also the best teacher they’ve ever had. For a show with such a fatalistic endgame, Assassination Classroom is surprisingly upbeat and makes full use of the absurdness of its premise. Plus, the streamline story-style and even pacing make this one of the least bloated plots around it leaves an impactful, and lasting, impression.
13. Attack on Titan
One of the genre’s consistently top-rated series, Attack on Titan is edgy, violent and constantly levels up with exciting twists and turns. Eren Yeager joins the Survey Corps, an elite military unit, after a horrific loss to fight against the titular Titans and search for a way to defeat them before the walls protecting the last of mankind. What makes Attack great is its fearless commitment to the story, regardless of how dark a turn things take. The story jumps directly into the action and then continues its high octane viciousness while weaving together an ensemble jam-packed with great characters all held together by engaging development. Don’t let its tag as a mainstream anime fool you, Attack on Titan deserves its standing as one of the best.
12. Call of the Night
Romance is often an element of shonen storylines but not often the central motivation of the lead protagonist. In the visually stylish Call of the Night, middle schooler Kou Yamori gives up going to school. In his aimlessness, he wanders the streets at night. He encounters a Nazuna, a vampire and survives an attack. In the aftermath, Kou decides he wants to fall in love with Nazuna in order to complete his transition to vampire. Not the typical storyline or worldbuilding for a coming-of-age tale but its relatable exploration of struggling to relate, feeling directionless. Call of the Night is funny, whimsical and strangely freeing. It’s also a prime example of how a supernatural anime can weave the core elements of a shonen into a unique perspective and stretch what the genre has to offer. Don't miss the watch lists for best romance anime and vampire anime if you're into more of these storylines.
11. Naruto
Naruto is a thematically rich story known for its martial-arts inspired action and commentary about friendship, forgiveness and redemption. This highly beloved anime may not have the most edgy animation but the relatable character design and use of an eclectic ensemble add to the enjoyment and adventure. Following young ninja Naruto Uzumaki as he works to become the leader (Hokage) of Leaf Village is a well-written journey about power and the value of hard work. The storytelling and character development keep it accessible to new fans and popular among diehards cementing its standing as one of the best.
See our guide to the Naruto movies in order for the full series.
10. One Piece
One Piece is a long-running shonen about Monkey D. Luffy sailing with his globetrotting crew of Straw Hat Pirates on their hunt for the treasure. Based on Eiichiro Oda’s manga, this adaptation is full of high action and laughs. With an eclectic group of male and female characters, One Piece uses camaraderie and adventure to keep the storytelling engaging season after season. Considered one of the “big three” alongside Naruto and Bleach, One Piece houses some of the greatest anime characters of all time, including Roronoa Zoro. Now a Netflix live-action series already renewed for a second season, there's still more to come from the Straw Hat Pirates. Also see: how to watch One Piece in order.
9. Demon Slayer
After a demon attack leaves most of his family slaughtered and his sister turned, Tanjiro Kamado swears to save her and avenge his family. He joins a mysterious group called the Demon Slayer Corps, whose intent is on doing anything to exact revenge. Demon Slayer takes time to get all its set pieces in place narratively, allowing for quick but complex story development. Once it starts moving between the action sequences and consistently exciting visuals, the reasons it’s an extremely popular battle anime are readily apparent. So, if you like your fight scenes crisp and your storylines rooted in vengeance, then you already understand why Demon Slayer is the reigning, modern entry-level must watch.
See our guide to anime like Demon Slayer for more like this.
8. Dragon Ball Z
This popular anime series centers Goku and his friends as they defend Earth in a battle of good versus evil. It keeps its storylines simple, with Dragon Ball Z characters lightly developed; and relies on epic battles with a variety of villains to drive its action (and plot) forward. It’s a classic anime that stands the test of time as a great gateway into the genre for young initiates, and also a nostalgic rewatch full of heart and humor. Dragon Ball Z is the franchise's high point and may be the most culturally influential anime in the shonen category.
7. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a rare multigenerational dynasty in the genre (which IGN gave a 10/10 for). It follows members of the Joestar family, each with the same titular nickname. Its sly wit and homages to popular Western trends add just the right amount of hilarity to this adventure-driven fantasy. With heroes endowed with powers and immense psychic strength, to some interesting villains, JoJo’s is certain to offer ever-changing adventures spanning a vast world. There’s always something new to draw you in, making JoJo's Bizarre Adventure one of the best-selling shonen series of all time. Its exploration of fate and free-will is one that just doesn’t get old.
6. Hunter x Hunter
Centering one of, if not the best, power system, Yoshihiro Togashi second adaptation on the list Hunter x Hunter is an thrilling adventure-filled about a teenage boy intent on following in his father’s footsteps. Widely respected for the narratives built around complex characters facing challenges in a well-built world. Hunter x Hunter comes by its status as well-regarded anime by offering great fight scenes, relatable characters, and thought-provoking themes. When it comes to battle anime adaptations, it’s difficult to find a series that levels up the blue-print laid out by Yu Yu Hakusho by relying on adapting and blending in the darker themes in its manga better than this Togashi follow up.
5. Death Note
No list makes sense without director Tetsurō Araki’s engrossing exploration of morality, justice, loyalty, honor, and friendship. Death Note follows Light Yagami, a teen who comes into possession of a magical notebook that allows him to kill anyone he wants just by writing their name inside. It's narrative, a captivating cat-and-mouse game unafraid to lean into the dark side of fantasy while reminding you that there’s always a choice in life. Its hand drawn animation and layered character design never go out of style, Death Note is an unparalleled classic. It's some of the best horror anime you'll ever see.
4. Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files
Widely regarded as one of the best examples of battle shonen anime, Yu Yu Hakusho balances the core story elements, intense action and character depth, in a way that highlights what’s best about shonen anime. It’s got engaging dialogue, romance, and an exploration of the idea that sometimes the best hero is an atypical one. Despite being underrated in some circles, Yu Yu helped create the adaptation roadmap many anime followed. Teenage delinquent, Yusuke Urameshi gave his life while saving a young boy. Impressed by this out-of-character sacrifice Koenma, heir to the spirit realm, offers Yusuke a chance to become a Spirit Detective and complete a series of tasks in order to regain his life. The adventures that follow are humorous and offer the kind of arc originality that holds up over time. Built on a fluid animation style and great voice performances, Yu Yu Hakusho’s originality and drama make it a classic that shouldn’t be ignored.
3. Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is meticulously paced, smartly animated, and an exciting blend of comedy and action. It’s witty storytelling and creatively designed villains aided by edgy and gripping darkness turn it into a top-tier battle animation. High schooler Yuji Itadori’s dabbling in the occult leads him to encounter a cursed item. After being plunged into the world of curses and witnessing the dangers to humanity, and discovering his newfound abilities, he steps onto the path of becoming a Jujutsu sorcerer. There’s a self-awareness and character development that results in an anime unafraid to off its characters, tackle genre tropes, and be grim and violent. Jujutsu Kaisen proves when done right, it only takes the first season to become one of the most memorable and exciting action anime around.
2. Gintama
Given the popularity of battle/action stories, it's easy to miss some of the best writing in the genre because it comes via a sci-fi comedy anime, Gintama. Its seamless storytelling gets better over its 350+ episodes. Set in an alternate Edo-era timeline, this eccentric tale follows silver-haired samurai Gintoki Sakata and his often reckless attempts to tackle life's challenges. Gintama intentionally parodies some of the most classic anime and manga tropes in a world where aliens have invaded Japan. The result is a chaotic and hilarious journey that tackles its more serious elements and social commentary with a deceiving lightness and compelling grace.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
It’s hard to quibble that the Elric Brother's search for the Philosopher's Stone in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a smashing adaptation that resulted in an absolutely addictive journey. Its outstanding character design and dynamic storytelling reset the bar for what to expect from anime worldbuilding. Brotherhood is funny, action-packed and leverages its unique alchemical magic system into imminent rewatchable series. The fight scenes are impressive and the thematically rich story arcs at turns heartwarming and intriguing. How this dangerous journey of brotherly love plays out is likely to move you against your will. That’s why Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is almost always near the top of lists counting down the best shonen anime.
There you have it! What are your favorite picks? Let me know in the comments. For further reading, check out the best Slice of Life Anime, best Sad Anime, and top Magical Girl Anime to watch.
Ro is a freelance film and television critic who’s definitely going to suggest you read Fonda Lee’s Green Bone Saga because she needs that television adaptation. You can always find her talking about anime, villain agendas, invasive species, costume dramas, or with her nose in a book.
