Shounen anime, or anime targeted towards young boys, is a popular genre that often features male protagonists on epic journeys to become the strongest in their field.
Anime that embodies the Shounen genre captivates youth due to its fight scenes and badass and memorable characters.
These series usually revolve around a male protagonist on a journey to become the strongest/best in their field, facing challenges along the way. Think Naruto’s quest to become Hokage or Goku’s never-ending battle against evil in Dragon Ball.
Must Watch Shounen Anime
Shounen Anime is the way to go if you’re looking for action-packed, high-adrenaline adventures.
The term Shounen, meaning “young boy,” is used in Japan to refer to manga and anime targeting young males.
But don’t let the target audience fool you – Shounen Anime appeals to viewers of all ages and genders with its thrilling battles and lovable characters. So grab some popcorn and get ready for an exciting ride!
Here is the list of shows you need to watch to understand what makes the shonen genre the most incredible.
20Attack on Titan
Calling Attack on Titan overrated is nothing less than an insult; the series has proven itself with its top-tier world-building, incredibly complex plot, and character development that challenges even the most iconic anime characters.
The revelation about the world outside the walls flipped the entire perspective of the show; titans weren’t the only thing the people of Paradise Island had to worry about.
The series gets more intense with each passing; it’s filled with action-packed scenes, glorious music, and the burst of emotions that take your breath away.
The series lead, Eren Yeager, is easily one of the most influential protagonists.
19Death Note
Death Note is a series popular among even those who aren’t into anime; the idea that anyone can attain the power of a god and change the world to their will is exhilarating; it sells itself.
There is constant back and forth between Death Note’s two most intelligent characters, which makes it intriguing. Their stubbornness makes it even more intriguing.
What makes this show unique is the constant reminder of how insignificant each character is in the eyes of a Shinigami; it’s a mere source of enjoyment and a way of killing time.
18Akame Ga Kill
Akame Ga Kill is one of those series you must watch before you die; it’s a unique adventure you need to experience before diving deep into the world of anime.
In other words, the series will introduce you to a world of hurt; it’s not a fantasy series where the good guys win but a battlefield where people fight for what they think is right.
The series shows itself to be incredibly violent and brutal in the first few episodes to give us an idea about what to expect from the series.
It’s been a while since I watched the series, and I still remember the emotions I felt toward each character.
17Blood Blockade Battlefront
Sometimes you must let go and watch a nonsensical series with lots of things going on simultaneously; nothing really makes sense, and the crazy characters make even less sense.
Blood Blockade or Kekkai Sensen is a series that I highly recommend to anyone who wants to enjoy an anime series without caring about the little details.
There’s a lot more going on under all the chaos and the artistic flair, but it’s easy to get lost in the details and miss the essential things.
In the end, the characters make the show memorable, they may be a crazy bunch, but they’re a tight group who care for each other.
16My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is a modern shounen anime that has incorporated the superhero theme in the shounen genre; the series continues to grow in popularity with each passing season.
The story isn’t much different from your usual shounen anime with a naive protagonist who wants to become strong and save people; I guess there is something about the weak becoming vital that clicks with shounen fans.
I like how the series also takes its time working on the villains and shares how the different ideologies collide between the two sides.
Tomura Shiragari, the ultimate antagonist, is an incredibly well-written villain. He’s gone from being a bratty kid who treated everything like a game to a badass overlord.
15Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer is a series that started tremendously but became just another show that didn’t care much about anything except the main characters.
The performance is often praised for having top-tier animation quality with incredibly choreographed fight scenes.
The series leaves much to be desired regarding the overall plot; it’s often difficult to relate to the characters because most have a single character trait; they’re either overly obnoxious and boastful or incredibly dumb and innocent.
While there is no denying the series is incredibly popular and enjoyable due to its animation, an anime connoisseur will spot the lackluster stuff from a mile away.
14Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is the prime example of how to deliver a classic shounen anime that leaves the community in shock; the series immediately sets the tone with its first episode, so you know what you’re getting into.
While there is no doubt the series is famous for its top-notch animation, most of the budget went to animate Gojo’s eyes. The attention to detail regarding its world-building, characters, and power system makes this show one of a kind.
Curses are demonic creatures born from negative emotions, which is a fairly common trope, and it’s easy to grasp; the characters aren’t some piece of cardboard with a single trait; they’re likable, relatable, and funny. And the power system is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time.
13Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Deadly Sins is more of an adventure fantasy series, the hype around the show is mainly because of its excellent characters, and I would know because Ban is the best character I have come across in any anime.
The show’s opening is fantastic; the first episode captivates you and gives you an idea of what to expect, and believe me, it continues with the same level of excitement.
The series is simply a blast, with top-tier animation, action-packed fight scenes, and fantastic music that excites every situation.
The first season might make you feel that most characters in this show are bland, but things fall into place with each new installment.
12Haikyuu
Sports anime will always be the best kind of anime out there, and Haikyuu is honestly one of the most enjoyable and unforgettable sports anime I’ve ever seen.
Sports anime are always more than just about a character trying to become the best (unlike Blue Lock); it’s about working together to achieve one singular goal.
Haikyuu often emphasizes the significance of communication between team members; things go smoothly if all players trust and rely on each other.
The animation quality is flawless throughout the series; it’s nice to see the studio not skipping the insignificant long rallies as it excites the crucial scenes.
The attention to character details is also incredible, to say the least; every character is unique, with plenty of excellent traits to talk about.
11Kuroko’s Basketball
Kuroko’s Basketball stands atop the masses of sports anime as the actual badass sports anime lording over its subjects. Another hardly rivals the intensity of this series, and anyone who watches it becomes a fan.
Kuroko’s Basketball pulls you in with its great storyline; the intro gives you the idea of what the whole series is about and slowly builds up the hype.
Not to mention all the characters in this show are unique, with their own skills and distinct character traits that separate them from the rest.
The sound effects and the music are fantastic; they spice up the already action-packed scenes and get you pumped.
Each episode is like a shot of adrenaline; it keeps you glued to your seat and leaves you wanting more.
10Assassination Classroom
There aren’t enough words to describe your emotions when watching Assassin Classroom; the series is enjoyable and exciting. There is always something entertaining happening in every episode; it’s never dull.
The story is unique; it connects with shounen fans on an intense level; it’s the fantasy of every high schooler to have a teacher who goes the extra mile to make the class fun.
For the comedic sections, the art style builds suspense by being menacing.
The characters are exciting and memorable; their unique character traits and interactions with Koro-Sensei help you connect with these characters.
9Dr. Stone
Dr. Stone is the kind of anime you need to watch because it’s ten billion percent guaranteed to be excellent. Sometimes the series may seem over the top but believe me when I say the payout is enormous and always worth it.
There is never a time when the series is boring; even the scientific explanations behind simple things become interesting when Senku and his team finally get together and start building.
The story is interesting from the get-go, and the survival elements of the show set in a post-apocalyptic dark age make it one of a kind.
Overall the series is quite enjoyable if you don’t mind a few science lectures here and there from scientist Senku. The exploration theme of this show is just captivating.
8Fire Force
The world setting of Fire Force is unique; humankind constantly fears being turned into a flame monster at any given moment.
It gives a solid objective from the get-go; the purpose of fire soldiers is to find the cause of these human combustions and keep the people safe.
The world of Fire Force has potential, the story continues to grow more complex with every arc, and it’s easy to get stuck in the little details instead of enjoying the show.
The characters in Fire Force are indeed the strong point of this series, yet they feel very lackluster; except for a few influential characters, most of the cast feels bland.
7Noragami
Noragami is easily one of the most memorable fantasy series of all time; the story is incredibly captivating, with the protagonist claiming to be a god and doing regular chores for 5 yen tops.
Yato is one of those iconic characters that you can never forget. However, he is incredibly hilarious at any given moment; he can shift his personality and become the incarnation of destruction.
His usual cheapskate habits and interaction with other characters are the life of the entire show; he always manages to steal the show and make the audience laugh.
The characters in Noragami play a unique role; it makes the series more diverse and gives insight into other gods and their relationship with Yato.
6Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
Danmachi is a fantasy series set in a game-like world that continues to evolve and wow the fans with each new installment. It certainly took a while for the sequel to gain attraction, but I’m glad it did.
The story of Danmachi is quite simple: adventures to visit the underground dungeons to defeat, gain experience, and collect loot to sell and earn money which is the essence of an RPG.
The animation is just remarkable, and combining it with the glorious music gives you the feeling that you can take on the entire world; it helps you immerse yourself in the action-packed fights and improves the overall experience.
The world of Danmachi is vast, and seeing from the anime perspective, the series leaves much to be desired; however, the series has done an excellent job uncovering the deeper layers of the dungeons so far.
5Mushoku Tensei
Hailed as the king of Isekai anime, Mushoku Tensei delivered more than what was initially expected, the amount of detail regarding the world and the overall power system is incredible.
The story isn’t much different from your average Isekai anime with an overpowered lead; however, unlike other anime, the protagonist is a character with realistic mental values and power limitations.
The characters are so incredibly well-written you can’t just characterize them in a single group, every character in the series is complex, and they continue to change and grow as the show progresses.
And, of course, the animation is one of the best I’ve ever seen, the scenes in Mushoku Tensei look like fine pieces of art, and the energy packs a punch.
4Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man is a series that is greatly misunderstood; many people hoped the series to be a complete masterpiece due to the initial hype. However, those expectations were soon dashed.
There is nothing particularly unique about Chainsaw Man, the simplicity of it is exciting, the concept is easy to grasp, and the characters are just what they seem on the surface.
While flawed due to the CGI, the animation is still excellent; it makes the fight scenes look more dynamic in a way that isn’t necessarily bad.
The series’s protagonist is a simple-minded pervert; he’s not some boy genius or a guy with great ideals, but he stands up for what he thinks is correct, which makes him awesome.
3Mob Psycho 100
There is something about the style of art with this show that speaks to me; it’s unique from the other shows, you can feel the intense emotions during each scene, and that feeling is just amazing.
On the surface, Mob Psycho 100 is just another show with supernatural powers and incredibly well-choreographed fight scenes, but there is much more to it.
The series heavily focuses on its characters and takes a deep dive into their personalities; every character is unique and doesn’t feel superficial.
The story continues to progress at a nice pace, never feels rushed or blown out of proportion, and the series takes time to introduce new characters and go over their personality traits.
Watching Mob Psycho 100 is fun and exciting; you never feel bored.
2Vinland Saga
If this isn’t the masterpiece I’ve been waiting for all my life, it’s fantastic to see the story from the perspective of a bad guy, a thief who follows no morals and doesn’t hesitate to hurt others for his selfish gains.
One of the strong points of this series is the incredibly choreographed fight scenes; there hasn’t been a battle that didn’t take my breath away.
The animation is flawless in its execution during the intense fight scenes; the savagery of the mercenaries is easily distinguishable from the fighting style of Norse warriors.
Most characters in this series are savages; it adds more depth to the show because most of what they do is straight-up detestable.
1Gurren Lagann
You will often question what is happening and how this makes sense, but I recommend you stop asking and enjoy the epic adventure of Gurren Lagann.
The series throws logic out of the window in the first episode; you don’t have to be witty or realistic; all you need to do is believe in the impossible, and things will fall into place.
The series turns unbelievable into believable; it’s filled with characters who don’t believe in boundaries and will bend reality through their will.
The character can be over the top sometimes, but they’re some of the most memorable characters in anime history who didn’t waver when it came to self-sacrifice for a more significant cause.
The remarkable series is a must-watch for any fan who wants to experience the impossible like real men.