10 Best Shonen Anime and Manga Series Ever

The shonen genre of anime and manga is known primarily for two things: screaming and muscles. It’s a standard set by Dragon Ball years ago, and while not every series has both, it sure has become a staple. But behind the ego and the power fantasy are some truly powerful, evocative, and emotional stories.

These might be aimed at teenagers, but the world of shonen storytelling is more “family-friendly” than intended for kids exclusively – and some of the inclusions on this list arguably steer towards seinen tropes, which you certainly wouldn’t show to a young child before bed. But if you’re ready to enter worlds filled with power-ups, punches, energy beams, and inexplicable flying abilities, read through our list of the ten best shonen anime and manga series for the essentials you need to see, in no particular order.

Chainsaw Man

Chainsaw Man is a recent breakout success thanks to the anime series, but manga readers know that the series goes much deeper than what you see on the surface. Denji is immature and juvenile, that much is certain, but he’s grappling with a series of complicated emotions he doesn’t fully know how to reckon with. Oh, he has also been fused with a powerful devil, making him a prime target for other devils. That’s going to get in the way of talking to girls.

My Hero Academia

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of school settings. The less time we can spend in lessons, the better, and My Hero Academia has a lot of school lessons and training sessions. But every moment spent outside of those scheduled training lessons is intense and exciting, plus those lessons are instrumental to introduce and build a cast of characters that can carry the series forward. The series is rapidly hurtling towards its conclusion, and the current story arc is the best yet.

Bleach

Bleach is a maligned series, but let’s get one thing straight: the Soul Society arc is a masterpiece. Genuinely, it’s a fantastic story of teenagers rebelling against a strict society that doesn’t allow them any freedom, a tale as old as time, and beautifully told. But as the series goes on, the message gets diluted, and enemies become so powerful that their demise only seems to come about through deus ex machina. Despite that though, it will always have the Soul Society arc, and the latest anime series is incredibly animated. It’s been a hard few years, but it’s finally a good time to be a Bleach fan again.

Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball, as mentioned in the intro, is the grandfather of modern shonen. This is the series that codified the shonen battle genre, but despite that, it has far more going on than burly dudes and big battles. Early Dragon Ball arguably does the best job of tying each battle into the progression of our heroes, and there’s a good reason why it’s a beloved classic. Dragon Ball is still brilliant today, and is worth reading or watching. Just skip GT.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

The Fullmetal Alchemist manga, and Brotherhood anime series, just might be one of the best shonen stories of all time. Unlike many of its contemporaries it’s not too long, doesn’t drag out, and there aren’t a dozen spin-offs that continue the story after the fact. Every step of the journey teaches the young Ed and Al important lessons about the nature of the world, other people, and their mystical alchemist abilities. It’s a sublime series that should be considered a genre essential.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

It’s a slow starter, but Demon Slayer has some of the best animation you can see in the medium right now, on top of an exciting story. Tanjiro’s sister has been turned into a demon, but through a stroke of luck/destiny, she keeps control of her mind. Tanjiro’s mission is now to find a way to cure his sister’s affliction, and that takes him straight to the biggest threat in the demon world. The anime really needs to be seen as it brings explosive fight scenes to life.

One Piece

One Piece is one of the longest-running manga series full-stop, and even this behemoth is currently heading towards a big final conclusion due to come in the next few years. But before that, there’s even a live-action Netflix series. One Piece is popping off right now, so it’s a good time to catch up with the series and find out what all the hype is about.

Naruto

There, that caps off the big three shonen series from over a decade ago. In their heyday, One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach were considered the essential anime you needed to keep up with, and the fans engaged in heated debate about which was best almost constantly. The real answer is that they all have fantastic moments, and once you’ve seen Naruto, you’ll have the full arsenal of shonen knowledge at your back.

Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting

Hajime no Ippo (also known as Fighting Spirit) just might be the best sports anime of all time, and that’s partially because it’s still a battle shonen. Ippo is a shy young boy who gets bullied a lot, and doesn’t have much time for himself due to working at the family fishing boat shop. But all that work has actually gifted Ippo with incredible strength, which he himself discovers for the first time after awaking in a boxing gym following an encounter with bullies. The confidence of experience boxer Takamura inspires him to take up boxing, despite the fact that all he has is power. Each opponent Ippo faces is masterfully built up, making each battle feel like an arc climax. This is the shonen storytelling formula perfected.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen is another recent breakout success, and for good reason. The MAPPA anime is gorgeous, which definitely helps, but the manga paints a detailed picture of the jujutsu world and the dangers that can be found within. It feels inspired by the best bits of series like Bleach, and makes for a fantastic series to sink your time into.