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The shonen anime genre is vast and encompasses tens of thousands of original manga and anime series. From the horrifically violent Attack on Titan to the long-running One Piece, there is no shortage of new stories to choose from within this broad category. Due to the overabundance of titles that fall under the shonen label, only those that are one-of-a-kind stand the test of time.
A select few shows have done more than just make a name for themselves in the world of anime; they have defined the entire shonen anime genre and set a remarkably high bar for other anime to live up to. In each of these titles, awe-inspiring heroes battle terrifying villains, which is an essential feature of any good shonen anime.
My Hero Academia Redefines the Superhero Genre
My Hero Academia follows a teenage boy, Izuku Midoriya, with an ambitious dream that seems completely out of his grasp. Izuku, better known by his nickname, Deku, wants nothing more than to become a superhero of the same caliber as his idol, All Might. Over his years of watching All Might's rescues of innocent civilians and takedowns of villains, Deku determines that his goal is to become the #1 hero and follow in All Might's footsteps.
Tragically, in the society of My Hero Academia, people are either born with superpowers, called Quirks, or born Quirkless, and not much can be done to change one's innate abilities. Despite all odds and thanks to some opportune assistance from All Might himself, Deku achieves entrance into U.A. High School, one of the most prestigious schools for young heroes.
My Hero Academia is not a surface-level superhero story filled with superheroes punching bad guys. Although it does deliver plenty of those action sequences shonen fans adore, My Hero Academia makes it clear that being a hero is not always all it's cracked up to be. To those like Deku, it is worth the struggle, though.
Deku and his fellow heroes cope with horrific losses, personal injuries, failure, and the tremendous responsibility of protecting society. The anime strikes a tough blend, revealing both the highs and lows of hero life. Additionally, original creator Kohei Horikoshi has created hundreds of heroes within the My Hero Academia universe, with diverse personalities and Quirks. Apart from the emotional storylines, My Hero Academia includes some of the most jaw-dropping fights in anime, as characters show off strong Quirks like fire, self-duplication, and the most powerful of all, One For All.
Chainsaw Man's Imperfect Characters Make It More Relatable
Chainsaw Man feels noticeably different from many other modern-day shōnen. Although it features similar themes of good vs. evil, battles, and bloodshed, it is darker than other titles in the genre. The protagonist, Denji, begins the story in a hopeless situation and on the brink of death. He struggles with poverty and starvation, and becomes a Devil Hunter out of absolute necessity, not the personal passion that drives many other shonen heroes.
Denji is also flawed, and the story never shies away from that. More of an anti-hero than a stereotypical protagonist, Denji can be lazy, careless, easily manipulated, and irresponsible. When push comes to shove, he protects those he cares for and steps up to fight. Despite his growth, Denji does make many mistakes along the way. His shortcomings are part of his journey, and that makes him feel more human.
Another of Chainsaw Man's greatest strengths is its groundbreaking animation, featured recently in the Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arcfilm. The fight scenes are fantastic in the Chainsaw Man manga, but MAPPA's animated adaptations of them take these moments to the next level with fluid movement and bold colors.
Mob Psycho 100 Is Packed With Action, Humor, and Valuable Life Lessons
Shigeo Kageyama, also called Mob, has a level of power most people could only dream of achieving, and he's only a middle schooler. His psychic abilities enable him to enact mass destruction as he pleases, but this sheer might comes at a cost. Mob's powers are connected to his emotions, so when his feelings are not carefully controlled, he could cause immense harm without ever intending to.
Reigen Arataka mentors Mob, convincing his mentee that he is the Greatest Psychic of the 21st Century. Shockingly though, Reigen is faking everything, which is ironically clear to everyone but Mob. Mob Psycho 100 manages to mix an action-adventure, a coming-of-age story, and a comedy, all into one anime.
Mob and Reigen are in very different stages of life, but grapple with similar issues, including self-doubt, rejection from others, and defining who they are. Mob Psycho 100 conveys quite a few valuable messages that will stick with watchers long after the episode ends and perhaps even improve their own lives, including the value of self-love and the importance of being honest with others.
Jujutsu Kaisen's Character Development And Power System Are Unrivaled
Few anime have been lucky enough to enjoy the success of Jujutsu Kaisen, and the avid fanbase is well-deserved. Characters, like Gojo Satoru, have become cultural symbols whose reputations precede them, and their influence has even gone on to inspire other shonen anime.
Jujutsu Kaisen is set within a society where sorcerers battle Cursed Spirits in an effort to protect humanity. When Yuji Itadori, the anime's main protagonist, accidentally revives the most powerful Cursed Spirit in history, he becomes a vessel for Sukuna. At Tokyo Jujutsu High, Gojo saves Yuji from being executed by the higher-ups as a precaution against Sukuna, and teaches him to control his incredible new skills.
The character development in Jujutsu Kaisenis one of the factors that sets it apart. Akutami has created personalities fans will grow attached to because they're not just physically strong; they have compelling, although sometimes tragic, backstories and inspiring motivations that guide their behavior. Their character designs and Cursed Techniques may be cool, but characters like Megumi and Nanami also motivate through their care for others and persistence. Everyone in Jujutsu Kaisen has different reasons for fighting Cursed Spirits, and that often leads to interpersonal conflicts, which adds another level of depth to the acclaimed shonen.
