Best Shonen Anime

Well-made shonen anime (or shounen anime, as it is sometimes spelled) tend to be massive hits — just look at Attack on Titan or Dragon Ball. It is by far one of the most popular “genres” of anime with countless numbers of manga adaptations and original series being created for fans. Shonen is also a demographic rather than a traditional genre, so it covers a wide spectrum of shows.

In a category with countless anime to watch, it can be difficult to choose which series to get into. Still, some shonen anime are so excellent that they stand above the rest and should be on every fan’s must-watch list until they’ve seen them all. Let’s go over the best shonen anime of all time, and the picks will cover more than just battle shonen.

While each anime’s MyAnimeList score will be included, it is just a reference and not the deciding factor for the rankings.

Updated March 8, 2025 by Mark Sammut: The Winter 2025 anime season is nearing its end-point, and it has quite a few good shonen series. That said, while Sakamoto Days and Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun are pretty great, they probably will not quite rank with the best shonen anime ever.

Galleries have been added for every series, along with the introduction of Case Closed.

34

Call Of The Night

MyAnimeList Score: 7.95

Call of the Night is all about freedom. Although he is a good student, Kou Yamori finds that he struggles to relate to other teenagers, particularly when it comes to matters of love. While suffering from insomnia, he ventures out in the night, a decision that changes the guy’s life forever when he meets Nazuna Nanakusa, a vampire.

Enamored by her approach to life, Kou sets out on a path to become a creature of the night, but he will need to first fall in love with Nazuna to actualize this dream. Call of the Night is whimsical, stylish, and funny. Kou and Nazuna have instant chemistry, and they are hardly the only great characters to exist in this world.

33

Case Closed

MyAnimeList: 8.17

One of the very few shonen stories to eclipse One Piece in episode count, Case Closed has been a fixture of the anime scene since 1996. Also known as Detective Conan, the series follows a teenage detective who is turned into a child by a mysterious organization, forcing him to find unique ways to help the police solve cases.

Putting aside the occasional development to the overarching narrative, Case Closed primarily consists of stand-alone investigations that, more often than not, last only a single episode. Although arguably not reaching the same heights as some of the other best shonen anime, Case Closed is surprisingly consistent, with most episodes serving up entertaining and easily digestible mysteries. Characters like Conan, Ran, Kogorou, and Kaito are icons.

32

Kaiju No. 8

MyAnimeList: 8.30

Except for the biggest sequels, Kaiju No. 8 was Spring 2024’s most highly-anticipated anime. Based on Naoya Matsumoto’s popular manga, the adaptation benefits from Production I.G’s production value, with the first few episodes standing head-and-shoulders above most currently airing shows. Going beyond its esthetics, Kaiju No. 8 has a premise that simply sells itself, even if it is not necessarily breaking new ground.

As Japan has a kaiju problem, the country relies on a special team to take down these monsters whenever they appear. Driven by a childhood tragedy, Kafka aspired to join this task force, only to fail the entrance exam. Now in his early 30s, the odds of him making the grade are very low; or, at least, that was the case before Kafka received an unexpected power-up that allowed him to transform into a kaiju.

Kaiju No. 8 knows its main selling point and instantly gets to it. The anime starts with a great kaiju sequence that also does a fantastic job of setting up the story’s key players, especially Kafka, Reno, and Mina. Although a bit loud at times, Kafka is a charming and frequently funny protagonist who fits the everyman role while still very much having a strong personality. As it progresses, the show transforms into an almost ensemble action show, with Kafka and Reno joining a team of very talented rookies.

31

Chainsaw Man

MyAnimeList Score: 8.46

Chainsaw Man was by far and away one of 2022’s most hyped anime, which speaks to the popularity of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga. As its title suggests, Chainsaw Man is about a man who can transform parts of himself into chainsaws. The story includes the Yakuza and devil hunters, along with a lot of gore.

Yes, this is a battle shonen anime for adults, and this goes beyond just grotesque villains. The source material touches upon mature themes, even if they are presented through Denji’s juvenile perspective. The adaptation delivered on its promise for the most part, although the show’s legacy will depend on the quality (and existence) of the sequels. Chainsaw Man could dominate the shonen anime scene for a few years.

Assuming the movie and eventual sequel season are great, Chainsaw Man should move up considerably. The manga only gets better from here.

30

My Hero Academia

MyAnimeList Score (Season 1): 7.84

While hardly the first to feature superheroes, My Hero Academia is anime’s most famous example of the theme. With six seasons and a couple of movies under its belt, the show has enjoyed a long and successful run, and Deku’s story is not done yet.

At its best, My Hero Academia offers unforgettable fights, chilling villains, decent humor, and a constant sense of growth for its protagonist. Now, the series has had a few flat arcs; in fact, seasons 4 and 5 are both considerably weaker than the rest of the show, and they can be difficult to get through since they span almost 50 episodes. Thankfully, season 6 was a massive step in the right direction for the anime, and season 7 is shaping up to be a decent, if inconsistent continuation.

29

Ranma ½ (Both Series)

MyAnimeList Score (2024 Series): 8.04

Rumiko Takahashi is an all-time great mangaka, and her stories should ideally be experienced in their original forms. That said, for the most part, adaptations based on her works are pretty good, and Ranma ½ is probably Takashi’s most famous masterpiece alongside Inuyasha. The manga received two adaptations, one that aired during the early ’90s and a new iteration released in 2024. Both do a splendid job of showcasing Takashi’s incredible talent for humor and romance, all the while throwing in creative fight sequences.

Now, when it comes to choosing a version to watch, the modern remake is arguably the better pick. MAPPA’s animation is beautiful, and the anime really nails its pacing. That said, the classic version has two great seasons that advance Ranma and Ayane’s relationship. After that, the series enters filler territory, which means a lot of amusing but inconsequential episodes.

28

Spy X Family

MyAnimeList Score (Season 1): 8.46

A highlight of Spring and Fall 2022, Spy x Family chronicles the Forgers’ comedic escapades that can range from school break-ins to terrorist attacks with potentially widespread consequences. Tasked with befriending an important diplomat, Twilight, the eponymous spy, crafts a fake family man persona and adopts a girl named Anya, who just so happens to be a mind-reader. As Loid, Twilight also marries Yor, a woman who moonlights as an assassin.

These secrets simultaneously separate and bring this family together. Part 2 starts to develop the characters’ relationships, showing that something genuine is threatening to blossom from this artificial connection. Spy x Family season 2 aired as part of the Fall 2023 season; for the most part, the show remained very entertaining, although the story’s lack of forward movement did begin to grate after a while.

27

Bleach (Original & Thousand-Year Blood War)

MyAnimeList Score (Original Series): 7.97

At its best, Bleach compares favorably with any other action anime out there. The Soul Society arc is wildly recognized as one of the strongest early sagas in shonen, and those 40 episodes feature fantastic action, world-building, and storytelling. The Thousand-Year Blood War, which started airing in Fall 2022, is another high point that brought back Bleach in a big way after a long hiatus.

While the positives outweigh the negatives, Bleach notoriously overuses filler arcs to the point they regularly derail the show’s momentum. Sagas like The Bount arc have their moments, but they are so overly long that they drag down the rest of the series. However, as they are filler, these arcs can be skipped, and that is arguably the best way to enjoy Bleach.

Honestly, Thousand-Year Blood War is among the best battle shonen anime of all time, at least in terms of animation and fight sequences. However, when the series is taken as a whole, Bleach is pretty inconsistent.

26

Naruto & Naruto Shippuden

MyAnimeList Score (Naruto): 8.01

For a couple of years, Naruto was the most popular anime in Western countries, eclipsing the long-dormant Dragon Ball and the slow-to-crossover One Piece. Living in the Hidden Leaf Village, the eponymous ninja has been treated as an outcast for most of his days, but rather than wallow in self-pity, Naruto plans to gain everyone’s respect and trust as he strives to become his home’s Hokage. The first step in this journey involves starting shinobi training, which sees Naruto partnering up with the brooding Sasuke and Sakura, with the students operating under the tutelage of Kakashi.

Lasting for more than 700 episodes, Naruto goes through its share of highs and lows, but the series is generally quite consistent. Naruto and Sasuke’s friendship/rivalry drives the story forward, and the anime has one of the strongest roster of antagonists in shonen.

25

Dr. Stone

MyAnimeList Score (Season 1): 8.27

Dr. Stone has an awesome premise and an even better protagonist. Out of nowhere, most of Earth’s population is turned into stone, causing the world to gradually regress over the span of a few thousand years. Eventually, Senku breaks from his prison, and the intelligent teenager quickly sets out to unfreeze everyone while speedrunning humanity’s technological progress. While he might not be strong, Senku is incredibly intelligent.

Dr. Stone is an unapologetic celebration of scientific discovery, and the anime tries to keep things grounded when it comes to Senku’s inventions. Narratively, the show tells a good story filled with likable characters, including a few memorable villains.

24

The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.

MyAnimeList Score (Season 1): 8.41

Kusuo Saiki is an all-powerful psychic who can do nearly anything, a fact he wants to very much keep under wraps. Unfortunately, Kusuo’s efforts to keep a low profile are undermined by his magnetic ability to attract lovably weird people, and his school has quite a few of them.

A sketch comedy show, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is a laugh riot that seldom has a dull moment. Kusuo’s stoic demeanor serves as the perfect foil to the rest of the cast’s quirky characters, and the anime balances the humor with its share of sweet moments.

23

Dandadan

MyAnimeList Score: 8.55

Dandadan is just absurdly well-rounded. Want great action? Dandadan delivers. Want hilarious comedy? Dandadan delivers. Want lovable main characters who are enjoying a budding romance? Dandadan delivers. Based on a beloved modern manga, the anime follows Momo and Ken, two students who find themselves dragged into the worlds of both ghosts and aliens.

Blending the supernatural with science-fiction, the show uses these two usually separate universes to put together incredibly creative enemies, quite a few of which come with memorable or even depressing backstories. Their powers are imaginative too, and they are brought to life splendidly by Science Saru’s almost experimental animation.

As fun as all that is, Dandadan‘s success ultimately comes down to Momo and Ken, who are just delightful. While they argue quite frequently, their relationship is largely built on mutual respect, and they are just adorable together. The rest of the main characters are also great, particularly Momo’s grandmother, Seiko.

22

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba

MyAnimeList Score (Season 1): 8.44

Demon Slayer has cemented itself as something of a modern battle shonen classic in the vein of Dragon Ball and Naruto. It is an entry-level anime, simply because its mainstream success might attract the attention of people who have yet to fully embrace the world of Japanese animation.

Although enjoyable from the start, Demon Slayer hits its stride at a specific point: episode 19. This chapter caused the anime’s popularity to explode almost overnight, and the fire has not stopped raging since. 2020’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train was a massive international hit, while season 2’s Entertainment District arc is a contender for shonen’s best cour of the 2020s. The subsequent seasons failed to reach the same heights, but they were still enjoyable.

21

Bakuman

MyAnimeList Score (Season 1): 8.17

Bakuman gets a bit meta at times, with the main story following Moritaka’s journey to becoming a mangaka with his friends. It’s an amazing and realistic look into what life would be like for a full-time manga artist, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see them work hard and find ways to succeed each step of the way.

Bakuman highlights a different side of shonen anime, one that emphasizes character development, realism, and humor. While low-stakes compared to the demographic’s typically action-packed epics or intense melodramas, Bakuman‘s writing is top-notch and gets progressively better with each new season.

20

Fist Of The North Star

MyAnimeList Score (Season 1): 7.96

When discussing influential action shonen anime (and manga), Fist of the North Star has almost no peers. Debuting in the early ’80s, the manga and its adaptations were such massive successes that their stories and characters continue to be referenced to this day. Its influence can be seen in properties like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Berserk, two series that also cast long shadows over the anime and manga industries in general.

Fist of the North Star is obviously dated, and its animation can be difficult to stomach if someone is only accustomed to modern shows. That said, its storytelling has aged surprisingly well considering decades have passed since its inception. While it might be tempting to dismiss the anime as a historical piece rather than something to be enjoyed in this day and age, Fist of the North Star still packs an impressive punch.

19

Jujutsu Kaisen

MyAnimeList Score (Season 1): 8.56

Jujutsu Kaisen has a great mix of comedy, action, and storytelling that has driven many fans of anime to watch it over the years. Not to mention the animation is a feast for the eyes that will leave many with their jaws on the floor. In contrast to most anime, the main protagonist Yuuji isn’t simply choosing to become stronger but is forced to when he encounters a cursed item. This new angle keeps things incredibly fresh for those who have seen many mainstream shonen titles in the past.

With two seasons and a movie under its belt, Jujutsu Kaisen has already produced quite a lot of content, and the story is far from done. While some might argue that season 2’s second half focused too much on just action, the anime is for the most part consistently great, and it arguably raised the bar in terms of fight sequences. Even if the story’s brisk pacing hurts the overall characterization, Jujutsu Kaisen is arguably still the best action shonen anime of the modern era.

18

Death Note

MyAnimeList Score: 8.62

A psychological thriller about a serial killer and the detective(s) seeking to bring him to justice, Death Note is a shonen anime that focuses on a battle of minds rather than biceps. Light Yagami finds the Death Note, allowing him to kill anyone by simply writing their name within the book’s pages. As Kira, Light starts to shape a new world in his vision, one that naturally attracts the attention of the authorities.

Death Note is at its best when concentrating on Light and L’s rivalry and strange friendship. Their cat-and-mouse chase is the stuff of legend, and outside of maybe Monster, few anime have done it better.

17

Nichijou – My Ordinary Life

MyAnimeList Score: 8.47

A prime example of shonen’s underappreciated range, Nichijou is a sketch comedy about a group of high school girls, a talking cat, a child genius, and a robot. The slice of life anime starts ordinary enough, seemingly setting the stage for what will be a relatively relaxing and “normal” series; then, a school principal wrestles a deer, and things fly completely off the rails.

Nichijou is unpredictable, surreal, heartfelt, and consistently hilarious. The anime blows most other comedy series out of the water, and it holds up well to repeat viewings.

16

Samurai Champloo

MyAnimeList Score: 8.51

This wild combination of hip-hop culture with Edo-period Japanese history makes it stand out among the crowd as something truly special. Of course, this comes as no surprise with Shinichirō Watanabe, the mind behind brilliant anime like Cowboy Bebop and Carole and Tuesday.

Following the eccentric adventures of Fuu, Mugen, and Jin is fun enough already, but add in the incredibly animated sword battles and fight scenes and Samurai Champloo jumps up to a whole different level.

While Samurai Champloo has a shonen manga, the anime is not an adaptation of it.

15

Your Lie In April

MyAnimeList Score: 8.64

Despite popular opinion stating shonen consists of only the battle variety, the “genre” extends far beyond the confines of just Dragon Ball and Naruto. Your Lie in April highlights a different side to shonen, one driven by emotion, heart, and humor.

Your Lie in April centers around a prodigy who is struggling to rediscover his spark for music following the death of his mother. He forms a friendship with Kaori, and things get powerful from there. Prepare the tissues as Your Lie in April is the ultimate anime tearjerker.