Polarizing Shonen Anime You Should Still Try

The typical shonen anime is known for its exciting action, unforgettable characters and epic journeys. But not every anime in the genre receives universal praise. Some of these shonen anime are controversial to the point of causing intense debate among fans, divided opinions about their different but noticeable elements and structure.

So while these divisive anime may not be everyone's cup of tea, they often offer strong one-of-a-kind convictions and unforgettable experiences that are worth exploring. So in this article, the focus is on those shounen anime that deserve a chance to prove themselves despite their mixed reviews. However flawed they may be based on fan consensus, their fractured elements are testament to their redeemable qualities. So, as such, here is a list of the most divisive anime series in the Shounen demographic

9 Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.6/5

One of anime's most divisive series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations are at both ends of the fan emotional spectrum for many reasons. From not living up to the hype of its predecessor, the Naruto series, to the constant exasperation of its inability to stick to its original: its expansion of knowledge that veers away from the essence of shinobi to face universal-level threats in the Otutsuki alien race .

But for all its flaws, a certain demographic of fans endlessly acknowledge its quality and intent for innovation through its rich storyline. So while it's still much maligned for its adaptation differences, its strong animation style seems enough to placate the interest of most, making it the kind of anime perceived relatively differently for various reasons, but one very worth watching.

8 Re: Zero – Starting Life In Another World

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.2/5

One of anime's most talked about isekai series for both negative and positive reasons, Re: Zero – Start life in another world does a good enough job of keeping the tongues wagging and the discourses burning. Through its most divisive asset, the main character, Natsuki Subaru, the series evokes many mixed feelings due to Subaru's character traits, from his choice of powers to his choice of actions and how they affect the plot.

Also, for most fan demographics, the series falls between the “didn't live up to expected expectations” category and the “this is one of the best anime ever” category. Usually it's never in between. However, its impressive use of the time loop mechanic makes it an above-average story, and one with something worth watching.

7 Sword Art Online

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0/5

The isekai defining series of the 2010s, the reception of Sword Art Online series brought many different reactions. The bad, the good and the ugly. Although for an isekai of its time, the series truly revolutionized due to its mix of various fantasy tropes while combining the isekai element with virtual reality, giving fans and viewers something never seen before. However, the series had some glaring elements about it that didn't really mesh well with specifics. fan demographics.

The perfect example is the romantic relationship between the two main characters, Kirito and Asuna, which there was discourse that the relationship may have been too idealized. Additionally, the series also gained mixed traction due to the glaring gaps in its pacing and narrative focus. However, its status as isekai anime royalty is unchanged, making it eligible for a great watch still, for a first timer.

6 Fairy Tail

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.1/5

Highlighted as the “friendship series”, Fairy Tail has had its tail in wildly mixed receptions since its debut year. A widely recognized series, with its impressive power scaling, structure and central story, the series however suffers from the success of other major anime such as Naruto due to its over-flogging of certain themes and tropes, particularly the friendship trope.

Additionally, its egregious attempts at fanservice also add to the mixed reactions it receives, with viewers and fans split on the necessity of such in most situations. But leaving out all of its problems with over-whipping tropes, fanservice, and even the not-so-publicized plot repetitions, the series remains one of anime's most acclaimed shounen series.

5 The never promised land

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.4/5

Anime's true one-season wonder, The never promised land got off to quite a flying start in his first season. But all its delightful reception fell flat as its second season, as the story shifts from what seemed to be the much-needed thriller-fantasy series the fantasy genre had longed for before to a disjointed action narrative focused on escape missions.

Oddly enough, the series is divisive in a way that other anime aren't, given that fans and viewers objectively agree that its first season was beyond great and its sequel, just beyond terrible, making it the perfect subject for shared discourse. But for hopeful casuals who can appreciate that the good outweighs the bad, The Promised Neverland still has good watch or rewatch value.

4 Tokyo Ghoul

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.1/5

One of Studio Pierrot's more divisive works, the Tokyo Ghoul The series was and still is the subject of heavy controversy among anime fans for many different reasons, not limited to its very glaring adaptation issues. Untruthfully, the series has its bright moments as well, as it more or less sets the tone for how the dark fantasy genre in anime is now perceived and portrayed.

However, with the clear discrepancy between information from the manga over the anime, public consensus on the series could only lean in so many directions. But for a series heavily criticized for its wasted potential, the anime remains a certified hit series, responsible for the rise of the fantasy genre after 2014.

3 Gintama

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.2/5

A member of Studio Sunrise's elite class of anime projects, along with Cowboy Bebop and Code Geass, Gintama also finds itself as one of anime's most controversial series. This is because of the series' many genre and trope combinations. Going from straight-up slapstick comedy to fourth-wall breaking gags to dark and violent themes faster than an arc in the series can be completed, giving the story many angles to judge from and which, by implication, creates conflicting judgments about the overall quality of the series.

Its over reliance on Japanese pop culture references is also another reason for its divisive reception, as it favored certain fan demographics more than others, resulting in contrasting viewing experiences. However, the show's mixed media reception is just further proof of its obvious entertainment value, at least for a first-time viewer.

2 The Elf Lied

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0/5

• Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Apple TV
• Themes: Gore, Psychological, Seinen
• Production studio: Studio Arms
• Airtime: July 25, 2004 to October 17, 2004

The ideal representation of gore executed in all the right parameters, The Elf Lied raises conflicting eyebrows among its fan demographic based on more than one reason. The classic tilts opinion in two directions, primarily because of the subtle yet eye-popping juxtaposition of its art style in contrast to its visual content.

This is noticeable by how the series is noticeably gory, violent and gory, while the art can be described as a bit sweet, in a lighthearted way. As for the storytelling, for most it is either praised for its emotional depth or called out for its supposed faux-narrative depth.

1 Neon Genesis Evangelion

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0/5

Anime textbook definition of ambiguous, Neon Genesis Evangelion, for most fan demographics, is usually the best anime ever produced or the most confusing and pointless anime series, and usually there's never anything in between.

The series stands above its other divisive counterparts mainly due to the inherent ambiguity of the story. With its open-ended conclusions and experimental storytelling, the series leaves too much to the imagination and personal interpretation for there to be a general consensus about the series, even though it is undeniably quality.