Shounen refers toanimeand manga that are targeted towards adolescent boys. Anime of this genre typically features more action and sometimes incorporates more fantastical elements than shojo (although this isn’t always the case). Nowadays, there is a lot of shounen anime out there, so which ones are the best?
In this list, we are going to answer just that. This will cover some of the best shounen anime of all time. If your favorite is missing from the list, don’t worry! Personal favorites are subjective, but these are just some of the titles we think are worthy of being called the best of all time.
8One Piece
We can’t talk about shounen anime without talking about One Piece. This iconic anime has been airing since 1999 and is still going strong, with well over a thousand episodes. This humble story tells the story of the Straw Hats on their quest to find the One Piece.
Each character in One Piece is unique and well-developed. Rather than Luffy taking charge and being way stronger than everyone else, they can each stand alone in a fight. Overall, the world-building in One Piece is phenomenal as well, but that’s only natural given thehuge number of episodes.
7Naruto & Naruto: Shippuden
Next up, we have Naruto: Shippuden. This is technically two different shows, but Naruto: Shippuden serves as a direct sequel and continues the story. Many people also regard Shippuden as the better show, especially as there is more character growth and development.
Naruto: Shippuden is one of my favorite anime on this list!
Naruto is a must-watch if you have any interest in ninjas, action, or unique powers. These are pretty vague, but overall, Naruto is a great (and complete) story set in an immersive world with tons of unique ninjas that you can get to know.
6Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter is another classic anime that deserves a watch. This anime follows Gon, who aspires to be a great Hunter. As with any good shounen anime, he meets a variety of colorful characters along the way, including Killua, who is a popular character from the show.
The mangaka of Hunter x Hunter, Yoshihiro Togashi, is married to Naoko Takeuchi. If this sounds familiar, it’s for a good reason! This is the creator of Sailor Moon.
The manga for Hunter x Hunter has taken many breaks, but earlier in 2024, it was confirmed by the mangaka himself that he is continuing with new chapters. More Hunter x Hunter anime may be in our future!
5Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
If you were around in 2003, then you may remember the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime. The plot of this deviated from the manga though, as it was still being written at the time. Thankfully, 2009 brought us Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which was faithful to the original manga, making it a phenomenal story.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is often regarded as one of the best anime of all time, and it’s for a good reason. This show has one of the most solid magic systems you can find; rather than simply creating magic with nothing, you’ll quickly get acquainted with the law of equivalent exchange.
4Dragon Ball
If you want to dive into Dragon Ball, then you havea lot of content to get through. This show follows Goku, ranging from the original series in 1986 (when he was a child) all the way until now. Between this, you may find tons of other series, such as Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super.
Like Naruto, Dragon Ball gives you the opportunity to follow along with the main protagonist as he grows and develops into a powerful adult. Overall, this anime is also great if you really appreciate good fight scenes.
3Attack On Titan
Before we cover Attack on Titan, it’s important to note that this anime is right at the border of shounen and seinen (which is targeted towards adult males). As such, it’s a bit more violent and serious than some other anime on our list. With that out of the way though, this is one of the greatest anime of all time!
Attack on Titan is definitely my favorite on this list. My first time watching it was in 2023, which was ten years after it first came out. As such, I binge-watched it all and realized I was missing out on one of the best shows that I have ever seen.
This show focuses on Eren Yeager and a group of soldiers who are tasked with protecting humanity from Titans that loom outside the walls. In addition to a great story, Attack on Titan has amazing animation; just look at any scene where they are using ODM gear.
2Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho is another older anime on our list, first airing in 1990. This show follows Yusuke who meets his end pretty early into the series. Rather than being isakai’d into another world though, he gets a second chance at life as a Spirit Detective.
There have been no new Yu Yu Hakusho episodes/seasons since the original series, but it still remains immensely popular. Overall, the character development is amazing, with the Dark Tournament arc standing out as one of the best anime arcs out there.
1Soul Eater
Last but not least, we have Soul Eater. Named after the titular character, Soul Eater takes place in a world where people can turn into weapons. Soul himself can turn into a scythe, which is then wielded by Maka.
This anime is another classic that you should add to your plan-to-watch list, especially if you like the nostalgic feel of tournament plots (fighting a different enemy each episode or every few episodes. Soul Eater was created by the same person behind Fire Force. There may be some connections that you can spot if you watch both!
