The shounen genre is one of the most popaular and most-watched genres in the world of anime. While this genre of anime is usually aimed at boys, it has an audience that includes people of all ages and walks of life. Shonen anime are usually more popular and globally recognized, often spanning many episodes. The hype around it is very real! It is very likely that you know a number of names in this breed.
Here we have put together a list of the top ten shonen anime that you should watch in your spare time. This means if you are willing to spend a lot of time! In all seriousness, this anime usually consist of dozens or even hundreds of episodes. Just be ready to enter the worlds of fantasy, magic, and supernatural forces! The shounen genre is for everyone, so just sit back, watch, and enjoy!
One Punch Man
A hero for fun – this is how Saitama considers himself. After three years of non-stop training by doing 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and running 10km every single day, he is now able to take down any villain that comes his way with a single punch! But there’s one problem – he’s not an official Hero Association-licensed hero. Discovering this fact with his new partner, Genos, Saitama intends to become a legitimate hero once and for all. All while he takes on bad guys and deals with absurd problems with his weirdness and bald head.
This anime is one of the new anime that has gained great popularity. Not only does One Punch Man bring out his shounen sides as quickly as possible, but he also does so through heroic behaviour. It’s fun to watch, funny, exciting, expressive, and action-packed. This is why it has become one of the best shonen anime of all time.
Dragon Ball
Son Goku is a young boy with great martial arts skills and huge potential. He also happens to have in his possession an object known as the Dragon Ball. Rumour has it that if one collects the seven Dragon Balls together, one can grant any wish whatsoever. And so, by meeting a strange girl named Bulma and introducing her to the Dragon Balls, Goku embarks on an adventure that will eventually transcend the boundaries of the world.
Dragon Ball can be considered one of the pioneers of the shonen genre in the anime world. It is already a classic and has boosted the popularity of this breed. Thus, it is a no-brainer to put this classic anime here on this list. It is famous, very popular, and one of the most popular anime all over the world. There is a lot of action and adventure in this wonderful anime.
This anime series has quite a few parts. There’s Dragon Ball, then Dragon Ball Z, then Dragon Ball GT , and finally Dragon Ball Super. The original series focuses more on fantasy and adventure while the sequels focus on action and science fiction. Every part of the series is worth watching.
Boku no Hero Academia
Midoriya Izuku is a hero. In fact, the number one role model he looks up to is none other than the number one hero in the world – All Might! But no matter how hard he tries, he’s troubled by the fact that he’s an abomination (someone who doesn’t have any kind of superpower). Even on the day fate combines it with the first dead. Midoriya Izuku inherits the power of All Might, the “One of All”, after gaining his respect and approval. Thus, the story of the fantastic hero that literally starts from scratch begins!
Another hero anime jumps into the Shonen genre trailer. This time, it’s an anime about a hero who literally tries to walk the path from zero to hero. I assure you, the potential of this emerging anime is huge! Why, because this anime has the power to motivate you with its emotional story, cheer you up with its high-level action and heroic demeanour, and empower you with its heroic morals and excellent overall narration.
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
Unknown to most, Aladdin takes his first step into the world from an ethereal palace. Accompanied by a magical flute containing a giant named Ogo, Aladdin travels around the world to see everything in it. One day, he meets Ali Baba, a young man who wants to enter one of the mysterious labyrinths called the Catacombs in order to prove himself. Thus, Aladdin joins him in his quest. Unbeknownst to both of them, this test will be the beginning of it all – an adventure that not only belongs to both of them but the fate of the entire world!
If there was one word that could describe Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, it would be “magical”. From the very beginning, this anime envelops everything in magic. It might sound like just another Shonen anime, but it’s not. Deep down, Magi is a treasure chest (or even a treasure chamber) just waiting to capture anyone brave enough to venture into it. you do not believe me? Well, just say “Open Sesame Street” and see the magic for yourself.
Fairy Tail
Celestial mage Lucy Heartfilia, 17, is looking for a guild to join. This guild is the infamous guild of magicians that always causes commotion and chaos called Fairy Tail. As a member of the Mage’s Guild, Lucy takes on assignments in order to earn a living and grow as a Celestial Mage. Often, accompanied by Natsu Dragneel, a dragon slayer, and Happy, a flying cat, they go on adventures to prove themselves as wizards. Gray and Erza join them over time, and the entire guild backs them up whenever something happens. Ultimately, they are wizards whose goal is to grow in magical power, overcome opponents, and prove to the world what it means to be a Fairy Tail wizard.
A magic bomb that explodes spectacularly engulfing everyone in every magic spell that has to be cast, that’s Fairy Tail in a nutshell. As a shonen anime with dense elements of fantasy, adventure, magic, and comedy, Fairy Tail is pretty cool! It is not only charming because of the adventure and fantasy, but also captivating because of the comedy and some of the drama. When watching this anime, you are sure to laugh from time to time, drawn in by the action full of charm, and deeply immersed in the story.