Shonen anime are the most popular shows among the anime demographics. The tales of inspiring adventures entice audiences worldwide. Fans love watching their favorite characters perform harrowing feats to defeat their enemies and achieve their goals. Unfortunately, a lot of the same character tropes are frequently used, so the shonen genre can feel a little stale at times. However, a particular group of shonen anime has proven to have some of the best writing and best stories that combat the monotony.
These anime give audiences unique stories that — though they may feature traditional tropes — give viewers something new. Things like dynamic power systems, complex characters, and story subversions help these shonen anime feel fresh and creative. Great writing and innovative storytelling have helped these shows become universally beloved.
10 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is true to its name. The strange adventures of the Joestar family members throughout the decades have audiences coming back every season.
The characters' designs are completely unique. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure characters have a style all their own that has yet to be copied by other anime.Another interesting part of the show is that the characters and their Stands' names are all based on music. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is an original story that is only enhanced by the amount of ridiculous phenomena that the Joestars are forced to deal with.
9 Spy x Family
Spy x Family is different from a lot of shonen anime because it centers around all the members of a family. Often, shonen protagonists will have one or two missing parents, but this show decides to focus on the familial relationship the Forgers now share.
Spy x Family has its darker moments, but it's primarily a lighthearted show meant to make audiences laugh. The story of a spy, an assassin, and a telepath is creative and gives audiences something different in terms of shonen stories.
8 My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia turns the superhero genre on its head. Instead of one hero saving humanity, nearly everyone has powers and can choose to be a hero if they wish. The story of Izuku Midoriya's ascent to the top as a Pro is inspiring and harrowing simultaneously.
The characters in My Hero Academia don't conform to typical human designs, which creates singularly fantastical characters who can have any number of innovative superpowers. The story meshes both light and dark moments that make this show a nuanced look at Hero Society and what it means to be a true Hero.
7 Horimiya
Horimiya's romance is what sets it apart from other shonen anime. With its school-life setting and mostly normal human characters, Horimiya is the most realistic portrayal of dating and young love.
The story initially subverts expectations by having the female protagonist, Kyoko Hori, fall for a boy, Izumi Miyamura, who isn't necessarily conventionally attractive. It's because of his unapologetic style that Hori falls for Miyamura, and they agree to let the other be themselves. It's a heartwarming romance that is so beautiful simply because of the main characters' chemistry and how they show affection.
6 Assassination Classroom
Assassination is not the first word most people think of when talking about great educators, but the two go hand in hand in Assassination Classroom. The story centers around Class 3E as they try to eliminate their monstrous teacher, but they never count on the teacher helping them learn more than just school subjects.
Assassination Classroom is hilarious and poignant in equal measure. Korosensei's antics are completely lovable, especially since he makes such a kind, compassionate teacher. This anime tugs heavily on fans' heartstrings, showing that great writing can take even the silliest-sounding concepts and turn them into something fabulous.
5 Cells At Work!!
Cells At Work!! is a beautifully written story, if only for the hundreds of characters the writers created to flesh out the world of the human body. The character designs and personalities all fit the types of cells or bodies that they are, as well as their roles within the body. For example, T-cells get rid of invading viruses, so they are portrayed as ruthless soldiers who are prepared for anything.
This unique tale of what happens to a person when maladies invade is gripping and, at times, tragic. Cells At Work!! manages to craft an effective, adventurous story simply by showing audiences what one body does on a nearly daily basis.
4 Attack On Titan
Attack on Titan took the world by storm for its gripping tale of immense tragedy. The horrors of war mesh with almost Eldritch-like beings to create a show that is singularly disturbing and simultaneously entertaining.
The many twists found in AoT are shocking and always have audiences on the edges of their seats. Although there's a lot of blood and gore, the show still manages to craft a cohesive story that deals with all kinds of issues. Political intrigue, fantastical legends, and feelings of grief are all explored in this bombastic anime.
3 Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is a dark anime featuring Cursed Spirits and the Sorcerers who deal with them. The story is a horrific look into the grimmest parts of humanity, as the Cursed Spirits are born of the negative energy humans expel. The show deftly uses this concept to shed light on important issues that are often swept under the rug in favor of beneficial perceptions.
The characters in Jujutsu Kaisen are also well-written, as they don't focus too much on typical tropes. The female characters have just as much agency as the males. They also are not used as sex symbols but rather as strong, capable partners in the fight against Cursed Spirits. The three main heroes, Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and Nobara Kugisaki, are all very different, but they work well together to create one of the best anime trios. Jujutsu Kaisen is a great show that elevates the shonen genre to new heights.
2 Death Note
Death Note is a universally popular anime that combines intrigue and murder to create a dark masterpiece. The battle between Light (as Kira) and the great detective L creates fantastic tension that drives the story toward the ultimate climax.
Light's journey is particularly interesting as fans watch him devolve from an intelligent high schooler to a malicious god in his own right. The writing and characters are cleverly planned out to make it possible for Kira to evade detection for so long. Death Note is a gripping reminder that absolute power can corrupt even the most logical of minds.
1 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the 2010 reboot of Fullmetal Alchemist that stays truer to Hiromu Arakawa's original work. While both anime have their merits, Brotherhood has a satisfying ending that brilliantly ties everything together.
The characters are fleshed-out despite how many of them there are. Side characters and side plots affect the story just as much as the main plot does. It is a beautifully woven tale that combines fantasy and politics that is unlike any other shonen story. While it does have many well-known tropes, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has so much more to offer that fans often return to it just to experience the story all over again.