Shonen is one of the oldest and most popular anime demographics of all time. With a rich history and a vast assortment of titles, it’s home to many iconic and beloved series. In recent years, shonen anime have become more popular than ever before, making up most of the best-selling titles each season. Modern shonen appeals to an even wider audience, and many fans believe the genre is better today than it’s ever been.
However, much of the success seen by these new titles is all thanks to the classics. Old school shonen helped pave the way for the genre fans know and love, with its groundbreaking stories and iconic characters. These classic titles are the foundation of the genre, and shonen wouldn’t be the same without them.
10 Astro Boy Is One Of Shonen's Earliest Hits
It's hard for a lot of modern fans to picture, but anime stems back many decades, even all the way back in the '60s. Astro Boy is one of the earliest examples of classic shonen, and it's also one of the most iconic. The series has influenced anime since the beginning, from its style to its aesthetic.
It also helped form the sci-fi genre within anime, which is still one of the most prominent genres today. There have been many adaptations of Astro Boy over the years, but the original is undoubtedly the best version of all.
9 Inuyasha Remains A Fan Favorite Even Decades Later
Inuyasha was one of the top anime of the 2000s, and it embodies much of what made that era so great. It's an epic adventure series, filled with action and suspense that keeps fans on the edge of their seats. However, Inuyasha is much more than a typical action-based shonen, delving into the emotional side of the story as well.
As a result, it appeals to male and female fans equally, giving them both something to look forward to in each episode. While the series has been over for some time, Inuyasha remains a popular classic series that manages to stay relevant even today.
8 Fist Of The North Star Is A Dark Sci-Fi Classic That Influenced The Post-Apocalyptic Trend
Not everyone can handle the intensity that is Fist of the North Star. It's an incredibly dark sci-fi and action series, filled with a lot of violence and gore. Despite this infamous reputation, the series is a pioneer in the post-apocalyptic genre. Its story influenced a lot of beloved series and movies within the genre, including some outside of the realm of anime.
Given its style, it's also no surprise that Fist of the North Star heavily inspired anime greats like Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. This iconic sci-fi classic definitely isn't for all fans, but there's no denying its prominence and influence within anime and media as a whole.
7 The 1969 Dororo Series Had A Lot Of Dark Themes, Paving The Way For Future Anime
A lot of early anime series are bright and cheerful, staying far away from the darker or more controversial topics modern fans are often exposed to. However, the original 1969 Dororo anime is an exception to this, and it tends to get darker than some modern series.
This classic from the renowned Osamu Tezuka had a short run, but its impact is still felt throughout anime. It helped pave the way for future series to delve further into darker, more in-depth storylines in anime. The original Dororo is a founding series in the dark fantasy genre, with many beloved modern titles following after it.
6 Detective Conan Is A Classic Mystery Series That's Still Ongoing
Many of the old school classics have long since ended, but Detective Conan is one of the rare series that's still ongoing, even decades later. Starting back in 1996, it's one of the longest-running anime out there, and so far, it shows no signs of stopping any time soon.
Despite its age, Detective Conan has managed to stay relevant even in the modern era of anime, with many long-time fans, as well as brand-new ones. It's helped shape the mystery genre of anime, and many series have followed in its footsteps. However, even they have failed to last as long as this iconic '90s series.
5 Dragon Ball Is One Of The Most Iconic Anime Series Of All Time
There are many amazing and popular anime out there, but few can compare to the Dragon Ball franchise. This classic anime is one of the most recognizable and iconic series of all time, adored around the world by fans from every generation.
Whether it's the original series, the beloved Dragon Ball Z, or one of the modern titles, every Dragon Ball series is someone's favorite. Even the less popular series in the franchise are equally iconic and influential in their own ways. While plenty of other shonen anime have seen global success, Dragon Ball is in a league all its own, making it one of the top shonen series of all time.
4 Yu-Gi-Oh Dominates The Game Anime Genre
Game anime are bigger now than they've ever been, with many incredible shonen titles coming out of the genre. Yu-Gi-Oh is undoubtedly one of the best and most influential of them all and even years after the original series has ended, it's managed to stay on top.
The Yu-Gi-Oh franchise has expanded more than ever, with several series, games, and, of course, the trading card game. But despite all the new series and merch, old school Yu-Gi-Oh still proves to be the best and most popular. With iconic characters and an unforgettable story, the original series draws in more fans, even years after its conclusion.
3 Rurouni Kenshin Is An Iconic Shonen Taking Place In Historical Japan
For fans who love samurais and swordfights, Rurouni Kenshin is one of the originators of the trend in anime. It's a historically-based series, taking place in Meiji-era Japan, and centers around a wandering samurai named Kenshin Himura.
The iconic series centers around themes such as redemption, forgiveness, and self-discovery, making it a very thought-provoking and emotional series, rather than the typical action-packed shonen. Though the '90s anime ended long ago, it remains an influential part of anime, and Rurouni Kenshin is still a popular title overall among fans.
2 One Piece Is An Old School Favorite That's Still Popular Today
As one of shonen's Big Three, it goes without saying that One Piece is a highly popular series. But unlike the other two Big Three titles, it's still managed to retain much of the hype it had during its prime. In fact, some may argue that One Piece is more popular now than it's ever been.
Though it initially came out in 1999, the series is still going strong with over 1,000 episodes under its belt. Despite being such a long-running series, many fans have been watching since the beginning, showing how engaging and exciting the series truly is. Even as anime's popularity grows, modern titles can hardly compare to this old school favorite.
1 Yu Yu Hakusho Still Has An Active Fandom Years Later
To many fans, Yu Yu Hakusho is one of the greatest shonen anime of all time, surpassing even the most popular modern titles. This epic action series sky-rocketed into popularity almost immediately, and it hasn't died down since. Though the anime series first came out in the '90s and has been over for decades, fans still can't get enough of this beloved classic.
Yu Yu Hakusho may be old, but it's got an active and faithful fanbase, and many still praise its contributions to the genre. With the live-action series on the horizon, this old school favorite is sure to see yet another surge in popularity, once again solidifying its place among the top dogs in shonen.