Even after decades of the same formula being adapted and improved, Shonen remains one of the most popular and devotedly beloved genres of anime. Despite the common tropes and over-the-top action that Shonen provides, anime fans just can't seem to get enough. Since Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece paved the way, more and more Shonen manga keep getting top-tier anime adaptations, chasing the heels of the biggest series of the last decade.
While there are a lot of Shonen anime to go around, some have risen up to become the greatest anime fans have ever seen. A lot of these series arguably even surpassed the original big three thanks to their fresh narratives, cutting-edge animation, and loveable cast of characters. Jujutsu Kaisen in particular is one of the best breakout anime in recent years, but it's also one of many.
10 Jujutsu Kaisen (24 Episodes – MAPPA)
Jujutsu Kaisen revolves around Yuji Itadori, a dimwitted but unbelievably athletic high school student. His world is flipped upside down when he suddenly learns about the existence of Cursed Spirits and the Jujutsu Sorcerers who exorcise them.
After a series of rather poor decisions, Yuji finds himself with a choice: join the Jujutsu Sorcerer school and fight against Cursed Spirits, or be executed. Jujutsu Kaisen tells a wonderfully gripping story that builds upon the standards Shonen anime has set while adding a unique layer of deeply emotional and dark overtones.
9 Dr. Stone (35 Episodes – TMS Entertainment)
Dr. Stone bends the Shonen formula to add its own quirks surrounding science and technology. The story begins with protagonist Senku and everyone on Earth being encased in stone & left statue-like for roughly the next 3,600 years. Senku is the first human to awaken and he soon gets to work on his goal of escalating humanity back up to modern technological standards.
There's a strange appeal to learning about how the technology people use today could be made with only what we find in nature (even if some it seems a bit too far-fetched). It's always entertaining to tune in and see what Senku and friends create each episode.
8 Black Clover (170 Episodes – Studio Pierrot)
Black Clover is one of the longest-running Shonen anime within the last few years. Viewers follow Asta in this fantastical Shonen series, a boy who doesn't possess very many talents or notable skills, at least when compared to his foster brother Yuno. When Yuno is granted a rare four-leaf clover grimoire, it looks as though their lives will go down different paths.
That is until Asta obtains an even rarer five-leaf clover grimoire or 'Black Clover', which gives him special dark powers. Black Clover borrows a lot of tropes and themes from some of the big Shonen series of the past few decades, but puts it all under a new coat of paint.
7 Seraph of the End (24 Episodes – Wit Studio)
Seraph of the End is a grittier entry into recent Shonen history. The tone is dim from the start as audiences learn that a virus which kills people over 13 has wiped out most of the human population, and the few young survivors are rounded up by vampires and kept as a rare food source. Yuuichirou and Mikaela are two of the survivors who manage to escape from the vampires but at a great cost.
Yuuichirou vows to destroy the vampires and becomes a member of the Imperial Demon Army to take his revenge. Seraph of the End filled a void for anime fans who needed a bit more despair and darkness in their Shonen anime, to the point where many are begging for a continuation with a third season. Maybe you'll join the calls for a continuation as well?
6 The Seven Deadly Sins (100 Episodes – A-1 Pictures & Studio Deen)
Another long-running series is The Seven Deadly Sins. After the Holy Knights of Liones stage a coup d'état and overthrow the royalty, Princess Elizabeth desperately searches for a disbanded order of Knights to help her retake her home. Every member of the order is loosely based on one of the Biblical seven deadly sins and come with their own unique powers & personalities.
Their leader Meliodas works with Elizabeth to find his former companions so they can reunite and save the kingdom. A rather unique middle-age themed setting coupled with some interesting characters and spectacular fights make The Seven Deadly Sins a thrilling anime.
5 Fire Force (48 Episodes – David Production)
Fire Force is about firefighters who fight fire with fire. In a world where humans can spontaneously combust into flame demons called Infernals, a group of firefighters use fire-themed sorcery to combat them and protect anyone caught in the middle.
Protagonist Shinra strives to be a hero, but he has to handle the feuding within the Fire Forces, as well as a shadowy group who claim to be behind the combustions. Fire Force's main appeal is the incredibly intricate pyrokinetic magical systems, and the gorgeously animated fight scenes that utilize these powers in many stunning ways.
4 Blood Blockade Battlefront (24 Episodes – Bones)
Blood Blockade Battlefront is a rather niche and often overlooked Shonen anime. In this universe, monsters exist and live alongside humans. New York City has since become 'Hellsalem's Lot' and a group called Libra works within the shadows to keep the fragile peace between humans and monsters.
Leonardo Watch finds himself joining this secret organization when he receives the 'All-Seeing Eyes of the Gods,' setting himself on a dangerous journey to find out why. Blood Blockade Battlefront has a very unique premise for a Shonen anime that couples together some incredible animation with dark plot-points and great comedy.
3 That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime (36 Episodes – 8Bit)
An Isekai-Shonen fusion, That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime is another recent success story for the genre. Satoru Mikami is a stereotypical salary-man who suddenly loses his life when he's stabbed in the streets of Tokyo. Satoru wakes up in a new fantasy world (in stereotypical Isekai fashion), but with a twist. He's been reborn as a blue slime, with the powers to mimic nearly everything and anything.
Viewers get to follow him on a fantastic journey to grow his newfound powers and meet many new people along the way, all the while gaining tremendous power and taking up the new name of 'Rimuru Tempest.' That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime is a dream come true for Isekai fans. The setting and power-system are very reminiscent of classics like Fairy Tail, which breathes a lot of new life into both Shonen and Isekai alike.
2 My Hero Academia (88 Episodes – Bones)
In My Hero Academia, 80% of the population are born with powers called Quirks. Some people with Quirks go on to become heroes, and protagonist Izuku Midoriya dreams of becoming a hero himself one day. Unfortunately for him, he is one of the few people born without a Quirk, but that all changes when he runs into his idol All-Might, the number one hero.
Audiences are treated to an emotional and character-driven story as Izuku trains as a hero and struggle with his newfound abilities, making friends along the way. My Hero Academia is a shining example of the peak of modern Shonen anime, with amazing characters, a great story, and some excellent comedy.
1 Demon Slayer (26 Episodes – Ufotable)
The best modern Shonen of this generation is undoubtedly Demon Slayer. The story revolves around Tanjirou, a boy whose life is turned upside down when his family is slaughtered by a demon and his sister Nezuko is turned into a demon herself. Wanting revenge on the demon responsible, Tanjirou and Nezuko travel together to seek revenge and hope to find a way to make Nezuko human again.
Along the way, Tanjirou trains to become a masterful Demon Slayer and forms a group with some very characterful colleagues. Demon Slayer deserves every ounce of praise it receives. With such a compelling and deep storyline, coupled with amazing animation, this is the pinnacle of modern Shonen.