Shojo anime garner attention for their flowery, romantic plots. Yet, many shojo stories have an edge to them that would make them the perfect candidates for the shonen genre. Though shonen series are better known for action-centric stories, these shojo have enough heart-pounding sequences to fit under the shonen header.
There are many similarities between certain shojo and shonen shows. These shojo anime are full of fight scenes, magic spells, and powerful villains that would allow them to fit right in with shonen titles. Shonen may be known for these elements in particular, but certain shojo feature them as well.
10 Dark Magic Creates Many Mysteries
My Next Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom!!
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom!! is a unique isekai shojo about a girl named Katarina living her second life as the villain of an Otome game. Although the show heavily centers around relationships and the question of who Katarina will end up with, it also has a fascinating magic system that would make a great shonen backdrop.
The magic used is mostly elemental based, except for the taboo Dark Magic that is starting to pervade the land. Katarina and the other heroes get caught up in many dangerous situations and are now researching more about Dark Magic. This intriguing side plot would make for a great shonen if the show switched its focus.
9 Takeo Deserves To Be A Shonen Hero
My Love Story!!
Taeko Gouda is the lovable protagonist of My Love Story!!. Takeo is a large young man whose greatest wish is to fall in love and to be loved in return. However, he is also incredibly strong and talented in almost everything he does. It is for this reason, that Takeo would make an excellent shonen protagonist.
Furthermore, the show plunges its characters into many dangerous situations. At different points in the story, there is a fire, Takeo and his girlfriend get lost in the woods, and Takeo's mother has to be rushed to the hospital to have her baby. Though the thrilling sequences are a part of everyday life, they are also tense enough to be shonen plots. My Love Story!! would make a great shonen so that audiences could see Taeko as the true hero he is.
8 The Sohma Family Has A Penchant For Fighting
Fruits Basket
The Sohmas are a cursed, dysfunctional family from the show, Fruits Basket. Thirteen of the members transform into zodiac animals. However, which animals they turn into causes contention among them. Worst yet, they all have to answer to the calculating head of the family – Akito.
Because of the animosity between all the members, there are many battles, especially between Kyo and Yuki Sohma, the cat and the rat respectively. Their fights are so bombastic that they would feel right at home among the fight sequences found in shonen. Plus, the magical family drama is a compelling backdrop for a dark and mysterious shonen storyline.
7 Violet Used To Be A Soldier
Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden is the story of a girl named Violet after she returns from a brutal war. Though the war is over, Violet still feels uneasy living a normal life. Because of this, Violet goes on many adventures – including dealing with people who are not happy about the war's outcome.
This anime would make a great shonen if the focus shifted more toward the dissidents and other harrowing adventures Violet encounters. The story could even start when Violet first meets Major Gilbert Bougainvillea and continue by following them on their missions. Fans know what a great soldier she used to be, and many would jump at the chance to see her in action.
6 The Sailor Scouts Face Many Terrifying Villains
Sailor Moon
The galaxy is protected from evil by the Sailor Scouts in the show, Sailor Moon. The Scouts face many incredible entities that all have universe-ending abilities. However, through strength, courage, friendship, and love, the girls beat evil and triumph.
With such a heroic premise, it is a surprise that Sailor Moon is not already considered shonen. Its dangerous villains and stunning, choreographed fight scenes are enough to spark any shonen fan's interest. Plus, the intrigue and time-bending plot are great for a twisting shonen show.
5 Zen And Shirayuki's Adventures Are Action Packed
Snow White With The Red Hair
Prince Zen Wisteria and Shirayuki go on many fantastical adventures in Snow White with the Red Hair. As the prince of the land, Zen faces many adversaries who wish to hurt the kingdom. Shirayuki also confronts many of her own ne'er-do-wells who are out to capture her for her brilliant red hair.
Though the show is primarily romantic, this is a perfect story to adapt into a shonen anime. Zen's captivating swagger and impressive sword skills would make him an excellent hero. Shirayuki should not be counted out, however, as she holds her own against enemies just as much as Zen. With the whole cast fighting and training side by side, the show would make for a charming ensemble story full of action and fantasy.
4 Yona And Her Team Are Fierce Warriors
Yona Of The Dawn
Yona of the Dawn follows the titular princess on her quest to reclaim her kingdom. With the help of four Dragon Warriors with special abilities, Yona hones her skills to prepare for the ensuing battle. With many fight scenes and compelling adventures, Yona of the Dawn was made to be a shonen anime.
Although Yona is still learning the ropes of what it takes to be a warrior, three of the Dragon Warriors and Yona's friend Son Hak are all exceptional fighters. They handily take down enemies, showing off their outstanding powers. This show is a great shonen candidate because of the heart-pounding action, coming-of-age story, and its many winding adventures.
3 Sakura Kinomoto Uses Magic To Capture Clow Cards
Cardcaptor Sakura
Sakura Kinomoto is on a quest to reclaim the Clow Cards she accidentally released in Cardcaptor Sakura. On her journey, Sakura encounters many obstacles on her way to recapturing the cards. Yet, each time, Sakura prevails, showing the world that elementary students can be heroes too.
Sakura is fierce despite her age and confronts her targets with single-minded determination. Her mission and adherence to her goal would make her the perfect shonen protagonist. Not to mention that her powers and sense of style fit right alongside many others in the shonen catalog. Sakura is a true hero, in any genre.
2 Madoka And Her Friends Fight To Survive
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Puella Magi Madoka Magica appears to be a typical Magical Girl show on the surface but is actually a dark tale of deception. The girls all face treacherous monsters and untold evil as they fight the witches born of bad energy, only to realize that they are doomed to become witches themselves.
This show would make a wonderful shonen because of the unique fight scenes and unimaginable stakes. The deaths are also extremely brutal and tragic. This anime is the classic dark shonen combination of death, fighting, and betrayal despite being considered shojo.
1 Ash Is Wrapped Up In Illegal Activity
Banana Fish
Banana Fish follows the broken Ash Lynx as he tries to discover the meaning of the words "banana fish" as it pertains to his brother's death. Ash desperately tries to break free from the controlling crime boss, Dino Golzine, to get the answers he craves.
Banana Fish is the darkest shojo anime with Ash facing innumerable horrifying things throughout his life. The show's gritty premise full of organized crime violence and mystery would make it a biting shonen offering. Ash's tale is so woven with action, terror, and sorrow that it fits in more with shonen than it does shojo.