For every story, there is a formulaーand that does not change whether an anime series is a shojo or a shonen. Anyone who has ever watched a shonen series knows the gist of what is supposed to occur. From tournament arcs to Dragon Ball rivalries, fans expect these patterns.
However, there comes a time when a shonen series doesn't follow the exact rules of the demographic; instead, there may be considerable differences from the cookie-cutter dynamic of the story. Here are 10 unconventional shonen anime fans should give a try.
10 Dr. Stone Utilizes Science Over Fighting In This Genius Adaption
Senku Ishigami is a teenage genius who loves science, with an emphasis on astronomy and space exploration. However, after human life is petrified and turned into stone by a mysterious light, all traces of human civilization is either destroyed or eroded.
After awakening 3,700 years later, Senku is revived and begins to search for a cure to de-petrify the humans who have managed to survived and rebuild human civilization with the power of science and hard work. Unlike most shonen anime, the series's driving force is neither friendship nor battles—instead, it's science and education.
9 The Royal Tutor Focuses On Comedy And A Tutor Teaching Four Very Different Brothers
The Royal Tutor has some similarities to Ouran High School Host Club to some—although it can delve into some deep problems at times. Heine Wittgenstein is an adult who is often mistaken for being a child, and he is appointed to four princes of the Glanzreich kingdom and turn them into candidates to the throne. However, their difficult personalities have caused every tutor thus far to give up on them and quit.
The series is a shonen that focuses more on the life lessons Heine gives the four princes—Kai, Bruno, Leonhard, and Licht—and comedy and historical fiction.
8 Your Lie In April Has A Depressing Yet Uplifting Story Knee-Deep In Music
Your Lie in April is often mistaken for a shojo for the art style, plot, and coming-of-age romance. Kosei Arima is a piano prodigy who had a mental breakdown once his mother died, preventing him from hearing his piano.
This has caused him not to touch the piano and instead view the world in a bland and depressing light. Until he is introduced to a violinist named Kaori Miyazono, who is carefree and doesn't care about playing the music the way everyone else is taught.
7 Black Butler Focuses On A Young Earl And His Demon Butler As He Tries To Find His Parents' Murderer
Black Butler follows a young earl named Ciel Phantomhive after making a contract with a demon to find the people who murdered his family. After being kidnapped on his 10th birthday by a cult, he also vows to get revenge on those who wronged him.
Although the first half of the first season follows the manga, the second season does not—Book of Circs, Book of Murder, and Book of Atlantic follow the manga. For a shonen, the series is unique for featuring fanservice for both men and women and the constant plot twists that show not everything is as it seems.
6 Inu X Boku SS Features A Young Girl Who Has Trouble With Words And The Ayakashi Surrounding Her
Inu X Boku SS follows Ririchiyo Shirakiin as she seeks freedom by living alone in an apartment complex called Maison de Ayakashi. She's an Atavist—a human with youkai blood or demon ancestry—and tends to be rough with words.
Every resident receives a Secret Service agent, and Ririchiyo declined the offer. However, Soushi Miketsukami is insistent on serving her with his life, causing comedy—and romance—to ensue. The series is mistaken for a shojo because of the romance, but the manga features more action and a melancholy storyline.
5 The Ancient Magus' Bride Has A Story Embroiled In Magic And Shows The Growth Of The Main Character
Chise Hatori was ostracized by her family because of her capability of seeing spirits and otherworldly things. Void of emotion because of a family who doesn't want her, she decides to sell herself at a London auction for 5 million pounds.
Elias Ainsworth decides to purchase her and takes her under his wing as an apprentice for a magus and his future bride. This dark fantasy series features a storyline that can at times be depressing, as well as a slice-of-life romance. The series is a great example of how a codependent protagonist can turn independent with enough character development and excellent writing.
4 The Promised Neverland Is A Psychological Horror That Focuses On Orphaned Children Trying To Escape Demons
The Promised Neverland utilizes mind games over brawns and calculations over tournament arcs. Emma, Norman, and Ray are best friends who live happily with their siblings at Gracefield House.
After Conny, one of the foster children, is sent off to be adopted, Emma and Norman discover a horrid truth—they're not being sent to a loving home. Instead, they're being raised as livestock for demons. When they realize this, Emma decides she will do everything it takes to protect her siblings and create a happy life where they don't have to fear the demons or losing anyone.
3 Assassination Classroom Tells The Story Of A Class Of Students Trying To Kill Their Teacher — And Bond With Him
Koro-sensei is a yellow tentacle monster who blew a hole in the moon, and he must be stopped at all cost—putting aside that he's a wonderful teacher. Assassination Classroom details the lives of Nagisa Shiota, considered the weakest member of the class, and the students of Class 3-E as they attempt to kill their teacher and receive 10 billion yen.
However, as the series continues, multiple truths are revealed, and Koro-sensei's checkered past and how he ended up where he is in the present.
2 The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K. Shows How Wacky Comedy And A Group Of Likeable Characters Makes A Great Anime
Comedy is subjective, but it becomes even more likable when it contains a colorful cast of different personalities. That's the case with The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Saiki Kusuo, a psychic who wishes to live an everyday life.
However, the characters who surround him—who he eventually befriends—won't leave him alone, providing him with various problems and embroiled him in hijinks that he ends up solving with his abilities.
1 Horimiya Reveals That All It Takes To Make A Great Romance Is Great Characters And A Wholesome Story
Horimiya was always coveted for an anime adaption, and throughout the various OVAs, it finally received one in Winter 2021. The story follows the classic phrase of "don't judge a book by its cover" and ditches old romance clichés by having the main characters, Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura, state their honest feelings.
The series follows them as they date, as well as the other characters who surround them facing their issues, as well. Although the series tends to lean a bit more towards Miyamura, both of the main characters and the supporting ones—are a driving force that propels the plot forward.