There are countless things to enjoy when it comes to anime series. There’s so much versatility and creativity within the medium that makes it feel as if there’s a show out there for everyone. Anime has a wealth of specific genres that appeal to both mainstream and niche audiences, but by far one of the most successful types of series are shonen anime.
Shonen anime are responsible for some of the biggest action and adventure stories in the medium, but there’s no set style for a shonen series’ look. It’s important that a shonen anime masters the essentials, but that doesn’t mean that it needs to have a drab appearance. There are some excellent shonen anime that feature groundbreaking animation that’s just as much of an asset as anything else.
10 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Consistently Creates Works Of Art
Every few years there’s a new shonen critical darling that sets a new standard and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is currently the genre’s golden child. Demon Slayer has two seasons and a record-breaking feature film under its belt, all of which operate at such a high level of quality. Tanjiro’s coming-of-age story as he refines his demon slayer skills and works towards helping his sister is consistently compelling, but the animation from Studio Ufotable elevates the series’ action sequences to a whole other level. The concluding installments of the anime’s second season contain some of the most beautiful shonen animation to come along in years.
9 Mob Psycho 100 Unleashes Psychic Frenzies That Are Visually Glorious
Mob Psycho 100 is a fantastic subversion of many shonen tropes as its humble protagonist, Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama, actively avoids the spotlight and tries to avoid the use of his tremendous psychic powers. Mob Psycho 100 features some intentionally simplistic character designs, which makes their release of deadly psychic abilities turn into even more of a visual spectacle. Studio Bones goes above and beyond with Mob Psycho 100, especially with the anime’s second season. The opening title sequences alone are dazzling displays that can endlessly be enjoyed.
8 Haikyuu!! Translates The Action Of Volleyball Into Gorgeous Sequences
Anime caters towards a wide range of sports series that put everything from table tennis to synchronized diving in the spotlight. It truly feels as if every sport and recreational pastime has a corresponding anime and Haikyuu!! is the leading series for thrilling volleyball theatrics.
Haikyuu!! comes from Production I.G. and even though there are nearly 100 episodes of it, there’s an incredible level of quality that’s maintained across the series. Haikyuu!!’s challenging visuals prove that a volleyball match can be just as exciting as a superpowered fight to the death.
7 Attack On Titan Creates A Beautiful World That’s Lost In Darkness
Attack on Titan is undeniably one of the biggest anime series of the decade and it’s kept audiences captivated through its layered, flawed characters, chilling monsters, and the seismic plot twists that continually redefine the status quo. Attack on Titan’s meticulous narrative would likely make the anime a success regardless of what it looked like, but it’s also a triumph in the animation department. WIT Studio animated Titan’s first three seasons, with MAPPA taking over for the concluding run. Many anime suffer from a studio switch, but Attack on Titan pushes every sequence to the limit.
6 My Hero Academia Showcases Hundreds Of Superpowers With Flair & Style
My Hero Academia cleverly embraces both superhero and shonen stereotypes as it crafts its sprawling origin stories for Izuku Midoriya and many other budding heroes. My Hero Academia has just passed the 100-episode milestone, has produced three impressive movies, and there’s still no end in sight for the series. Studio Bones makes sure that every quirk and superpowered showdown in My Hero Academia looks incredible. The visuals have only become more inspired as Midoriya and company’s quirks grow more powerful. My Hero Academia consists of so many battles that it’s essential that each one has a unique look and feel.
5 One-Punch Man Turns Its Fight Sequences Up To 11
Audiences are so well-acquainted with shonen and action tropes at this point that an anime like One-Punch Man can gleefully deconstruct the genre, but still indulge in its many stereotypes. Saitama laments his intense strength, which can conquer most enemies in a single blow. Every villain and energy attack are as exaggerated as the anime’s premise and the animation goes wild to convey Saitama’s true power.
One-Punch Man’s studio switches from Madhouse to J.C. Staff for its second season and it’s a notable difference. J.C. Staff does their best and there are still engaging fights, but nothing achieves the unbelievable and subversive heights of Season 1’s battles.
4 Space Dandy Gets Lost In The Visual Madness Of An Unruly Universe
Space Dandy comes from much of the same creative team that’s responsible for Cowboy Bebop, yet it comes across as a surreal satire of the iconic anime series that perpetually reinvents itself. Space Dandy follows a ragtag crew of bounty hunters on the search for a big score, but each of their adventures transforms into a radically different genre exercise. Studio Bones makes sure that Space Dandy’s animation doesn’t do a disservice to the bold storytelling. Every planet and alien species has a totally unique look and certain anime visionaries, like Masaaki Yuasa, are even involved in specific episodes.
3 JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Clashes With Convention & Creates Its Own Look
Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is such a standout in the shonen genre due to how it always plays by its own rules and adopts a very storytelling structure to its larger adventure. David Productions is an animation studio that’s responsible for some gorgeous anime series, but their work on JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is an ever-evolving masterpiece. The anime captures Araki’s changing art style and the anime’s visual aesthetic really finds its voice during Diamond is Unbreakable. Unconventional uses of color and character designs all contribute to JoJo’s unique nature.
2 Gore Has Never Been So Gorgeous As It Is In Devilman Crybaby
Devilman Crybaby is technically an anime-only series, but it’s yet another adaptation of Go Nagi’s iconic shonen horror-action hybrid. Different takes on the Devilman property connect because of the series’ dark themes and intense violence, but Masaaki Yuasa and his Science SARU studio fill every frame with abstract visuals and explosive uses of color. Devilman Crybaby is as beautiful as it is vicious; the art style feeds into the transformative fear that grips Akira and the audience. Characters melt and demons reign supreme, all of which feel overwhelming because of the aggressive animation choices.
1 Hunter X Hunter Elevates The Shonen Genre Through Consistent Magic
Hunter x Hunter doesn’t always get the same respect as its shonen peers, like Dragon Ball, Naruto, or even something like Yu Yu Hakusho. However, Hunter x Hunter constantly pushes boundaries and strives to exceed expectations with a gripping shonen narrative that never feels repetitive. 2011’s Hunter x Hunter adaptation by Madhouse has nearly 150 episodes, all of which are visual masterpieces and depict extreme power in stunning ways. It’s a testament to the respect that’s present for the source material and Gon’s biggest battles never disappoint as a result.