Shonen anime like One Piece and Naruto are very popular among anime fans. They’re well-liked for their exciting fights, powerful characters, and meaningful stories about friendship, family, and morals.
Despite being the most popular genre, many shonen anime are still underrated. Here, we highlight five shonen series that deserve more recognition than they get.
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5. Black Clover
Black Clover is a popular anime that began in 2017 and is still ongoing. It’s made by Studio Pierrot, known for Naruto and Bleach. The story follows two boys, Asta and Yuno, aiming to become the powerful Wizard King.
Initially not liked by everyone, it gained popularity due to exciting fights, character growth, and unique magic. People compare it to other anime, but it stands out on its own.
4. Haikyuu!!
Haikyuu!! is not about superpowers and battles between good and evil. It brings the excitement of classic fights to volleyball. Even if you don’t know much about volleyball, you’ll likely enjoy Haikyuu!! because of its character-focused storytelling.
This anime sets the bar for sports anime. When Karasuno wins, fans celebrate. And when they face setbacks, viewers cheer them on for the next tournament.
Haikyuu!! stands out among sports anime, often overshadowed by action-packed shows. It deserves more recognition for its excellence in the genre.
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3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Edward and Alphonse Elric try alchemy to bring back their mom but lose their bodies. They go on a journey to get them back.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood might not be as strong in the beginning compared to the original series. It moves quickly, covering a lot of ground with surprises and character growth. It has a satisfying ending, making it one of the best shonen anime.
Even though Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is popular, it’s sometimes not as noticed as other shonen titles. Still, it’s an outstanding series with a great story, deep characters, and a good mix of action, humor, and philosophy.
2. Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho, created by Yoshihiro Togashi (also known for Hunter x Hunter), is a classic anime that people often miss out on. It has a well-balanced mix of strong character development, intense fights, and an intriguing supernatural plot.
It’s a great story about Yusuke Urameshi, a troubled teenager who becomes a detective in the afterlife after saving a girl. What’s cool about this anime is that it’s not too short or too long, just 112 good episodes. It also has a famous opening theme and one of the best training arcs in shonen.
1. Hunter x Hunter
The world in Hunter x Hunter is very dangerous. At any time, any character might make a bad choice or meet the wrong person and end up dead. Even the main character often struggles to avoid being killed by stronger opponents, creating tension in their adventures.
In this world, the creator, Yoshihiro Togashi, breaks down many typical elements of shonen series and puts them back together in his own way. Despite being a good anime, Hunter x Hunter doesn’t always get as much attention as more popular shonen series.
