Someone getting into their first Shonen manga/anime can be exciting. It’s like a badge of honor, and it can often lead to that series becoming a personal favorite that fans can identify with. Great examples include Bleach, Naruto, One Piece, and of course, Dragon Ball.
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These anime are great passive watches when you just want to chill out and relax.
While those are all inviting in their own ways, they are also huge commitments with hundreds of episodes apiece, not to mention sequel anime or manga. That’s why someone just dipping their toe into Shonen-style anime may want to start with something with fewer volumes/episodes to consume. Also, Shonen content is not completely about fighting, as these examples will show.
Death Note
A Dark Murder Thriller
Death Note
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- October 4, 2006
Death Note is a somewhat short episode run that is now complete. It’s about a teenager, Light Yagami, who finds a notebook that can kill anyone whose name he writes in it, thanks to the power of its attached demon, Ryuk. At first, he only starts killing criminals, but then the lines start to blur when the cops are after him, and Light has to make some desperate decisions. It’s a thrilling game of cat and mouse, without the momentum ever faltering between episodes, that will have viewers glued to their seats.
Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma
A Delicious Commitment
Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma
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- 2015 - 2020
WHERE TO WATCH
Most people who watch streaming channels watch at least one food show. Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma is the anime for those types of people who like cooking shows because it’s about a group of budding chefs all trying to become the best. The dishes look delectable, and there are some lessons to be learned too. More so than the food, the anime is also hilarious in an extremely over-the-top way. It is a bit of a commitment with a lot of episodes, but viewers don’t have to watch them all.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
A Classic Shonen Hiding In Mystery
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
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- 2009 - 2010
WHERE TO WATCH
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a classic shonen-style anime with plenty of battling. However, it’s structured like a mystery as well. The concept follows two alchemist brothers, Ed and Al, who are trying to repair their bodies after a bad experiment.
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Along the way, they get roped into government secrets and have to work with other alchemists to try and stop the country from breaking out into war. Fights are exciting, but aren’t drawn out like a lot of Shonen anime, which is why Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a great one to recommend.
Future Diary
Survive And Become God
The Future Diary
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- 2011 - 2013-00-00
Future Diary is another great thriller mystery, but one with a wilder plot than Death Note. The god of this world, Deus, is dying, so he randomly chooses a group of participants to all fight for his position, Battle Royale style. The last one standing gets to replace Deus as the next god of Earth. The gimmick is that each character gets a special cell phone that can predict the future in several ways. It’s a bloody free-for-all, all that is smartly paced with plenty of characters to root for and some wild twists toward the end.
Gurren Lagann
To Be A Man
Gurren Lagann
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- 2007 - 2007
WHERE TO WATCH
Gurren Lagann is heavily influenced by classic Shonen series and is almost like a parody because of how over the top it is. In this world, humanity was sent underground, and on land, animal-humanoids rule the world with giant mechs. Unsatisfied with underground life, Kamina hatches a plan to escape with his “bro” Simone, and together, they help lead a revolution on the surface. There’s a lot of machismo in the show, but not in a toxic way. It’s silly, but it has some heart behind it, along with some extraordinary mech battles, plus it’s relatively short.
Mashle: Magic And Muscles
Harry Potter, But Funny
Mashle: Magic and Muscles
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- 2023 - 2024-00-00
Mashle: Magic and Muscles is a straight parody of Shonen anime, along with Harry Potter. The main character, Mash, has no magical talent, unlike most people in the world, but Mash does have rippling muscles.
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Evil wizards around him often talk about how strong they are, but with a few jabs, they blast away from Mash’s muscle-bound body. It’s fun to imagine a wizard existing like this within Hogwarts, and fans of Harry Potter should definitely check out the seasons that are currently available.
One-Punch Man
A Parody Of Shonen
One-Punch Man
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- October 5, 2015
One-Punch Man is yet another parody of Shonen anime, and it’s a great one for fans who like watching MCU films. The anime takes place in a fictional city, modeled after Japan, wherein superheroes and villains run amok. Most heroes belong to a society wherein they are ranked by grades and are paid accordingly.
Saitama is the main character who looks unassuming because of his costume and face, which is why heroes and villains underestimate him. However, he’s the strongest hero in the galaxy, as one punch is all it takes to finish off an opponent. It may sound repetitive, but the anime finds clever ways to make each fight worthwhile.
Soul Eater
A Spooktacular Shonen
Soul Eater
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- 2008 - 2009-00-00
Soul Eater is another traditional recommendation like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, with slightly fewer episodes. The main characters are students at a school who learn how to be grim reapers, essentially, who hunt demons and other creatures. Beyond monsters, witches are the main source of evil in this world, and taking one down is not an easy task. Soul Eater is worth watching for the art style alone, as it has a very Tim Burton-like vibe.
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