There are many incredible Shonen anime, but some of the best are bogged down by filler and have obvious low points. This makes finding series that are masterpieces all the way through that much more difficult. Fortunately, they are out there. In fact, many anime that deliver memorable and focused storytelling throughout are popular because of it. Such consistency is often rewarded, especially as the medium expands its reach.
Videos by ComicBook.com
That’s not to say that all well-loved anime fall into this category; while titles like Naruto and Bleach are masterpieces and classics in their own right, they do dip in quality during certain arcs. That’s not to mention the filler present in so many older series, which prevents them from maintaining a strong showing from their premieres through their finales. Fortunately, such detours are becoming increasingly less common. That makes finding quality series somewhat easier — and from one of Shonen’s best superhero stories to two standout explorations of power, these anime impress without letting up.
7) My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia‘s anime concluded in December, and I now feel confident calling it a masterpiece from beginning to end. While there are a few elements that could have been stronger — the pacing included — they’re minimal in the grand scheme of things. The series does an admirable job of bringing its story full circle. It gives Izuku Midoriya and his friends a realistic but worthy send-off while answering its opening question: does one truly need a Quirk to be a hero? Its takeaway is inspiring, and it comes after eight seasons of My Hero Academia delivering great action, character development, and storylines. It will almost certainly go down as one of the best Shonen offerings of the 21st century.
6) Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer isn’t over yet, but the anime will wrap its story in its next two movies. And considering the strength of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga, it’s probably safe to assume it will stick the landing. It’s certainly close enough to its conclusion to say that the series is a standout from start to finish. Demon Slayer kicks off with a near-perfect premiere, and it only gets better from there. It helps that some of its greatest arcs are made for the big screen. Even looking beyond that, its animation, writing, and performances are strong through all of its seasons and films. It may be too soon to declare new-gen anime like Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen masterpieces, but Demon Slayer has enough wins to earn that title.
5) Assassination Classroom
Assassination Classroom kicks off with a thrilling premise — students being told to kill their homeroom teacher in order to save the world — and it never fails to deliver. An anime that benefits from having zero filler episodes, Assassination Classroom nails the pacing. It also balances its serious moments with its more comical ones well, resulting in an enjoyable viewing experience from start to finish. Considering its large cast of characters and the fact that it clocks in at just 47 episodes, Assassination Classroom does an impressive job with balance all around. It’s a worthy series that manages to stay consistent, and it deserves more love for that.
4) Death Note
While some insist that Death Note falls off after a certain incident, I’d argue it’s a masterfully crafted story all the way through — and that the tragic twists make it a more hard-hitting journey that’s easier to appreciate as a whole. Like Assassination Classroom, Death Note has a premise that’s immediately gripping, and it doesn’t shy away from the darkest parts of its concept. It digs its heels into its exploration of morality, and it delivers a cat-and-mouse chase that’s hard to look away from. It’s no wonder the series is so beloved; it hooks you from episode 1 and never lets go.
3) Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100 remains tragically underrated, but the three-season anime is one of the best Shonen series to emerge in the last decade. Unlike so many others, it doesn’t trip or falter as it approaches the finish line. It perfectly balances its coming-of-age, slice-of-life elements with its supernatural story from episode 1 to its finale. Shigeo’s journey builds to a powerful climax that pays off both emotionally and in terms of action. Characters like Reigen and Dimple also get satisfying endings, with Mob Psycho 100 quietly cementing itself as an almost flawless series. It’s a shame it didn’t go on for longer, though doing so might have compromised its consistent excellence.
2) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
The first attempt at adapting Fullmetal Alchemist didn’t amount to much, but the success of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood more than made up for it. The anime is a masterclass in storytelling, with all 64 episodes bringing something to the table. It’s a series that opens with action, suspense, and political intrigue — and the stakes for the Elric brothers only get bigger over time. The show’s timeless conversations about corruption and humanity make it endlessly relatable, and the bond between Ed and Alphonse give it a compelling emotional core. It’s a series that will make you laugh and cry, and there are few memorable flaws or lulls to speak of.
1) Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is one of the few anime that improves on an already-strong manga, tightening up the only real dip in the source material: the introduction of Marley and Grisha Yeager’s backstory. Considering how important both are for Attack on Titan‘s ending twists, they can hardly be deemed flaws, even in the manga. The fact that the anime manages to make them compelling elevates it to new heights, and the rest of its run is full of gripping action, surprising turns, and poignant conversations about the cycle of violence. Attack on Titan really does feel like a once-in-a-lifetime series, as there’s nothing quite like it. It even managed to come back from a lengthy wait after Season 1. That’s because of its consistently strong storytelling over its four outings.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
Most Viewed
-
Image Courtesy of MAPPA -
a PlayStation 2 console and controller over a field of game box art.
