Anime Know-How: What Is Shonen?

In the world of anime, it is easy to get bogged down by genre terminology.

The words ‘shojo’ and ‘shonen’ leave plenty of fans scratching their heads; after all, how are you supposed to refine your Netflix queue if you don’t know how to differentiate between the two genres? The process of narrowing down anime binge-lists is a difficult one even before Japanese terms get in the way.

Here at ComicBook, we’re giving you a quick and easy guide on shonen. From what it is and how to identify it, you’ll be able to unlock the action-packed secrets of shonen anime below!

Do you have any anime questions? Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by the otaku fandom? No worries! Hit up Twitter @ComicBook or @meganpeterscb to get all you anime know-how answered fast!

What It Means

If you’re looking at the word ‘shonen’ literally, then you’ll get a good indicator of what the anime genre entails. The Japanese script – or kanji – for shonen literally translates to ‘boy’ or ‘youth’ in English. It’s characters then translate to ‘cartoon’ or ‘comic.’ So, when the entire phrase is put together, shonen refers directly to a ‘boy’s comic.’

What It Is

In terms of anime, shonen described a specific type of audience. When a show is said to be a shonen title, that means the series was created for a demographic of boys between the ages of 7-18. However, shonen titles are not restricted to those age groups; The genre has become the most popular one in anime over the years, and audiences of all ages watch shonen.

Shonen is also related to several other major genres of anime. The genre is most closely related to shojo, a term which refers to ‘girl’s comic.’ It is also the predecessor to seinen which is targeted to older men between the ages of 19+.

What Does It Contain

Shonen series are varied just like any other kind of anime genre, but it has its tropes. In general, shonen anime titles are categorized by their explosive action and leading male protagonists. These shows are often most plot-focused and tell an sequential story about the lead’s desire to overcome an insurmountable task. Shonen anime tends to be longer than other titles from other genres, and it has the greatest visibility with international fans.

What Are Some Examples

Shows such as Astro Boy are regarded as the first popularized shonen titles, but no anime has been so influential as Dragon Ball. The series debuted back in 1984, and its sequel anime Dragon Ball Z led to the globalization of shonen anime years later. In recent times, anime titles like Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, and Attack on Titan have continued to bolster shonen’s reputuation both domestically and abroad.