Well-made shonen anime (or shounen anime, as it is sometimes spelled) tend to be massive hits — just look at Attack on Titan or Dragon Ball. It is by far one of the most popular "genres" of anime, with countless numbers of manga adaptations and original series being created for fans. Shonen is also a demographic rather than a traditional genre, so it covers a wide spectrum of shows.
In a category with countless anime to watch, it can be difficult to choose which series to get into. Still, some shonen anime are so excellent that they stand above the rest and should be on every fan's must-watch list until they've seen them all. Let's go over the best shonen anime of all time, and the picks will cover more than just battle shonen.
While each anime's MyAnimeList score will be included, it is just a reference and not the deciding factor for the rankings. Also, the rankings are ultimately quite loose, since shonen covers such a wide variety of shows and genres. Ultimately, the goal is to provide recommendations.
Updated January 13, 2026 by Mark Sammut: The Winter 2026 season is underway, and it has plenty of exciting shonen anime. As it is too soon to include any of those shows, we have added a quick picks section, along with a new show to the full list.
Quick Picks: Best Shonen Anime To Watch Right Now
While we will get to the official rankings in a second, let's first dedicate a section to quick recommendations across a range of subcategories. If you are just looking for something to watch right now and are not interested in getting into the rankings, the following table should help you get started. We will include three shows per category, so you'll have multiple options.
|
Category |
Top Pick |
Alternative Anime |
Alternative Anime |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Best Battle Shonen Anime |
Hunter X Hunter |
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood |
Jujutsu kaisen |
|
Best Long Shonen Anime (200+ Episodes) |
One Piece |
Dragon Ball Z |
Naruto |
|
Best Short Shonen Anime (26 Episodes Max) |
Takopi's Original Sin |
Your Lie In April |
Samurai Champloo |
|
Best Comedy Shonen Anime |
Gintama |
Nichijou - My Ordinary Life |
The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K. |
|
Best Romance Shonen Anime |
The Dangers in My Heart |
Your Lie in April |
Call of the Night |
|
Best Classic Shonen Anime |
Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files |
Great Teacher Onizuka |
Dragon Ball |
|
Best New Shonen Anime (2025 and 2026) |
Takopi's Original Sin |
Sakamoto Days |
Gachiakuta |
40 Reborn!
MyAnimeList Score: 8.12
Reborn!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2006 - 2010-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Japanese Title
- Katekyou Hitman Reborn!
- Studio
- Artland
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Akira Amano
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu, Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee
Shonen anime are kind of infamous for requiring newcomers to sit through a weak opening arc to get to the good stuff, and Reborn! Might be the worst offender. The first 20-odd episodes are downright awful and have a comedic slice-of-life tone that is not representative of the rest of the series. Once it gets over this hump, Reborn! Settles into a traditional battle shonen routine that will not surprise too many veterans, although the execution is well above-average.
Tsuna is far from strong or a leader, but he needs to step up when a baby tells him that he is the heir to a mafia family. Obviously, as this is a shonen, this role comes with pretty awesome powers, along with major threats that want to take Tsuna out for good. Before long, the protagonist begins to form his family, and they get dragged into conflicts that are simultaneously absurd and awesome.
39 Call Of The Night
MyAnimeList Score: 7.95 (Season 1)
Call of the Night
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2022 - 2025-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Yofukashi no Uta
- Studio
- Liden Films
- Creator
- Kotoyama
- Streaming Service(s)
- HIDIVE
Call of the Night is all about freedom. Although he is a good student, Kou Yamori finds that he struggles to relate to other teenagers, particularly when it comes to matters of love. While suffering from insomnia, he ventures out in the night, a decision that changes the guy's life forever when he meets Nazuna Nanakusa, a vampire.
Best Anime About Vampires
Vampires are a timeless trope in any media, but in anime, the following shows take the cake as the best vampire anime series.
Enamored by her approach to life, Kou sets out on a path to become a creature of the night, but he will need to first fall in love with Nazuna to actualize this dream. Call of the Night is whimsical, stylish, and funny. Kou and Nazuna have instant chemistry, and they are hardly the only great characters to exist in this world.
38 Fire Force
MyAnimeList: 7.72 (Season 1)
Fire Force
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- July 5, 2019
WHERE TO WATCH
- Japanese Title
- Enen no Shouboutai
- Studio
- David Production
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator(s)
- Atsushi Ohkubo
- Streaming Service(s)
- Cruncyroll, Hulu
Based on a manga by the same author responsible for Soul Eater, Fire Force is a relatively traditional battle shonen anime, albeit one that benefits from above-average execution and consistently great animation. Except for questionable fanservice, the series mostly gets everything right, delivering a well-told plot drenched in religious imagery, intense and consequential action, likable characters, and interesting world-building that complements the story's political and social themes.
Fire Force: 13 Strongest Characters In The Anime, Ranked
The Fire Force anime is home to some incredibly powerful beings, but some characters are arguably stronger than others.
While arguably falling just short of the absolute top-tier action anime, Fire Force is nevertheless a pretty easy recommendation for anyone who is generally fond of shonen tropes and traditions.
37 Noragami
MyAnimeList: 7.94 (Season 1)
Noragami
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2014 - 2015-00-00
- Network
- MBS, Tokyo MX, TV Aichi, BS11, BS Fuji
- Directors
- Tsuyoshi Tobita, Masashi Abe, Shuji Miyahara, Satoshi Nakagawa, Satomi Nakamura, Tetsuo Hirakawa, Yoshifumi Sueda
- Studio
- Bones
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Adachitoka
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
A well-liked 2010s shonen anime that seems unlikely to ever completely adapt its source material, Noragami is still worth a watch, just because the available content is highly enjoyable and could entice newcomers to seek out Adachitoka's manga. Yato is a god who has mostly been forgotten but wishes to have a shrine, something that requires followers. One day, he saves a girl named Hiyori, starting a cute friendship that ultimately benefits both of them.
Initially, Noragami leans quite heavily into humor, almost coming across as a comedic slice of life with occasional bursts of drama and action. However, the story gradually expands the world's scope while diving deeper into the main characters' histories, with Yato's journey being particularly fascinating.
36 Case Closed
MyAnimeList: 8.17
Case Closed
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- January 8, 1996
- Japanese Title
- Meitantei Conan
- Creator(s)
- Gosho Aoyama
One of the very few shonen stories to eclipse One Piece in episode count, Case Closed has been a fixture of the anime scene since 1996. Also known as Detective Conan, the series follows a teenage detective who is turned into a child by a mysterious organization, forcing him to find unique ways to help the police solve cases.
Putting aside the occasional development to the overarching narrative, Case Closed primarily consists of stand-alone investigations that, more often than not, last only a single episode. Although arguably not reaching the same heights as some of the other best shonen anime, Case Closed is surprisingly consistent, with most episodes serving up entertaining and easily digestible mysteries. Characters like Conan, Ran, Kogorou, and Kaito are icons.
35 Kaiju No. 8
MyAnimeList: 8.28 (Season 1)
Kaiju No. 8
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2025-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Kaijuu 8-gou
- Studio
- Production I.G
- Creator
- Naoya Matsumoto
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Based on Naoya Matsumoto's popular manga, Kaiju No. 8 benefits from Production I.G's production value, with the first few episodes standing head-and-shoulders above most currently airing shows. Going beyond its aesthetics, Kaiju No. 8 has a premise that simply sells itself, even if it is not necessarily breaking new ground.
7 Action Anime Like Kaiju No. 8
If you loved the monster-hunting drama in Kaiju No. 8, then you will probably enjoy these action anime too.
As Japan has a kaiju problem, the country relies on a special team to take down these monsters whenever they appear. Driven by a childhood tragedy, Kafka aspired to join this task force, only to fail the entrance exam. Now in his early 30s, the odds of him making the grade are very low; or, at least, that was the case before Kafka received an unexpected power-up that allowed him to transform into a kaiju.
Kaiju No. 8 knows its main selling point and instantly gets to it. The anime starts with a great kaiju sequence that also does a fantastic job of setting up the story's key players, especially Kafka, Reno, and Mina. Although a bit loud at times, Kafka is a charming and frequently funny protagonist who fits the everyman role while still very much having a strong personality. As it progresses, the show transforms into an almost ensemble action show, with Kafka and Reno joining a team of very talented rookies.
34 Chainsaw Man
MyAnimeList Score: 8.46 (Season 1)
Chainsaw Man
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2022 - 2022
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Creator
- Tatsuki Fujimoto
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Crunchyroll
Chainsaw Man was by far and away one of 2022's most hyped anime, which speaks to the popularity of Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga. As its title suggests, Chainsaw Man is about a man who can transform parts of himself into chainsaws. The story includes the Yakuza and devil hunters, along with a lot of gore.
Yes, this is a battle shonen anime for adults, and this goes beyond just grotesque villains. The source material touches upon mature themes, even if they are presented through Denji's juvenile perspective. The adaptation delivered on its promise for the most part, although the show's legacy will depend on the quality (and existence) of the sequels. Chainsaw Man could dominate the shonen anime scene for a few years.
Assuming the movie and eventual sequel season are great, Chainsaw Man should move up considerably. The manga only gets better from here.
33 My Hero Academia
MyAnimeList Score (Season 1): 7.84
My Hero Academia
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2025-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Boku no Hero Academia
- Number of Episodes
- 159
- Studio
- Bones
- Creator
- Kōhei Horikoshi
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Crunchyroll
While hardly the first to feature superheroes, My Hero Academia is anime's most famous example of the theme. With six seasons and a couple of movies under its belt, the show has enjoyed a long and successful run, and Deku's story is not done yet.
At its best, My Hero Academia offers unforgettable fights, chilling villains, decent humor, and a constant sense of growth for its protagonist. Now, the series has had a few flat arcs; in fact, seasons 4 and 5 are both considerably weaker than the rest of the show, and they can be difficult to get through since they span almost 50 episodes. Fortunately, seasons 6 and 7 are much better, and they set up the final entry incredibly well.
32 Ranma ½ (Both Series)
MyAnimeList Score (2024 Series): 8.04 (Season 1)
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Ranma 1/2
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end- Release Date
- April 15, 1989
- Studio
- Studio Deen
- Creator
- Rumiko Takahashi
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Hoopla, Peacock
-
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Ranma 1/2
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget endDisplay card community and brand rating widget- Release Date
- October 6, 2024
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Creator
- Rumiko Takahashi
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Rumiko Takahashi is an all-time great mangaka, and her stories should ideally be experienced in their original forms. That said, for the most part, adaptations based on her works are pretty good, and Ranma ½ is probably Takashi's most famous masterpiece alongside Inuyasha. The manga received two adaptations, one that aired during the early '90s and a new iteration released in 2024. Both do a splendid job of showcasing Takashi's incredible talent for humor and romance, all the while throwing in creative fight sequences.
Ranma 1/2: Strongest Characters, Ranked
These are the most powerful characters in the reboot of Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma 1/2.
Now, when it comes to choosing a version to watch, the modern remake is arguably the better pick. MAPPA's animation is beautiful, and the anime really nails its pacing. That said, the classic version has two great seasons that advance Ranma and Ayane's relationship. After that, the series enters filler territory, which means a lot of amusing but inconsequential episodes.
31 Spy X Family
MyAnimeList Score: 8.46 (Season 1)
Spy x Family
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2022 - 2025-00-00
- Number of Episodes
- 37
- Studio
- Wit Studio, CloverWorks
- Creator
- Tatsuya Endo
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
Spy x Family chronicles the Forgers' comedic escapades that can range from school break-ins to terrorist attacks with potentially widespread consequences. Tasked with befriending an important diplomat, Twilight, the eponymous spy, crafts a fake family man persona and adopts a girl named Anya, who just so happens to be a mind-reader. As Loid, Twilight also marries Yor, a woman who moonlights as an assassin.
These secrets simultaneously separate and bring this family together. Part 2 starts to develop the characters' relationships, showing that something genuine is threatening to blossom from this artificial connection. Since the first season, Spy x Family has received multiple sequels and even a movie, all of which are of high quality. Now, comedy is the priority for the majority of the series, but there are times when the focus shifts to a more serious tone. These moments are fantastic, as is the humor.