This list was probably the hardest list that I’ve ever had to come up with. The reason for this is because there is an abundance of great series in this genre; that alone makes this hard a list, let alone a top 10. So with this being said, there will be some series that people may not agree with or where some series are ranked and that is totally okay.
So without further ado here is my Top 10 Shounen Anime.
10. Guilty Crown
Guilty Crown is personally one of my favorites. From the amazing story to the soundtrack which I consider one the best ever in anime. The story is very immersive and has a lot of things that make it very relatable for all who watches it.
Guilty Crown is set in 2029 Japan where a terrible tragedy occurred which is now called the lost Christmas. Shu Ouma is a 17 year old boy who feels he has nothing going for him until he meets a pop singer named Inori who is also a member of a group named the Funeral Parlor. Shu then gains an ability called “Power of Kings” which allows him to manifest peoples’ Voids (hearts) as weapons. Now Shu must learn to harness his new power and try to save Japan from catastrophe.
Where to watch: Hulu and FunimaitonÂ
9. Dragon Ball Z
Of course Dragon Ball Z makes the list as one of the pioneers of Shounen anime. Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z is a classic among hardcore and casual fans alike. With explosive action and amazing fights that will leave you wanting more. Now with the success of Dragon Ball Super there is no denying that this should be on any Top 10 list.
Dragon Ball follows the story of young son Goku who spends his days hunting and fishing. One day he begins to train under Master Roshi and becomes a martial artist with amazing skills. He also holds one of the seven dragon balls – the 4 star. It is said that whoever collects all seven will be able to summon the mythical dragon called Shenron who will grant you any one wish.
Where to watch: Hulu, Funimation, Crunchyroll
8. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
Magi is easily one of the best stories I’ve ever seen. It is set in a world full of magic that engulfs the planet. The manga is finished but I hope that we will get to see the remaining volumes of this great series in animated form.
Magi is about a boy named Aladdin who holds a magical flute which contains a Djinn named Ugo. Aladdin then meets a boy named Alibaba who desires to enter dungeons and labyrinths to show his worth and help his village.
Where to watch: Netflix and Hulu
7. Fate Zero
Fate Zero has to have some of the most gorgeous art and animation that I have ever seen. Studio Ufotable has done wonders with making this story come to life. Fate Zero’s story and battles with leave you breathless. Every character is well written. If you haven’t checked Fate Zero out I highly recommend that you do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TQeoyVDhro
Fate Zero is the ultimate battle royale where seven mages are chosen to fight to the deathfor the Holy Grail. Along with the mages are seven servants who each serve one of the mages during the battle. Archer, Saber, Lancer, Rider, Assassin, Berserker and Caster. Each servants class has amazing abilities. Who will win the all-powerful Holy Grail?
Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
6. One Piece
One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy and his quest to become the pirate king. One Piece is an amazing adventure like none other you have ever seen before. The story and the cast of characters are all unique. When its all said and done, One Piece will go down as one of the best ever anime serie.
Monkey. D. Luffy refuses to let anyone or anything stand in the way of his quest to become the king of all pirates. With a course charted for the treacherous waters of the Grand Line and beyond, this is one captain who’ll never give up until he’s claimed the greatest treasure on Earth: the Legendary One Piece!
Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu and Funimation
5. Hunter x Hunter
How many great things can you say about a series that does almost everything so perfectly from the writing to the unique characters and world building. Hunter x Hunter is definitely a favorite among many and for good reasons.
Hunter x Hunter is about Gon, a young boy who dreams of becoming a hunter like his father. Gon then leaves his home on Whale island and goes on an incredible adventure in hopes of becoming the number one hunter and finding his father.
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu
4. My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia has taken the world by storm with the amazing world of super heroes who each has unique quirks. With season 2 now finished I can’t wait for season 3.
My Hero Academia is about a boy named Izuku who has dreamt of being a hero all his life —a lofty goal for anyone – but especially challenging for a kid with no superpowers. That’s right, in a world where eighty percent of the population has some kind of super-powered “quirk”, Izuku was unlucky enough to be born completely normal. But that’s not enough to stop him from enrolling in one of the world’s most prestigious hero academies.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Funimation
3. Code Geass
Lelouch Brittania is one of my all-time favorite characters, his brilliance and determination to make a better world for his younger sister to live in is noble but the way he goes about it is something to behold.
The year is 2017 of the Imperial calendar and parts of the world are uner the control of the Holy Britannian Empire. Lelouch Lamperouge, an exiled Britannian prince encounters a strange girl known as C.C. who gifts him with a great and terrible power called The Geass. With this powerful ability, Lelouch can get anyone to do as he wills. But is the power of Geass a blessing or a curse?
Where to watch: Funimation, Crunchyroll
2. Yu Yu Hakusho
Yuseke Yurameshi one of the most iconic characters ever and the show has one of the best openings ever. Yu Yu Hakusho is another series that I feel is a pillar to the anime industry and which I feel gets easily forgotten.
Yusuke Urameshi is not your typical role model. In fact, this kid is nothing more than a fourteen-year-old delinquent with a talent for trouble. But in a single selfless act Yusuke dies while saving another. For such a noble sacrifice he is given a second chance at life. However, it is to be a life far different than the one left behind. Now a Spirit Detective, the young man must track down demons and humans alike who desire to rule over the three realms of reality.
Where to watch: Funimaiton, Hulu, Amazon Video
- Naruto
The rags to riches story of Naruto is my all-time favorite shounen anime. I know Naruto isn’t the most well written or captivating story but for me it is the story I enjoy the most. Once Naruto ended I wondered to myself if Naruto my favorite shounen anime so I rewatched the series from beginning to end and confirmed that it is. Naruto is absolutely a show I recommend to anyone who may be interested in anime to watch.
The Village Hidden in the Leaves is home to the stealthiest ninja. But twelve years earlier a fearsome Nine-tailed Fox terrorized the village before it was subdued and its spirit sealed within the body of a baby boy.
Where to watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu
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