Everyone loves the classics. The shonen genre wouldn't be what it is today without those iconic titles from the past. They laid the foundation for all future shonen series and brought the genre to the level of popularity it enjoys today. For this reason and many others, many shonen fans believe nothing can ever top the old school favorites.
However, shonen has grown and evolved so much over the years, and many incredible titles have come out that have had just as much influence and impact as classic shonen. While there’s no denying the importance of the classics, modern shonen series have taken the genre to new innovative heights and many even surpass their predecessors.
10 Sword Art Online Jump-Started The Isekai Trend
Everyone can say what they will about Sword Art Online, but there's no denying that it's an important part of modern anime. Many may hate it for one reason or another, but its presence has helped jump-start the isekai trend and influenced many series that came after it.
While the series has its obvious flaws, it's still a fun and exciting adventure story that only seems to keep getting better with newer seasons. Its influence can be felt in many shonen and isekai titles, and this unique flavor has helped shape the isekai genre as fans know it.
9 Your Lie In April's Heartbreaking Story Adds Much-Needed Emotion To Shonen
At first glance, most wouldn't think that Your Lie in April is a shonen series. However, nowadays shonen anime come in many forms and subgenres, and this beloved slice-of-life series is a unique and refreshing addition.
While most shonen focus on action and epic adventures, Your Lie in April's greatest strength is its emotional character-driven storyline. It's not what most fans look for when watching shonen, but it's an impactful and beautiful story that has influenced modern shonen and set it far apart from the classics.
8 The Promised Neverland Has A Unique Plot That Stands Out Among The Typical Shonen Series
In a genre full of action-packed fights and male-dominated storylines, The Promised Neverland gives fans something completely different. It's a breath of fresh air within the demographic, giving fans a more thoughtful, emotion-driven story that's just as exciting in its own way.
The series is like nothing shonen lovers have ever seen before, and it sets the stage for future series to take this sometimes formulaic genre into a more innovative direction. Though many are sorely disappointed by the way The Promised Neverland's anime has turned out, it's still an iconic part of anime, and its suspenseful and thought-provoking plot challenges the status quo of classic shonen.
7 Assassination Classroom Gives Depth To Every Character
Though it's relatively short for a shonen, Assassination Classroom is memorable and iconic enough to hold its own among the big names of the genre. It keeps pretty closely to the usual shonen format, but it still manages to stand out with its interesting premise and deep character development.
Unlike most shonen of the past, Assassination Classroom does a beautiful job of giving depth and life to each of its many characters, and none of them get sidelined for the sake of the main cast. It's short and sweet, and though it's over, many fans still adore it and praise it as one of the best modern shonen series out there.
6 Haikyuu!! Is One Of The Most Popular Sports Anime Of All Time
Sports anime have been around for decades, but they've recently become more popular than ever. Most sports anime fall into the shonen category, and they've made a subgenre of their own. Haikyuu!! has become the most popular sports anime series ever, even drawing in those who don't normally watch them.
Its compelling story easily rivals some of the greatest shonen series out there, including the classics. While it follows much of the typical shonen model, it throws in its own unique flair that makes it stand out among the genre.
5 The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.Is Filled With Absurdity That Sets It Apart
Many modern shonen anime still follow that classic shonen model, but not The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Unlike the usual shonen protagonists, Kusuo Saiki has no dreams of becoming a hero or someone everyone recognizes. In fact, all he wants is to lead a normal life.
This premise makes for a lot of hilarious situations that parody the usual shonen storylines and setup. Though it's often overlooked, this series stands out with its absurd subplots and hilarious humor that often takes a jab at classic shonen.
4 Tokyo Revengers Puts A Modern Spin On A Classic Theme
Delinquents and street fights are frequent within classic shonen, but Tokyo Revengers is far from the usual gangster series. It combines this old school theme with sci-fi elements, creating a series unlike anything fans have seen before. But despite this unique combination, Tokyo Revengers manages to stay grounded in reality, making it really stand out among other shonen series.
This includes many of the beloved classics, most of which take place in otherworldly situations that fans can't really relate to. Unlike them, Tokyo Revengers gives shonen fans a true underdog protagonist they can see themselves in and root for, making it much more relatable and engaging.
3 To Your Eternity Builds On Classic Shonen And Grows Into Its Own
Though there's only be one season so far, To Your Eternity has skyrocketed into popularity among shonen fans and has already become a modern classic. It takes a lot from the old school greats, following many of the usual tropes, while still adding its own authenticity that makes it feel completely new.
The series delves deep into emotions, touching on many heavy subjects like existentialism, loss, and grief. It's much more thought-provoking and serious than the usual shonen series, only making it stand out more. Though it's inspired by the classics, To Your Eternity is breath of fresh air in a genre that often feels repetitive.
2 Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Has Become A Classic Itself
Just by looking at it, it's clear that Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is unlike any other shonen series out there. It has the typical makings of a shonen, but it presents them uniquely, making it authentically Jojo's. While many beloved shonen have come and gone, this iconic series only seems to grow more and more popular.
With so many series, a hoard of incredible characters, and tons of wacky antics, it feels almost impossible to grow bored of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. It's become such a big name in shonen, it's now a classic in its own right that easily rivals the old school favorites.
1 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Is Regarded As One Of The Greatest Anime Of All Time
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of the most beloved anime series around, with many fans seeing it as the definitive shonen series. Even long after its conclusion, it's still a favorite among anime fans and regularly tops all other titles as the number one shonen.
With its imaginative setting and creative power system, the series has contributed to the genre in ways other titles could only hope to. Its profound impact on fans has earned a spot among anime giants, and many even believe it's the greatest anime ever made. While many beloved classics have waned over the years, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood's popularity has only gotten stronger.