Fearless protagonists venture alongside loyal friends through dangerous places as they tirelessly pursue their dreams. These are usually the basic ingredients of good shounen anime . Just to name a few of the most famous: who doesn't remember Naruto and his desire to become Hokage ? Or Goku and his gang in search of the seven Dragon Balls?
Aimed specifically at young male audiences, shounen anime and manga tend to feature lighter themes and simpler narratives than those for other demographics. However, this isn't always the case. Therefore, we've listed five shounen anime that stand out from the rest , whether for their mature themes or complex plots, and can appeal to discerning children, young adults, and adults alike.
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Shingeki no Kyojin
Currently on the rise with the airing of its latest season , Shingeki no Kyojin begins with the mystery surrounding the origins of the strange titans. But over time, the story evolves into a plot filled with political intrigue and social issues. The tense and thrilling fights are a delight for action fans and may appeal to younger viewers, but adult audiences can also delight in the anime's narrative and thematic depth.
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Death Note
Death Note tells the story of Light Yagami, a student prodigy who stumbles upon the fallen notebook of a Shinigami, a god of death. Light decides to create a "new world" and begins this process by killing criminals. The morality of the protagonist's choices is one of the main discussions raised in Death Note, bringing a depth to the narrative that's uncommon in shounen anime. Furthermore, rather than relying on intense fights and battles, Death Note focuses on the psychological warfare between Light and L.
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Yakusoku no Neverland
Yakusoku no Neverland tells the story of a group of children who live harmoniously in an orphanage filled with love and care. However, orphans Emma and Norman discover that they are actually being raised as livestock to feed terrifying monsters. The dark theme, with horror elements, brings the anime closer to the suspense genre and is quite different from what is typically seen in shounen productions.
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Devilman Crybaby
Despite adapting a shounen manga, the Netflix is rated 18. This is because it features explicit scenes of sex and violence, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. The story stars Akira Fudo, who, at the request of his friend Ryo, teams up with a demon, transforming into Devilman . The clash between humans and demons encompasses deeper questions of an existentialist and philosophical nature.
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Koe no Katachi (The Voice of the Silence)
A Silent Voice is a feature-length anime film that follows deaf student Shouko Nishimiya. She suffers constant bullying from her classmate, Shouya Ishida, and ends up changing schools. The boy later regrets the way he treated Shouko, beginning a sensitive process of repentance and seeking forgiveness. A Silent Voice delicately addresses themes of empathy and inclusion, offering pertinent and timely reflections.
