Fearless protagonists venture alongside their faithful friends through dangerous places as they tirelessly seek to achieve what they have always dreamed of. These are generally the basic ingredients of good shounen anime . Just to name some 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 especially at young male audiences, shounen anime and manga tend to feature lighter themes and simpler narratives than other demographics. But, this is not a rule. Therefore, here we have listed five shounen anime that differ from others , whether due to their mature themes or complex plots, and can please children, young people and demanding adults.
Shingeki no Kyojin
Currently on the rise with the airing of the last season , Shingeki no Kyojin begins with the mystery about the origin of the strange titans. But, over time, the story evolves into a plot full of political intrigue and social issues. The tense and exciting fights are a great treat for those who like action and may appeal to younger viewers, but adult audiences can also enjoy the anime's narrative and thematic depth.
Death Note
Death Note tells the story of Light Yagami, a prodigy student who ends up finding 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 that Death Note raises, bringing a density to the narrative that is not so common in shounen anime. Furthermore, instead of focusing on intense fights and battles, Death Note focuses on the psychological war between Light and L.
Yakusoku no Neverland
Yakusoku no Neverland tells the story of a group of children who live harmoniously in an orphanage full of love and care. However, orphans Emma and Norman end up discovering that they are actually raised like cattle to serve as food for terrifying monsters. The dark theme, with horror elements, brings the anime closer to the thriller genre and is very different from what is normally seen in shounen productions in general.
Devilman Crybaby
Despite adapting a shounen manga, the Netflix has an 18 rating. This is because it contains explicit scenes of sex and violence, not suitable for younger audiences. The story's protagonist is Akira Fudo, who teams up with a demon at the request of his friend Ryo, transforming into Devilman . The clash between humans and demons encompasses deeper issues, of an existentialist and philosophical nature.
Koe no Katachi (The Voice of the Silence)
The Voice of Silence is a feature-length anime 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 Voz do Silêncio deals with topics such as empathy and inclusion in a delicate way, proposing relevant and timely reflections.
