🔥Best Shonen Anime of All Time
Shonen anime has defined generations with epic battles, rivalries, and growth stories that still spark heated debates. Series like One Piece and Dragon Ball built global franchises while newer hits refresh the formula. Vote to rank the definitive order.
What counts: Best means cultural impact, narrative ambition, animation peaks, and rewatch value. Episode counts and scores are approximate where series are ongoing or vary by source.
One Piece▲ Rising
Luffy's pirate quest began in 1999 and keeps expanding its world without losing momentum. Marineford and Wano arcs raised the bar for scale and emotion. It tops the list for unmatched longevity and character payoff.
Debut Year: 1999Episodes: 1,000MAL Score: 8.7/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 7 rankingsOne Piece
20▲ Rising
Gon and Killua's adventures peaked with the Chimera Ant arc's moral complexity. Togashi's storytelling shifts from light tournament to dark philosophy. It earns its place through tight direction and emotional gut punches.
Debut Year: 2011Episodes: 148MAL Score: 9/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 2 rankings
18Ichigo's Soul Reaper duties exploded with the Soul Society and Arrancar arcs. The Thousand-Year Blood War revival reignited interest. It claims a spot for its stylish fights and bankai reveals.
Debut Year: 2004Episodes: 366MAL Score: 7.7/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsBleach
17Jujutsu Kaisen▲ Rising
Yuji's curse-fighting debut brought fresh horror and choreography to modern shonen. Shibuya Incident showcased brutal escalation. It stands out for tight arcs and high production values.
Debut Year: 2020Episodes: 47MAL Score: 8.5/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsJujutsu Kaisen
17Yu Yu Hakusho▲ Rising
Yusuke's spirit detective cases built to the Dark Tournament and Chapter Black sagas. Togashi mixed humor, horror, and tournament drama expertly. It earns its legacy through classic team battles.
Debut Year: 1992Episodes: 112MAL Score: 8.4/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRYu Yu Hakusho
15Eren's fight against Titans evolved into a geopolitical thriller across four seasons. The Rumbling arc delivered divisive but ambitious payoff. It earns high placement for escalating mystery and animation craft.
Debut Year: 2013Episodes: 89MAL Score: 8.6/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 5 rankingsAttack on Titan
14Dragon Ball▲ Rising
Goku's original journey introduced the tournament format that shaped decades of shonen. The King Piccolo and 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai arcs set the template. It earns early placement for foundational influence.
Debut Year: 1986Episodes: 153MAL Score: 8/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRDragon Ball
13Deku's rise at U.A. High modernized the hero school formula with All Might's legacy. The Overhaul and Paranormal Liberation arcs raised stakes dramatically. It ranks for fresh takes on classic tropes.
Debut Year: 2016Episodes: 138MAL Score: 8/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsMy Hero Academia
10Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood▲ Rising
The Elric brothers' quest for the Philosopher's Stone wove philosophy, war, and alchemy into a complete narrative. The Promised Day arc delivered satisfying closure. It stands out for tight plotting and thematic weight.
Debut Year: 2009Episodes: 64MAL Score: 9.1/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 7 rankingsFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
8Meliodas and the Sins' quest to save the kingdom mixed humor with escalating demon threats. The Commandments arc raised the power ceiling. It claims ranking for epic knight battles.
Debut Year: 2014Episodes: 100MAL Score: 7.6/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRSeven Deadly Sins
7Goku's Saiyan saga turned weekly fights into a global phenomenon starting in 1989. The Cell and Buu arcs delivered escalating power levels and iconic moments. It earns its rank as the template every later shonen copied.
Debut Year: 1989Episodes: 291MAL Score: 8.2/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 3 rankingsDragon Ball Z
5The Joestar bloodline's stands and poses evolved across generations with creative Stand battles. The Stardust Crusaders and Golden Wind arcs defined the style. It claims a spot for inventive power creativity.
Debut Year: 2012Episodes: 190MAL Score: 8.3/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRJoJo's Bizarre Adventure
5One Punch Man▲ Rising
Saitama's overwhelming power flipped the hero genre with deadpan comedy. The Deep Sea King and Garou arcs balanced humor and serious stakes. It ranks for fresh subversion and animation quality.
Debut Year: 2015Episodes: 24MAL Score: 8.5/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsOne Punch Man
5The orphanage escape plan turned into a tense cat-and-mouse game with adult threats. The Goldy Pond arc showed strategic depth. It ranks for smart plotting and suspense.
Debut Year: 2019Episodes: 23MAL Score: 8.3/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRThe Promised Neverland
5Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
The next generation of ninjas continues the Naruto legacy with new threats and technology. The Momoshiki and Kawaki arcs expand the world. It ranks for carrying forward beloved characters.
Debut Year: 2017Episodes: 293MAL Score: 6.9/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRBoruto: Naruto Next Generations
4Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Tanjiro's quest to cure his sister launched with breathtaking sword fights and emotional family stakes. The Mugen Train and Entertainment District arcs set new visual standards. It ranks for pure spectacle and heart.
Debut Year: 2019Episodes: 55MAL Score: 8.4/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
3Rin's demon heritage and exorcist training brought fresh supernatural school action. The Kyoto and Shimane arcs expanded the lore. It stands out for twin brother drama and blue flames.
Debut Year: 2011Episodes: 37MAL Score: 7.5/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRBlue Exorcist
3Mob Psycho 100▲ Rising
Mob's psychic powers and emotional growth exploded in the Claw and World Domination arcs. ONE's story balanced comedy with serious power moments. It ranks for unique animation and heart.
Debut Year: 2016Episodes: 37MAL Score: 8.5/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsMob Psycho 100
3Naruto's journey from outcast to Hokage captured the underdog spirit across two series. The Pain and Fourth War arcs delivered payoff after years of buildup. It ranks high for emotional resonance and ninja world depth.
Debut Year: 2002Episodes: 720MAL Score: 8/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsNaruto
2The chosen children's digital world battles mixed evolution and friendship themes. The Myotismon and Apocalymon arcs delivered classic climaxes. It ranks for early digital monster innovation.
Debut Year: 1999Episodes: 54MAL Score: 7.8/10Manga Based: —Main Studio:
added by IJRDigimon Adventure
-2Natsu's guild adventures emphasized friendship and dragon slayer powers across long arcs. The Tartaros and Alvarez Empire sagas peaked the series. It earns a spot for upbeat team dynamics.
Debut Year: 2009Episodes: 328MAL Score: 7.5/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRFairy Tail
-3Gintoki's alien samurai comedy parodied shonen tropes while delivering serious arcs. The Shinsengumi and Courtesan arcs balanced laughs with drama. It earns a spot for meta humor and versatility.
Debut Year: 2006Episodes: 367MAL Score: 8.9/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRGintama
-3Yugi's card duels turned games into life-or-death stakes across multiple seasons. The Battle City and Millennium World arcs defined the franchise. It earns its place for popularizing card-battle shonen.
Debut Year: 2000Episodes: 224MAL Score: 7.4/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRYu-Gi-Oh!
-4Goku's god-level battles revived the franchise with Tournament of Power and Moro arcs. It modernized power scaling for new audiences. It ranks for continuing the legacy with fresh stakes.
Debut Year: 2015Episodes: 131MAL Score: 7.7/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRDragon Ball Super
-6Asta's anti-magic push against the Wizard King dream powered through long-running arcs. The Elf Reincarnation saga delivered major payoff. It ranks for persistence and escalating magic battles.
Debut Year: 2017Episodes: 170MAL Score: 7.6/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRBlack Clover
-7Hinata and Kageyama's volleyball rivalry turned sports matches into shonen battles. The Spring High and Nationals arcs delivered spike after spike. It earns high marks for sports energy and teamwork.
Debut Year: 2014Episodes: 85MAL Score: 8.7/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRHaikyu!!
-8Kenshin's wandering swordsman redemption blended Meiji-era fights with past sins. The Kyoto and Jinchu arcs delivered peak swordplay. It earns legacy ranking for historical shonen depth.
Debut Year: 1996Episodes: 95MAL Score: 8.3/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRRurouni Kenshin
-9Maka and Soul's weapon-meister missions at Death Weapon Meister Academy mixed horror and comedy. The Baba Yaga and Kishin arcs peaked the madness theme. It earns ranking for quirky style and weapons.
Debut Year: 2008Episodes: 51MAL Score: 7.8/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRSoul Eater
-10Black Butler▼ Falling
Ciel and Sebastian's contract mixed Victorian mystery with demonic action. The Noah's Ark Circus and Phantomhive arcs added layers. It claims a spot for gothic style and butler twists.
Debut Year: 2008Episodes: 37MAL Score: 7.7/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJRBlack Butler
-12▼ Falling
Soma's culinary battles turned cooking into shonen-style showdowns at Totsuki. The Promotion Exams and Regiment de Cuisine arcs raised the stakes. It earns ranking for unique food-as-combat premise.
Debut Year: 2015Episodes: 86MAL Score: 8.1/10Manga Based: ✓Main Studio:
added by IJR
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