Top 60 Shounen Anime Of All Time

Shonen anime that are well-made tend to be hugely successful. With countless manga adaptations and original series being created for fans, it is by far one of the most popular “genres” of anime. It also covers a broad spectrum of shows since Shounen is a demographic rather than a traditional genre.

If you have a choice of countless anime series to watch, it can be difficult to decide which to watch. Then again, there are some shonen anime that stands out from the rest and should be on every fan’s must-watch list until they’ve seen them all.

We can identify some of its identifying characteristics. The majority of anime is action-oriented, combative, and focuses on friendship. Although all Shounen don’t follow this formula, most do, so you have an idea of the type of series we’ll be looking at.

The Top 60 Best Shounen you should watch as soon as possible are listed below.

1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Edward and Alphonse are left in a catastrophic new reality after a horrific alchemy experiment goes awry. Despite the alchemical principle prohibiting human transmutation, the boys attempted to revive their recently deceased mother.

Instead, they suffered horrific personal losses: Alphonse’s body disintegrated, while Edward lost a leg and then sacrificed an arm to keep Alphonse’s spirit alive by binding it to a huge suit of armor.

Their neighbor Pinako Rockbell and her granddaughter Winry save the brothers. Winry, known as a biomechanical engineering prodigy, constructs prosthetic limbs for Edward using “automail,” a tough, versatile metal used in robots and combat armor.

Having trained for years, the Elric brothers set off on a quest to discover the Philosopher’s Stone, a powerful gem that allows alchemists to defy the traditional laws of Equivalent Exchange.

Edward becomes infamous as an alchemist, earning the nickname “Fullmetal,” and the boys’ journey leads them into a growing conspiracy that threatens the fate of the world.

There has been no filler in this series at all, so the story does not lose momentum. As part of the enormous plot, each episode is concise, and every scene is significant. There is no unnecessary exposition, and the dialogue is straightforward.

There are many side stories explored as multiple characters are explored, but they all perfectly intertwine with the Elric brothers’ story and, more often than not, directly affect their journey as well.

2. One Piece

As the strongest and most infamous being to have sailed the Grand Line, Gol D. Roger was known as the “Pirate King.” After Roger was captured and executed by the World Government, the world was shaken. In his last words, before he died, he revealed the existence of the greatest treasure in the world, One Piece.

This revelation undoubtedly led to the Grand Age of the Pirates, a time when men dreamed of finding One Piece-which promised unlimited riches and fame-and probably the pinnacle of glory and the title of the Pirate King.

Here is Monkey D. Luffy, a 17-year-old boy who defies your standard definition of a pirate. Instead of being portrayed as a cruel, hardened, toothless pirate who ransacks villages for fun, Luffy’s reason for being a pirate is to embark on a fascinating journey that leads him to intriguing people and to the promised treasure.

Luffy and his crew travel along the Grand Line to uncover dark mysteries, confront strong enemies, and experience crazy adventures in pursuit of the most desired of all fortunes—One Piece.

As Luffy discovers each new member, you’ll fall in love with them. All of them are extremely well-developed, with interesting backstories and unique personalities. The crew is always discovering new adventures and getting into trouble as they strive to accomplish their dreams.

Every character contributes to the storyline, and one of the great things about One Piece is that these ‘purposes’ often reappear at later points in the series.

3. Shingeki no Kyojin

Centuries ago, humans were nearly wiped out by monstrous humanoid creatures called titans, which forced humans to hide behind enormous, concentric walls out of fear. The scariest part of these giants is that the taste for human flesh is not born from hunger but from what appears to be a pleasure.

After one hundred years without encountering a titan, the remnants of humanity built defensive barriers to ensure their survival. Eventually, however, that fragile calm is shattered when the colossal titan breaches the impregnable outer wall, reigniting the battle for survival against the man-eating creatures.

Eren Yeager, who suffered a terrible loss at the hands of the invading creatures, vows to eradicate them by joining the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that combats the merciless humanoids outside the walls.

As Eren, his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman, and his childhood friend Armin Arlert, join the brutal war against the titans, they race to find a way to defeat them before the last walls are breached.

Shingeki no Kyojin is such a well-done series that it has all the key points we all dream every series would have. This anime is ridiculously good. The plot is one of the most intriguing stories you will ever see.

Characters are one of the anime’s strongest points. The characters in this series fight for humanity for various reasons.

Many characters are comic relief. People can definitely relate to the characters, who want to protect their friends but seem powerless to do so because of fear.

4. Hunter x Hunter (2011)

The Hunters in Hunter x Hunter must perform all manner of dangerous tasks like capturing criminals and searching for lost treasures in uncharted territory.

As a twelve-year-old boy, Gon Freecss aspires to be the best Hunter he can in order to find his biological father, who was a Hunter himself and abandoned his son a long time ago. Despite his initial excitement, Gon soon learns that he will have a difficult time achieving his goals.

Gon makes friends with the lively doctor-in-training Leorio, the vengeful Kurapika, and the rebellious ex-assassin Killua during his journey to become an official Hunter. In order to attain their own goals and desires, the four of them take the Hunter Exam, which is notorious for its low success rate and high death rate.

They embark on an adventure that puts them through many hardships and struggles along the way. As they become Hunters, they will encounter a variety of monsters, creatures, and characters.

While a story about finding one’s father may seem simple, it is the path taken to achieve this that makes this series so special. There are several arcs in HxH, all of which are incredibly well-written. It has one of the finest scripts in the shounen genre; the depth and flow of the story, enthralling characters, and the vivid world-building create a captivating tale that can captivate its audience for hours on end.

A very impressive aspect of HxH’s story is its variety. In six story arcs, HxH straddles several genres. In addition, the series is also capable of undergoing significant tonal shifts with ease. This series does an excellent job of maintaining its viewers’ interest.

5. Dragon Ball Z

Gokuu is now living a peaceful life with his wife and son, five years after winning the World Martial Arts tournament. However, this changes when a mysterious enemy named Raditz appears and claims to be Gokuu’s long-lost brother. Gokuu was a member of the once-powerful Saiyan race, now virtually extinct, whose homeworld was destroyed.

After suffering amnesia from a head injury, Gokuu’s savage and violent nature transformed into a kind and well-mannered boy who now fights to protect others after being sent to Earth as a baby.

When Raditz fails in his attempt to forcefully recruit Gokuu as an ally, he warns Gokuu’s friends about a new threat that is rapidly approaching Earth-one that could trigger an intergalactic conflict and shake the heavens themselves. In Dragon Ball Z, a war will be fought over the seven mystical dragon balls, and only the strongest will survive.

The Dragon Ball Z series is epic. Undoubtedly one that helped spread the art of anime throughout the world. Dragon Ball Z is better than the original. Its characters have matured, and the series has a mature feel to it.

The majority of shounen anime stories share a similar concept of overcoming powerful villains. Seeming to do the impossible is very typical, of course, but that has always been the case regardless of whether the protagonist is surrounded by friends or enemies. DBZ is an old anime that began this trend.

6. Hajime no Ippo

Makunouchi Ippo has been bullied his whole life. While constantly running errands and beaten up by his classmates, Ippo has dreamed of changing himself but never had the motivation. Ippo is saved by boxer Takamura Mamoru one day when he is being bullied yet again. After fainting from his injuries, Ippo is brought to the Kamogawa boxing gym to recover.

Upon regaining consciousness, he is awed by his surroundings in the gym but lacks the confidence to do anything. Ippo is forced to punch a punching bag containing a picture of his classmate. When Ippo feels something stirring inside him, he eventually asks Takamura to train him in boxing.

Takamura believes Ippo doesn’t have what it takes, so he gives him a task he considers impossible and gives him a week to finish it. Due to a sudden desire to get stronger, both for himself and his hardworking mother, Ippo trains relentlessly to complete the task within the deadline. Ippo’s journey to the top of boxing begins here.

Undoubtedly, the characters are what make this anime so special. The characters are so likable, so original, and so fully developed that you root for them in the end.

Even those that only last an episode, even Ippo’s opponents, are given such plausible and compelling backstories that you might find yourself siding against him for a match or two. And how these characters are just so serious with their lives that you really feel it, and you end up believing that such a world could actually exist out there.

7. Naruto

Currently, Naruto is a hyperactive and knuckle-headed ninja still living in Konohagakure. He is ostracized by the villagers because of the Kyuubi within him, and in the process, he meets both great new friends and some deadly foes as he strives to become the Hokage of Konohagakure.

It’s an action anime with martial arts fight sequences and a tone that occasionally shifts between serious and lighthearted, depending on the background and buildup. There’s no denying that Naruto is a hero you can identify with, and even his supporting cast is written brilliantly. It’s also nice to see the characters develop over time.

Naruto stands out from other shounen anime because of its character development and is probably one of the best in its category. With finesse, it captures both the excitement of being a child as well as the pain of being alone. Throughout the show, the tone shifts between dramatic and humorous, causing you to experience a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

Aside from being packed with action, Naruto also contains some of the greatest battles ever written and drawn in anime history.

8. Jujutsu Kaisen

Yuuji Itadori indulges in baseless paranormal activities with the Occult Club, spending his days either in the clubroom or at his bedridden grandfather’s hospital. When he unexpectedly encounters a cursed item, his leisurely lifestyle takes a strange turn.

After swallowing a mysterious item, Yuuji finds himself thrust into the world of Curses – sinister beings created from human malice and negativity – after swallowing a finger belonging to Sukuna Ryoumen, the demon king of curses.

Yuuji discovers first-hand the threat that these Curses pose to society when he discovers his own newfound abilities. He is introduced to Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical High School and begins walking down a path he cannot return from-the path of a Jujutsu sorcerer.

From its inception, Jujutsu Kaisen gained a lot of popularity. You will most likely enjoy this show whether you are a shounen fan or not. It offers more than just shounen.

Jujutsu Kaisen is not lacking in plot. In this story, the main character doesn’t want to become the leader of the village, group, etc. It’s about a boy who wants to die peacefully, who wants to help others and make them happy, and who wants to be remembered as a good person.

Jujutsu Kaisen’s power system and world-building are somewhat unique and have an interesting concept. Powers consist of cursed energy. Cursed energy originates from negative emotions or spiteful intentions. With the help of these negative emotions, negative energy is manufactured and can be used for attacks.

9. Kimetsu no Yaiba

Tanjirou Kamado has been responsible for supporting his family since the death of his father. In spite of living on a remote mountain, the Kamado family is able to enjoy a relatively peaceful and happy life.

When Tanjirou decides to make a little bit of money selling charcoal, he decides to go down to the local village. As night falls, Tanjirou is forced to take shelter in the house of a strange man, who warns him that flesh-eating demons lurk in the woods at night.

The next day, he discovers that his entire family has been slaughtered. Additionally, his sister Nezuko has been turned into a bloodthirsty demon, the sole survivor.

Tanjirou, consumed by rage and hatred, vows to avenge his family and remain by his only remaining sibling. Tanjirou is determined to slay the demons and save the last of his sister’s humanity along with the mysterious Demon Slayer Corps.

You don’t always need a complex plot and a large cast of characters for a show to be good. Kimetsu no Yaiba proves this perfectly. For fans of dark fantasy adventures, it is like a love letter.

Tanjirou Kamado, our main protagonist, is a pretty straightforward character, just as the narrative is. He is kind, gentle, selfless, and caring.

The love he bears for his family is one of his most defining characteristics. He will go to any length to keep his sister, Nezuko, safe, the only family he has left.

10. Great Teacher Onizuka

Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old ex-biker gang leader, conqueror of Shonan, and virgin, has a dream: to become the best high school teacher in Japan. He does this because he wants a teenage wife when he is old and gray, not because he has a passion for teaching.

Despite this, there is more to Onizuka than meets the eye for a perverted, greedy, and lazy delinquent. Thus, when he lands a job as the homeroom teacher for Class 3-4 at Holy Forest, Academy-despite being unpopular with the Vice Principal-all of his talents are tested since this class is particularly notorious.

The students in this class are utterly contemptuous of all teachers and use psychological warfare to mentally break any new homeroom teachers they get, forcing them to quit and leave school. Onizuka, on the other hand, isn’t your average teacher, and he’s ready to take on any challenge.

His students face bullying, suicide, and sexual harassment on a daily basis. With his unpredictable and unconventional methods, Onizuka supports them in overcoming their problems-even if that means jumping from a building to save a suicidal child. Due to his eccentric charm and fun-loving nature, Class 3-4 gradually learns just how enjoyable school can be when you’re a student of the Great Teacher Onizuka.

The story is somewhat cliched, but there are some clever twists and plot devices that keep the viewer on their toes. Even though the anime conveys a certain moral message, watch it for its sheer fun value. It’ll make you laugh, for sure.

11. Boku no Hero Academia

Various abilities, from manipulating elements to shapeshifting, have been discovered more and more often as they become mainstream. Eighty percent of humanity has some sort of quirk, a newly discovered superpower. This leaves the rest of the world completely powerless. One such individual is Izuku Midoriya.

Throughout his childhood, the ambitious middle schooler wanted nothing more than to be a hero. His unfair fate makes him admire heroes and take notes whenever he can. It seems that Izuku’s persistence has brought him a reward: he meets his personal hero and number one hero, All Might. The quirk that All Might possesses can be inherited, and Izuku has been chosen as his successor!

Izuku undergoes months of grueling training before enrolling at UA High, a prestigious school noted for its outstanding hero training program, and this year’s freshman appears especially promising. Izuku will soon learn what it truly means to be a hero as he faces the threat of a villainous organization.

We focus on Izuku’s dreams throughout Boku no Hero Academia, a young boy who aspires to become the greatest hero in a world filled with heroes. The task is not menial, considering that every man and woman in the world has a quirk that gives them a distinct advantage over Izuku, who was born without one.

Obviously, the story has been told a multitude of times before, but this show takes that story and makes it unique. The show will be able to grab your full attention and really immerse you in the world it was meant to depict.

12. Haikyuu!!

A volleyball ace nicknamed “Little Giant” inspires Shouyou Hinata to revive the volleyball club at his middle school. The newly-formed team reaches the tournament, but their first match with the “King of the Court,” Tobio Kageyama, proves to be their last.

As soon as Hinata graduates from middle school, he joins Karasuno High School’s volleyball team only to find that his sworn enemy, Kageyama, is now his teammate.

Despite his superior jumping ability, Hinata has difficulty finding his place on the team due to his short height. As it turns out, Kageyama has his own problems that only Hinata is able to resolve, and the team’s success seems to depend on working together.

This exhilarating and emotional sports comedy follows two determined athletes as they attempt to patch up their rivalry in order to form the best volleyball team in Japan.

It could be boiled down to pretty typical shounen stereotypes. There is an underdog, teamwork, perseverance, etc. But Haikyuu!! successfully integrates all of these themes.

There are relatively inexperienced protagonists, and they are far from being the best volleyball players in the world. There are no inexplicable achievements and no crazy quick ‘level-ups.’ As a result, we received a well-written and paced story that follows the formation of the Karasuno to their entry into the high school volleyball circuit.

Players’ relationships develop in a variety of ways: in friendships, as teammates, as students in different school years, or as a cohesive team against other teams. Volleyball falls somewhere in the middle.

13. Death Note

As a god of death, shinigami can kill anyone as long as they see the face of the victim and write the victim’s name in a notebook called a Death Note. Ryuk, bored with his shinigami way of life and curious to see what a human would do with a Death Note, drops one into the human realm one day.

After stumbling upon the Death Note, prodigy student Light Yagami tests it by writing in the name of a criminal since he deplores the state of the world. After the criminal dies as a result of his experiment with the Death Note, Light is greatly surprised and realizes the power that he now possesses can be devastating.

As a result of this divine power, Light decides to extinguish all criminals in order to create a world with no crime and people worshipping him as a god.

However, the police soon realize that a serial killer is targeting criminals and consequently attempt to apprehend the perpetrator. In order to accomplish this, the Japanese investigators enlist the assistance of the world’s best detective: a young, eccentric man known only as L.

L and Light are the most fascinating and intellectual characters ever seen in an anime. Despite both being geniuses, you’ll root for one of them to win the game despite their similarity.

You want to watch Light’s conquests and failures for his charismatic yet demented character. The quirky yet highly intelligent qualities of L do the same for you. In their own way, both are likable and unique.

Once you finish this anime, you’ll wonder what you would have done with a Death Note. People will debate and question the actions of Light.

14. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken

George Joestar, an English nobleman, was saved by Dario Brando in 1868. It is George’s intention to pay back the debt he owes his savior by taking in Dario’s son Dio when he becomes fatherless.

But Dio, dissatisfied with his position in life, aspires to claim the Joestar house for himself. He uses an Aztec stone mask with supernatural properties to attack George and his son, Jonathan “JoJo” Joestar, and sets in motion a series of events that will echo through the ages.

Joseph Joestar, Jonathan’s grandson, discovers the legacy his grandfather left him in New York City half a century later. An archeological dig reveals the truth behind the stone mask, revealing he is the only one capable of defeating the Pillar Men, mystical beings of unimaginable power who inadvertently created everything.

JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken details the many thrilling expeditions that JoJo and his descendants take. You’ll always have plenty of bizarre adventures, whether you’re facing off with the evil Dio or battling the sinister Pillar Men.

Unlike many shounen anime currently out there, this show combines dark comical with a wacky and serious tone to viewing, and the thing about this show is that it can switch in and out of those two very well.

In this anime, the story and characters are well developed to the point that it feels so natural with a lot of the characters who have strengths and weaknesses throughout the show.

15. Yakusoku no Neverland

Grace Field House is surrounded by a forest and has a gated entrance, and is inhabited by orphans who live as one big family under the care of “Mama,” Isabella.

Even though the children are required to take daily tests, they are allowed to spend time however they choose, such as playing outside, as long as they do not stray too far from the orphanage. The good times must, however, end, as every few months, a child is adopted and sent to live with its new family, never to be heard from again.

The three oldest siblings, however, have their suspicions about what is actually happening at the orphanage, and soon they will learn the cruel fate in store for the children at Grace Field, as well as Mama’s twisted nature.

The narrative is continuous and straightforward from start to finish. At the same time, it is both complex and simplistic. Characters and settings fit well together in the story. A well-constructed plot is an interesting aspect of the story. It is an anime that connects continuously episode by episode. All the elements of the story are well executed.

The art nicely complements the show’s narrative, atmosphere, and setting. The art is very well defined, and the animation is smooth and consistent.

In this anime, the characters are a huge part of what makes you enjoy it so much. They are very intelligent and more intelligent than their own age group. Their behavior ranges from rational to emotional, and they do it well.

16. Koe no Katachi

When Shouya Ishida was an elementary school student, he sought to beat boredom with the harshest means possible. Shouko Nishimiya, a deaf student who transfers into his class, is thoughtlessly bullied for fun by Shouya and the rest of the class. When her mother alerts the school, however, he is singled out and blamed for everything done to her.

As Shouko transfers out of the school, Shouya is left at the mercy of his classmates. Teachers turn a blind eye as he is heartlessly ostracized throughout elementary and middle school.

Despite being in his third year of high school, Shouya is still haunted by his wrongdoings as a young man. After deeply regretting his past actions, he sets out on a journey of redemption: to meet Shouko once more and make amends.

Koe no Katachi tells the touching story of Shouya’s reunion with Shouko, as well as his earnest attempts to redeem himself, all the while haunted by the ghosts of the past.

As with many slice-of-life anime, the plot is relatively simple, but the attention to character development is exceptional. The story is mature, but not in the sense that it is dark and gritty, but rather in the sense that the characters are fully developed, presented in a realistic manner.

Through maintaining internal consistency within all of its characters, this anime forgoes anime archetypes while making their actions relatable, or at least understandable. Characters are portrayed in a realistic and tangible manner that makes them feel real – they feel like real people.

Shouya’s character development is impressive. His character was easy to empathize with, and the film brought to light some deep societal issues without romanticizing them.

17. Bakuman

When Moritaka Mashiro was a child, he dreamed of becoming a mangaka just like his uncle, Tarou Kawaguchi, whose gag manga became popular. However, tragedy strikes, and he gives up on his dream, intending to become a salaryman instead.

An aspiring writer and top student at the school, Akito Takagi, notices Moritaka’s detailed drawings in his notebook. Akito, who sees the vast potential in Moritaka’s artistic talent, proposes that they both become mangakas together.

Moritaka realizes after much convincing that if he can create a popular manga series, then maybe he can convince the girl he has a crush on, Miho Azuki, to join the anime adaptation as a voice actor. In order to achieve that goal, they begin writing manga under the pen name Muto Ashirogi, aspiring to become the greatest mangaka in Japan.

There is much laughter, cheers, tears, courage, and romance on their journey. Mangakas’ personal lives are filled with twists and turns, which make the story more engaging than expected. As the story unfolds, you find yourself wishing some of the stories and ideas the characters come up with were real.

The strongest aspect of Bakuman is not the story but the characters. It is Mashiro and Takagi who are best suited to the theme of the story. Through ups and downs, they always push forward together because they care for each other so deeply.

18. Slam Dunk

Known for his temper, his massive height, and his fiery red hair, Hanamichi Sakuragi enrolls in Shohoku High, hoping to finally find a girlfriend after being rejected 50 consecutive times in middle school. He is avoided by most students due to his notoriety. Then, after certain events, Hanamichi thinks, “I hate basketball,” and “I desperately need a girlfriend.”.

Haruko Akagi, a girl he didn’t know, was troublemaking, asks him if he enjoys basketball one day. Hansamichi is instantly enchanted by her, blurting out a passionate affirmation. Afterward, she asks him if he can do a slam dunk in the gymnasium.

Aiming to impress Haruko, he leaps but overshoots, hitting his head on the backboard. As soon as Haruko reveals Hanamichi’s near-inhuman physical capabilities to the basketball team’s captain, Hanamichi is slowly sucked into the camaraderie and competition of the sport he’d previously resented.

In the story, one of the most touching aspects is how strong the relationships develop. Most notably, how loyal Sakuragi’s gang is in supporting him so he can be part of the basketball team. Despite the fact that Sakuragi and his friends do not have the best brains, they make up for it with their hearts, and that is what makes this anime so great.

Though Sakuragi starts basketball to impress a girl, you can watch how he progresses and go on to cheer for him just like you would a friend starting something. Despite having the genetics to thrive in the sport, he still has to learn from the bottom up.

19. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu

The students of Kunugigaoka Middle School are confronted with an impressive challenge when a mysterious creature chops down the moon to a permanent crescent: assassinating the creature before Earth suffers the same fate.

Despite this, the monster, dubbed Koro-sensei, can fly at speeds up to Mach 20, which he exhibits freely, leaving any attempt to subdue him in his dust. In addition, the misfits of 3-E soon discover that the strange beast isn’t just indomitable — he is the best teacher they have ever had!

In Ansatsu Kyoushitsu, junior high pupils polish their assassination skills as they struggle to stand strong against an oppressive school system, their own personal problems, and one day Koro-sensei.

Among the anime and manga industries, this anime has one of the most unique and original stories and utilizes its main theme of assassination and education to its greatest advantage, allowing it to develop and characterize its remarkably large cast while expressing many other notable themes such as friendship, class and discrimination, failure and defeat, and human perseverance.

In Assassination Classroom, there are many underlying didactic and morally powerful lessons, which are not only motivational but also inspirational.

In addition to helping the students individually with their personal and educational troubles, Koro-sensei also seeks out their problems and shows them the beauty and bonds they share through assassination and education.

It is without a doubt that the underlying theme of assassination plays a very important role in allowing the characters to learn more about each other and about Koro-sensei and that, ultimately, this allows them to grow individually as well as collectively.

20. Samurai Champloo

The clumsy and young waitress Fuu Kasumi works in a small teahouse peacefully during the day. She was doing well until she spills a drink on her customer!

Fuu is now being harassed constantly by a group of samurai, so she desperately calls on another samurai in the shop, Mugen, who has a wild fighting technique that resembles breakdancing.

Unfortunately, Mugen chooses to engage in sword-fighting with the unwilling ronin Jin, whose style is more precise and traditional and who proves to be a formidable opponent. They destroy the whole shop and accidentally kill the local magistrate’s son as well.

The two samurai were captured and put to death for their crime. Fuu, however, rescues them and hires them as bodyguards. As the former waitress no longer has a place to return to, she enlists the help of the now exonerated pair to find a samurai who smells of sunflowers.

Even though they initially disapprove of this idea, the two ultimately agree to assist the girl in her quest; thus, the trio sets out on an adventure to find this mysterious warrior-that is if Fuu can keep Mugen and Jin from hurting each other.

Samurai Champloo takes place in an alternate Edo Period of Japan, and it follows the journey of these three eccentric characters in an epic quest full of action, comedy, and dynamic sword fighting, all set to a hip-hop-infused soundtrack.

Champloo is sure to appeal to fans of samurai action. Anyone can enjoy it.

21. Gintama

An alien race called the Amanto invaded Earth and conquered feudal Japan. Due to this, swords have been banned in Japan, and the samurai are treated with disregard.

Gintoki Sakata, however, still possesses the heart of a samurai despite his love of sweets and work as a yorozuya. Along with him at his jack-of-all-trades job, Shinpachi Shimura, a boy with glasses and a big heart, Kagura, the girl with a bottomless stomach and an umbrella, and Sadaharu, their oversized pet dog, assist him.

The odd jobs they undertake are not always straightforward, as they frequently run into the police, ragtag rebels, and assassins, leading to humorous but unfortunate outcomes.

Who said being an errand boy was easy?

There is no doubt that the story is a bit haphazard, although Gintama is certainly consistent in its approach. The main story revolves around Gintoki and his friends, Shimura Shinpachi and Kagura, as they do odd jobs for people, argue or fight with the Shinsengumi, drink strawberry milkshakes, and try to make their small contribution to the world.

Most of the episodes don’t get any more serious than that. Gintama’s haphazard approach to the story is a purposeful measure that works well primarily because it is a comedy series. While there are some story arcs that occur during the course of the show, Gintama never loses its sense of humor despite its serious and dramatic content. 

22. Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho

When Yuusuke Urameshi, a young delinquent with a dim future, leaps in front of a moving car to save a boy, he gets a chance to turn his life around. The authorities of the spirit world are not yet ready for him to pass away after his sacrifice was so out of character.

Yuusuke is offered the chance to regain his life by Koenma, heir to the spirit realm. In his role as a Spirit Detective, he is to thwart evil forces on Earth with the guidance of the death god Botan.

Yuusuke recruits Kazuma Kuwabara, his ex-rival, and two demonic creatures with criminal backgrounds, Hiei and Kurama, to help him on his mission. As a team, they train and battle against enemies who threaten humanity’s very existence.

The anime is a shounen, and as such, it contains some typical shounen clichés.

The title does manage to come up with unique and inventive ideas, as well as a superb story and dialogue, and with a sense of humor far beyond what should be expected from a shounen title.

Each of the characters has something unique about them. Yu Yu Hakusho’s characters may appear to have one-dimensional roles at first glance, but you will see that they have much more to them than meets the eye.

Several of the characters show a great deal of character development, and the way in which the characters interact with each other, as well as their similarities and differences, make for a very balanced chemistry between the characters.

23. Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan

In the eyes of the average person, psychic abilities may seem like a blessing; in Kusuo Saiki’s case, however, this is far from the truth. In spite of possessing various supernatural abilities, including telepathy and x-ray vision, he sees these abilities as nothing but a curse. After all the inconveniences his power causes constantly pile up, all Kusuo wants is a normal, hassle-free life, a life where ignorance is bliss.

Psychics’ lives are far from peaceful. Kusuo attempts to avoid drawing attention to himself by hiding his abilities, but he ends up inadvertently attracting odd characters such as Riki Nendou and Shun Kaidou.

Kusuo’s attempts to live an ordinary life prove to be a lot more difficult than he had anticipated when confronted with the craziness of those around him.

Each episode has another core story, but the main story, which is that Saiki Kusuo possesses special powers, still carries through all episodes. Some moments are really unexpected and catch you by surprise.

All the characters are well-developed and unique, and they are all clearly related to each other. Saiki’s family, classmates, and anyone he meets are all weirdos. They are each hilarious and awesome in their own way and won’t leave him alone.

It is the variety of uses for psychic powers that makes this anime so enjoyable.

Watching this anime, you will be laughing all the time, for the humor itself is quite fast-paced and manages to be constantly funny.

24. Black Clover

Both Yuno and Asta were abandoned at the church on the same day. Growing up together, they learned of the “Wizard King” – the strongest mage in the kingdom – and they promised to fight each other to become the next wizard king.

As they grew up, however, the stark differences between them became evident. Asta, who cannot use magic, desperately tries to awaken his powers by training physically. Yuno, however, is able to use magic with amazing power and control.

When Yuno reaches the age of 15, he receives a dazzling Grimoire with a four-leaf clover, while Asta receives nothing. Yuno, however, is soon attacked by a person named Lebuty, who wants Yuno’s Grimoire. Ata attempts to fight Lebuty, but he is outmatched.

Despite being hopeless and near defeat, he finds the strength to continue when he hears Yuno’s voice. A rage-filled Asta receives a five-leaf clover Grimoire, the “Black Clover” that gives him the power to defeat Lebuty. They both set out for the world a few days later, both striving to become the Wizard King!

The story of Asta’s journey is well written and extremely satisfying. We feel like we have been on this journey with Asta all along. Everyone enjoys a feel-good underdog story. There has never been a bigger underdog than Black Clover.

As the journey for Wizard King begins, a boy with no magic and his rival, a boy with amazing magic, must compete against one another. While Asta and Yuno’s rivalry feels similar, it is also refreshing.

25. Dr. Stone

High school student Taiju Ooki has been harboring unspoken feelings for Yuzuriha Ogawa for the past five years. A blinding green light, however, strikes the Earth just as Taiju begins his confession, petrifying every human on earth and turning them into stone.

Taiju awoke several millennia later to find that humanity has not existed for millennia, and nature has flourished in its place. Among the stone world’s statues, Taiju comes across a living being: his science-loving friend Senkuu.

Taiju finds out that Senkuu has formulated a grand scheme to launch the complete revival of civilization using science. Taiju’s strength and Senkuu’s brains combine to create a formidable partnership, and they eventually discover a way to revive the petrified.

When Senkuu’s ideologies are challenged by those who awaken, his master plan is jeopardized. Meanwhile, mankind’s petrification remains a mystery.

This show has such an intriguing setting that you’ll be sucked in from the beginning. Even though it is extremely over the top, Dr. Stone is one of those anime that you love. It is realistic while being unrealistic, funny yet intense.

It takes place in prehistoric times, which is what makes it unique. Comedy and science go hand in hand in Dr. Stone. If you continue watching it, you’ll laugh so hard you’ll fall off your couch.

Dr. Stone’s main objective is to display the brilliance of Senkuu and his little science team that he manages to assemble. All of the characters he befriends have different goals and personalities.

26. Kuroko no Basket

Five outstanding players have led Teikou Junior High School’s basketball team to three consecutive championships thanks to their breathtaking and unique skills that leave opponents in awe and fans in admiration. Upon graduating, these teammates, known as “The Generation of Miracles,” go their separate ways and are now considered rivals.

In Seirin High School, two newly recruited freshmen show that they are not ordinary basketball players: Taiga Kagami, a promising player coming back from the US, and Tetsuya Kuroko, an unassuming student who seems to blend in quietly.

While Kuroko is neither athletic nor scoring-capable, he was able to assist his teammates and pass the ball easily as the “Phantom Sixth Man” on Teikou’s basketball team.

As Seirin attempts to win the Interhigh Championship, Kuroko no Basket follows its players’ journey toward becoming the best Japanese high school team. Kuroko and Taiga form a pact to defeat the five players with godlike abilities who are part of powerful teams that they need to cross paths with.

It’s not so much a huge monster that destroys everyone; it’s more of a tiny little guy that causes a lot of hype, and you can’t wait to see what fate has in store for him, and he’s the underdog that you root for.

You will learn about his rivals, their traits and appreciate the anime just as much for its school and story elements as you will for its sports component.

27. Beck

A disenchanted teenager, Yukio “Koyuki” Tanaka, is fourteen years old and has no defined purpose. All that changes, however, after Koyuki saves Beck from being harassed by kids in the neighborhood. Dog’s owner, Ryuusuke “Ray” Minami, 16, is a guitarist who used to be in a popular rock band.

Ray shows Koyuki his amazing guitar skills after he meets him again in a diner and takes him to the former band’s meeting place. Koyuki slowly becomes intrigued by western rock culture and begins to play guitar while helping Ray realize his dream of leading the ultimate rock band.

As a result of the boys’ collaboration with Ray’s younger sister Maho and a few other members, they form a rock band called BECK. Beck traces the group’s struggles and successes as they spread their fame across Japan.

Several other subplots form a web around this main plot, usually involving a certain member of the fairly large cast. A number of well-known bands from yesteryear are referenced throughout the entire series.

No matter how challenging the circumstances are, the characters show strong bonds. Throughout the series, Koyuki is the central character.

Everything we learn about the supporting characters, we learn from him so that we truly experience the story through his eyes and in his perspective. After watching the episodes, you know more about Koyuki than anyone.

28. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan

The legendary assassin Hitokiri Battousai lived in the final years of the Bakumatsu era. It was said that he was one of Japan’s most feared killers, but he mysteriously disappeared during the height of the Japanese Revolution. Since then, ten years have passed, and yet war veterans still tremble at the mention of Battousai.

To atone for his sins, Battousai has abandoned his bloody lifestyle, becoming Kenshin Himura, a wandering swordsman full of optimism and conviction. Kenshin vows never again to kill and dedicates himself to protecting the weak.

Kaoru Kamiya runs into an impostor claiming to be Battousai at her kendo dojo one day. As a result of Kenshin’s help, Kaoru lets the former assassin stay at the dojo for a while, which means he temporarily ceases traveling.

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan follows Kenshin as he tries to save those who need saving. Can the reformed killer, whose enemies from both the past and present are surfacing, maintain his new ideals?

The story is deep, complex, emotional, and touching. In Rurouni Kenshin, you’ll find romance, action, suspense, and even some thrillers.

Rurouni Kenshin is a masterpiece in terms of character. Having a past that motivates their present actions adds depth to the characters, making it easier to sympathize with them – even the bad ones.

In general, Rurouni Kenshin is one of the classic Shounen anime series that every fan of shounen anime should watch.

29. Tokyo Revengers

In Takemichi Hanagaki’s life, his second year of middle school was the best. He had a gang of friends he could count on as well as a girlfriend. It’s been 12 years since then. He is now a nobody: a washed-up nonentity mocked by children and forced to apologize to his younger boss constantly.

It’s only insult to injury that a sudden news story reports the brutal murder of his only girlfriend and her brother by the Tokyo Manji Gang. Before he is killed by a train, Takemichi flashes back to the day he was still dating Hinata Tachibana twelve years ago.

After re-living the very same day that began his downward spiral, Takemichi meets Hinata’s younger brother. He confesses to his apparent death without thinking before flashing back to the past. Before returning to the future, Takemichi urges him to protect his sister. He is alive, miraculously.

Even stranger, the future has changed. Takemichi seems to have the power to change the course of time. Takemichi decides to change the future to help prevent the tragic death of his ex-girlfriend at the hands of the Tokyo Manji Gang.

It is a show with great character development, and it never disappoints. Everything is so well connected. It gets straight to the point in each episode, with each episode ending with you wanting to learn more.

30. Kuroshitsuji

In Victorian England, young Ciel Phantomhive serves as the Queen’s guard dog, protecting her from many unsettling events. Sebastian Michaelis, Ciel’s loyal butler with inhuman abilities, helps him accomplish his tasks by whatever means are necessary. Is this black-clad butler more than meets the eye?

As a result of a painful past, Ciel made a deal with a demon, Sebastian, in exchange for revenge on the people who wronged him.

Sebastian is now not only a great butler, he is also the perfect servant to complete his master’s orders while anticipating the delicious meal he will make with Ciel’s soul. In discovering the mystery behind Ciel’s chain of misfortunes, they form a bond that neither heaven nor hell can break.

The audience is left wondering who is involved, what is going on, and why as Kuroshitsuji reveals several mysteries within and outside the Phantomhive household.

There are so many hidden depths to these characters that they never seem two-dimensional. They all have emotional backstories and plot twists to some degree.

Sebastian is the classic personification of the demon butler, with his eloquent nature and satirical humor. There is a common perception that demons are hideous creatures that are ravenous both inside and out. Yet, Sebastian gives a whole new meaning to the word demon.

Ciel Phantomhive is also not your typical 12-year-old. The boy experienced a fate that no one would ever have imagined.

31. Soul Eater

The famed Death Weapon Meister Academy is located in Death City. The academy is headed by the Shinigami, Lord Death. They are charged with raising “Death Scythes” for the Shinigami to use against the many evils of their fantasy world.

But Death Scythes are not made from physical weapons; rather, they come from human hybrids who are capable of transforming their bodies into Demon Weapons, and only after they have consumed 99 evil souls and one witch’s soul.

Maka Albarn, a straight-laced wielder or meister, attempts to turn Soul Eater Evans into a Death Scythe with the help of his Demon Scythe wielder, Evans. They study alongside the hotheaded Black Star and his caring weapon Tsubaki, as well as the Shinigami’s own son, Death the Kid, an obsessive-compulsive dual wielder of twin pistols, Patty and Liz.

The story of Soul Eater follows Shibusen students as they go on missions to collect souls and protect the city under a sneering sun while gaining soundness of mind, body, and soul after completing their missions.

This sounds pretty formulaic, nothing you haven’t seen before. It may seem that this is the main goal in the first few episodes, but soon after, you will realize there is actually a deeper story developing.

Soul Eater isn’t a complex or clever story, but what happens during the story makes it watchable and interesting. The action is always present, and there’s humor, but there can also be serious moments when required.

32. Nanatsu no Taizai

Holy Knights of Britannia, who use immensely powerful magic to protect Britannia and its kingdoms, live a world that is similar to the European Middle Ages. A few Knights, however, are said to have betrayed their homeland and turned their swords on their comrades so as to overthrow the king.

However, rumors persisted that these legendary knights, known as the Seven Deadly Sins, were still alive. The Holy Knights instigated a coup d’état ten years later, becoming the new, tyrannical rulers of Liones.

In Nanatsu no Taizai, Elizabeth, the third princess of the Kingdom of Liones, pursues the Seven Deadly Sins. It is through their help that she not only seeks to take back her kingdom from the Holy Knights but also seeks justice in a world that is unfair.

The story is excellently paced in that it adheres to the typical format of battle after battle while gradually introducing each of the main characters and forwarding the plot. This story moves beyond the commonplace good-guy-vs-bad-guy cliche beautifully. In a beautiful way, it asserts that there is no ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ As the series progresses, it becomes increasingly evident that each character is flawed and selfish in their own way.

Taizai has a plethora of characters, and many of them see some interesting characterization and some development.

33. Dororo

Daigo Kagemitsu, the greedy samurai lord whose land is dying, will do anything for power, even reject Buddha and make a pact with the demons. 12 demons grant his prayers by assisting the growth of his prefecture but at a cost. A child born to Kagemitsu lacks any limbs, no nose, no eyes, no ears, not even skin, yet he lives.

The child is abandoned in a river and forgotten. However, a medicine man comes to his rescue, providing him with prosthetics and weapons so he can survive and defend himself. Despite the fact that the boy cannot see, hear, or feel anything, he must defeat the demons who took him as a sacrifice.

Upon the death of each one, he regains a part of himself that was rightfully his. Several years pass when he wanders alone until an orphan boy, Dororo, befriends him. An unforgiving, demon-infested world forces the two castaways to fight for survival and humanity.

An engaging mix of realism, old Japanese folktales, and action, drama, and mystery.

In Dororo, moody and dark tones are at the heart of the show. It is a revenge story from the very beginning. There is an episodic structure to this show. However, Dororo’s most intriguing content comes from its character development.

Dororo is characterized by the fact that nearly every character our duo encounters has some sort of challenge in their lives. It’s an anime that makes it clear that it’s not an easy world in which to live, regardless of whether it’s about personal relationships or just surviving.

34. Trigun

Vash the Stampede has a price of $60,000,000,000 on his head. He is a merciless villain who lays waste to all those opposing him and flattens entire cities for fun, earning him the title “The Humanoid Typhoon.”.

The rumors say he leaves a trail of death and destruction wherever he goes, and anyone who makes eye contact with him can count themselves dead. Vash is actually a big softie who claims to have never taken a life and avoids violence at all costs.

Vash traverses the wasteland of Gunsmoke with his crazy doughnut obsession and buffoonish attitude in tow while having two insurance agents, Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson, trying to minimize his impact on the public.

They soon find themselves in life-or-death situations when a group of legendary assassins are summoned to ruin them. The agonizing past of Vash will be unraveled, and his morality and principles will be tested.

With a Western theme, Trigun is a classic Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Comedy series.

This is a series of episodic adventures, where each episode tells a different story involving trials and hardships the characters face. Each adventure in this series is linked to the next, so it has a sense of progression and development.

Since this is an episodic series, there are a lot of characters but very few recurring ones. Luckily, we have our main character to compensate for that.

Overall, Trigun has a very deep story that will change your perspective on life.

35. Yuukoku no Moriarty

In the late 19th century, Great Britain became the greatest empire the world has ever known. As a result of its success, the nation’s rigid economic hierarchy dictates the value of one’s life solely on wealth and status. As one would expect, the system favors the aristocracy at the top, making it impossible for the working class to rise.

In addition to being a regular noble, William James Moriarty is also a consultant to the common folk to help them with their problems. But deep inside him is the desire to destroy the current structure that dominates British society and those who benefit from it.

Together with his brothers Albert and Louis, he will do whatever it takes to change the filthy world they live in-even if it means spilling blood.

The show tells the story from the viewpoint of the antagonist of Sherlock Holmes.

This show doesn’t try to be politically correct and appeal to all audiences, but at the same time does not go overboard with violence and gore. William is portrayed as a prophet attempting to cleanse the evil, but the audience knows that the methods William uses to achieve his goals are far from those of a prophet.

The show’s strongest point is its characters. In the first three episodes, you learn a lot about the three main characters, what is going on in each of their heads, why they want to make the world a better place, and what they must do to achieve their goal.

36. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso

Music accompanies the path of the prodigious pianist Kousei Arima, the human metronome. Kousei Arima falls into a downward spiral after the death of his mother, Saki, leaving him completely unable to hear his own music.

After two years, Kousei is still avoiding the piano, abandoning his friends and rivals, and living a colorless life with Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryouta Watari. That all changes, however, when he meets a beautiful violinist, Kaori Miyazono, who sets him on a journey to face music again.

During the story of Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, Kousei learns that music is more than just playing notes perfectly and that a single melody can enhance the fresh spring air of April.

Although it appears to be a colorful and lighthearted series, its pastel palette lends to the notion that it is just another romantic comedy. Yet once we step back from its false prefaces, we quickly realize that what we have become immersed in is actually a tragedy in the making.

The series is tragic not because of one element but because of all of its components, and yet it’s not about tragedy. The series is about healing, about learning to move forward, and about accepting the parts of ourselves that we’d rather ignore. It’s also about accepting that sometimes we need assistance to take that first step. And it’s about saying goodbye when it’s time.

37. Horimiya

Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura getting along may seem unlikely at first glance. In the end, Hori is a perfect combination of beauty and brains, while Miyamura appears meek and distant towards his classmates. Their fateful meeting reveals their hidden selves, however.

Despite being popular at school, Hori has little time to socialize with her friends because of housework. Miyamura, on the other hand, lives under the noses of his peers, his body covered in tattoos and piercings that give the impression that he is a gentle delinquent.

Although they have opposing personalities, they quickly become friends and spend a lot of time together at Hori’s house. They both reveal a side of themselves that has been concealed from the outside world as they emerge from their shells.

A misjudgment leads to a surprise interaction that develops into a wonderful friendship in the story. The characters on the show are interesting, and their interactions are great.

Hori is sweet and kind, very hardworking, but she sometimes has a temper, but that’s more to do with being surprised or unsure on a few occasions. Izumi is very relatable in regards to who he is, an average guy who keeps to himself and has real feelings when dealing with all these new friendships placed upon him. Meanwhile, their friends are very supportive of each other.

You will be hooked by the first episode’s art, characters, song, etc. There will be no character you will dislike!

38. Shokugeki no Souma

The fifteen-year-old Souma Yukihira has worked as a sous chef for his father’s restaurant since he was a child. With Souma’s creative, skilled, and daring culinary creations, he entertained customers throughout the years. Someday, he dreams of owning his family’s restaurant as its head chef.

Souma’s father, however, decides to close the restaurant to test his cooking abilities in restaurants around the world, and he sends him to Tootsuki Culinary Academy, an elite training school where only 10 percent of the students graduate. It is known for its “Shokugeki,” or “food wars,” where students compete in high-stakes cooking battles.

When Souma and his new schoolmates attempt to survive Tootsuki’s extreme lifestyle, he faces greater and greater challenges, putting what he learned from his father to the test.

There is something classic about this show. Shokugeki no Souma does carry on with many similar elements, despite not having any superpowers like some other battle shounen series. Throughout the show, Souma proves himself as a professional chef candidate by studying at the academy. Along the way, we also see him form meaningful relationships with others, including friendships and rivalries.

Through both its storytelling and its characters, Shokugeki no Souma achieves entertainment. The cast has a wide range of personalities. In terms of Souma, what matters most is how they interact with others. As a result, it brings out the best and the worst in them.

You may have a new perspective on food after watching this show.

39. Ballroom e Youkoso

Tatara Fujita is a shy middle school student with no specific plans for the future. Throughout his life, he has avoided confrontation and blended in with the crowd. However, blending in isn’t enough to keep him out of trouble, as some bullies harass him for money. His life is saved by Kaname Sengoku.

Tatara is invited to Kaname’s dance studio. Tatara is captivated by Sengoku’s commanding presence, even though he would normally never enter a place like that.

When Tatara has the opportunity to dance with fellow classmate Shizuku Hanaoka, who practices regularly at the studio, he realizes there’s something about the idea of being in the spotlight and dancing in front of others that keeps him coming back for more. Tatara begins his journey into the world of competitive dance with an earnest, passionate drive to improve.

In this anime, the central theme is ballroom dancing. Another anime about some championships or tournaments could also be similar to sports anime, but you could be wrong. Ballroom e Youkoso is an innovative adaptation that combines superb storytelling with stunning art design to enthrall viewers.

There is nothing lacking in this series: a compelling story, good pacing, realistic characters, sadness, joy, need, frustration, etc. The anime emphasizes concepts like trust, understanding, and conviction between couples. Individually and competitively, we can see the constant need to overcome and the hard work required.

There are a lot of characters in the adaptation. Of particular interest is the personality of the competing couples. Ballroom e Youkoso is a well-adapted anime that focuses on what it intends without betraying expectations.

40. Noragami

You may find a strange telephone number scrawled in red if you look in the right place at the right time. You will hear the Yato God introduce himself to you if you call this number.

Yato is a minor god and a self-proclaimed “Delivery God” who dreams of having millions of followers. Nevertheless, his goals are far from being achieved without a single shrine dedicated to his name. For five yen apiece, he does odd jobs until his weapon partner gets tired of his useless master and deserts him.

The god’s fortunes change when Hiyori Iki, a middle school girl, supposedly saves him from a car accident, taking the hit for him.

It is remarkable that she survives, but the event causes her soul to become loose, and so she is able to leave her body. As a response, Hiyori demands that Yato return her to normal, but upon learning he will need a new partner for this to happen, she reluctantly agrees to help him find one. Hopefully, Yato’s luck will turn around with Hiyori’s help.

The plotlines in Noragami flow seamlessly with each other both in terms of pacing and execution. It moves the story forward very quickly, save for some comic relief and character introductions here and there. It even has a few realistic dark undertones.

Every character in this series is well fleshed out, well developed, and is not one-dimensional at all. Noragami offers something for everybody.

41. Detective Conan

Known for his ability to solve challenging cases, Shinichi Kudou, a high school student, is an astounding detective. As Shinichi follows two suspicious men one day, he inadvertently witnesses a disturbing illegal activity.

Sadly, the men catch him in the act, so they inject him with a drug formulated by their criminal organization, leaving him to die. Shinichi, however, lives to see another day, but in the body of a seven-year-old child.

With perfect intelligence, he hides his real identity from everyone, including his childhood friend Ran Mouri and her father, private detective Kogorou Mouri. His alias is Conan Edogawa, inspired by the mystery writers Arthur Conan Doyle and Ranpo Edogawa.

The story focuses on Shinichi, who, as Conan, does his best to solve the senior Mouri’s cases while covertly investigating the organization responsible for his state, hoping to reverse its effects someday.

Small, one-to-two-episode cases make up the story’s large arcs. It’s not uncommon for episodes to have nothing to do with the larger arc of the show but are usually very exciting in their own right.

The characters are all incredibly engaging and filled with so much depth and personality that it’s impossible not to love them all. You will truly enjoy the episodes in which recurring characters appear occasionally.

42. Katekyo Hitman Reborn!

Tsunayoshi Sawada is no good; there is no denying that. He is clumsy, talentless, and desperately in love with the school idol Kyouko Sasagawa, a girl that is completely out of his league. Known as “Loser Tsuna” by his classmates, he appears to be the very personification of failure in the form of a middle schooler.

Tsuna’s boring life is turned upside down when he meets the mysterious Reborn, who turns out to be a baby and a hitman! Reborn, a mafia enforcer from Italy’s biggest family, is sent to prepare a dull middle-schooler to succeed the ninth boss of the Vongola clan, who is on the verge of retirement.

The dull boy has a long road ahead, but with the support of his new criminal associates and his peculiar tutor, perhaps even Loser Tsuna can achieve greatness.

Through the course of the anime, Tsuna grows and matures, becoming stronger and stronger each time he fights his enemies. He encounters well-written fights that will keep you glued to the screen.

Characters in the story are diverse, with a wide range of personalities following an unlikely protagonist. You cannot help but love all of the characters; they are very well portrayed. Watching them grow over the course of the anime is worthwhile.

Every single character has at least one good quality, whether they’re the protagonist, a supporting character, or even the antagonist. The main cast has great chemistry, and you root for them throughout.

43. Kanata no Astra

Space travel will be feasible and commercially available in 2063. An impulsive thief steals the purse of cheerful Aries Spring as she arrives at the spaceport to attend a camp on the planet McPa. Kanata Hoshijima retrieves it for her, and Aries soon discovers that he is one of the teenagers who will be joining her on the excursion as part of team B-5.

They are sucked into the vast reaches of outer space when a strange sphere of black light appears at their campsite. They find an abandoned ship nearby while stranded with seemingly no hope and are able to get home. However, they soon discover that they are thousands of light-years away from home and are not as close as they initially thought.

To overcome the darkness of space together, the nine members must cautiously manage their resources, maintain their strength, and unite as one. Even though the reason behind their trip’s sudden obstruction is unknown, they nevertheless embark on the treacherous voyage back home aboard their new vessel, the Astra.

Characters are shown to have feelings of hopelessness, betrayal, anger, joy, and relief in an extremely realistic manner. Add a bit of drama surrounding the circumstances surrounding their situation, and you’ve got an entertaining anime.

44. Mahoutsukai no Yome

Five million pounds were spent at auction by a tall masked man on 15-year-old Chise Hatori, a Japanese girl. After being deserted at a young age and ridiculed by her peers for her unconventional behavior, she was prepared to give up if it meant having a place to live. She hears robed men on her journey, gossiping and complaining that such a buyer managed to get his hands on a rare “Sleigh Beggy.”

In spite of the murmurs, the mysterious man leads the girl into a study, where he reveals himself to be Elias Ainsworth, a magus. The two arrive at Elias’ picturesque cottage in rural England after a brief confrontation and some teleportation magic. On her arrival, Chise is greeted by fairies and surrounded by strange and wonderful creatures. Those events mark the beginning of Chise’s story as an apprentice and the supposed bride of an ancient magus.

The world in this show is full of mystery, and every detail matters more than once or twice. In this story, you will find both a simple and complex plot. Chise, the main character, learns along with us as the story unfolds. Various details will be revealed at a later date, so be patient and pay close attention to this series.

The two main characters complement one another, and neither is perfect or certain of the other. It is always evident that there is a supporting cast; all of them have a purpose and frequently demonstrate it.

Characters who appear only in a few episodes can still become memorable. Though this show is serious at times, there are also light moments, so it isn’t just a dark story.

45. Diamond no Ace

The final middle school baseball game for Eijun Sawamura ends in a loss due to a stray pitch completely missing the batter. Eijun vows that he and his teammates will compete in the national tournament once they begin high school.

A scout sees the potential in his unusual pitching style and unexpectedly invites him to Tokyo’s prestigious Seidou High School. Eijun, encouraged by his teammates, accepts the offer, ready to improve his skills and play baseball at a much higher level.

Eijun has a hard time finding his place in the team now that there are so many talented players around him. His goal is to become the team’s ace, but only if fellow first-year Satoru Furuya doesn’t beat him to it first with his breakneck fastballs that earn him a coveted spot on the starting roster.

As a result of the addition of these talented new players to an already powerful lineup, Seidou strives to become the best baseball team in Japan, taking on several formidable opponents along the way.

There is always suspense in the story, and it excels at it. In every episode, Diamond no Ace builds suspense leading up to the final scene.

Diamond no Ace’s main strength is the variety of interesting characters and the amount of time spent on developing them besides the main character, Eijun Sawamura. Even though Eijun is the focal point of the plot, he almost acts as a vessel for viewing and interacting with other characters.

There are a lot of characters in baseball due to the sport’s need for a lot of characters. But not a single character from the side is shown just as a gimpse, then is nowhere to be found the next episode.

46. Gin no Saji

It is tiring for Yuugo Hachiken to try to meet expectations he has not been able to meet despite being hardworking and studious. In order to escape the stress brought on by his parents, he decides to enroll at Ooezo Agricultural High School, which is located in the countryside of Hokkaido.

Although Hachiken initially expected to succeed at this institution, he is quickly proven wrong by his talented classmates, people who have lived on farms their entire lives and know just about everything there is to know about food, vegetables, and even livestock! No matter if he’s waking up at five in the morning for strenuous work or to take care of animals, Hachiken is a complete amateur at the hard life of an agriculturalist.

A young student struggles to fit into an entirely new environment in Gin no Saji, meeting many unique people along the way. Hachiken struggles to appreciate his surroundings as he seeks to discover his dreams in order to live a fulfilling life.

Gin no Saji shows that each of us can set our own path and believe what we want to believe.

This anime never misses an opportunity to put the main character, Hachiken, into situations far outside of his comfort zone, leading to hilarious developments. Do not let the comedy fool you. There are moments in this anime when they ask the tough questions, and you may see things differently by the end.

47. Hikaru no Go

Hikaru Shindou discovers an old Go board while searching through his grandfather’s attic. A mysterious voice greets him as he touches the box, and he soon falls unconscious. After regaining his senses, he discovers that the voice belongs to an ancient go expert named Sai Fujiwarano.

In the Heian Era, Sai taught Go to the Japanese Emperor and, as a ghost, continues to play his favorite game. He seeks to master a divine Go technique that no player has so far achieved, and he plays the board game through Hikaru to accomplish this.

Although Hikaru is uninterested in board games, he reluctantly agrees to play, following Sai’s instructions. After encountering the young Go prodigy Akira Touya, his passion for the game is slowly sparked. As a result of his newfound rival, Hikaru is just beginning his journey into the world of go.

This an anime about the world of Go; the games, friendships, rivalries, obstacles, and feelings that arise within this world. The expectations are high, and Hikaru no Go is certainly able to live up to them.

Hikaru no Go is a character-driven series in every way, making it much more riveting and engaging than a plot-driven series. We don’t lack characters either. Most people get a decent amount of development, like the challengers; why they play and what they have at stake are usually revealed in a gripping manner.

48. Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi

When Kenichi Shirahama is not getting pummeled in the karate club after school, he can often be found with his head buried in one of the many self-help books he carries around with him.

On his way to school, Kenichi accidentally scares the new student in his class, causing her to throw him down. She apologizes for her violent reflexes and introduces herself as Miu Furinji, and asks Kenichi to be her friend.

After karate club practice that day, one of the club members gives Kenichi an ultimatum: they will fight next week, and the loser must quit permanently. Kenichi sees Miu fend off three thugs easily as he laments his imminent defeat.

He asks Miu for advice on how to become a better fighter after being bullied by those more powerful than him. Kenichi is directed to her grandfather’s dojo, Ryouzanpaku, where some skilled-though strange-masters of extreme martial arts have gathered to hone their skills. Kenichi will grow significantly stronger if he manages to “stay alive,” but only if he survives.

Kenichi takes the first step in his quest to become a world-class fighter and a defender of the defenseless with those ominous words on his mind and the gang known as “Ragnarok,” threatening the safety of others around him.

As the anime progresses through its episodes, the story, though simple at its heart, becomes more complex at the surface. Kenichi is just your typical weakling kid who is always getting picked on by everyone and has no confidence in his own abilities. However, despite those shortcomings, he still does the right thing and steps into some pretty hairy situations.

49. Bleach

A high school student named Ichigo Kurosaki finds his family attacked by a corrupt spirit called a Hollow, which seeks to devour human souls. After this, he meets a Soul Reaper named Rukia Kuchiki, who becomes injured while protecting Ichigo’s family from an assailant. Ichigo accepts Rukia’s offer to take her powers and becomes a Soul Reaper.

Rukia, however, is unable to regain her powers, so Ichigo is given the task of hunting down the Hollows. Nonetheless, he is not alone in his fight, as he is later joined by his classmates Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, and Uryuu Ishida-all of whom possess their own special abilities.

Ichigo learns that the Hollows are not the only threat to the human world as he and his comrades adjust to their new roles on and off the battlefield.

Bleach is one of the best animes. You’re left wondering what will happen next from the moment you watch it. Both the action and the humor are excellent. It has a gripping storyline. Plot twists are plentiful. The cast of characters in this anime is excellent.

It’s impossible to say you hate them all because they are all so lovable. And unlike some other anime, the characters don’t all look the same. They all have very different looks and personalities.

Bleach is one of the first names that pop into anime watchers’ heads when we talk about shounen anime, and for a good reason.

50. Fairy Tail

Magic plays a major role in everyday life in the mystical land of Fiore. At the heart of all magical activity are numerous magic guilds, which serve as a venue for mages to band together and accept job requests. Among all of them, Fairy Tail stands out for its spirit, strength, and family.

The young mage Lucy Heartfilia is searching for celestial gate keys and dreams of joining this renowned guild to become a full-fledged wizard. On her search, she meets Natsu Dragneel and Happy, who are trying to locate Natsu’s foster father, Igneel, the dragon.

Natsu saves Lucy from an abduction attempt after she is tricked by a man. She learns that he is part of Fairy Tail and is invited to join them. The guild’s strange members, including Gray Fullbuster and Erza Scarlet, are introduced to Lucy at that point.

Together they fight evil, help those in need, and make new friends while enjoying the never-ending adventures of Fairy Tail.

Regardless of how you make it, shounen will always have some generic components. One of the characteristics that make Fairy Tail so unique is that it is good despite all the clichés the plot contains. There’s nothing wrong with generic shounens, and Fairy Tail capitalizes on the things we love about them.

There are a lot of characters in this story, so one would think there wouldn’t be enough time to tell the story of all of them. They all receive ample airtime, considering they aren’t the main characters.

51. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

There are several bizarre labyrinths around the world containing incredible treasures. Known as “Dungeons,” these mysterious places were allegedly built by Magi, rare magicians who help others build their empires by leading them there.

Successive conquerors are granted access to Djinns – supernatural beings that rule over labyrinths – and have the potential to become kings.

Aladdin, a young magician, living in isolation, is eager to explore the world when he finally leaves his home behind. Aladdin begins his journey only accompanied by his mentor Ugo-a djinn that he can summon with his flute.

Aladdin, however, becomes friends with Alibaba Saluja after he destroys a local merchant’s supply cart. Alibaba proposes that they conquer the closest dungeon to pay for the damages, taking the first step toward an epic adventure that determines the fate of the world.

You can expect a gripping narrative when the setting is based on Arabian Nights. In Magi, the focus on the two main protagonists is nicely orchestrated and has a distinct feel. As a result, a story can become dark and gripping without losing its narrative. The political aspect sets this apart from other shounen. You must reign as a king.

However, how are you going to do it? This question allows the different nations and factions to interact in a believable environment, without appearing as if the author is asking you to pretend they would do that.

52. D.Gray-man

In times of pain, one may wish to be able to resurrect a loved one, a weakness that the mysterious Millennium Earl exploits. Using the souls of the dead, he makes his mechanical weapons known as “Akuma.” Souls trapped in Akuma cannot be exorcised from the vessel until they are exorcised using the Anti-Akuma weapon, “Innocence.”

Three years after becoming a disciple of General Cross, Allen Walker is sent to the Black Order in order to become an official Exorcist. Allen and his fellow Exorcists must stop the Millennium Earl from completing his ultimate plot: one that could result in the end of the world. There’s an arm as his innocence and a cursed eye that can see the suffering souls within an Akuma.

On the surface, D. Gray-Man seems like just another shounen anime about a team of good guys battling evil monsters with special weapons. That’s the basic idea behind it, but it turns into something deeper than many other shounen anime series. Even though the setting is a standard shounen show, you’ll be surprised by what you see.

This anime’s greatest strength is its characters. Characters in this story aren’t just brawling against the bad guys. In the series, they grow and mature, and they show real emotions, emotions that they must accept and overcome.

Rather than being so plot-driven, it is more character-driven. All of the main characters are lovable, unique, strong, handsome, and have mysterious pasts and secrets.

53. Kakushigoto

Manga artist Kakushi Gotou is known for his works containing inappropriate content. His daughter Hime was born, and he vowed to hide his profession from her, believing she would be disillusioned if she learned.

Kakushi is led into stressful situations by this paranoia-induced belief. Even though he is a single father, he does his best to protect his secret; he often dresses as a salaryman every day and holds emergency drills in case Hime finds her way to work.

The story of Kakushigoto tells of a father and daughter living in harmony while the father tries to preserve the status quo. Hime must eventually learn the truth behind the things she took for granted as she grew up because there are no secrets that time cannot reveal.

While the series appears to be very lighthearted, there is an interesting juxtaposition in the narratives. Every episode begins with about 20 minutes or so of Hime’s past, while the final 4 minutes are set in the future following a time-skip. The colors and tone are much darker as well.

It will keep you anticipating the next episode for more answers to the questions that this segment poses after every episode.

As for Hime’s father and co-workers, they are wild and energetic. While Hime herself is an angel, she is sweet, smart, and just beautiful.

54. InuYasha

A demon drags fifteen-year-old Kagome Higurashi into a cursed well on the grounds of her family’s Shinto shrine, ending her normal life. Rather than hitting the bottom of the well, Kagome ends up in Japan’s violent Sengoku period 500 years ago, where the demon’s true target, a wish-granting jewel called the Shikon Jewel, reincarnates inside her.

An accidental battle with a revived demon caused Kagome’s sacred jewel to shatter. She enlists the help of a young dog-demon/human hybrid named Inuyasha to collect the shards before they fall to the wrong hands.

Inuyasha and Kagome are joined by Shippo, the orphan fox-demon, Miroku, the intelligent monk, and Sango, the demon slayer. In order to find the power granting shards spread across feudal Japan and deal with the threats posed by them, they must put aside their differences and work together.

Throughout the story, Inuyasha, Kagome, and their companions are explored in a methodical way to deepen our understanding of them. Furthermore, despite the show’s enormous length, it is full of plot twists, so even after figuring out the outcome, the story remains interesting.

The anime includes both heartbreaking emotional scenes and action-packed battle sequences. The legacy of Inuyasha has remained strong over time. Thanks to its incredible soundtrack, visuals, plot, and detailed character development, it will remain a favorite anime around the world.

55. Zetsuen no Tempest

A teenager named Yoshino Takigawa is dating his best friend’s younger sister in secret. However, after his girlfriend Aika mysteriously dies, Mahiro disappears, vowing to find the killer and make them pay for his sister’s death. Yoshino continues his life as usual and hasn’t heard from Mahiro since he was last seen—until he is threatened by a strange girl at gunpoint, and Mahiro arrives just in time to save him.

Yoshino discovers that Mahiro has enlisted the help of a witch named Hakaze Kusaribe to find Aika’s killer and that the “Tree of Exodus” exists. The witch’s brother selfishly desires to use its power, despite the world’s impending danger. Hakaze, however, is banished to a deserted island, and it’s up to Yoshino and Mahiro to help her save the world while getting closer to the truth about Aika’s death.

Despite its fair share of twists and turns, Zetsuen no Tempest follows a logical premise that still feels authentically inspired. Despite its magical elements, the series establishes a strong logical framework that empowers and entraps its characters.

Throughout the series, our protagonist’s personal history plays a major role. A tragic event can only become the means to a better end when characters are able to accept fate and focus. Furthermore, the past is well-realized as a general influence.

In Zetsuen no Tempest, character development is crucial – and the four main characters, Hakaze, Yoshino, Mahiro, and Aika, are a solid foundation for the show’s central themes despite their differing personas.

56. Major S1

Little Gorou Honda, who is obsessed with baseball, has always admired his father, Shigeharu. Gorou aspires to follow in his father’s footsteps as a professional baseball player. As a result, Shigeharu’s son’s adoration motivates him to keep working hard, despite his late wife’s death and his unsatisfactory position on the second-string team Blue Ocean.

Shigeharu is forced to leave the team due to an elbow injury, and he falls into despair. Following an offhand joke from his childhood friend, Shigeharu reevaluates his decisions and decides to take up the bat instead of pitching. Gorou works hard to carve out a place for himself in the Japanese Little League now that he is more motivated than ever.

Major is best known for its characters. There’s no problem getting into the baseball games that you watch because the show makes you care about the “good guys.”

Its story is truly unique. As you watch Major, you will be gently guided along a path filled with twists, bends, steep inclines, and difficult obstacles, but the experiences along the way will be remembered forever.

In addition to baseball, the story develops several impactful themes which recur throughout, including the values of family and teamwork.

57. Beastars

There is an uneasy tension between carnivores and herbivores in a civilized society of anthropomorphic animals. Cherryton Academy’s mutual distrust peaks after an incident involving predation results in Tem’s death.

Legoshi, a grey wolf in Tem’s stage crew, has always been an object of fear and suspicion. As a result of the tragedy, he lays low and hides his menacing traits, much to the dismay of Louis, a red deer, and the drama club’s domineering star actor.

Legoshi is assigned to lookout duty when Louis sneaks into the auditorium to train Tem’s replacement. In that very night, Legoshi meets Haru, a white dwarf rabbit scorned by her friends. As his feelings for Haru grow, he is forced to confront his true nature, the circumstances surrounding his friend’s death, and the undercurrent of violence throughout the world.

Beestars is an anime about prejudices, self-discovery, and life under a totalitarian regime where carnivores and herbivores are supposed to live in harmony, and all of this takes place at a high school drama club. Everyone acts, and then they act some more.

The three main cast members are vastly different from one another. There is a clear portrayal of each individual’s self-image, fair bit of awareness of what their self looks like from the outside, and even an inner monologue filled with reflections exist.

58. Vanitas no Karte

Vanitas grew desolate and fearful after being mocked by others of his kind for being born under a blue moon. Legend has it that he created a cursed grimoire known as the “Book of Vanitas” and that he would use it one day to cause retribution upon all vampires of the crimson moon.

During the 19th century, Noé Archiviste is searching for the fabled Book of Vanitas. In an airship, he is saved from a vampire attack by an eccentric doctor named Vanitas, who carries the book he seeks. Interestingly enough, the self-proclaimed vampire expert is a mere human who inherited both his name and the book from his master, the Vanitas of legend.

In light of the Charlatan’s Parade, the doctor’s ability to restore sanity to vampires by recovering their true names will prove most useful.

The character Vanitas himself is confident and charismatic. He is quite mischievous, playful, and sarcastic. Sometimes, it’s hard to take his words seriously.

Vanitas’ role shows that he knows more than we imagine and has an important connection to his book. His relationship with Noe is perhaps one of the most entertaining aspects of the show due to their conflicting personalities.

Despite Vanitas no Carte’s various degrees of light humor, it must be taken seriously. Behind the humor lies a dark secret. Our understanding of vampire origins, the purpose of the Book of Vanitas, and even some secrets may surprise us.

59. School Rumble

A few words, “I love you,” and everything changes-such is the bittersweet nature of high school romance. Tenma Tsukamoto is a second-year student who wants to confess her feelings to the boy she likes.

The delinquent Kenji Harima, who has an extensive reputation, also finds it difficult to properly communicate his feelings to the person he loves. With school, friends, rivalries, and hobbies, these two will find that high school romance isn’t easy, especially when misunderstandings further complicate their situation.

Both Tenma and Kenji are trying to win the hearts of their loved ones in School Rumble, a high-octane romantic comedy filled with relatable situations.

Do you hate watching anime with a long and boring storyline? Try School Rumble, which tries to follow the main plotline, but each episode is totally random. Men are portrayed as being very pathetic and always going after girls, which makes them hilarious to watch! There are some very funny jokes in this show.

Whenever you think the story might take a serious turn, it quickly swings back to its comedic nature before you blink.

This series is probably best known for its characters. Even though there are only three or four main characters, the show frequently turns its attention to characters in the background, giving the viewer a chance to learn more about them through some interesting side stories.

60. Beelzebub

At Ishiyama High, where nonstop violence and lawlessness are the norm, most of the students are delinquents. However, there is one universally accepted rule-don’t cross first-year student Tatsumi Oga, Ishiyama’s most vicious fighter.

Oga is sitting by the riverbed one day when he notices a man floating down the river. Upon being redeemed by Oga, the man splits down the middle, revealing a baby, which crawls onto Oga’s back and forms an immediate attachment to him. Although he doesn’t know it yet, this baby is named Kaiser de Emperana Beelzebub IV, or “Baby Beel” for short – the Demon Lord’s son!

It isn’t enough that Oga finds the future Lord of the Underworld; he is also confronted by Hildegard, Beel’s demon maid. While surrounded by juvenile delinquents and demonic powers, they may face more challenges than they can imagine while raising Baby Beel.

Though the story’s plot is not deep or complicated, it does feature something from our everyday lives, and the humor is very funny. Whenever Oga encounters a weird situation, it always has to do with Baby Beel.

There is an underlining plot to the anime, but most episodes are utterly random in nature and have nothing to do with the story. You will enjoy the comedy and randomness of each episode, which makes you keep watching.

As many see Oga as the bastard who has no sympathy for others, he actually shows a tender side towards Baby Beel. Beel is a great demon baby. Although he exhibits demon-like qualities, he still manages to maintain an innocent appearance for some reason.