Top 10 Best Shonen Jump Anime
You've seen the screaming. You've felt the goosebumps during last-second power-ups. You've sat through the flashbacks, the friendship speeches, the training arcs that take half a season, and you've loved every second of it. That's the magic of a great Shonen Jump anime.
This list isn't about what some critic thinks belongs in a museum of animated greatness. It's about what you think brings the heat. The fights that had you pausing to catch your breath. The arcs that made school, work, or sleep seem like optional side quests. Maybe it's a classic you grew up with. Maybe it's the latest series blowing up your feed. It doesn't matter when it aired or how many filler episodes tried to derail it. If it owned your attention and earned your hype, it belongs here.
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Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It follows the adventures of Goku and the Z Fighters as they protect Earth from various villains. The series emphasizes themes of good versus evil and highlights values such as teamwork, loyalty, and perseverance.
Father of all Shounen Jump, action, and fighting anime. The best fighting/action anime ever. Period.
Watched when I was little because it was part of my Saturday cartoons.
It is just awesome. After reading all these new titles, this one remains on top for me.
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Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Hunter × Hunter is a manga series created by Yoshihiro Togashi. In 1999, it was adapted into a 62-episode anime television series produced by Nippon Animation and directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi. The original show aired on Japan's Fuji TV and ran until 2001.... read more
Hunter x Hunter is refreshing. I finally found a shonen that isn't predictable, with a protagonist who isn't like all the others, and villains who aren't just built up to be bad but consist of more than just being stupidly evil so the protagonist can make friends with them.
His best friend Killua is an amazing protagonist too. Killua had a difficult childhood, but once Gon came into his life, he was able to smile again despite the tragedies. This is one of the many things that actually proves they are good friends. I'm glad nothing comes between these two, especially romance.
For anyone who thinks this is slow-paced, that may be true, but that's actually because the creator put effort into each character and didn't want to make the protagonist self-centered like all the others. So many shonen are completely the same. I'm glad Hunter x Hunter was made.
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One Piece
One Piece is a manga franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. The manga was adapted into an original video animation produced by Production I.G in 1998. The anime series produced by Toei Animation began broadcasting in Japan in 1999 and has aired more than 1,100 episodes.
What's there to say? It is the best when it comes to world-building and character motivations. The action's alright, and sometimes they drag stuff out a bit long, but it's lasted this long for a reason.
An epic adventure full of exciting action, heart-breaking tragedy, and storytelling that will blow your mind over and over again!
Even though there are many Naruto fans, it's my personal opinion that One Piece is much more light-hearted than Naruto and some other anime.
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My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia (Japanese: 僕のヒーローアカデミア, Hepburn: Boku no Hīrō Akademia) is a superhero anime series based on the manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. The manga was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from July 2014 to August 2024. Its chapters were collected into 42... read more
Best shonen to come out in a long time. I believe that if the story continues to go as strong as it is right now, it will reach the popularity heights of Naruto, One Piece, and maybe even Dragon Ball. The amazing blend of music, animation, and character development is what really sets this show apart from its peers.
I think Boku No Hero Academia should be higher on the list. With the start of season 3, it has become one of the most popular Shonen anime.
Season 1 starts out kind of slow and boring, but seasons 2 and 3 are so good that watching the first season will feel worth it. Trust me.
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Death Note
Death Note is a Japanese anime television series based on the manga created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The story follows Light Yagami, a gifted high school student with a strong sense of justice who discovers a notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing their name in it. His actions as... read more
Death Note is amazing. Everything that goes through Kira's brain and L's brain is ingenious and unpredictable. Both characters are insanely unique and well-thought-out. You always contemplate which side you're on, even though they are almost complete opposites. The reason this is second on my list is because I see it more as a psychological anime than a shonen.
Amazing. This show has the right amount of suspense to make it good. With the fight scenes being very fast-paced, this show is overall good.
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Naruto Shippuden
Naruto: Shippuden is the anime sequel to the original Naruto series, primarily adapting Part II of the manga. The show premiered in Japan on February 15, 2007, on TV Tokyo. Produced by Pierrot and TV Tokyo and directed by Hayato Date, it continues the story of Naruto Uzumaki as he faces new challenges... read more
This series gets way too much hate and is basically the third biggest punching bag for elitist contrarian weeaboos, next to Fairy Tail and Sword Art Online. Naruto Uzumaki is a character capable of understanding the perspectives of even his greatest enemies, and the series creates the most evil monstrous villains just to humanize them in the end.
The character writing in Naruto Shippuden is amazing, and even the minor characters have layers to them. The series doesn't rely at all on ecchi or fan service to keep viewers engaged, which is somewhat rare for Japanese cartoons. Instead, it relies on incredibly choreographed fight scenes (probably the best in anime history), and themes of war, peace, love, hatred, loneliness, camaraderie, life, and death.
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Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation and based on the manga of the same name by Akira Toriyama. It helped popularize anime in the United States and was dubbed in English on Cartoon Network's Toonami block. The franchise has remained highly influential, spawning... read more
This is way more adventurous and fun compared to Dragon Ball Z. I love them all, but the character development in Dragon Ball and overall show quality completely trumps DBZ.
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Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho is a manga series created by Yoshihiro Togashi. The anime adaptation, which includes 112 episodes, was directed by Noriyuki Abe and co-produced by Fuji Television, Yomiko Advertising, and Studio Pierrot... read more
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Bleach
Bleach is a Japanese anime series based on Tite Kubo's manga of the same name. The anime adapts the first 54 volumes of the manga and includes four anime-original arcs that aired alongside and between the main story arcs.
The story follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student with the ability... read more
I need Bleach to come back. Everything else is absolute trash. Even Dragon Ball has nothing on Bleach. Why in God's name did they ever stop making this?
After Bleach, I can't watch any other anime. All others seem substandard.
Watched recently and enjoyed it because some emotions I can relate to.
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Naruto
Naruto is an anime and manga franchise created by Masashi Kishimoto. The manga was adapted into a television anime series produced by Studio Pierrot and Aniplex. It premiered on TV Tokyo and other TX Network stations on October 3, 2002.... read more
Greatest anime. Filled with the power of youth!
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Black Clover
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Boruto
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Bakuman
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Shaman King
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Gintama
Gin Tama, also styled as Gintama, is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Hideaki Sorachi, serialized beginning on December 8, 2003, in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump. The series is known for its blend of comedy, action, and science fiction set in an alternate-history Edo period. It was adapted... read more
I do not understand why it's at number 17. Its comedy is top tier, the action is golden, and Gintoki is a great character. Okita is my favorite, but still. It's not just satirical, there's some action too, and some good action at that. This should be no. 1. What the hell? Well, it can compete with Hunter x Hunter (2011), but I prefer Gintama because it's Gintama.
So many people think Gintama is just a comedy anime, but it's not. It has so many good moments where you laugh, cry, scream, etc. It also has a good storyline.
Gintoki! Absolutely my favorite Jump anime with my favorite Jump hero.
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Hunter x Hunter (1999)
Hunter × Hunter is a manga series created by Yoshihiro Togashi. In 1999, it was adapted into a 62-episode anime television series produced by Nippon Animation and directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi. The original show aired on Japan's Fuji TV and ran until 2001... read more
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One-Punch Man
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Assassination Classroom
Assassination Classroom is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Yūsei Matsui. The series debuted in 2012 and follows a class of underachieving students who must assassinate their teacher, a powerful, octopus-like creature named Koro-sensei, before he destroys Earth. It blends elements of comedy... read more
Knows when to be absolutely funny and also serious. It is a great mix of emotions throughout, and I could not stop watching once I started. Number 2 maybe only to HxH.
It's comical and emotional at the same time. The characters will really grow on you throughout the series.
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Yu-Gi-Oh!
Yu-Gi-Oh! aired from 2000 to 2004 in Japan and from 2001 to 2006 in the United States. It continues the story where the original Toei anime left off. When 10th grader Yugi Muto solves the Millennium Puzzle, a spirit named Yami Yugi emerges and helps him protect his friends. In Duel Monsters, much of... read more
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Fist of the North Star
Fist of the North Star is a Japanese manga series written by Buronson and illustrated by Tetsuo Hara. It was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1983 to 1988, with 245 chapters collected in 27 tankōbon volumes by Shueisha. The series inspired several anime adaptations, films, and video games.
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Katekyo Hitman Reborn!
Reborn!, known in Japan as Katekyō Hitman Reborn! (Japanese: 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN!, Hepburn: Katekyō Hittoman Ribōn!), and also known as Hitman Reborn!, is an action-packed Japanese anime series based on the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Akira Amano.... read more
Finally. Someone who talks about this series. This has got to be the most underrated shonen I've ever seen. The story was good. The concept was amazing. We got ninjas, soul reapers, pirates, warriors, and we got mafias. Way better concept than heroes, lol.
A splendid anime.
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JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a manga and anime franchise originally written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki. It centers on the perilous journeys of members of the Joestar bloodline. The series is known for its distinctive art style, creative battles, and supernatural themes.
At the start, Jojo's is just okay, but after part 1, the show gets better and better. Hamon was a generic martial art power, but with the introduction of Stands, it gave the fights uniqueness and makes the series much different from other anime. This show also makes you fear if each fight might be the end of a main character (even the JoJo).
Great characters, short yet intense and intriguing fights, and a great range of cultures, philosophies, and fantastic writing.
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Toriko
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Bastard!!
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Haikyuu!!
Haikyu!! is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate. It was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from February 20, 2012, to July 20, 2020.
The series was collected into 45 tankōbon volumes by Shueisha. It has also inspired a successful anime adaptation and several... read more
So many good anime, but my vote goes to this one because it holds a special place in my heart. The characters are so great. It's impossible not to bond with them. I also had a hard time not rooting for the other team because all teams and their players have their own stories and win your respect during the series.
Not to forget the tension all the matches bring with them. I was on the edge of my seat most of the time, laughing and crying with all the characters as they went through their own personal development and ended up winning or losing. Great, great series.
This is the best shounen I have ever seen. Very relatable and lovable characters.
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Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation that originally aired from July 5, 2015, to March 25, 2018. It is based on Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga and takes place during the ten-year time skip following the defeat of Majin Buu in Dragon Ball Z. It was the... read more
It's just like DBZ, but it has a different storyline and Kai animation.
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The Promised Neverland
This is the greatest anime/manga I've seen or read.