Here are some recommendations for classic shounen anime that are fun and still worth watching in 2024. What are they?
Shounen anime always presents many new series that fans can enjoy. While not all of them are quality, there are many classic shonen anime recommendations that are worth watching in 2024. However, focusing too much on the latest releases can make you miss the experience of watching much-loved classic shounen anime.
Not all old shounen anime are classics, some are outdated. However, there are still many great shounen anime that are worth watching for both new and seasoned fans.
Literally, shounen means boys. The term usually refers to boys under the age of 15. As such, anime and manga categorized as shounen are aimed at an audience of that age. Therefore, shounen is more accurately referred to as the target demographic of an anime or manga work, rather than with genres such as action, romance, or fantasy.
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Recommended Classic Shounen Anime 2024
Below are some recommendations for classic shounen anime that were popular in their day and are still worth watching again.
10. Zatch Bell
The series is very famous among millennial anime fans, especially when it aired on Toonami in the late 2000s. The story centers on Kiyo Takamine, an antisocial genius who gets involved in a dangerous tournament with the Mamodo, powerful beings from another world. Kiyo collaborates with Zatch Bell, his Mamodo counterpart, to determine the winner of the tournament and who will become the Mamodo King.
Zatch Bell combines action, drama, and comedy well, making it fun to watch from start to finish. The series shows the relationship between Kiyo and Zatch, where Zatch learns to be a good king for Mamodo, while Kiyo understands the importance of emotional bonds. Apart from that, the show also involves a huge tournament, making it an interesting option for fans of anime with a tournament plot.
9. History’s Greatest Disciple Kenichi
History’s Greatest Disciple Kenichi is a popular shonen anime that follows the journey of Kenichi Shirahama, a high school teenager who struggles with bullies. He decides to train at his friend Miu’s dojo. Although the masters of Ryozanpaku Dojo believed Kenichi to be untalented, their unique training helped him grow rapidly as a martial artist, which also attracted the attention of other martial artists in the city.
Kenichi has remained relevant for more than a decade as it illustrates the appeal of fighting shōnen. Although the main character is initially weak, his passion for training turns him into a powerful fighter. Although the storyline of this anime is not fully completed, it is still worth watching for fans.
8. City Hunter
Western anime fans today may not be familiar with City Hunter, which became popular in the late 80s and early 90s. The series follows Saeba Ryo, a detective who is ready to solve any case for the right reward, especially if the client is a beautiful woman. His partner Kaori helps him stay focused, although Ryo also shows his serious side when necessary.
City Hunter is an ideal anime for episodic fans. The first season doesn’t have a long storyline, where each episode features a new temptress who comes to Ryo’s house, forcing him to find a solution. The anime is also fun for action fans, as Ryo performs absurd tricks and often faces ridiculous threats with only a gun.
7. Great Teacher Onizuka
Great Teacher Onizuka is a shonen anime that shows that not all stories have to be filled with fighting. Eikichi Onizuka, a former gang member, decides to become a teacher in his 20s. He hopes this will make his life easier, but has to face the reality of being the homeroom teacher of Class 3-4 at Holy Forest Academy, which is notorious for being the rowdiest class and has made all previous teachers give up.
The main character in Great Teacher Onizuka does have some aspects that lack depth, but he is shown with genuine intentions to help students. The anime not only deals with bullying, but also the relationship between teachers and parents and the weaknesses of the education system.
While the 3-4 classes can keep viewers mesmerized, the characters grow and make viewers connect thanks to good plot development. It is a great choice for both experienced anime fans and beginners who want to enjoy a solid retro anime.
6. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
Of course, for the fans, there is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood which is an accurate adaptation of the manga. However, the original Fullmetal Alchemist series was also very popular on television in the mid-2000s. Both followed the journey of Edward and Alphonse Elric in an attempt to restore their bodies after a failed alchemy experiment.
The original Fullmetal Alchemist series had the advantage of character development, giving more time to explore character trajectories that Brotherhood lacks. Good writing makes the audience more connected to the characters, so the key moments at the end of the series feel more memorable.
5. Soul Eater
Soul Eater used to be one of the most popular anime of the late 2000s, attracting as many fans as the Big 3 of shonen. Although it only ran for a year and was eventually forgotten, it is still known for its unique characters and distinctive visual world.
The Soul Eater anime follows Maka Albarn, a talented young woman training at Death Weapon Meister Academy to become a Shinigami. Along with her partner, a Shinigami weapon named Soul, Maka attempts to collect 99 evil souls and one witch. However, her failure to collect the witch’s soul forced her to start over from scratch, putting her on par with the other students at the academy.
4. Claymore
Not all shonen anime look the same, including the battle shonen category. One example is Claymore, which takes place in a world where humans are helpless against a creature called Youma. The only hope to fight the Youma is Claymore, a half-human, half-Yuma woman. Clair, one of the Claymore members, fights to protect humans in the name of the Organization, even though she knows that in the end, her fate will be the same as the other Claymore: to become a Youma.
Claymore is an interesting dark fantasy series despite never finishing the manga. With a gloomy atmosphere and a strong main character, Clare, Claymore is an interesting choice for anime fans looking for a swordsman. With not too many episodes, it is a good time to re-watch Claymore.
3. Yu-Gi-Oh!
The original Yu-Gi-Oh differs from later series in that it was launched before card games existed. This made the duels more exciting. Duelist Kingdom’s storyline is interesting to watch, especially since the main character often finds his own solutions rather than relying on his cards.
Yu-Gi-Oh: Duel Monsters offers a unique experience for anime fans, mainly due to the absurdity of the story. Who would have thought that a billionaire would want to shut down part of the city in favor of a place to play cards? Although the main focus is on Yugi trying to help the spirits in the Millennium Puzzle, the audience is often treated to exciting battles when Yugi is tied to a giant anchor in the harbor.
2. Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball Z became the first popular classic shounen anime, but many fans did not watch the original version, Dragon Ball. Despite being the start of a global sensation, Dragon Ball didn’t have much going for it compared to Dragon Ball Z.
Without elements like Super Saiyan, spectacular energy clashes, or the ability to blow up the galaxy, the focus of the story is more on a preteen traveling the world with his friends to collect the Dragon Balls, seven mystical orbs that can summon dragons to grant wishes.
Dragon Ball faced a lot of complaints about its sequel series, but still delivered a more grounded story and martial arts-feeling combat. Favorite human characters also get cool moments with Goku. For those who haven’t watched, it’s recommended to start with the original Dragon Ball.
1. Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho holds a special place for fans who grew up with the series in the 2000s. Unfortunately, nowadays the series is in danger of being forgotten because there are no new stories. This is unfortunate, considering Yu Yu Hakusho is one of the classic and best shōnen ever.
Yu Yu Hakusho’s storyline follows Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who is brought back to life and given the task of being a Spirit Detective. He is responsible for preventing demons from corrupting the human world.
The series not only features Yusuke as a charismatic protagonist, but also has a great supporting cast. With a unique story structure, each arc in this anime manages to change genres while remaining consistent. Despite the many tournaments, the story remains interesting and worth watching again.
Those are some classic shounen anime recommendations that might be your choice of watching in your spare time. Hope it helps!
