Shonen animewill always overshadow other demographics in terms of sheer volume. Just taking 2025 as an example, the year will see the release of more than20 new shonen stories, along with sequels to some of the biggest shows of all time. Then, there are stalwarts likeOne PieceandCase Closedthat have spent more than two decades producing constant episodes.
While certainly offering quantity, shonen is also more than capable of delivering quality. Thebest shonen anime of the 2020scompare favorably to anything released for other demographics, and quite a few of them have produced sequels that ensure they do not fade from the public consciousness quickly. To simplify the process of sifting through 100+ shows, let’s highlight the standout anime of the current decade.
Here are a few criteria and notes to keep in mind:
Honorable Mentions
The 2020s are shaping up to be a golden era for shonen anime. While the following shows did not make the full list, they are all great and, depending on somebody’s preferences, could be deemed some of thebest 2020s shonen anime.
While most of the genre’s shows cater to the demographic,Blue Lockmight be the most “shonen” sports anime of all time. The title refers to a project designed to create an egotistical but top-tier Japanese soccer striker who can lead the nation to the World Cup.The country’s most exciting prospectsare recruited to take part, and only one of them will win in the end; meanwhile, all the losers will be forbidden from playing for Japan’s national team.
Blue Lockis over-the-top, ridiculous, inconsistently animated, and wildly entertaining. While technically not involving superpowers, the story presents the main characters’ unique skills as almost otherworldly, and they are constantly evolving. Although far from flawless,Blue Lockis arguably exactly the shot of adrenaline that the sports genre needed.
Season 1 is great throughout, while season 2 follows a very rough opening half with a brilliant second half.
Shonen has way more variety than its reputation suggests. While action shows tend to attract most of the limelight, the demographic is no slouch when it comes to comedy, romance, or slice of life.Horimiyaserves as a prime example, as it excels in all three of those genres.
Most of the anime’s first season chronicles Miyamura and Hori’s budding romance as they go from barely knowing each other to an endearing couple, a journey that produces plenty of laughs along the way. Eventually,Horimiyatransitions into a slice of life comedy that just happens to orbit around couples(who are all friends), particularly in its second season.
If nothing else,Dr. Stoneis consistent. Fueled by a strong premise that scratches that isekai itch without actively being part of that theme, the anime shakes up the battle shonen status quo by revolving around a protagonist who isincredibly smartbut physically weak. A strange phenomenon turns the Earth’s population into stone, leaving them in that state for thousands of years. Eventually, a teenager named Senku manages to break out of his shell, only to find a world that has largely returned to the Stone Age. As he believes in the power of science, Senku sets out to not only revive humanity but also speed-run its technological evolution. Naturally, not everyone agrees with his plan.
Dr. Stoneis splendidly paced, with each arc successfully expanding Senku and the Kingdom of Science’s ambition and reach, all the while introducing arc-specific villains who are often a match for the heroes and are not stereotypical evil. The story introduces and maintains a strong sense of mystery, and the anime blends comedy, action, and adventure pretty well. The animation is also strong, even if some of the character designs can be an acquired taste.
One of the biggest shonen success stories of the current decade,Spy x Familyhas led a slightly awkward life so far. The first season garnered almost universal praise for its humor, lovable main characters, and espionage-based premise; however, the sequels almost exclusively prioritize comedy and do not develop the core story all that much, which can make the series feel repetitive at times.
That said, if viewed solely as a comedy,Spy x Familyis not only one of the funniest anime of the 2020s, but of all time. THe show’s success primarily comes down to Anya, who is not only the main source of laughter but also the story’s beating heart. She is delightful, and her adoptive parents are also pretty great.
Frankly,Dandadanshould not be as good as it is. Blending sci-fi, supernatural, action, comedy, and romance elements, this shonen anime should, on paper, be a jack of all trades and master of none. Yet,Dandadannot only works in every area but also combines them to create a whole that is more than the sum of its parts. After agreeing on a bet to see who can prove the existence of aliens or yokai, Momo and Ken quickly learn that both exist and, crucially, they have now firmly planted themselves in both worlds.
Even ignoring the gorgeous animation, best-in-class humor, spectacular action set pieces, and creative alien/ghost designs,Dandadanwould still rank among thebest shonen anime of the 2020sdue to Momo and Ken’s relationship, which is surprisingly wholesome, believable, and just plain old adorable. Fortunately, there is no need to ignore everything else, asDandadanis the full package.
Exploding into the mainstream right at the end of the 2010s,Demon Slayerhas been inescapable for the last few years, to the point of becoming overexposed. Ufotable’s anime is a rare example of an adaptation that eclipses its source material, largely due to the studio’s willingness to produce feature-level animation on a semi-frequent basis. At its best,Demon Slayerevolves the battle shonen genre to its ultimate form, creating a near-perfect marriage of visuals, music, and storytelling.
Admittedly, the anime seemingly peaked with season 2, as its two successors struggled to live up to their predecessor’s high standards. However, even at its worst,Demon Slayeris still better than most action shows out there, and that goes beyond just anime. Ufotable is not done either, as a movie trilogy covering the final arc is in the works.
Summer Time Renderingis a show of two halves, both of which are fantastic. To avoid spoilers, let’s just go through the basic concept. Due to the death of his childhood friend, Shinpei returns to the island he once called home, completely unaware that something more unusual than a devastating funeral awaits. Long story short, Shinpei dies on his first day back, only to trigger a time loop that sends him back to when he first returned to the island.
Building on this attention-grabbing hook,Summer Time Renderingweaves an impressive tapestry drenched in mystery, suspense, traces of horror, and camaraderie. Each revelation simply enhances the intrigue, guiding viewers on an excursion filled with death, heartbreak, and moments of triumph.
“Popular girl falls in love with loner guy” could be used to describe most shonenromance anime, the majority of which are forgettable fluff that offer little beyond wish-fulfillment. Just to be clear, there is nothing wrong with that, and their straightforwardness can make them very watchable. As the off-putting Ichikawa hits it off with his school’s idol, Anna,The Dangers in My Heartmight seem set to deliver just another prototypical example of this type of story, albeit with the bonus of featuring a male protagonist who likes to fantasize about killing his classmates.
Then, Ichikawa and Anna spend more time together, growing naturally closer while also dealing with relatable insecurities that stem believably from their upbringing and peers. Ichikawa’s fantasies become a non-factor, and Anna gains layers that transform her into a fully fleshed-out person rather than a plot device to help the male lead grow. They have real conversations, share awkwardly cute moments, let their fears get the better of them, and mature as they spend more time together. By the end of season 2,The Dangers in My Hearthad cemented itself as one of the greatest romance anime ever.
Along withDemon Slayer,Jujutsu Kaisenhelped raise the bar for battle shonen, a statement not made lightly considering that category contains dozens of masterpieces. Still, in terms of pure spectacle and action, MAPPA’s anime is currently the standard for shonen, and that seems likely to remain the case for most of the 2020s. Each fight presents a masterclass of animation and art, all the while incorporating genuine stakes and consequences.
Moving beyond the action,Jujutsu Kaisenfollows a fairly traditional structure for a battle shonen, which is not inherently a bad thing. What sets the anime apart from the crowd is the complete lack of wasted time, as each arc relentlessly moves forward without hesitation, ensuring a viewer’s attention never strays.
The shonen qualifier is unnecessary –Frierenis arguably the best anime of the 2020s. In a decade seemingly obsessed with fantasy,Madhouse’s animestands unchallenged as the genre’s ideal, one that does not set a foot wrong and shines in almost every conceivable area. A long-living elf who was a member of the party that defeated the Demon King, Frieren’s perception of time is different from humans, so she ended up wasting years of opportunities to connect with her former comrades. Decades later, she goes on a journey to retrace her former party’s steps and preserve her memories of them. She is accompanied by a young mage and warrior, both of whom have some maturing to do.
With subtle world-building exposed through a constant sense of adventure that produces both melancholic and optimistic moments,Frierenis a soft-spoken epic that pulls off quiet introspection and larger-than-life spectacle. Madhouse’s animation does justice to the stellar storytelling and character writing, and the music is also beautiful. The best might also be yet to come as season 2 is set to debut at the beginning of 2026.
