The title of the Big 3 belongs to One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach, the elite trifecta that ruled the shonen anime/manga scene, becoming iconic names in the anime community. Their legendary status is on par with legacy franchises like Dragon Ball, and it is undoubtedly true that nothing can replace their massive influence.

However, even though they definitely led in their time, there are plenty of new generation shonen anime that have qualities that rival or even surpass the classics in some way or another. It does not necessarily mean these new anime can completely topple the original shonen anime overlords, but they often outshine the Big 3 in areas like quality, pacing, and modern storytelling.

Dr. Stone Is A Shonen Anime That Rebuilds Civilization From Scratch

Dr. Stone is a unique science-focused anime that showcases something completely different from the usual shonen anime. Here, the plot revolves around a post-apocalyptic world where the entire human population is petrified and turned into statues. Now, after hundreds of years, some people, along with the genius Senku, awaken to find nature has completely dragged Earth back to its Stone Age days.

This is where a new journey begins for Senku and his friends, who try to navigate a world devoid of any technology. They must start from the beginning and revert to prehistoric ways to not only survive but also fight with opponents who wish to utilize this strange circumstance for their own benefit. Dr. Stone takes its audience on a thrilling adventure, which is why it deserves the tenth spot on this list.

Blue Lock Turns Soccer Into a Battle of Egos

Blue Lock is one of the most entertaining sports anime that focuses more on its battle aspects rather than the game itself. From the very beginning, it hooks the audience with its survival thriller setup, where one must compete with several other players to become the best striker within the bootcamp, Blue Lock.

The protagonist, Isagi Yoichi, also begins his journey as a promising soccer player who gets another shot at his dreams, and he takes it without a second thought. However, when he gets to the Blue Lock facility, he realizes he is not the only one gunning for the same title. Thus, Blue Lock presents an intense and tactical premise, where the concept of survival of the best reigns supreme. Though this anime lacks in the animation department, it makes up for it with exhilarating matches, psychological mind games, and a rapid pace.

Demon Slayer Raises the Bar for Animation in Shonen Anime

Demon Slayer quickly gained massive popularity thanks to its attention-grabbing plot, involving siblings and very likable characters. The hero of this anime, Tanjiro, has a motive behind his intention of becoming a demon slayer and killing as many demons as possible. He carries the responsibility of his sister on his shoulders, who becomes an unfortunate victim of a demon attack.

Now, with his only surviving family member suffering from such a predicament, Tanjiro sets out on a journey to find a cure for her. But he is not alone, as he is also joined by some very absurd yet supportive companions who also have their own reasons to fight. One of this anime’s greatest strengths is its stunning animation, which even surpasses the Big 3, as they rarely enjoyed the same level of consistent visual quality.

Kaiju No. 8 Establishes Heroes Don’t Have to Be Teenagers

Kaiju No. 8 is a breath of fresh air, depicting a middle-aged man as the protagonist, which is an extremely rare aspect. Kafka Hibino is not a traditional shonen anime hero, who, at the age of 32, lacks all the physical traits one associates with the leads of this genre. He lives in a society where Kaiju monsters attack relentlessly, and the Defense Force is the only organization with the power to stop them.

Kafka longs to be a part of this team, but his chances are almost nonexistent. However, a highly unlucky situation turns his dream of finally fighting the Kaiju into a reality, which comes at the cost of his own humanity. By centering its story on an unconventional protagonist, Kaiju No. 8 brings a refreshing maturity to the shonen anime scene.

Solo Leveling Delivers the Ultimate Power Fantasy Anime

Solo Leveling is a surprising contender that came to the scene with much hype and surpassed it by becoming one of the most beloved new-gen shonen anime. The series depicts a world tormented by dungeons filled with monsters, which can only be handled by skilled hunters. They are tasked to go inside these treacherous realms, kill the creatures inside, and completely close the dungeon after hauling all its valuables.

In such a scenario, Sung Jinwoo starts as the lowest-ranking and weakest hunter who is in this profession because of his financial instability. But fate had other plans for him as he earned a one-in-a-million chance of having another shot at life and leveling up his stats as a hunter. With its slick pacing and stunning animation by A-1 Pictures, Solo Leveling reinvents the classic underdog story in a way that feels sharper than the Big 3.

Jujutsu Kaisen Blends Classic Shonen Anime Elements With Hype

Jujutsu Kaisen is hands-down one of the most famous shonen anime of the new generation, carrying the same energy as the Big 3. It takes ample inspiration from its predecessors and presents the ideas in its own unique way. The story revolves around Yuji Itadori, who unwillingly gets dragged into the world of curses that prey on humans.

Yuji’s actions unleash Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, and now he is the only one who can keep this entity in check. Thankfully, there is a school that specializes in these kinds of cases, as it is built for sorcerers who dedicate their lives to exterminating curses and saving humanity. Backed by Mappa’s animation and iconic characters like Gojo Satoru, Jujutsu Kaisen pushes the shonen anime genre beyond the Big 3’s legacy, which is why it deserves the fifth spot.

Dandadan’s Unpredictability Sets It Apart From Other Shonen Anime

Dandadan does one thing better than many anime, and that is making absurdity acceptable. It has some of the weirdest theories and equally ridiculous characters, yet it all comes together because the overarching plot of the story is good. For example, the first episode of Dandadan had some of the wildest sequences, but they work because they’re oddly coherent and genuinely hilarious.

Apart from that, it can also portray relationships and bonds with ample heart, making its characters highly relatable and lovable. The episode where Acrobatic Silky’s past was uncovered not only broke its audience but also proved Dandadan‘s mastery over tragic storytelling. Beyond that, it also has one of the best depictions of romance in shonen anime history. With Studio Science SARU’s bold animation and absurd comedy, Dandadan brings a refreshing unpredictability to the table.

Chainsaw Man Is the Darkest & Most Human Shonen Anime Yet

Chainsaw Man breaks barriers in the shonen anime rulebook by becoming a gore fest filled with intense and adult themes. Here, the world is filled with devils who embody human fears and negative emotions. But there are also devil hunters who try to keep these entities at bay by forming deals with devils themselves. Chainsaw Man also has one of the most unconventional shonen anime protagonists, whose motivation for becoming a devil hunter includes an interest in touching a woman’s chest.

But Denji, the hero, is not one-dimensional, nor are the side characters, who are all complex and multifaceted. The anime is a surprisingly grim exploration of both the good and bad aspects of human desire for connections and control. Its unique animation and distinctive color palette push Chainsaw Man into darker, more complex territory than the Big 3.

Attack on Titan Is a Dark Reminder That History Always Repeats Itself

Attack on Titan is one of the greatest dark fantasy adventure anime, displaying a complex and cruel world where humanity is trapped inside walls. Living in walled cities is the only respite, as no one can venture outside their fortress-like landscapes, because huge monsters called Titans lurk outside. Eren Yeager, the protagonist of this story, lives in one such confined town, and his life changes for the worse when a massive Titan breaches the barrier that protects the people from the threat outside.

Eren only looks on as he loses something extremely precious to the sheer destruction the Titans bring and swears revenge on their kind. However, what makes Attack on Titan so special is its profoundly philosophical aspect. It dives deep into the complex nature of humanity and the inherent bond humans share with war and destruction, elevating it from normal shonen anime.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Proves the Story After Victory Matters Too

In a sea of countless shonen anime, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End sets itself apart by telling an adventure story without relying on an unnecessarily fast pace. The world of Frieren is beautifully crafted and magnificently vast, meant to be savored by its audience rather than rushed through. Here, a second journey begins for the protagonist Frieren, following the conclusion of her earlier quest in which she and her companions defeat the Demon King.

With the most important battle already resolved in the very first episode, what viewers witness now is the life that unfolds after the action. It begins as a laid-back journey of an elf mage traveling with two new companions, in search of something that might finally give her closure about Himmel, one of her past partners. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End stands as a rare shonen anime that values reflection over combat, which is why it deserves the first spot.