A Complete List of the Best Shonen Anime to Watch

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The very best battle, sci-fi, comedy, & fantasy shonen out there
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Shonen anime is the most popular anime demographic, and while people tend to think of battle anime, it also includes supernatural, mystery, drama, and even romance series. If you’re wondering what the best of the best shonen anime are, you’re in luck. We’ve consulted our anime experts and MyAnimeList to compile a list of the best shonen anime of all time, ranked by their ratings and popularity. See if your faves made the cut and where they rank below!

Just keep in mind that compiling a comprehensive list is nearly impossible, and ranking is even harder! There are just too many great shonen anime out there to include here (which is definitely a good thing).

What are the best shonen anime series?

  • Best classic shonen: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Hunter x Hunter, One Piece
  • Best modern shonen: Attack on Titan, Frieren, Jujutsu Kaisen
  • Best old school shonen: Dragon Ball, Yu Yu Hakusho, Rurouni Kenshin
1

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)

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  1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of the highest-rated anime of all time, so it should come as no surprise that it leads our best shonen list, too. The series follows the brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, whose attempt to revive their mother with alchemy ends in disaster, explains pop culture commentator Michael Udayakumar. While Ed loses an arm and a leg, Alphonse loses his entire body. So, the two start their journey to restore their bodies and become powerful alchemists, and stumble upon government conspiracies along the way.[1]
    • According to Udayakumar, FMA: Brotherhood is the anime he usually recommends for beginners (and it’s his personal fave) because it’s the full package: it has an amazing story, characters, action, themes, political intrigue, and even romance.[2]
    • Rating: 9.11 (MyAnimeList)
    • Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Crunchyroll

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Michael Udayakumar is a pop culture commentator and content creator. Known as @kumar_sutra online, he creates content about anime, gaming, entertainment, comedy, and pop culture.

    Brandon Riley is an anime and manga enthusiast. Known as @BrandonRTalks on social media, he creates video essays where he shares his thoughts and analysis of anime and manga.

    Ryan Burns is an anime and manga expert. He’s the creator behind @Ryespops, where he shares a variety of content around anime, pop culture, toys, and travel.

    Ed Erskine is an anime expert and podcaster. He founded the Suuuper Anime Podcast, where he and his co-host break down anime series, episodes, and character profiles.

    Dr. Applesauce is an anime expert who creates content about anime, conventions, on-the-street-style interviews, and voice actor interviews. He also co-hosts the More Than A Cartoon podcast.

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2

Hunter x Hunter (2011)

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  1. Hunter x Hunter is another amazing shonen anime that could easily be in the number 1 spot. This action/fantasy series follows Gon Freecss, a young boy on a mission to find his father, Ging. When he learns that Ging is a renowned Hunter, Gon sets out to get his Hunter license and become a powerful Hunter, too. He’s joined by a cast of characters with unique backstories and ambitions, and the series is beloved for the complex paths they take to reach their goals.
3

One Piece (1999)

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  1. One Piece deserves the number 3 spot for many reasons: it’s one of the longest-running shonen series, it’s maintained its popularity for 25+ years, and it’s simply a great anime! It follows the cheerful Monkey D. Luffy and his band of Straw Hat Pirates as they sail the seas in search of the legendary One Piece…and get caught up in hijinks and adventures along the way. It’s fun, action-packed, and full of well-written characters to root for.[3]
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4

Gintama (2006)

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  1. Gintama is the shonen anime that has it all. It’s an episodic sci-fi comedy that dabbles in action and some serious arcs, all while being tied together by some of the best-written characters in the game. The anime follows a former samurai, Gintoki Sakata, living in a post-alien invasion world, who completes odd jobs with his teen helpers: Shinpachi Shimura, a samurai hopeful, and Kagura, a tomboyish alien. But really, Gintama is so much more than that![4]
5

Death Note (2006)

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  1. Death Note is an iconic older anime that anime enthusiast Brandon Riley recommends for beginners.[5] The series follows Light Yagami after he finds the Death Note, a notebook that allows him to kill anyone as long as he writes their name down, and L, a mysterious detective who wants to catch Light. Riley explains that it’s a cat-and-mouse game between the serial killer (who wants to achieve world peace) and the detective: they’re in a race to see who can figure out the other's identity first so that they can kill them.[6]
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6

Attack on Titan (2013)

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  1. Attack on Titan is one of the most popular anime of the 2010s, and it’s a darker, violent one that definitely edges close to seinen—though it’s solidly shonen. The series takes place in a world where giant man-eating Titans rule the land and humans are driven to hide behind impenetrable walls. However, when a Titan manages to crash through the walls, Eren Yeager and his friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert are motivated to join the military’s Survey Corps and stop the Titans themselves.
7

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023)

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  1. Frieren is a newer fantasy anime that’s quickly risen up the ranks to become one of the top shonen series. It follows Frieren, a 1,000-year-old elf who’s pretty aloof and detached due to her long lifespan. When one of her former adventuring party members dies from old age, she comes to realize how precious time really is and sets out on a journey to learn how to connect with others. This one is full of heart, humor, and action, making it an incredibly enjoyable watch.[8]
    • Rating: 9.25 (MyAnimeList); Frieren is actually the top-rated anime on MAL, overtaking FMA: Brotherhood’s long-standing title.
    • Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Crunchyroll
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8

Dragon Ball (1986)

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  1. Some might say Dragon Ball put shonen anime on the map; as anime expert Ryan Burns notes, it’s pretty much the grandfather of all anime.[9] This old school series is centered around the boy Son Goku, a superpowered Saiyan alien, who journeys around Earth in search of the legendary Dragon Balls, making friends and fighting enemies along the way. It’s action-packed and seriously funny, while also telling a compelling story that's full of life lessons and great character growth.
    • The sequel, Dragon Ball Z, is a bit more popular than the OG series. It follows an adult Goku, and the stakes are higher: Goku and the villains get stronger, the action is more intense, and Earth is constantly in the cross-fire.
    • Rating: 7.98 (MyAnimeList)
    • Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Crunchyroll
9

Naruto (2002)

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  1. Naruto is one of the most iconic, beloved, and impactful anime series of the 2000s, and is largely considered the quintessential battle shonen. It follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young boy who wants to become the leader of his ninja village. So, he sets out to train as a ninja along with his rival Sasuke Uchiha and crush Sakura Haruno, where they go on fun missions and forge a truly deep bond.[10]
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10

Bleach (2004)

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  1. Bleach is a supernatural action series that revolves around the seemingly ordinary Ichigo Kurosaki. However, when he’s able to see the Hollow, a corrupted spirit, that attacks his family and the Soul Reaper named Rukia who’s trying to defeat it, his life changes. Rukia gets injured in the battle, so Ichigo takes on her powers and begins a journey of fighting Hollows and becoming a Soul Reaper himself. As one of the Big 3 anime, Bleach has had a huge impact on anime as a whole, from its interesting characters, rich world, and impressive battle scenes.
    • Rating: 8.00 (MyAnimeList)
    • Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+
11

Mob Psycho 100 (2016)

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  1. Mob Psycho 100 is a supernatural comedy that follows Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama. He looks like an ordinary middle schooler, but he possesses incredible psychic abilities that he loses control of if he gets emotional. So, he tries to be impassive at all times to avoid using his powers. His story begins when he turns to alleged psychic Arataka Reigen for help and ends up working as an exorcist for Reigen’s business. The anime earns a top spot for its quirky characters, amazing action, and great character development.[11]
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12

Jujutsu Kaisen (2020)

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  1. Jujutsu Kaisen is the most popular shonen anime right now, Riley says, and it’s a great series for beginners.[12] And anime expert Ed Erskine agrees, noting that it’s taken the anime world by storm due to it being action-packed right from the beginning.[13] But what’s it about? JJK follows Yuuji Itadori after he accidentally becomes the host for a powerful cursed object and is thrust into the secret world of sorcerers who fight curses. He begins attending Jujutsu High School, where he meets an iconic cast of characters, including probably the most popular anime character right now, Satoru Gojo.
13

Demon Slayer (2019)

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  1. While a newer anime, Demon Slayer has already established itself as a classic battle shonen. When a demon attacks Tanjirou Kamado’s family, only his sister Nezuko is left alive…but she’s been turned into a demon herself. Furious with the demon that wrecked his and his sister’s lives, Tanjirou sets out to become a Demon Slayer and get his revenge, while also searching for a cure to restore Nezuko’s humanity. It’s definitely an easy watch, as it’s action-packed and beautifully animated, but it can get dark![14]
    • Rating: 8.39 (MyAnimeList)
    • Where to watch:
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14

My Hero Academia (2016)

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  1. My Hero Academia is one of the top battle shonen anime series, agrees anime expert Nicole Favarelli. She notes that it’s beloved for its well-written characters, richly developed world, and its core concept: that someone “ordinary” can become extraordinary.[15] It follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without a quirk (aka superpower) but who nonetheless wants to be a hero. When he inherits the powerful quirk of the #1 hero, All Might, Izuku enrolls in UA High to train to be a hero, where he meets a cast of other hopefuls—both friendly and antagonistic.[16]
15

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (2012)

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  1. As the name implies, JoJo is one wacky anime that has some of the most interesting character designs and riveting fights. It’s an anthology-like series where each season follows a different JoJo who’s a part of the Joestar family. They each go on a unique adventure where they fight supernatural enemies and awaken powers of their own. The first few seasons also have an overarching antagonist who’s one of the most dramatic in all of anime!
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16

Chainsaw Man (2022)

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  1. Chainsaw Man is a darker, violent anime that’s become super popular in the past few years. It takes place in a world ravaged by devils and is centered around Denji, a devil fighter for the yakuza, and his sidekick chainsaw devil, Pochita. When Denji is killed, Pochita is able to save him by merging with him, giving Denji the ability to transform his body into a chainsaw. Now a devil-human hybrid, Denji is recruited by a top devil hunter and begins his new life as Chainsaw Man.[17]
17

Haikyu!! (2014)

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  1. Haikyu!! is one of the most popular sports anime, and is definitely so beloved for its cast of dynamic characters and exciting action. The volleyball series is centered around Shoyo Hinata, who, despite being shorter than average, wants to become one of the greats. When he joins his high school’s volleyball club, he discovers his formal rival is on the team. So, Shoyo is forced to reconcile with this new dynamic while improving his skills.[18]
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18

Your Lie in April (2014)

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  1. Your Lie in April is a shining outlier in the shonen genre, as it’s a romantic drama rather than an action-packed series. It’s a tale of love and trauma, wrapped up in beautiful music. The anime follows Kousei Arima, a piano prodigy who lost the ability to play after his mother died. When he meets violinist Kaori Miyazono, he’s brought back into the world of music and color, though Kaori is hiding a deep secret.[19]
19

The Promised Neverland (2019)

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  1. The Promised Neverland is a unique mystery/horror shonen that will have you on the edge of your seat and dripping with dread, guessing what could possibly happen next. This darker anime follows a group of orphans who live a seemingly happy life as they wait for their chance to be adopted. But one day, Emma discovers the horrifying truth about the orphanage: her fellow orphans are all being raised as food for demons, and being adopted is actually a death sentence.[21]
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20

Yu Yu Hakusho (1992)

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  1. Yu Yu Hakusho is a certified classic 90s anime that’s kept its charm: its battles and action scenes are as great as the characters and their relationships with one another. Anime expert Dr. Applesauce explains that the series is about the punk Yusuke Urameshi, who dies after saving a kid from getting hit by a car. But he gets a chance to come back to life as a spirit detective and fight demons and spirits in the real world.[23]
    • Rating: 8.46 (MyAnimeList)
    • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
21

Assassination Classroom (2015)

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  1. Assassination Classroom has one of the more unique plots for a shonen anime. After an octopus-like creature destroys a part of the moon, Class 3-E of Kunugigaoka Middle School learns that the creature is their new homeroom teacher. And the real kicker is that they’re assigned to assassinate him, which proves a serious challenge as their teacher, Koro-sensei, is seemingly invulnerable. While comedic and action-packed, Assassination Classroom tells a rather emotional story that’s full of compelling character growth.
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22

Black Clover (2017)

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  1. According to anime expert Elijah Martinez, Black Clover is an amazing and underrated anime that’s been a bit overshadowed by bigger series like JJK, MHA, and Chainsaw Man.[24] It’s a classic underdog story that follows Asta, a boy born without powers in a magical world, who wants to become the Wizard King despite it all. Through his sheer determination and physical strength, he receives a powerful Black Clover grimoire that enables him to wield anti-magic, and he sets out on his journey to achieve his dream.
23

Dandadan (2024)

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  1. Dandadan is the perfect balance of action, humor, and character relationships, earning this newer show a top spot on the list! Plus, it’s just so beautifully animated. When high schoolers Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura discover they have opposing beliefs—Momo believes in ghosts while Ken believes in aliens—they set out to prove each other wrong. They go on bizarre adventures together, and along the way, their rivalry turns into something deeper.[25]
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24

World Trigger (2014)

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  1. World Trigger is definitely an underrated shonen gem. In this sci-fi series, beings called Neighbors have invaded Earth, and a military organization called the Border Defense Agency fights them off with special weapons called Triggers. It follows teen border members Osamu Mikumo, Yuma Kuga, and Chika Amatori as they climb the ranks of the military and battle Neighbors along the way.[26]
25

Dr. Stone (2019)

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  1. Dr. Stone has a super creative premise and a protagonist who’s a seriously smart scientist rather than a brawny action hero. It takes place in a world where the entire population suddenly turned to stone for thousands of years. Our protagonist, Senku Ishigami, is the first to wake up and uses his genius intellect to learn how to de-petrify everyone else. His next task is to restart civilization and restore all the progress humanity lost…which is complicated by the people he awakens.
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26

Fairy Tail (2009)

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  1. Quiz fairy tail main.png
    Fairy Tail is a classic shonen story, explains Udayakumar, which is centered around the power of friendship. The series follows Lucy Heartfilia, who lives in a fantastical medieval-like world where everyone has magical powers. She wants to be in a magic guild so she can make money by taking on jobs and quests, as well as become the best magician, Udayakumar adds.[27]
    • Rating: 7.57 (MyAnimeList)
    • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
27

Fire Force (2019)

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  1. Fire Force is a beautifully animated battle shonen featuring amazing fight scenes, great world-building, and a cast of likable characters. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where people spontaneously combust, turning into fiery creatures called Infernals. The anime follows Shinra Kusakabe and the other members of his Fire Force brigade, who use their pyrokinetic abilities to destroy Infernals.
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28

Gachiakuta (2025)

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  1. Gachiakuta is one of the newest anime on this list, and Burns highly recommends it for its unique story, awesome character design, and beautiful soundtrack.[29] It tells the story of Rudo Surebec, who’s kicked out of his floating island and exiled to live on the Ground, a trash-filled place that’s crawling with beasts made from trash. He’s recruited to work for the Cleaners, an organization that fights the trash beasts, but his real goal is to get revenge on those who exiled him.[30]
    • Rating: 8.21 (MyAnimeList)
    • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
29

Hell’s Paradise (2023)

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  1. Hell’s Paradise is an action-adventure supernatural series that has a deep and intriguing world, great characters to root for (and villains to hate), and seriously impressive animation. It follows former ninja Gabimaru, who, after getting sentenced to death row, is given a way out: find the Elixir of Life for the shogun, and he’ll receive a full pardon. He’s sent to the mysterious island of Kotaku, where he’s joined by an executioner guard and other criminals who want to find the elixir first.
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30

That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime (2018)

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  1. That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime is one of the most popular—and highest rated—isekai anime. The adventure-fantasy series kicks off when Mikami Satoru is killed and reincarnated into a magical world as a slime. As he explores his new surroundings, he meets a powerful dragon sealed away and, out of kindness, absorbs the dragon to find out how to free him. Now known as Rimaru and bestowed with the dragon’s powerful abilities, he makes himself known in this new world.[31]
    • Rating: 8.13 (MyAnimeList)
    • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
31

Blue Exorcist (2011)

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  1. Blue Exorcist is a dark fantasy anime that has pretty much everything you can want in a shonen series. It revolves around teen Rin Okamura, who one day learns he’s the son of Satan himself. Rin rejects his heritage and decides to use his demonic powers to become an exorcist. He enrolls in True Cross Academy to hone his abilities so eventually he’s strong enough to take down his father.[32]
    • Rating: 7.47 (MyAnimeList)
    • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
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32

Honorable Mentions

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  1. We couldn’t leave off these other popular shonen series!
    There are so many amazing shonen series that deserve a shout-out. While we can’t feature them all on our list, we couldn’t forget to mention these iconic anime, too. Here are 10 more series you should definitely check out (if you haven’t already):
    • Solo Leveling (2024): The notoriously weak monster hunter Sung Jinwoo gets an overpowered ability to level up without limit.
    • Rurouni Kenshin (1996): A former assassin wanders around Japan to help protect the innocent after causing so much death and violence.
    • Spy x Family (2022): The spy Twilight has to go undercover as family man Loid Forger, but his “wife” and “daughter” have secrets of their own.
    • Slam Dunk (1993): A delinquent high schooler joins the basketball team to impress a girl, and turns out to have serious talent.
    • Kaiju No. 8 (2024): Custodian Kafka Hibino cleans up after kaiju battles…but in an accident, develops the ability to turn into a kaiju himself.
    • Hajime no Ippo (2000): A bullied boy awakens his dormant boxing abilities to become a pro boxer.
    • Blue Lock (2022): A soccer anime where players compete to be the striker on a soccer team and avoid being eliminated from the game, explains Burns. It has a Squid Game-like vibe, he adds.[33]
    • Nichijou (2011): A slice-of-life comedy that follows the silly daily lives of a group of high school friends.
    • Samurai Champloo (2004): Two fierce samurai accompany a girl who’s searching for another samurai who smells like sunflowers.
      • This one is a bit of a technicality, as this is an anime-original story and some consider it too mature for shonen. However, the manga adaptation that came afterward was published in Monthly Shonen Ace.
    • The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (2016): A superpowered psychic just wants to live an average life, but his classmates keep interfering.

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References

  1. ↑ Michael Udayakumar. Pop Culture Commentator. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Michael Udayakumar. Pop Culture Commentator. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/21/One_Piece
  4. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/918/Gintama
  5. ↑ Brandon Riley. Anime and Manga Enthusiast. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ Brandon Riley. Anime and Manga Enthusiast. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ Brandon Riley. Anime and Manga Enthusiast. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/52991/Sousou_no_Frieren
  9. ↑ Ryan Burns. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  1. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/20/Naruto
  2. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/32182/Mob_Psycho_100
  3. ↑ Brandon Riley. Anime and Manga Enthusiast. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ Ed Erskine. Anime Expert. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9335498/
  6. ↑ Nicole Favarelli. Anime Expert. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/31964/Boku_no_Hero_Academia
  8. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/44511/Chainsaw_Man
  9. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/20583/Haikyuu
  10. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/23273/Shigatsu_wa_Kimi_no_Uso
  11. ↑ Preston Hargrove. Anime Expert. Expert Interview
  12. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/37779/Yakusoku_no_Neverland
  13. ↑ Ryan Burns. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  14. ↑ Dr. Applesauce. Anime Expert. Expert Interview
  15. ↑ Elijah Martinez. Anime Expert. Expert Interview
  16. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/57334/Dandadan
  17. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/24405/World_Trigger
  18. ↑ Michael Udayakumar. Pop Culture Commentator. Expert Interview
  19. ↑ Ryan Burns. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  20. ↑ Ryan Burns. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  21. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/59062/Gachiakuta
  22. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/37430/Tensei_shitara_Slime_Datta_Ken
  23. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1799631/
  24. ↑ Ryan Burns. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview

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Updated: September 2, 2026
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