If you are an anime enthusiast, you are probably familiar with shonen anime. Shonen, often referred to as shounen anime, is a genre primarily targeted towards a young male audience aged between 12 to 18 years. Even though, by definition, shonen anime is meant for “young males,” it has gained popularity among all genders and ages.
This genre started its journey in 1952 with “Astro Boy” by Osamu Tezuka, which is considered to be one of the first shonen anime and manga series. The manga was published in 1952, and the anime was aired in 1963. Since then, many popular Shonen anime series, such as Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Pokemon, Great Teacher Onizuka, and Hunter X Hunter, have been released.
There are some unique characteristics that set Shonen apart from other anime. This genre usually features creatively designed young male protagonists who have distinct personalities, abilities, and sometimes supernatural powers. The storylines revolve around over-the-top action, intense battles, and epic showdowns. Shonen anime also tends to emphasize themes of friendship, determination, teamwork, and personal growth, as the protagonists often embark on epic journeys or train extensively to become stronger. Though action is the primary focus of all shonen anime, a few subgenres have developed within this category, such as romance, comedy, and slice of life.
Since its emergence in the 1950s, shonen anime has evolved significantly. If we take a look at classic animes like Dragon Ball, Pokemon, Naruto, or One Piece, the main themes of those animes were adventures and overcoming challenges. Their storylines were fairly conventional and focused on friendships, fighting, and the growth and development of the main protagonist. Long and fierce battles often showcased the protagonist’s determination and willpower. Consider Pokemon. Almost all of us watched this anime growing up. The main story of this anime was built around Ash Ketchum and his journey to become a Pokemon master. He went on different adventures with his friends and collected Pokemon to fight different battles and earn badges. As the series progressed, viewers witnessed Ash’s character development as he faced various challenges and learned valuable life lessons. Other classic anime also highlight a similar kind of theme.
However, recent anime have explored a more complex narrative structure. The stories incorporate deeper themes and character arcs. These newer animes delve into psychological aspects, moral dilemmas, and societal issues, making them more thought-provoking and engaging for viewers, such as Death Note. It is a remarkable example of how anime has evolved over time to cater to a diverse audience.
The story starts with a teenager named Light Yagami who despises corruption and injustice in the world, and all of a sudden he comes across a mysterious notebook called the Death Note, belonging to a “Shinigami,” which means “Death God” in Japanese. This notebook grants him the power to kill anyone whose name he writes in it, leading Light to believe that he can create a utopia by eliminating all criminals. However, as he continues his mission, Light’s actions become increasingly twisted and morally ambiguous, blurring the line between justice and villainy.
Viewers can enjoy psychological thrills, twists, and turns that spark discussion about the nature of justice and the limits of power. This shift in storytelling has allowed shonen anime to transcend its reputation as solely for children and become a medium that can tackle complex themes and resonate with viewers of all ages.
Not only in the narratives and themes but there are also noticeable differences in the characters in Shonen. Shonen anime often features courageous and determined protagonists who are driven by a strong sense of justice and a desire to protect their loved ones. Most 90s anime have male leads, and females are often shown as supporting characters or love interests, except for a few that feature a female protagonist, like Serial Experiments Lain or Sailor Moon. Previously, female characters were created by incorporating traditional feminine energy, and their roles were frequently limited to providing emotional support or serving as a source of motivation for the male protagonists.
However, in recent years, there has been a shift toward more diverse and complex female characters. We can see shows like Attack on Titan and Chainsaw Man featuring strong and independent female leads such as Mikasa Ackerman, Makima, or Power who play integral roles in the story’s development. These female characters are not just there to fulfill traditional gender roles but are given their own unique personalities and story arcs.
In some anime, the hero himself or herself becomes the villain! In Death Note or Attack on Titan, the protagonist is portrayed as an anti-hero or even a full-fledged antagonist, which was rare in old Shonen anime.
One of the major changes in shonen since the 2000s has been the animation and production quality. As technology advances, anime has become more visually appealing. New shonen series like Demon Slayer, AOT, Tokyo Ghoul, One Punch Man, and Jujustu Kaisen have been critically acclaimed for their stunning animation and production quality. Mappa, Ufotable, and Ghibli Animation Studios have done excellent jobs by developing the characters and backgrounds to have more details and intrinsic artwork, creating a more immersive experience for viewers. The fight scenes are now more graphic, with dynamic camera angles and fluid movements. Additionally, the use of CGI has allowed for even more spectacular and realistic action sequences.
Be it now or then, the appeal for Shonen anime has never changed all these years but rather increased. Shonen anime was so popular that games based on them were also developed, allowing fans to further engage with their favorite characters and storylines. People used to collect things like “Pokemon cards,” anime figurines, and collectibles. Now, their popularity has reached such a level that anime conventions are held all over the world, and thousands of fans attend these events dressing up as their favorite characters. As anime and manga are becoming more accessible due to the blessings of Streaming platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and 9Anime, this fanbase is going global and reaching a wider audience than ever before. This craze will only increase as time passes. Newer technologies will emerge to make anime even more exciting, and maybe we will witness something more awe-inspiring in the upcoming days.