The Top 10 Most Popular Shonen Anime in History

Shonen anime, aimed mostly at younger guys, has been a massive hit worldwide for ages with its wild action, epic fights, character growth, and themes like friendship and never giving up. From old-school classics to new favorites blowing up on streaming sites, shonen keeps its charm while changing with the times. We’re ranking popularity based on manga sales (since most shonen start as comics), viewership, cultural impact, fan votes, and critic scores from places like MyAnimeList and IMDb. Here’s the rundown of the top 10 shonen anime ever, pulled from sales, polls, and expert lists. Popularity’s tricky to pin down, but these shows always come out on top.

10. My Hero Academia (2016–Present)

Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia (or Boku no Hero Academia) follows Izuku Midoriya, a kid without powers in a world full of superheroes, who gets a big break and trains to be a hero. It mixes superhero stuff with intense battles and heartfelt moments, hooking newer fans. With over 100 million manga copies sold and huge streams on Crunchyroll, it’s a go-to for its relatable growth stories and big cast. Seasons: 7+; Episodes: 150+.

9. Death Note (2006–2007)

Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s Death Note is about Light Yagami, a high schooler who finds a notebook that can kill anyone by writing their name. It’s a wild chess game with detective L. Short but sharp, its clever twists and big questions about right and wrong make it a classic. With 30 million manga sold and tons of memes, it’s a great starter for people new to anime. Seasons: 1; Episodes: 37.

8. Bleach (2004–2012, Revival in 2022)

Tite Kubo’s Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teen turned Soul Reaper who fights spirits to protect people. It’s part of the “Big Three” with Naruto and One Piece, selling over 130 million manga copies. Known for cool sword fights and supernatural vibes, the 2022 revival arc brought it back big, with its slick designs shaping modern shonen. Seasons: 16 (original) + revival; Episodes: 366+.

7. Hunter x Hunter (2011–2014)

Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter tracks Gon Freecss chasing his dream to be a Hunter like his dad, diving into a world of Nen powers and tough challenges. Fans love its creative fights and deep stories, even with manga breaks. Selling 84 million copies and topping MyAnimeList charts, its Chimera Ant arc hits hard emotionally. Seasons: 6; Episodes: 148.

6. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009–2010)

Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric hunting for the Philosopher’s Stone after a botched algebra attempt. It’s loved for its tight story, big ideas, and no wasted episodes, scoring a 9.10 on MyAnimeList. With 80 million manga sold, it’s a gold standard for short but powerful shonen. Seasons: 1; Episodes: 64.

5. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019–Present)

Koyoharu Gotouge’s Demon Slayer follows Tanjiro Midoriya fighting demons to save his sister Nezuko. Ufotable’s jaw-dropping animation and emotional battles made it a monster hit, with the Mugen Train movie earning over $500 million and 150 million manga copies sold. It’s one of the biggest shonen success stories in recent years. Seasons: 4+; Episodes: 55+.

4. Attack on Titan (2013–2023)

Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan follows Eren Yeager fighting giant Titans in a walled-off world, unraveling huge secrets and wars. Its wild plot, twists, grown-up themes, and top-notch animation made it a global smash, with 140 million manga sold and crazy viewership for its finale. It’s like Game of Thrones for anime fans. Seasons: 4; Episodes: 89.

3. Naruto / Naruto: Shippuden (2002–2017)

Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto follows Naruto Uzumaki, a ninja kid going from outsider to legend. One of the “Big Three,” it sold 250 million manga copies and spawned games, spin-offs, and tons of memes. Its focus on hard work and friendship hits home, and Shippuden ramps up the action big time. Seasons: 21 (combined); Episodes: 720.

2. Dragon Ball / Dragon Ball Z (1986–1996, Ongoing Franchises)

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball follows Goku hunting Dragon Balls, turning into massive battles in Z. It’s the granddad of shonen, starting trends like power-ups and tournaments, with 260 million manga sold and a huge mark on pop culture (think Super Saiyan references everywhere). Sequels like Super keep it alive. Seasons: Multiple; Episodes: 153 (Dragon Ball) + 291 (Z).

1. One Piece (1999–Present)

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew chasing the One Piece treasure in a huge world. With over 520 million manga copies sold—more than anything else—it’s the shonen champ. Its awesome world, funny moments, and emotional punches keep fans hooked, with 1,000+ episodes, movies, and endless fan chatter. Seasons: 20+; Episodes: 1,100+.

These shows are the best of shonen, from old hits to new giants. They’ve got thrilling fights and stories that stick with you. If you’re just starting out, any of these is a solid way to jump into the anime world.