The Japanese comic style known as manga is experiencing explosive growth in readership around the world. To this day, some of the most well-known and widely read manga series in the world can be found on the pages of Shounen Jump, one of Japan's most prominent Shounen manga magazines. Action-packed stories and hilarious characters are what make Shounen Jump so popular.
Teenage boys are the target audience, although readers of all ages adore the publication. Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece are just a few of Shounen Jump's most well-known and beloved titles. The stories frequently feature fantastical elements like aliens, monsters, and otherworldly beings.
8 Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball is widely recognized as a landmark in the history of shounen animation. A popular shounen anime is about Son Goku and his friends as they travel to strange planets, fight powerful enemies, and search for the seven Dragon Balls. The series is a great example of the shounen genre since it features action, adventure, comedy, and martial arts.
As the story progresses, Goku meets and befriends Teacher Roshi, an elderly martial arts teacher, and Bulma, a young girl with a knack for invention. With their help, Goku is able to collect all seven Dragon Balls and summon the wish-granting dragon Shenron, who grants him one wish to restore peace to the world.
7 Naruto
Originally published in manga form in 1999, Naruto was the brainchild of creator Masashi Kishimoto. In 2002, it was converted into an anime series that soon attracted a significant fan base. The anime series was an instant sensation, so much so that it was included in the pages of the influential Shounen Jump magazine. Many spin-offs, such as video games and movies, have been created due to the series' enduring popularity.
The tale of Naruto centers on Naruto Uzumaki, a teenage ninja who longs to become his village's next Hokage. Along the way, he encounters a diverse cast of characters and learns the value of friendship, loyalty, and perseverance.
6 One Piece
After the success of the manga series One Piece among fans, Toei Animation chose to adapt it into an anime series in 1999. Since then, One Piece has risen to prominence as one of the most popular shounen anime and manga franchises in history. One Piece, however, is gradually becoming a household name as one of the best shounen series ever made.
The protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, is a young man whose body transforms into rubber after he unwittingly consumes a Devil Fruit, along with his crew of renegade pirates. To become the next Pirate King, Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, set off on an adventure across the Grand Line in search of the legendary One Piece.
5 Bleach
Bleach, one of the most popular shounen series, follows high school student Ichigo Kurosaki as he uses his supernatural ability to fight evil. The show's popularity stems from its exciting story and memorable characters, and it has spawned numerous adaptations across other media. The show's success in attracting viewers of all ages has made it a staple of the shounen genre.
In the Bleach universe, Ichigo is one of the few humans who can see and talk to spirits, which can be anything from malevolent Hollows to the souls of the dead. To protect helpless souls from the Hollows and restore peace between the living and the dead, Ichigo becomes a soul reaper with the support of his friends and allies.
4 Death Note
As an homage to the classic shounen series, which features a young protagonist attempting to complete a challenging goal despite facing many obstacles, Death Note is firmly rooted in the shounen genre. The series' dark themes and gripping psychological struggles set it apart from other shounen series, despite the fact that it is still in the shounen genre.
High school prodigy Light Yagami keeps a secret journal in which he kills anyone whose name appears. As soon as he gets his hands on the notebook, Light makes up the identity of Kira and sets out to become a criminal genius to rid the world of evil. L, a seasoned international detective, is committed to tracking him down and bringing him to justice.
3 Slam Dunk
Famous people, intense rivalries, and exciting basketball action make the manga Slam Dunk a fan favorite. In addition to its unique and motivational take on the sport, the anime is lauded for the strong message of friendship and teamwork it conveys. Even though it's a shounen anime aimed at male viewers, it also has a dedicated female following.
Hanamichi Sakuragi, a teen criminal and basketball newbie, joins the Shohoku High School team and faces a number of challenges on his path to becoming a respected and valued member of the squad. The series follows Hanamichi as he rises through the ranks of his sport's elite thanks to his newfound appreciation for the value of friendship and teamwork.
2 Hunter X Hunter
The manga has been running since 1998, and it is widely considered to be one of the best shounen series ever. With a sizable and passionate fanbase, it has spawned multiple anime and video game adaptations. Hunter x Hunter usually draws an audience of teenagers and young adults, although people of all ages have watched it.
A little kid named Gon Freecss finds out that his long-thought-dead father is actually a famous hunter who has traveled the world in search of different things. To learn more about how to become a hunter like his father, Gon embarks on a journey, makes new friends, and becomes a strong hunter.
1 Gintama
Gintama, a popular shounen manga, is read primarily by adult and teenage fans. Gintama's great success can be attributed to the show's numerous positive reviews praising the show's diverse cast and humorous plots.
The series recounts the exploits of samurai Gintoki Sakata and his companions Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura in a fictitious version of Japan's Edo era. The three characters are freelancers in the city of Edo, where they frequently run into difficulties with the law, extraterrestrials, and other samurai.