There’s no better way to get into anime than to watch one of the many accessible shonen series. These anime feature simple plots with goody-two-shoes protagonists who are really easy to support. Kids will find these anime especially memorable, with the high-octane fights and amazing stories capturing their attention all the way to the very end.
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In the new age of streaming, kids will find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices when it comes to shonen anime. Thankfully, several great recommendations can be named at the drop of a hat. Keeping this in mind, here are ten of the best shonen anime that is perfect for kids.
10Dragon Ball Z Kai
The originalDragon Ball Zis one of the most iconic shonen anime of all time. However, it definitely hasn’t aged well, and trying to make a kid watch this dated anime can be a huge task.
Thankfully, the modern generation can just check outDragon Ball Z Kaiinstead. This version of the anime cuts out most of the filler and re-dubs the lines to make them sound more modern as opposed to the somewhat cheesy dubbing in the original series.
9My Hero Academia
My Hero Academiamight be one of the more violent shows on this list. However, the story that it tells is a simple one, with the main cast being full to the brim with likable and charming characters across the board.
Superheroes are an easy concept to get anyone into, andMy Hero Academiais no exception to this golden rule. The anime has progressed quite a bit and will give kids a hundred or so episodes to get through before they catch up.
8Naruto
Narutois one of the most legendary anime of all time, featuring an iconic protagonist and his equally likable rival who end up going head-to-head throughout the story in the most riveting fashion.
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The story ofNarutomight stumble at the last block, but the anime is absolutely riveting right up till the final arc. The initial moments ofNarutoare especially kid-friendly, with children easily relating to the young characters and their motivations.
7One Piece
The Big Three used to consist ofBleach,Naruto, andOne Piece. Bleach floundered by the time it reached the end, andNarutofinished on a relative high. However,One Pieceis still going strong as one of the most popular shonen manga out there.
The scope of the world expands with each arc, with the Straw Pirates becomingsome of the best charactersever seen in a shonen anime. Getting intoOne Piececan be a massive challenge, but kids who manage to get past this hurdle will find themselves enjoying one of the best shonen anime ever made.
6Fairy Tail
The power of friendship is what fuels the majority of Natsu’s motivations inFairy Tail, making him a good protagonist for kids to look up to. While this formula might get grating after a point, there’s no denying thatFairy Tailis still an enjoyable animefor viewers who don’t get hung up on these annoyances.
Of course, the other characters in this show are also pretty notable in their own right. This, coupled with an engrossing power system and brilliant fights, makesFairy Tailone of the easier watches for any kid willing to check out shonen anime.
5Black Clover
The latest shonen show to blow everyone’s minds isBlack Clover. It might be one of the most generic shonen anime ever made… but that’s no problem for kids who don’t have too much exposure to this medium.
Asta is a cookie-cutter protagonistwho ends up being an easy character to root for over time. The show might take a few episodes to find its groove, but the massive increase in quality more than makes up for it.
4Death Note
Death Noteis a classic shonen anime that most people consider to be a great gateway into this medium. The show might not feature any overt battles or anything along the same lines, but the intellectual conflicts present in this show more than make up for it.
It might be a hard sell for kids, but the thrilling premise ofDeath Notewill hook any viewer who gives it a chance. Watching Light and L clash in a battle of wits never fails to be entertaining.
3Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakushois easily one of the oldest anime on this list… but it’s also a classic anime with a simple premise. The dated presentation might not do the show any favors, but its surprisingly decent dub and great story beats overshadow this problem.
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Yusuke is a great protagonist who endears himself to audiences from the masterful first episode. The ending ofYu Yu Hakushomight be a huge disappointment, but that shouldn’t take away from the brilliance of the two arcs that precede it.
2One-Punch Man
ONE started off as a humble webcomic artist before his two creations ended up pervading the mainstream in the most resounding manner possible. Out of these two series,One-Punch Manis easily the most popular anime of the lot.
Watching a bored Saitama struggling with the idea of being the strongest man on the planet is surprisingly riveting to watch.This gag is stretched to massive heights, with the payoff being worth it every single time.
1Mob Psycho 100
The second series by ONE that also attained a major fan following wasMob Psycho 100. The series features a main character who seems quite similar to Saitama… but has his own unique layers that make him one of the best parts of the show.
Of course,other characters like Reigen also steal the showin their own way. Watching Mob lose control and show the extent of his esper powers is a treat every single time, making for some of the most engrossing parts of the anime.
