Shonen Anime Starter Pack

This is something of a guide for the Shojo fan wanting to break into the large but intimidating genre of Shonen.

It’s easier for some people than others, but if you have trouble making the jump, or are just looking for some shows to teach your the basics, then look no further.

These are my top 5 recommendations for the budding Shonen fan in no particular order.

(If I haven’t gotten around to seeing a series, I will not be discussing it)

Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas

Please note that this review is for the manga.

Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas is a wonderful read for fans of action/drama.

Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas has a lot going for it as a series. It has the stable fan-base inherent in older series, and the perks of both good art and strong characters. The downfall of The Lost Canvas (TLC) is that most readers won’t be interested in it until after they’ve found the original series….

Rurouni Kenshin aka Samurai X

Here we go, let’s talk about Rurouni Kenshin.

Rurouni Kenshin is a widely beloved shounen series from the 90s. It tells the story of the wandering swordsman Kenshin Himura and his struggle to overcome his past as the man-slayer Battousai, while simultaneously protecting the innocent. 

The series is set ten years into the Meji era, in a Japan that is still coming to terms with the new Westernization movement. Most of the action in the plot occurs due to people who aren’t coping well with the new Japan they find themselves in. The villain of the week is usually a survivor of the Revolution with a grudge against Kenshin, or a former warrior who can’t stand living in the overly peaceful Meji era. 

 

Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited

Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited, is a new take on the classic series, Zettai Karen Children.

ZKC takes place in a world where espers and regular people are at odds with each other at every turn. Espers are being repressed and life is almost impossible for them. Enter Hyoubu Kyousuke, super-powered esper mastermind at the head of an all-esper gang. Hyoubu’s gang is hell-bent on making a world for espers to exist in peace, and in the process, drag an unwitting character named Andy Hinomiya into their midst.

My Top 10 Anime

This selection is purely based on my own opinion, please do not consider this as an official list of any kind.

Legend of Sanctuary

I’m back with more Saint Seiya!

Legend of Sanctuary is an ambitious 3D animation film project from Toei studio, and is essentially a re-animation of the original Saint Seiya series’ Sanctuary Arc.