Anime Codex
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Best Shonen anime, ranked

Every Shonen anime in the Codex, scored on six things that actually matter and ranked by weighted score (1963–2026). 111 titles, led by Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (9.25). Re-ranked automatically as scores change — no stale lists.

The short answer

The best Shonen anime is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood — 9.25 out of 10 on the Anime Codex six-criterion rubric — scored, not voted. All 111 ranked below.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
9.25
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
2009Top: Story 9.5
Hunter × Hunter (2011)
9.23
Hunter × Hunter (2011)
2011Top: Story 9.5
Mob Psycho 100
9.05
Mob Psycho 100
2019Top: Character 9.7
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
9.03
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
2023Top: Themes 9.5
Ashita no Joe
9.02
Ashita no Joe
1980Top: Cultural 9.8
Neon Genesis Evangelion
8.83
Neon Genesis Evangelion
1995Top: Cultural 10.0
Hikaru no Go
8.65
Hikaru no Go
2001Top: Character 9.2
One Piece
8.58
One Piece
1999Top: Cultural 10.0
Gintama
8.51
Gintama
2006Top: Character 9.2
Toradora!
8.43
Toradora!
2008Top: Character 9.0
My Hero Academia
8.40
My Hero Academia
2017Top: Character 9.0
Hajime no Ippo
8.33
Hajime no Ippo
2000Top: Character 9.0
Death Note
8.28
Death Note
2006Top: Cultural 9.5
Haikyuu!!
8.27
Haikyuu!!
2014Top: Cultural 9.0
Jujutsu Kaisen
8.23
Jujutsu Kaisen
2023Top: Animation 9.0
Attack on Titan
8.18
Attack on Titan
2013Top: Cultural 9.5
The Promised Neverland
8.18
The Promised Neverland
2019Top: Story 8.8
Major
8.13
Major
2004Top: Character 9.0
Slam Dunk
8.12
Slam Dunk
1993Top: Cultural 9.5
Devilman
8.10
Devilman
2018Top: Themes 9.0
Cross Game
8.08
Cross Game
2009Top: Character 9.0
Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)
8.03
Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)
1999Top: Character 9.0
Chainsaw Man
7.90
Chainsaw Man
2022Top: Animation 8.5
Your Lie in April
7.86
Your Lie in April
2014Top: Animation 8.7
Beastars
7.85
Beastars
2019Top: Character 8.5
Rurouni Kenshin
7.77
Rurouni Kenshin
1996Top: Cultural 8.5
Yu Yu Hakusho
7.70
Yu Yu Hakusho
1992Top: Character 8.5
Karakuri Circus
7.68
Karakuri Circus
2018Top: Character 8.2
Undead Unluck
7.64
Undead Unluck
2023Top: World 8.3
Black Jack
7.63
Black Jack
2004Top: Cultural 8.5
Dr. Stone
7.63
Dr. Stone
2019Top: World 8.5
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
7.55
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
2014Top: World 9.0
Assassination Classroom
7.53
Assassination Classroom
2015Top: Themes 8.5
Blue Lock
7.48
Blue Lock
2022Top: Cultural 8.5
Konjiki no Gash Bell!! (Zatch Bell)
7.48
Konjiki no Gash Bell!! (Zatch Bell)
2003Top: Themes 8.5
Sket Dance
7.47
Sket Dance
2011Top: Character 8.5
Bungo Stray Dogs
7.45
Bungo Stray Dogs
2016Top: World 8.0
Spy × Family
7.45
Spy × Family
2022Top: Cultural 8.5
Ushio to Tora
7.44
Ushio to Tora
2015Top: Character 7.8
Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad
7.40
Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad
2004Top: Character 8.5
Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai
7.40
Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai
2020Top: Character 8.0
Gachiakuta
7.40
Gachiakuta
2025Top: Animation 8.3
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
7.40
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
2012Top: World 8.5
Bakuman
7.38
Bakuman
2010Top: World 8.0
Daemons of the Shadow Realm
7.35
Daemons of the Shadow Realm
2026Top: Animation 8.0
Eyeshield 21
7.33
Eyeshield 21
2005Top: Character 8.0
World Trigger
7.30
World Trigger
2014Top: World 8.5
Naruto
7.28
Naruto
2007Top: Cultural 9.5
School Rumble
7.20
School Rumble
2004Top: Character 8.0
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
7.15
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
2019Top: Animation 9.5
Kuroko's Basketball
7.13
Kuroko's Basketball
2012Top: Character 7.5
Saint Seiya
7.11
Saint Seiya
1986Top: Cultural 9.0
The Kindaichi Case Files
7.10
The Kindaichi Case Files
1997Top: Story 8.0
MARRIAGETOXIN
7.08
MARRIAGETOXIN
2026Top: Animation 7.4
Fist of the North Star
7.05
Fist of the North Star
1984Top: Cultural 9.0
Wind Breaker
6.99
Wind Breaker
2024Top: Animation 7.8
Katekyo Hitman Reborn!
6.98
Katekyo Hitman Reborn!
2006Top: Character 7.5
The Heroic Legend of Arslan
6.93
The Heroic Legend of Arslan
2015Top: World 7.5
Dragon Ball
6.93
Dragon Ball
1989Top: Cultural 10.0
Urusei Yatsura
6.93
Urusei Yatsura
2022Top: Cultural 9.0

Related rankings

Best Seinen animeBest Shoujo animeBest Josei animeBest Kodomomuke anime

FAQ

What is the best Shonen anime?
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (9.25) ranks #1 among Shonen anime on the Anime Codex rubric, which scores each show on story, characters, themes, world, animation and cultural impact.
How are these 111 Shonen anime ranked?
Each show is scored 1–10 on six criteria, weighted by demographic, into a single Codex score. This page lists every qualifying Shonen anime by that score and updates as the catalogue grows.