10 most underrated Shonen anime shows you should check out

Being the most popular genre in the medium, Shonen anime has plenty of shows you’ve almost definitely checked out, so here are a few that might have slipped under your radar.

The likes of Attack on Titan, One Piece, and Jujutsu Kaisen have enough material to keep anyone busy. However, they lean on a lot of stereotypes that you might find tiresome after a few hundred episodes.

Meanwhile, plenty of the best anime exists on the fringes, getting much less fanfare while delivering stories and worlds that are just as memorable. In some cases, much more so – but that’s a matter of taste.

So, we’ve listed the most underrated Shonen anime that you should consider checking out if you want a break from Goku and Deku, but still want the laughs and massive action scenes.

10. Rent-a-Girlfriend (2020-2023)

Crunchyroll

Rent-a-Girlfriend follows Kazuya, who, after getting dumped, finds a rented girlfriend named Chizuru. He then starts renting her on every occasion so that he can show off to his family how happy his life is. Meanwhile, he starts having some really awkward situations when his exes start showing up all of a sudden.

Rent-a-Girlfriend is a fun, breezy, lighthearted romantic-comedy, that deserves to stand alongside any of your favorite sitcoms for good, passive entertainment.

9. Radiant (2018-2020)

Radiant takes place in a world where demons called Nemeses appear from the sky. Most who encounter a Nemesis are killed, but there are several humans who remain alive after meeting a demon, known as the sorcerers. The anime introduces us to a young sorcerer named Seth, who has to find and destroy Radiant, the nesting ground of these monsters.

With a fresh art-style where every character boasts a unique design, Radiant deserved a bigger audience. Coming from the same studio as Classroom of the Elite, this should’ve propelled Lerche into the mainstream, but alas it remains a cult hit.

8. Nobunagun (2014)

Tubi

Nobunagun’s story takes place in a world that is ruled by aliens, and in order to fight back, mankind creates several E-Gene holders. These soldiers are basically reincarnations of influential personalities from throughout history, in an effort to use the talents and knowledge of those people in the war.

The main protagonist, Sio Ogura, comes from Nobunaga Oda, a leader from the Sengoku Era, though her path to the frontlines isn’t as smooth as most others. Nobunagun’s clever use of history makes it a cut above most shows about great existential battles – seek it out.

7. D.Gray-man (2006-2008)

Hulu

In D.Gray-man, some exorcists work under an organization, Black Order, and their sole mission is to stop the evil Millennium Earl from conquering the world and destroying humanity. they have special powers thanks to a substance known as Innocence (subtle…), giving protagonist Allen Walker a spectral left arm.

Molded by a cruel mentor, he becomes even more dedicated to stopping the demons when he learns he might become one due to his family. Blending historic fantasy, horror, and some inventive use of hero tropes, D.Gray-man is the ideal choice if you’re longing for more Fullmetal Alchemist vibes.

6. Soul Eater (2004-2013)

Crunchyroll

Peak cutesy-goth, Soul Eater involves groups of students from Death Weapon Meister Academy, where you can either transform into a special weapon, or you have the power need to wield said weapons. Maka Albarn, the main character, is paired with her best friend, the titular Soul Eater, who becomes a cartoonishly large scythe.

They’re just one of many memorable pairings in a show whose aesthetic captures the mid-2000s perfectly. One for the My Chemical Romance fans.

5. Blue Lock (2022-Present)

Crunchyroll

One of the big sports anime, Blue Lock isn’t exactly underrated in the strictest sense. However, you might have overlooked the franchise if all you want are elaborate fights.

Isagi and the Blue Lock candidates deliver showdowns that can rival any Shonen stand-offs you care to mention. Their skills are incredible, their approach is daring, and it’s all captured in some awesome animation.

4. Hajime no Ippo (2000-2014)

IMDb

Who doesn’t love a good boxing yarn? Hajime no Ippo revolves around an introverted high schooler, Ippo, who turns to combat sports to overcome perennial bullying and his own shy nature. His journey up the ladder has highs and lows, just like any sporting legend on their way to history.

Hajime no Ippo is a reminder of life being a marathon not a sprint, and finding reward in the process. Be careful, Ippo may have you wanted to glove up yourself before too long.

3. Dororo (2019)

IMDb

Dororo is a captivating Shonen anime that follows a disfigured ronin named Hyakkimaru, who gets to live his life in a new way after getting magically healed following an injury. He decideds to hunt the demons who stole his limbs, joined by Dororo on his quest.

Categorically outshined by Demon Slayer, Dororo just never really managed to breakthrough once Tanjiro became part of the Demon Slayer Corps. Nonetheless, this is perfect while we wait for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle.

2. World Trigger (2014-2022)

IMDb

A mysterious gate brings volatile creatures known as Neighbors who can only be stopped by using technology from their realm. Some years after the first encounters, a child of Neighbor descent, Kuga, is secretly attending school in our world.

His existence needs to be kept under wraps, because it eventually ties into peace on both sides. From Toei Animation, the studio behind One Piece and Dragon Ball, World Trigger had the potential to be much bigger but never quite got there.

1. Vinland Saga (2019-2023)

Netflix

Revenge, the Viking way. At first, Thorfinn plots vengeance for his father’s death, but his story becomes considerably more complicated, involving slavery, boat expeditions, and starting a family of his own.

The first season of Vinland Saga is produced by Wit Studio, the company behind the first three seasons of Attack on Titan. It then switches to MAPPA, making the arcs seem even more epic and sweeping. It’s subject matter that isn’t often depicted in the medium, and that makes it crucial viewing.

Those are the most underrated Shonen series. If you’d rather learn what’s happening with the tentpole franchises, check out our guides to the Chainsaw Man movie and Solo Leveling Season 2.