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Shonen manga has long been the beating heart of anime culture. These are the stories that shaped our childhoods and inspired us as we grew up. Some series are such smashes that whether or not you’ve read a page or seen an episode, they’re inescapable.
One of the best things about shonen manga is that it never gets old. Even today, decades later, people are watching and reading and sharing memes that keep these stories living. Here are 10 shonen manga that will still be huge even ten years from now.
List of Shonen manga
1. One Piece
Manga Debut: July 1997
One Piece started in 1997, and really, it’s just never felt like it has stopped. The shonen manga follows Monkey D. Luffy and his quest to become the Pirate King. But the beautiful part is how Eiichiro Oda constructed a world so rich that you can spend hours locked inside. For a place as enormous and world-spanning as One Piece’s Grand Line, with all of its islands out there, it feels like each arc is new ground. The out-of-world abilities have made it very fun to watch.
In terms of numbers, this shonen manga is untouchable. One Piece has sold over 500 million copies, which puts it at the very top of the manga world. The anime continues to trend whenever an episode drops, especially with new arcs being adapted in stunning animation. It even has record-breaking movies. Ten years from now, One Piece will still be called a masterpiece of storytelling.
2. Naruto
Manga Debut: September 1999
Naruto made its debut in 1999 and quickly gained the attention of fans. It follows Naruto Uzumaki as he journeys to become accepted by the people of the village. On his journey, he makes friends and ultimately becomes the Hokage. The battles are stunning, and the stories can be very emotional. The never-surrender spirit gave fans moments they still talk about. Its characters appear on nearly every single anime list you’ll find.
In terms of success, this shonen manga is right up there with the best. With over 250 million copies sold, Naruto is a global phenomenon. The anime ran for years, with filler arcs that people still joke about but also legendary battles that shaped anime history. Its movies, spin-offs, and the sequel series Boruto keep the franchise alive. And honestly, Naruto’s impact on anime culture means people will still be shouting “What a drag” in another ten years.
3. Demon Slayer
Manga Debut: February 2016
Demon Slayer took off around the world soon after its launch in 2016. Between Tanjiro’s battle to keep Nezuko safe and some sick sword fights coupled with beautiful animation, it was pretty much a fan favorite from the get-go. After the anime adaptation hit, there was no stopping the series.
This shonen manga shattered records left and right. The Mugen Train movie became the highest-grossing anime film of all time. The manga itself has sold over 220 million copies in just a few years. It’s kind of beautiful how short Demon Slayer is when compared to other long-runners. And it has achieved a lot. Even though the manga has finished, fans still talk about it. And new people keep finding it. Ten years from now, it’ll still be one of the go-to shows for new anime fans.
4. Dragon Ball
Manga Debut: November 1984
Dragon Ball has been around since 1984. It’s basically the godfather of modern shonen manga. The story of Goku and his journey from a small boy to a universal powerhouse is legendary. Dragon Ball introduced so many of the tropes we now associate with shonen. It came with training arcs, power-ups, tournament arcs, and iconic rivalries. Without it, the landscape of anime and manga would look completely different.
As far as popularity goes, Dragon Ball will always be on top. It has sold over 260 million copies worldwide. The franchise has Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, tons of movies, and countless video games. Dragon Ball still pulls big ratings, its cast are icons, and kids will be shouting Kamehameha for years to come.
5. My Hero Academia
Manga Debut: July 2014
The manga of My Hero Academia first appeared in 2014. It’s half Western superhero comics and half an old underdog tale you’d see in some anime. It combined superhero and shonen themes in the best possible way. The manga follows Midoriya’s adventures, a boy born without powers who still dreams of being a hero. We watch him as he trains with All Might, going from zero to one of the best heroes during his era, which was so inspiring.
This shonen manga has been a blockbuster for print and screen. It’s sold over 100 million copies and still ranks high in sales every year. The anime always trends when a big fight or major arc gets released, and the movies pull in solid numbers at the box office. It’s safe to say My Hero Academia will still be a big deal ten years from now.
6. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Manga Debut: January 1987
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure came out in 1987, and it tells the story of the Joestar family across generations. Each part introduces new characters, settings, and powers. From Hamon to Stands, JoJo has always reinvented itself. Add the weird poses, fashion, and meme-able incidents to the mix, and what you have is must-watch television.
The JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series has sold more than 120 million copies, and the anime adaptations have only increased its popularity abroad. Its numerous references and quotes have become part of internet culture, which gives it a freshness for even the newest fan. JoJo is one of those series that never really dies. It just keeps evolving. Currently, a new adaptation is about to be released. And in ten years, it’ll still be as weird and beloved as ever.
7. Bleach
Manga Debut: August 2001
Bleach dropped in 2001 and blew up fast. It’s about Ichigo, a teen turned Soul Reaper who fights Hollows to protect the world. Cool fights, supernatural flair, and a cast fans adored made it a classic. From Aizen’s schemes to the Bankai transformations, Bleach delivered some of the most hype moments in anime history.
Bleach sold over 130 million copies and had an anime that anime fans loved. After years off-air, it returned with the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, and the hype showed the series never lost its spark. The ratings for the comeback have been strong. This shows just how much influence Bleach still holds.
8. Hunter x Hunter
Manga Debut: March 1998
Hunter x Hunter started in 1998, following Gon on his quest to become a Hunter and find his dad, with twists that keep fans hooked. Arcs take turns nobody expects, and the battles rely more on strategy than just power. Even with its long breaks, fans never stop waiting for more.
This shonen manga has sold over 84 million copies. The manga takes plenty of breaks due to Togashi’s health, but whenever it returns, the hype is massive. The 2011 iteration of the anime is still considered among the best. Fans compare its arcs with arcs from other shonen manga. And people will still be talking about it years from now.
9. Fullmetal Alchemist
Manga Debut: July 2001
Fullmetal Alchemist started in 2001 and quickly earned respect. It’s about the Elric brothers, who mess up with forbidden alchemy and spend the story trying to fix their lives. With its blend of science, philosophy, and moving stories, it’s more than just action. This manga is deep in science and emotions. For those of you who are passionate about science, you will not forget this manga.
As a shonen manga, its success is huge. The manga has sold over 80 million copies, and people still call it one of the best-written manga out there. The anime, especially Brotherhood, is always up there on “greatest of all time” lists. Even though it ended years ago, the reviews, ratings, and fan love haven’t wavered. Ten years from now, fans will still be saying to newbies, “You can’t miss Fullmetal Alchemist.” For an anime that was one of the top 2 on MyAnimeList for the longest time, it will stand the test of time.
10. Attack on Titan
Manga Debut: September 2009
Attack on Titan dropped in 2009 and shook up the anime world. It’s one of the biggest shonen hits in recent years. Its tone was much darker than shonen anime’s usual fare, dealing with survival against grotesque Titans. Wild twists, intense battles, and deep themes about freedom and what it means to be human roped fans in.
The numbers back up how huge this shonen manga is. With over 140 million copies sold and an anime that dominated streaming platforms, it’s one of the most successful titles of all time. The final season was a global event, with fans waiting years to see the ending animated. Even though it’s finished, the impact of Attack on Titan will still be felt ten years from now.
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Conclusion
Shonen manga gave us some of the biggest stories in anime history. They prove that cool characters, wonderful stories, and awesome battles never get old. Some are finished, some are still running, but they keep pulling in new fans every year. And in ten years, as people look back at what they were reading then, it’ll be these shonen manga that will still rule all the conversations.
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