Despite the presence of many fresh and enjoyable tropes in the medium, there are certain Shonen anime tropes that have been around for decades and are considered among the worst. These cliches or patterns are often repeated from series to series within the Shonen demographic, similar to other anime and manga genres.
Despite not being inherently negative, the constant use of these tropes can turn them into some of the most overused tropes in Shonen anime history. Fortunately, some recent series in this genre have managed to save them by either subverting them or completely reinventing them.
Disclaimer: The following list represents the author’s opinions and their opinions only. The list also contains manga spoilers for some of the series discussed.
Jujutsu Kaisen and Other Contemporary Manga: Saving the Worst Shonen Anime Tropes from Themselves
Jujutsu Kaisen’s Possessed Protagonist Receives No Assistance
As a result of its overuse, one of the most disliked Shonen anime cliches involves the concept of a main character being taken over by a supernatural being or entity. This often leads to an initial conflict between the protagonist and the possessing entity, but they eventually form an unlikely alliance in order to survive. This dynamic typically evolves into a genuine friendship, resulting in the protagonist gaining control over the entity’s abilities.
Despite Sukuna (who possesses protagonist Yuji Itadori) being a completely antagonistic presence with no desire to assist Yuji, Jujutsu Kaisen manages to subvert this expectation. Sukuna is depicted as willing to sacrifice his own well-being in order to cause suffering for Yuji or prevent unintentional assistance while helping himself. This unique twist sets the series apart from other contemporary works within its demographic.
My Hero Academia’s Protagonist Gains Power Through Hard Work
It can be incredibly frustrating to see a main character in a Shonen anime become overpowered solely due to their lineage or origins, which is often seen as one of the worst tropes in this genre.
Dragon Ball’s protagonist, Goku, possessed inherent advantages over his human adversaries due to his Saiyan heritage. His base strength far surpassed that of the average human, and he also experienced significant power boosts when on the brink of death, thanks to the Zenkai power of the Saiyans.
Despite not being born with it, Izuku “Deku”Midoriya from My Hero Academia does achieve a similar overpowered status. However, it is not due to his innate abilities. In fact, he was born without any powers and had to earn his strength through hard work and determination. This refreshing twist breaks away from the common trope of being born powerful and instead showcases the importance of perseverance and self-improvement.
3) The Unique Protagonist of Black Clover
Yuki Tabata’s Black Clover is a refreshing take on one of the most overused tropes in Shonen anime. Unlike most protagonists who are inherently powerful, Asta stands out because he is not. This unique aspect of his character is brilliantly highlighted by one of his adversaries in the series.
Despite the fact that he was born without magic, Asta possesses an incredible ability known as Anti-Magic. This power is channeled through a rare five-leaf Grimoire that he obtained at the beginning of the series. However, it is later revealed that Asta’s lack of magic is what makes him the only one capable of wielding Anti-Magic, making him both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. This clever subversion of typical Shonen anime tropes, such as the “chosen one”or “fated protagonist,”adds a refreshing and captivating element to the story.
The Lack of Children in the Main Cast of Kaiju No. 8 Manga
One of the most common characteristics of Shonen series is having a predominantly teenage cast. This is not surprising considering that the term “Shonen”translates to “young boy”and the target age range for this demographic is typically between 9 and 18 years old, depending on the source.
Despite its initial relatability, this common decision has gradually transformed into one of the most overused tropes in Shonen anime, as creators limit themselves to only featuring protagonists within a specific age group.
Despite following the typical Shonen trope of having teenage characters, Naoya Matsumoto’s Kaiju No. 8 manga stands out by making its protagonist a 32-year-old man. This subtle shift adds a refreshing change to the genre, as the majority of the central cast are full-grown adults, which is a departure from the norm. This small change has a significant impact in subverting one of the many overused Shonen tropes.
5) Reimagining Shonen with Character-Driven Action in Chainsaw Man
In the world of Shonen anime and manga, character development and action are closely linked, with the latter often leading to the former. This is commonly achieved through various means, such as having a character fight for a lost cause or experiencing a loss during a battle, which serves as a catalyst for personal growth.
Despite being a member of the worst Shonen anime tropes club, Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man manga stands out by utilizing character-driven action rather than relying on action-driven characterization.
In essence, Fujimoto’s characters engage in fights to showcase their development or progression, rather than using them as a means to facilitate character growth. The series’ first part offers numerous noteworthy instances of this, with Denji’s ultimate battle against the ‘Gun Devil’ in the ‘Gun Devil’ arc being a prime example.
How Jujutsu Kaisen Uses a Versatile Power System to Eliminate Power Creep
Despite its basic rules, Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen anime and manga series has received widespread acclaim for its highly versatile Cursed Energy power system. This allows for a great deal of creativity in the individual abilities and powers of each character, effectively avoiding the common Shonen anime trope of power creep.
Within the series’ power system, there are numerous opportunities for advantageous and disadvantageous matchups, with only a handful of all-powerful exceptions in the world. These exceptions serve to highlight the uniqueness of certain powers and reinforce the idea that while some may be inherently stronger than others, this does not apply to the system as a whole.
Wind Breaker’s Delinquent Protagonist: Not Your Typical Hard-Boiled Character
Wind Breaker, a highly popular anime series during the Spring 2024 season, reimagines one of the overused Shonen anime tropes commonly seen in delinquent genres. Unlike most delinquent series where the main character is portrayed as a tough rebel with a troubled past, Wind Breaker showcases a unique take on this trope by creating a strong exterior facade that is not easily broken.
While Haruka Sakura may seem tough on the outside, he is actually a soft-hearted person, as evidenced by his tendency to fall into the “tsundere”character trope. He often blushes when receiving compliments and struggles to accept gratitude or form relationships. This subversion of a common trope in the delinquent genre is executed perfectly and adds depth to the character.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Turning Enemies into Allies without Naruto’s Theatrics
Not surprisingly, Jujutsu Kaisen continues to challenge and twist traditional Shonen anime tropes beyond just its power system. One of the most infamous tropes in Shonen anime is the main character befriending their enemies.
The Naruto series provides a prime illustration, as the titular character utilizes his “Talk no Jutsu”to deliver extended monologues persuading the antagonist to abandon their path and seek redemption.
Akutami’s manga offers a new take on this concept by showcasing protagonists Yuji Itadori and Yuta Okkotsu influencing others without actively trying to do so. Yuta’s influence is based on his actions and his relationship with Rika, while Yuji’s is often a result of unintentional actions, like Choso recognizing him as his brother and becoming an ally.
9) Jujutsu Kaisen’s Approach to Character Deaths
One of the most universally frustrating Shonen anime tropes is the tendency to discard side characters once their story arc is completed. This is a recurring issue in Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter anime and manga, with even the protagonist Gon Freecss being pushed to the side in the current manga.
Despite Togashi bidding farewell and moving on from them, Akutami takes a more aggressive approach in getting rid of these side characters by “easily”eliminating them. While this does bring a definitive end to their stories, it is undeniably a harsher reality compared to Togashi’s method. However, it is yet another example of Akutami’s skill in reimagining tropes, and their series deserves recognition for it.
Senku’s Indomitable Willpower
Another commonly seen Shonen anime trope is the idea of indomitable willpower, which can become tiresome due to its constant repetition. In shows like Fairy Tail, the main characters are often portrayed as being able to overcome any obstacle solely based on their strong will and determination, whether it be to protect their loved ones or achieve a personal goal. However, this trope is often accompanied by excessive speeches about the power of their will, desire, or friendship and how it will ultimately lead them to victory.
Through its protagonist Senku Ishigami, Dr. Stone completely revolutionizes this trope by showcasing his unwavering determination fueled by his strong belief in science and his companions, without boasting about it.
Instead, his primary focus is on the issue at hand and how to solve it, which perfectly aligns with his logical and rational personality as a true scientist. This adds to the credibility of his constant success and helps to sustain the illusion for fans without the need for excessive speeches.
In summary
Despite the fact that there are many other Shonen anime tropes that were not discussed, the ones mentioned above are among the most commonly used and some of the most successful in terms of reinvention or subversion. While it is possible that these tropes may eventually become the very thing they set out to destroy, at present, they are seen as innovative approaches to traditional classics.
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