The 2000s were the heyday of animation. While many people still have nostalgia for classic titles from the '80s and '90s, we're reaching a point where we're starting to look back fondly on the turn of the millennium. For some, it might be a scary thought to consider a series that aired in 2002 as a “classic” anime, but we're at a point where many series from that era are being lovingly revisited.
Shonen anime has always been popular, and the 2000s were a great time to be a fan. Aside from the absolute classic titles we still love today, there were also some solid series that may have been overlooked throughout the decade. Here's a quick look at some of the best shonen anime of the 2000s.
2000: Love Hina
Although Battle Shonen often comes to mind when fans mention “shonen” anime, some of the most popular titles from the world's largest shonen magazine have been romantic comedies and harem series. Before notable titles such as To love Lou and Nisekoi It became a staple of the WSJ and even had a weekly boy magazine. Love Hina.
This series is a very simple harem. After failing to enter Tokyo University and keeping his childhood promise, Keitaro Urashima decides to help run his grandmother's inn. When he gets there, he discovers that it has actually been converted into a girls' dormitory with five unique residents. Keitaro gradually develops relationships with the girls as he continues to try to fulfill his promise.
2001: Grappler Barkey
Before Netflix brought the series back in 2018 bakiThere was an original copy. Grappler Baki This is an animation that aired in 2001. It certainly has a loyal fan base, but it often feels like an overlooked series.
The series follows Baki Hanma, who spent her childhood training her body to the limit with one goal in mind. Ultimately defeating his father, the fearsome Yuujirou Hanma. Known as the strongest man in the world, Baki faces an uphill battle and begins looking for new opponents to hone his skills in preparation for the final battle with his father.
2002: Naruto
one piece It missed the cut due to its 1999 premiere, but you can bet the rest of WSJ's “big three” will make this list. starting work is narutois a series that has been loved by animation fans around the world for decades.
The series follows Naruto as he becomes Hokage and works to earn the respect of his hometown people. With over 700 episodes, naruto It's definitely an investment of time. But it's worth the investment.
2003: Cromartie High School
Popular shonen anime often have comedic elements, but not many are pure comedy. Cromartie High School is a series you've probably never heard of, but you can be sure that it will be one of the most entertaining anime you've ever seen.
Despite having the grades to get into the high school of his choice, Takashi Kamiyama applies to the infamous Tokyo Metropolitan Cromarty High School, home to some of the toughest delinquents in the country, to accompany his less academically gifted middle school friends. When his friend fails a ridiculously easy entrance exam, Takashi becomes determined to change his school for the better.
2004: Bleach
It will be no surprise to anyone to see another “big three” series here. Although it may not have enjoyed the same sustained success as before, one piece and naruto, bleach It's an iconic animation from the 2000s that's still experiencing a bit of a renaissance thanks to the renaissance. thousand year blood clot Japanese cartoon movie.
The series follows Ichigo Kurosaki, who can see spirits thanks to his unique ability. After meeting an otherworldly girl named Rukia who is hunting soul-eating creatures known as Hollows, Ichigo becomes caught up in the conflict between the Hollows and the Soul Reapers who defeat them.
2005 Negima!
Negima! is one of those series that was hugely popular when it was still running, but hasn't managed to stay that relevant. It's a classic 2000s boy that nonetheless serves as an interesting time capsule.
The series follows the story of 10-year-old Negi Springfield, who must pass one more test to become Magister Magi. However, Negi was given a strange mission as a final test. He is responsible for teaching English at a girls' school in Japan. Naturally, it gets off to a rocky start, but Negi works hard to adapt to his new role, learning more about his students and ultimately solving the mystery of what happened to his missing father.
2006: Death Note
It may seem a little darker than what's usually associated with shonen anime, but Death Note has been one of WSJ's biggest series for three years. This series serves as a great introduction to anime, and a solid title to sit back and enjoy if you've never experienced it before.
death note After discovering the Death Note and meeting a Shinigami named Ryuk, Light Yagami sets out to create a utopia by killing criminals with the power of the mysterious book. But as the situation unfolds, it becomes clear that this newly discovered divine power is affecting the Light in terrible ways.
2007: Gurren Lagann
With the same title as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Curry Kanoand Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water The now-defunct company Gainax produced some of the most iconic animation of the 90s. Although the 2000s saw less work, the studio struck gold again with its 2007 work. Gurren Lagann.
Gurren Lagann It follows friends Simon and Kamina who are forced to live in an underground village. After stumbling upon the ignition key to an ancient mechanical suit called Lagann, the two set off to the surface world to battle the Spiral King and his Beastmen, who fight in giant suits called “Gunmen”.
2008: Soul Eater
If there's one classic shonen movie from the 2000s that deserves a remake, it's Soul Eater. The 2008 adaptation of Bones is a classic, but it's very similar to the original. fullmetal alchemistThe manga adaptation was never completed due to lack of source material.
The series takes place in Death City, where students at the famous Death Weapon Meister Academy work to create Death Scythes, weapons that Lord Death uses to fight the world's various monsters. The student council is divided into Meisters, who utilize and nurture these weapons to their full potential, and students who have the power to transform themselves into demonic weapons. Soul Eater It follows three meisters and their demonic weapon partners as they battle evil enemies and work toward the ultimate goal of creating or becoming the Scythe of Death.
text fullmetal alchemist The animation was great, but the biggest problem was the failure to fully adapt Hiromu Arakawa's iconic manga. Please enter 2009 union, the series is not only an amazing adaptation of the source material, but is also considered one of the best animations of all time.
union The Elric brothers try to use alchemy to revive their dead mother as a human, but suffer terrible results. The older of the two, Ed, loses his arms and legs during the ritual, while the younger brother, Alphonse, loses his body completely and his soul becomes trapped in a metal armor. Now with a new goal in mind, the brothers set out to find the legendary Philosopher's Stone and restore their bodies.
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naruto
- release date
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2002 – 2007-00-00
- showrunner
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Masashi Kishimoto
- move
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Hayato Date
- author
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Masashi Kishimoto
- franchise
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naruto
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bleach
- release date
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2004 – 2012-00-00
- network
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TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC, BS TV Tokyo
- showrunner
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kubo tight
- move
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Mitsutaka Noshitani, Junya Koshida, Hodaka Kuramoto, Yasuto Nishikata, Hiroaki Nishimura, Kazunori Mizuno, Akira Shimizu, Rocco Ogiwara, Kazunobu Shimizu, Akane Inoue, Hikaru Murata, Tomoko Hiramuki, Kazuo Nogami, Taiji Kawanishi, Shigeki Hatakeyama, Nishi Eiko, Takushi Kimura, Koji Aritomi, Ogura Shirakawa, Fukuda Kiyomu, Okazaki Yukio, Yamazaki Mitsue, Matsumura Yasuhiro, Ano Eitaro
- author
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Masahiro Okubo, Masashi Sogo, Kenta Shimoyama, Genki Yoshimura, Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, Rika Nakase, Michiko Yokote, Natsuko Takahashi, Kento Shimoyama
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Masakazu Morita
Ichigo Kurosaki (voice actor)
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Fumiko Orikasa
Rukia Kuchiki
