Shonen anime have always been the face of the anime industry, especially in the West. These shows are known for delivering over-the-top fight sequences, and emotional messages with the help of their quirky casts of characters. From ninjas to pirates, superheroes to monsters and aliens to even demons, these shows have starred them all. The shonen genre is only going to get more popular as evidenced by the many new announcements made for 2023.
The year 2023 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years for shonen fans. This year will not only see the return of many highly anticipated battle shonen anime but will also be introducing plenty of new shows for fans to dive into. Shows like Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer have already got fans hyped up, but that may cause some other titles to go under the radar. Here are some other lesser-known but exciting shonen shows releasing this year that deserve attention.
Popular Returning Shonen Anime
These series will also be returning in 2023, but need no further introduction due to their popularity.
- Attack On Titan: The Final Season Part 3 (Sometime in 2023)
- Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc (Spring 2023)
- Jujitsu Kaizen 2nd Season (Summer 2023)
- Dr.Stone: New World (Spring 2023)
6 Tokyo Revengers: Christmas Showdown
The first season of Tokyo Revengers aired in 2021 and became an instant hit with its unique premise and solid writing. The show stars twenty-six-year-old Takemichi Hanagaki who has not accomplished much in life. But when he gets thrust back into his past self due to a mysterious time-traveling phenomenon, Takemichi decides to do things right this time.
The first season of Tokyo Revengers saw Takemichi trying to save his girlfriend from dying and stop a war between rival gangs in his hometown. The second season titled, Christmas Showdown will continue Takemichi's struggle to right the wrongs of his past. The show is set to make a return in January 2023.
5 Eden's Zero: Season 2
Created by Hiro Mashima, Eden's Zero is a story about a boy named Shiki who grew up among robots on a deserted planet called Granbell. However, his life changes when he meets a girl named Rebecca and her cat Happy. Shortly after the encounter, the trio is forced to leave the planet as all the residents prepare to shut down.
Eden's Zero draws heavy inspiration from Fairy Tail which is seen in its art style, however, it has enough new elements to stand out as an individual series. The space adventures of Shiki, Rebecca, and Happy continue across the Sakura Cosmos in the second season of Eden's Zero, set to air in April 2023.
4 Undead Unluck
Undead Unluck is a new comedy action show that stars a girl named Izumo Fuuko who wants to end her life because of her mysterious condition that brings misfortune to all those around her. After having read her favorite manga Fuuko finally decides it is time to end her life only to meet another bizarre individual who she names Andy.
Andy has the ability to regenerate which seemingly makes him immortal, but he is also looking for a way to die. The two pair up to find a solution to Andy's situation so that they finally end their misery. All the while, a mysterious organization seeks to use its abilities for its own purposes. Undead Unluck is set to air sometime in 2023.
3 Hell's Paradise
Hell's Paradise is an upcoming fantasy action show, produced by studio MAPPA. The show stars a seemingly apathetic ninja named Gabimaru from the village of Iwagakure, who is set up by his fellow ninjas and is put on death row. Tired of all the killing and betrayals, Gabimaru was ready for his life to end, but then the thought of returning to his wife gave him a reason to live.
He is then offered a proposal in exchange for his pardon to go on an expedition to an island south of Japan in pursuit of a rare elixir. Hell's Paradise is set to start airing in April 2023.
2 Mashle: Magic and Muscles
Mashle: Magic and Muscles is set in a world full of magic, where magic is used for everything. But in this world lives a boy, named Mash who is unable to use magic. Mash lives peacefully in a forest and trains his muscles to make up for his lack of magic, but when his existence is found and his life threatened, he ventures on a quest to become a divine visionary to make the world accept him.
To achieve his goal, Mash enrolls in the Easton Magic Academy and competes against the children of the realm's most powerful magi with the use of his muscle power. Mashle: Magic and Muscles is set to start airing in April 2023.
1 Ragna Crimson
Ragna Crimson is a fantasy show set in a world ruled by dragons. These deadly lizards roam the skies, seas, and lands making it hard for humanity to thrive. To aid humanity's survival, heroes known as Dragon Hunters take on the enormous task of eradicating these monstrous beings.
Ragna Crimson stars a hunter named Ragna who aligns himself with the mysterious Crimson, and together they both aim to destroy the dragons that roam their world. The show is set to start airing sometime in 2023, but no official date has been provided yet.