Early in 2021, Funimation acquired Crunchyroll as a subsidiary, cementing the former's place as the leading anime streaming platform in the United States. Debuting in 1994, Funimation has played a crucial role in bringing Japanese animation to Western audiences, particularly when it comes to dubbed series.

RELATED: Netflix Anime That Deserve More Love

Although somewhat lacking in movies, Funimation has a substantial collection of anime series that cover a wide range of genres and demographics. Regardless of whether someone is an anime newcomer or veteran, a subscription to this service will serve them well. Funimation does not have much in the way of Spring 2022 shonen anime besides One Piece, but its library has plenty of threats from the past. Let's take a look at the best shonen anime on Funimation.

The Japanese title of each shonen anime includes a link to the show's Funimation page.

Attack On Titan

Attack on Titan debuted in 2013 and is set to come to a close during the first few months of 2022. The anime finds humanity on the brink of annihilation as they hide behind a series of walls designed to protect them from massive monsters that feast on flesh. Attack on Titan evolves quite a bit throughout its run, with each season having a unique tone and pace.

Beautifully animated, unpredictable, and suitably graphic considering the premise, Attack on Titan is one of the most popular shonen anime of all time, and it will leave a big hole in the industry once it concludes its run. The show's final season recently finished airing its second part, with a third one scheduled to drop in the future. The entire series can be streamed on Funimation, and this is a journey filled with pain, heartbreak, surprises, and growth.

One Piece

One Piece celebrated its 1000th episode in 2021. With more than two decades of content available, it has become difficult to recommend Toei's anime adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's legendary manga to newcomers, especially since the former doesn't fully replicate the latter's quality.

RELATED: The Longest Anime Of All Time, Ranked By Number of Episodes on Funimation

One Piece is a commitment, however, those willing to take on the challenge can look forward to months of epic, hilarious, exciting, and unforgettable moments. One Piece's world-building is second to none, and its characters are just consistently likable. The anime has been on a roll since the start of the Wano Country arc, a saga that has brought out the best in nearly all of the Straw Hats. If someone finds the sheer volume of episodes too overwhelming, there is always the option to skip One Piece's filler arcs. That will still leave 800+ episodes, but the canon storylines are (at worst) good. At the show's peak, One Piece is a contender for the best battle shonen anime on Funimation.

The Quintessential Quintuplets

Shonen refers to a demographic and not a genre, therefore, it includes way more than just action series. The Quintessential Quintuplets finds Futaro Uesugi, an intelligent student from a poor family, taking on the job of tutoring five sisters who are not exactly acing their way through school.

Personalities clash, laughs are had, and connections are formed; The Quintessential Quintuplets is a harem anime done right, one where every character is three-dimensional and feels like a genuine contender for the lead's heart. Season 2 is especially strong as it builds nicely upon the dynamics established by its predecessor; that said, this anime is delightful from the start.

The Case Study Of Vanitas

Finishing its second core during the Winter 2022 season, The Case Study of Vanitas might not have the mass appeal of Attack on Titan or One Piece, but it is a must-watch for fans of supernatural anime. This series revolves around Noé Archiviste and Vanitas, two people who travel through Paris looking to turn Vampires back to their normal state.

Unfortunately, not everyone wants to accomplish the same thing. The Case Study of Vanitas has the aesthetic of a shoujo property, but its action and humor fall right in line with shonen anime. The anime's characters are entertaining, its steampunk setting is unique, and its story comes with an engaging sense of mystery.

Black Clover

Black Clover has a bad rep since it starts on a weak note, mainly due to the voice acting being too much in the opening episodes. Once Studio Pierrot's anime gets over its growing pains, Black Clover becomes an engrossing watch filled with great action, memorable character arcs, and a string of ambitious arcs that build to a satisfying crescendo.

RELATED: Black Clover: Every Black Bull's Age, Height, And Birthday

The series revolves around two orphans, Asta and Yuno, who set out to join the Magic Knights in the hope that one of them could eventually become the Wizard King. Unlike some other shonen anime, this is a healthy rivalry built on mutual respect rather than hatred or jealousy. As Asta joins the Black Bulls, he quickly finds himself in a makeshift family of outcasts under the guidance of a powerful captain. Once the story gets going, Black Clover transforms from a forgettable shonen anime to one of the best of the last decade.

SSSS.Gridman

This series is a special case since it is an anime original that resulted in a manga adaptation that retroactively categorized SSSS.Gridman as a shonen property. Revolving around a kid, Yūta Hibiki, who can bring out the heroic Gridman to battle kaiju, this mecha show has gorgeous animation, which should not come as much of a surprise considering Trigger's reputation.

Pretty visuals are hardly the only thing in this anime's favor, as SSSS.Gridman tells a surprisingly character-driven story, albeit one that focuses on one of the main antagonists rather than the protagonist. Even if the story fails to strike a chord with a viewer, they can at least enjoy the many splendid fights that are peppered throughout the episodes. SSSS.Gridman is an underappreciated gem in Trigger's catalog that is also a solid entry point into the mecha genre.

The Vampire Dies In No Time

The Vampire Dies in No Time is a decent comedy with a sequel season confirmed for Winter 2023. As the title suggests, the story revolves around a vampire who tends to bite the bullet at a moment's notice. While seemingly ripped right out of classic monster movies, Draluc has absolutely no interest in harming humans, something a hunter named Ronald learns when he breaks into the vampire's home under the false assumption that he has kidnaped a child. Long story short, Ronald and Draluc have to move in together, with the latter agreeing to act as the former's partner in crime.

RELATED: Anime That Twist The Vampire Mythos

The Vampire Dies in No Time leans into its premise's silliness, packing its world with colorful and irreverent characters who do not hesitate to throw out risky punchlines. Not every joke in the series lands, but Madhouse's anime is consistently amusing. Draluc and Ronald bounce well off each other, and they are backed by memorable side characters like Maremi and John.

Kemono Jihen

Kemono Jihen aired during the same season as Attack on Titan, Dr. Stone, and World Trigger, and that's only counting Winter 2021's big action-oriented shonen shows. Consequently, Kemono Jihen flew somewhat under the radar, which is a shame as Shou Aimoto's manga is pretty good. While by no means flawless, the anime adaptation has endearing characters, solid fights, and respectable animation. As far as battle shonen shows are concerned, this series is above average but falls short of greatness.

The story revolves around a detective agency consisting of yokai who can take the form of humans, and they accept cases that typically involve other spirits. Kabane Kusaka joins the organization in the hope that it might help him rediscover his parents; in the meantime, he finds himself surrounded by quite a few quirky personalities. Kemono Jihen should not be anyone's go-to shonen anime on Funimation, but the series will keep someone entertained for a couple of days.

Death Note

Some shonen anime are so popular that their reputations precede them. Death Note is one of those series. Madhouse's mystery show tells the now-legendary tale of a teenager, Light Yagami, who finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written on its pages. Armed with this deadly power, Light sets out to reshape the world in his image, a quest that attracts the attention of the authorities and a detective known as L.

Death Note is suspenseful, quotable, well-animated, and filled with iconic characters. Light and L's cat-and-mouse relationship is undoubtedly the most famous in anime history, and, except for perhaps Monster's central dynamic, it is also probably the best.

Jujutsu Kaisen

A popular shonen anime that is currently making waves due to its sequel movie, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, this series follows a teenager who swallows a cursed finger, causing him to gain incredible power and a new spirit companion. Jujutsu Kaisen is predominantly hailed for its slick animation, courtesy of MAPPA. The series has some of the best fight scenes in shonen anime, ones that are not only smooth but come across as impactful.

RELATED: Jujutsu Kaisen: Every Main Character's Age, Height, And Birthday

The story is enjoyable and filled with likable characters, even if the protagonist, Yuuji Itadori, can be a bit uninteresting. Jujutsu Kaisen is likely to be around for a while since season 2 has been confirmed for Summer 2023, so this is the perfect time to jump on this anime's bandwagon.

Smile Down The Runway

Except for Paradise's Kiss, there are not all that many anime or manga that focus on the fashion industry, and that goes double for series published through shonen brands. Smile Down the Runway shows that this world holds a lot of potential for exploration, and the short-lived anime adaptation does a decent job of covering Kotoba Inoya's admittedly superior manga.

This is a story all about the power of passion and the way it can drive people to overcome their hangups as they attempt to leave a mark on something that they love. Chiyuki Fujito and Ikuto Tsumura both wish to make it in the fashion/modeling industry, but they are held back by physical attributes or a lack of confidence. As a team, they help each other pursue their dreams, all the while the anime still effectively presents them as individuals rather than a couple.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba

Another inescapable modern battle shonen anime, Demon Slayer exploded in popularity towards the end of its first season. The series followed this up with one of the most successful anime movies of all time, along with a currently airing sequel season that is generally garnering a positive reception. The Demon Slayer show and the Mugen Train movie are both available on Funimation.

RELATED: Demon Slayer: Every Major Character's Age, Height, And Birthday

Tanjiro returns home to find his family butchered and his sister turned into a demon. Rather than accept his situation, Tanjiro decides to go to the ends of the world to revert his sibling back to human. Naturally, this journey involves taking on plenty of deadly demons. Recently, Demon Slayer finished airing its "Entertainment District Arc," a storyline that was packed with fantastic action and character moments. A new season has already been announced, so Demon Slayer is not disappearing anytime soon.

D.Gray-Man

D.Gray-man has all the makings of a standard battle shonen anime: a straightforward conflict between good and evil, extraordinary powers, and a good-natured protagonist with a heart of gold. Despite containing most of the same ingredients as the demographic's standard projects, D.Gray-man combines them to create something distinctive.

While not completely devoid of decent action sequences, D.Gray-man is mainly about conflicting ideologies, philosophical themes, and gorgeous Gothic visuals. This shonen anime allows viewers to soak in its atmosphere and features an eclectic cast of characters that are generally well-developed.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

At some point during the 2010s, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood became the unofficial gateway shonen anime, surpassing the big three (One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach) and a little show about Saiyans. FMA: B takes place in a world governed by alchemy, which comes with the unbreakable law of Equivalent Exchange – "In order to obtain or create something, something of equal value must be lost or destroyed."

When the Elric brothers try to bring their mother back from the dead, they end up losing parts of themselves along the way. As dogs of the state, the siblings set out to find a Philosopher's Stone that can hopefully reverse the damage. Their journey proves to be one filled with tragedy, shocking twists, and unforgettable fights.

Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple

Kenichi Shirahama wants desperately to be strong, but he does not have a particularly good record when it comes to self-defense. One day, Kenichi happens to bear witness to a magnificent sight: Miu Fuurinji comfortably defeating a group of thugs. Learning that she belongs to a dojo, Kenichi decides to follow Miu's example and train himself until he becomes all-powerful.

Straightforward premise aside, Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple sets itself apart by doubling down on the comedy (and ecchi). Kenichi's struggles to become the strongest are showcased in painstaking detail, and the protagonist genuinely earns his development. The protagonist is backed by an endearing and colorful supporting cast, most of which are allowed their moments to shine.

My Hero Academia

Following two decent but unspectacular seasons, My Hero Academia's flame has waned slightly, which also stems from the fact the superhero franchise has been inescapable for more than half a decade. Even though the show might be overexposed, My Hero Academia is still a journey worth taking, one stuffed with memorable and iconic moments.

RELATED: My Hero Academia: Things We Want To See Before The Series Ends

Driven by a desire to live up to his idol's reputation and become the number one hero, Izuku Midoriya's time at UA High is defined by change, friendship, and danger. All five completed seasons of My Hero Academia are available on Funimation, and while some years are better than others, the show is consistently entertaining. Fall 2022's season 6 is also airing on the streaming service, and the latest arc is MHA's best in a long time.

Cells At Work!

Cells at Work! is a rare treat: an educational anime that also happens to be irresistibly entertaining. Set within a human body, the anime revolves around cells striving to keep their chaotic and fragile workplace functioning at an acceptable level.

The anime has a clear understanding of human biology, and it generally presents its idea in a way that kids should be able to follow. However, Cells at Work! also happens to be an extremely violent and even bloody comedy, one that is anything but "made for children." It is awesome.

Soul Eater

In this universe, Weapon Meisters and their weapons attend a special academy so they can work their way to crafting death scythes, a process that requires slaying 99 evil humans and then a witch. Soul Eater is like Halloween in anime form; a series that embraces the macabre while boasting a stylish aesthetic that makes the whole thing feel like a celebration.

Packed with energetic and lovable characters, Soul Eater delivers creative action, memorable settings, and plenty of spooky designs for its villains. While not a full adaptation of the manga, the anime is incredibly fun to watch in its own right.

Talentless Nana

This is one anime that demands people come in blind. Filled with unlikable characters and heavily reliant on shocking moments, Talentless Nana is a polarizing sit that will either mesmerize or infuriate someone. Either way, that person will not forget this show anytime soon, and that's not something every anime (or story) can accomplish.

To avoid spoilers as much as possible, let's just say that Talentless Nana takes place in a world where some teenagers have special gifts. The keyword is "some", and Nana is not part of that group.

Samurai Champloo

With Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy, and Kids on the Slope under his belt, Shinichiro Watanabe needs no introduction. Samurai Champloo is just as good as anything created by the esteemed director. Set during the Edo period, Samurai Champloo is a road trip anime about two swordsmen who accompany a waitress on a journey to find the samurai who smells of sunflowers.

RELATED: Netflix: All Live-Action Anime Adaptations Ranked

With brilliant anachronistic music, tightly choreographed action, and an engrossing story that hides a lot of depth, Samurai Champloo is a masterpiece created by a director known for producing them. Nearly every aspect of this anime has aged well.

Silver Spoon

Another example of shonen's underappreciated variety, Silver Spoon is a slice of life anime set within an agricultural high school. Pushed to the breaking point by his strict father, Yugo rebels by enrolling in a school dedicated to farm life. Unsurprisingly, the teenager is completely out of his depth, but the experience proves to be quite a character-building one for Yugo.

Silver Spoon is hilarious and boasts a fantastic roster of characters, each of whom comes across as fully formed people rather than archetypes designed to repeat a few types of jokes. The show is also grounded in reality, illustrating the trials and struggles of pursuing such a career.

The Prince Of Tennis

Shonen loves a good sports story, but Funimation does not have an overabundance of the genre's offerings. Still, The Prince of Tennis is a good pick for fans of these types of shows, and it is generally hailed as a classic. Unfortunately, Funimation does not have the anime's first 50 episodes, but the streaming service's collection is quite thorough after that point.

While some sports anime aim for realism, others prefer to incorporate over-the-top battle shonen elements. The Prince of Tennis falls within the latter category, with the characters' powers growing more outlandish as the arcs progress.

The Promised Neverland

When it comes to horror, anime is not overstacked with quality shows and movies. Consequently, The Promised Neverland really stands out. On the surface, Grace Field House seems like an idyllic orphanage, one that allows children to enjoy their lives in peace while they wait to be adopted. However, this place hides a dark secret that, one night, is exposed to a few of its young inhabitants.

RELATED: Promised Neverland: Things Only Manga Readers Will Understand

The Promised Neverland's season 1 is intense, riveting, and frequently terrifying. As the episodes largely stick to the three main children, the audience is just as much in the dark as the orphans about the world outside Grace Field House, creating a captivating sense of mystery. Season 2 is notoriously rushed and underwhelming; fans should still give the sequel a try, but season 1 is strong enough on its own to make The Promised Neverland worthy of a recommendation.

Dr. Stone

Dr. Stone wastes no time in sinking its claws into viewers; almost right off the bat, everyone in the world is turned into stone. Nearly 4000 years later, Senku, a high-school genius, is freed from his petrification in a world that has reverted to an era before modern civilization. Naturally, Senku sets out to direct humanity back to its former state through the power of science; also naturally, not everyone is fond of his plan.

Dr. Stone distinguishes itself from other shonen anime by appointing a protagonist who relies on his intelligence to overcome obstacles, not his physical strength. The anime is also incredibly enthralling as so many things that happen within the story are shrouded in intrigue and uncertainty.

Star Driver

Now, this is a pretty shonen anime. Star Driver takes place on an island where an organization called the Glittering Crux Brigade is constantly awakening Cybodies (mecha) for battles. The group's goal is to unleash the full power of the Cybodies, which can only be achieved by breaking the seals of the island's four shrine maidens. Thankfully, the latter find themselves a hero in the form of Takuto Tsunashi, a happy-go-lucky guy who loves to go with the flow.

RELATED: The Best Mecha Anime

Star Driver has an overarching plot but it also feels rather episodic as the majority of the series consists of Takuto taking on a string of Cybodies. Sure, the enemies get stronger, but the flow of these episodes largely remains the same. Although this structure does get a touch repetitive when taken as a whole, the individual episodes are of high quality, both in terms of production value and storytelling. The soundtrack also reaches some impressive highs.

Nichijou - My Ordinary Life

One of the funniest anime ever, Nichijou blends slice of life hijinks with surreal situations and sketch humor. Initially, the show appears to be a relatively by-the-numbers comedy revolving around three high-school girls and a few quirky characters like a child professor and her human-like robot. However, before long, the skits begin to take on a more absurdist tone, and the stories go to some amusingly bizarre places.

Nichijou works because it blends surrealism with relatable and likable characters. The anime creates a world where anything is possible, and that is a great recipe for laughs.

Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds Of Life

Due to a lack of members, Tokise High School's koto club is at risk of being shut down, a fact that haunts Takezou Kurata. To the club president's surprise, Chika Kudou, the school delinquent, decides to join, and a few other students soon follow. While Kurata wishes to take part in the national competition, the path to this goal is far from straightforward.

Sounds of Life might not seem all that exciting on the surface since its premise has been done to death in anime and manga, even if the "koto" angle is fairly fresh. Therefore, this recommendation comes down entirely to the show's stellar execution and writing, particularly for its characters.

Rurouni Kenshin

An all-time classic samurai anime, Rurouni Kenshin is set during the Bakumatsu era and is named after a reformed assassin. Using the dull side of his blade, Kenshin has turned a new leaf, although that does not forbid the swordsman from frequently showing his skill.

RELATED: Anime You Need To Watch If You Enjoy Ghost Of Tsushima

Boasting a strong cast of characters and charming '90s animation, Rurouni Kenshin balances action, humor, and depth better than most shonen anime. The series peaks with the Kyoto Arc before succumbing to an underwhelming stretch of filler, but the first 62 episodes are incredible.

Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files

A shonen anime classic, Yoshihiro Togashi's Yu Yu Hakusho has aged like a glass of fine wine, particularly its second and third seasons. Yusuke Urameshi winds up dying in a rare heroic act, an untimely demise that prompts the spirit realm to revive the delinquent permitting that he agrees to act as a ghost detective. From this humble beginning, Yu Yu Hakusho blossoms into a timeless action anime filled with iconic characters and brilliant fights.

The Dark Tournament is arguably the definitive arc of its kind in anime, while The Chapter Black saga takes a psychological turn that feels like a precursor to Togashi's Hunter x Hunter. Even the anime's weaker seasons are still entertaining and only fall short of expectations because they exist alongside some of the greatest shonen storylines of all time.

Black Cat

An underappreciated mid-2000s anime by Gonzo, Black Cat oozes style through its use of a neo-noir aesthetic. The over-the-top anime takes place in the world's seedy underbelly, one overflowing with bounty hunters, killers, and colorful personalities.

With a good amount of comedy to go alongside its stellar action, Black Cat is a fantastic companion piece to something like Black Lagoon. Overall, Funimation does not have a lot of lesser-known older shonen anime, so Black Cat stands out as something of a hidden gem alongside the platform's more popular shows like One Piece and Demon Slayer.

Dragon Ball

Funimation is the place to go for Dragon Ball. The original series, DBZ, DBGT, and Super are all available on the streaming platform, providing hundreds upon hundreds of episodes worth of content. Dragon Ball set the stage for shows like One Piece and Naruto, and while some elements of the anime are certainly dated nowadays, the show still has the power to inspire awe and hype. Dragon Ball will never die. Be it the manga, anime, or games, the series has ingrained itself thoroughly into pop culture, and it is fully deserving of its reputation.

Along with the shows, Funimation also has a decent selection of Dragon Ball movies from the original series and DBZ. It is not an exhaustive catalog by any stretch of the imagination since Funimation does not have any of the Super movies and there are a number of DBZ films missing, but the streaming platform is a decent place to start considering most of these releases are difficult to find legally.

MORE: Best Anime From The 80s