With the number of impressive titles within the anime medium, there are many shows worth revisiting a second time. This is especially true within the ever-popular shonen demographic, home to iconic shows that are extremely entertaining. Apart from providing a thrilling experience to their audience, these anime also contain exhilarating moments and important details that viewers may not get enough of with a single viewing.
The anime that fall under this category are mostly memorable shows which are unique and have left a significant impression on many of their fans. While some people may find it absurd to sit through a long stretch of episodes more than once, these shows have a good chance of making it worthwhile.
10 Kuroko's Basketball
Handled by a studio skilled at adapting their sports anime, Kuroko's Basketball is one of the most famous of its kind. The anime tells the story of an unassuming young basketball prodigy named Tetsuya Kuroko. Though he usually goes under the radar, he was part of a middle school team consisting of players famously dubbed the “Generation of Miracles.”
The show sees Kuroko, along with his new high school teammates, go on to face each member of the Generation of Miracles in individual matches against their different schools. Each match is extremely entertaining, and they feature exaggerated skills which only serve to enrich the experience. It is a great show with spectacular moments well worth watching more than once.
9 My Hero Academia
Referred to by many as one of shonen anime's new “big three,” My Hero Academia is a series with a reputation that speaks for itself. Its story is set in a world where most of its population have peculiar abilities known as quirks which vary greatly in potency. As a result, the structure of society has been altered to accommodate these widespread superpowers.
Opposing groups involving heroes and villains take center stage in this anime, as they find themselves constantly locked in battle with one another. Despite the descriptive titles assigned to both groups, each individual has their own reasons for fighting, which are constantly reflected in their actions. This makes for a compelling experience that is hard to find anywhere else.
8 Kill La Kill
Kill La Kill is an action-packed anime with unique fights facilitated mostly by special clothing. There are two main types, Goku Uniforms, and Kamui, with the latter being much stronger than the former. The anime itself follows the story of a hard-headed Ryuko Matoi and her Kamui, Senketsu, in her journey to find her father's killer.
The series features many battles with unique animation and, sometimes, rather explicit imagery. It was handled by Studio TRIGGER with music composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, both of which contributed greatly to its quality. The scales of the fights constantly changed throughout the series, and that progression elevated the show to amazing heights.
7 Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann is one of the most popular mechas in all anime. Despite releasing way back in 2007, the show has stood the test of time and still holds a place in the hearts of many fans. The titular mech is composed of two separate, smaller mechs named Gurren and Lagann. When combined, they are a nigh unstoppable force that plowed down enemy after enemy with unparalleled willpower.
The anime doesn’t only feature cool mechs, however, but also fascinating characters who each have a significant role to play in the series. For example, the enigmatic yet charismatic Kamina, as well as the initially timid Simon, were both crucial to the optimal functionality of the Gurren Lagann. It is also a series with a lot of hype moments which was considered by many as being ahead of its time.
6 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
A classic among classics, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is a series with multiple installments, all of which are famed for their outstanding quality. Each story generally follows the descendants of the original Joestar family and their adventures, filled with peculiar individuals and abilities.
The battles within the anime were originally facilitated by a technique named Hamon. However, it was later replaced by the more popular “Stands.” Using these visual manifestations of life energy, characters in the series engage in exciting battles as each stand is unique in nature. The distinctive nature of the fights is one of the many things that keep you hooked to this show, and coupled with the equally unique expressions; it is well worth experiencing over and over.
5 Bleach
With the commencement of its final arc after a long period on hiatus, now is as good a time as any to rewatch the previous events of the Bleach anime. Set in a supernatural world with different classes of powerful beings, the show plays host to a multitude of large-scale fights, with its protagonist, Ichigo Kurosaki, usually set at the center.
The anime also has significant features that don't involve fights, including big reveals, touching reunions, and complex planning. It is a show rich in substance and is considered part of the shonen anime big three for a reason.
4 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
An anime with a little bit of everything, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a thoroughly enjoyable show with elements that are well worth rediscovering. It tells the story of two siblings with a traumatic childhood who both aim to recover the lost parts of their bodies using the philosopher's stone.
The events of the series involve alchemy, and just like the art, they are governed by the law of equivalent exchange. It is a recurring theme throughout its story and is one of the components that make it stand out so much. While it does also have interesting battles, it is famed for its rich story and complex characters, giving viewers more reasons to enjoy the show.
3 Hunter X Hunter
Though not as popular as the main three giants of the shonen genre, Hunter X Hunter is a series that does not compromise on quality. It follows the story of a young Gon Freecs who becomes a hunter and embarks on a long, arduous journey in hopes of finding his absent father.
He is accompanied by his best friend Killua, and together, they both face life-threatening situations as well as other events which contribute to their unique development. The world around them has also been masterfully crafted, as the groups, power systems, and entire other species are well-defined and explored. With such a large number of interesting factors, this series is sure to offer almost as much on the second viewing as it did on the first.
2 Naruto
Naruto is not just the name of the series but also that of the titular protagonist Naruto Uzumaki. He starts out as an ostracized young orphan, but as the series progressed, he gained valuable friends he treasured very dearly.
The show itself is one with strong shinobi and fascinating fights facilitated by multiple techniques. These battles are not only pleasing to watch, but their outcomes generally hold massive implications for the world as a whole, making for a truly engaging experience. The characters in the show also contribute greatly to its quality, as their backstories, motivations, and personalities make it easy to get attached to them.
1 One Piece
One Piece is easily one of the greatest anime series of all time. It follows the easygoing Monkey D. Luffy and his crew on their quest to find the One Piece treasure, the most valuable treasure currently known to man. It is an exciting story featuring distinct characters that are bound to make the experience memorable.
Despite its large number of episodes, it is able to entertain millions of people worldwide and keep them constantly invested in the story’s developments. This is partly due to the iconic scenes and fascinating world-building contained within the series, making for a great experience. Though it is long, there are undoubtedly many moments fans can enjoy watching a second time.