The Big Three of Shōnen anime are epic franchises that distinguished themselves remarkably from their rival titles in the early 2000s. These Shōnen shows set the standard for most anime titles, infusing tropes and themes in the genre that are resonated by countless anime shows created after their arrival – to date. The successes of these shows contributed greatly to the popularity of the Shōnen genre, and that is why they are revered as “The Big Three.”
It is undisputed that The Big Three of Shōnen anime are the Shōnen genre’s leading titles. However, most fans have debated the possibility of the other titles surpassing "The Big Three" in terms of sales and popularity. Looking closely at these arguments, is it possible for the Shōnen titles to be surpassed in the next decade?
Why There Is ‘A Big Three’
As an anime fan, you are probably familiar with the titles: One Piece, Naruto & Bleach, collectively referred to as "The Big Three." A major contributing factor to the celebratory title, "The Big Three," is a result of the smashing successes of these titles in the Weekly Shōnen Jump manga. The Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine was introduced to the anime franchise in 1968. This magazine rose quickly after its debut and became one of Japan’s foremost anime-oriented magazines. The Big Three then debuted in the 2000s. After the successes of anime titles like Slam Dunk, Pokemon, Dragon Ball, Yu Yu Hakusho & Fist of the North Star, The Big Three brought something new to the manga-anime franchise, garnering wide-scale public attention.
However, what makes The Big Three so successful is the rise in the popularity of their animated versions. Although the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine popularized the titles, not everyone reads manga, so there was a void that only animations could fill. One Piece first broke the ice in 1999 with a not-so-attractive animation style compared to the modern versions. However, regardless of the near-archaic animation style, the show offered quality comedy and a sense of uniqueness that differentiated it from other past Shōnen titles – the concept of pirates & Devil Fruits. Debuting in 2002 was Naruto with a Ninja-styled plot, and following it was Bleach and its Shinigami-oriented themes. These titles brought something different, refreshing, and exciting to the Shōnen world, leading to their mega successes, unrivaled by any Shōnen titles
Presently, these titles are accompanied by over hundreds of anime episodes and even video game equivalents for fans to check out. What's more, The Big Three of Shōnen anime are still impacting the anime franchise in different ways with long-running tropes and themes that can be traced back to them. Following the standards set by The Big Three, is it possible for any Shōnen titles to surpass their epic predecessors?
Why The Big Three of Shonen Anime Won’t Be Dethroned Anytime Soon
Most fans have marked out certain titles with potential, referring to them as the “New Big Three” due to upcoming, sterling successes in the anime franchise. These titles, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, & My Hero Academia, are interesting series with great potential, but why is it near impossible for them to reach The Big Three?
One of the core reasons is manga sales. The Big Three of Shōnen anime have one thing in common – sterling manga sales. The One Piece franchise has sold over 500 million copies and is still ongoing, while the Naruto franchise has sold over 250 million copies. On the other hand, Bleach, despite being on several hiatuses, managed to secure sales of 120 million copies. These figures are not what any franchise can pull off anytime soon. Out of the New Big Three, only the Demon Slayer franchise succeeded in surpassing the 100 million mark in the number of manga copies sold due to the story's compelling themes.
Apart from the mange sales successes, popularity also plays a crucial part in The Big Three's achievements. These titles debuted at a time when streaming platforms weren't the norm and still managed to influence the anime world. Over time, their popularity hasn't waned but even multiplied due to the evolution of the internet and mobile technology. The Big Three are still regarded as the most popular Shōnen titles, and their records are not what emerging titles can easily surpass without a breakthrough strategy. According to Anime News Network, One Piece, Bleach & Naruto ranks as one of the most viewed anime shows of all time. Although this ranking can be considered fickle, it is proof of the titles' popularity in Japan – the home of anime.
Finally, The Big Three of anime introduced popular tropes like Power Systems (Devil Fruit, Jutsu, and Spiritual Pressure), the main villain squad & tournament arcs. Tropes that are still used in Shōnen titles to date. For the New Big Three to surpass their predecessors, they will need to set another standard that draws fans and heavily impacts the anime world. While this is not a sure banker for success, breaking out from the old, long-lasting tropes set by the Old Big Three is not something that can easily be done by the New Big Three. Summarily, the New Big Three all bring something new to the table; regardless, they still lack that element of greatness pioneered by the Big Three. Whether the New Big 3 will end up surpassing The Old Big Three in the future is still a mystery. However, the probability of any Shōnen titles surpassing the Big Three anytime soon is very low and is definitely not feasible in the present decade.