Not every great series needs superpowers. Fruits Basket (2019 anime) is a beautiful fusion of fantasy and slice-of-life, following a girl living in a tent who discovers a family cursed to turn into the animals of the Chinese zodiac. It is a tender, heartbreaking exploration of trauma and found family. On the pure romance side, Kaguya-sama: Love is War is a comedic masterpiece. It frames the battle of wills between two proud student council presidents who like each other but refuse to confess first, treating every interaction like a high-stakes military strategy. Both series prove that the quietest moments can be the most dramatic.

Currently the king of "modern" shonen. It features high-stakes battles against "curses" with some of the best animation quality in the industry.

: A story of a young ninja seeking recognition; praised for its themes of perseverance and internal growth.

* 96% Margo's Got Money Troubles: Season 1. * 87% Beef: Season 2. * 79% * 42% Euphoria: Season 3. * 100% * 96% The Boys: Season 5. Rotten Tomatoes 10 Best Manga to Read in 2026 - Japan Web Magazine

These series are the pillars of the shonen genre, known for their vast worlds and massive global fanbases.

These series are the heavy hitters, known for high stakes, incredible power systems, and themes of perseverance.