Shonen animeis considered by many to be the backbone of this industry and one of the most accessible genres of anime that serve as a gateway into this wondrous and imaginative world. Most people considershonen anime to feature a heavy dose of battles, but there are actually several anime in this genre that go against the norm and end up being extremely successful if they manage to nail the formula.
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The setting of a shonen anime is quite important when it comes to deciding whether a show will be successful. This is where the post-apocalyptic setting comes into the picture, with manyshonen animemanaging to make the most of this setting. Keeping this in mind, here are some of the best post-apocalyptic shonen anime you should definitely keep an eye out for.
10Highschool Of The Dead
Most people might be surprised to findHighschool of the Deadon this list. After all, the anime has numerous flaws and is trashed on by many members of the fanbase for its paper-thin story andgratuitous fanservice.
However, that’s not to say that the anime doesn’t have its fans who defend the strengths of this show. The animation is gorgeous — as is to be expected from Madhouse — and the horror themes of the show are pulled off quite admirably too.
9Claymore
Claymorewas an anime that showed a ton of potential… all the way until it reached a rather unfortunate end. This was a shame, since the setup of the show coupled with likable characters and great fight scenes made for a unique experience.
However,Claymoreended up hitting a brick wall after catching up to the adaptation. Instead of waiting for the manga to go a step ahead, the studio chose to stick with an original ending instead that was completely harebrained and destroyed any chance of this anime being an absolute classic.
8The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverlandis another show that started off on a high note. Watching the protagonists of the show figure out just how messed up their orphanage really was made for a riveting first season, coupled with close calls and riveting animation across the board.
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However, it was the second season of the show that royally dropped the ball, with major arcs and characters being omitted in favor of adopting a new approach for the anime. The end result was an absolute travesty of a show that is only redeemed by its masterful first season.
7Tokyo Ghoul
Another show that was screwed over by its animators — who, as is the case with most disaster shows, wanted to animate an original story that was slightly inspired by the manga — wasTokyo Ghoul. The first season was excellent, although its original ending was a sore point that peeved many fans.
However,Tokyo Ghoul √Awas such a travesty that it made the original ending of the first season a masterpiece in comparison. Nothing aboutTokyo Ghoul √Ais notable in the slightest, and fans are better off just stopping their viewing after the first season to witness a riveting show that ultimately squandered its potential in the long run.
6Darker Than Black
Darker than Blacktakes a look at a post-apocalyptic Tokyo that is surprisingly nicer than most people could imagine. The emergence of Contractors and other mysterious figures that appeared after this apocalyptic event — known as Hell’s Gate — made for an excellent show that was a blast to binge through.
The show was followed by a sequel calledDarker than Black: Gemini of the Meteorthat took a more focused approach in terms of its plot. It might not be the greatest anime around, butDarker than Blackis an excellent anime regardless that deserves all its plaudits.
5Dr. Stone
Dr. Stonefeatures an intriguing premise where humanity is hit by a mysterious incident that petrified all the residents of the world, only for a select few to awaken after more than 3,700 years. Humanity is brought back to a new Stone Age, with the inhabitants of the Old World striving to bring back the age of Science.
At the helm of this technological resurgence is Senku Ishigami, a mad genius whose mind ends up compensating for his lack of brawn.This shonen showadds a healthy dose of science without making it boring in the slightest, and the anime also picks up in the latter half after an admittedly slow opening.
4Gantz
Gantzis easilythe darkest show on this listby a country mile. Featuring a bunch of dead people who are brought back to participate in a sadistic game that might ensure their revival from the grave,Gantz’saction is extremely brutal… yet downright addictive to watch.
However, its gory action still plays second fiddle to its amazing cast of characters and the bond they share with each other. This is precisely whyGantzis one of the hardest shows to watch because of how it plays around with viewers' emotions.
3Akira
Akirais a legendary anime movie that marked the industry’s first major foray into the West. Featuring a mind-bending plot coupled with beautiful animation for its time, Akira is a classic film that deserves all the praise that it has received over time.
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Watching Tetsuo come to grip with his telekinetic powersand transcend his own physical limits is absolutely enthralling to watch. The fact that the animation pulls no punches in showing the brutality of this transformation also helps out quite a bit indeed.
2Neon Genesis Evangelion
It would be impossible to talk about excellent post-apocalyptic anime without mentioning the brilliance ofNeon Genesis Evangelion, a groundbreaking show that most people consider the best anime of all time. The religious motifs and social commentary present in the show are rife and make for a thoughtful and introspective watch.
Some people found the religious themes to be a bit on the nose and the protagonist to be one of the worst parts of the show. However, these minor faults don’t take away from the esteemed brilliance and legacy ofNeon Genesis Evangelion.
1Attack On Titan
Attack on Titanis nothing short ofa raging phenomenonthat is still captivating fans to this day. It’s easy to see why this is the case, with the show featuring incredible visuals and a mind-boggling story that will keep viewers guessing all the way to the very end.
The final season is yet to reach its end, but people have no qualms with callingAttack on Titanthe greatest post-apocalyptic anime of all time. The manner in which humanity and war are deconstructed through the show is downright hypnotic to witness.
