Only 1 New-Gen Show Is Good Enough to Be This Generation’s #1 Anime (It's Not Demon Slayer)

The old generation of shōnen is basically done, and the new generation is finally here. Series like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Naruto still have versions of themselves airing, but it's time for the latest batch of shōnen superstars to take center stage.

The new generation of shōnen is significantly different from its predecessors. Most, if not all, major old-school shōnen franchises are filled with redemption, friendship, and forgiveness. New shōnen series couldn't be more different.

These new series are marked by brutality, vengeance, and a level of violence series like One Piece have never seen. While many people point to Demon Slayer as the leader of the latest generation, there's another series that leads the pack without even trying.

The Old Generation of Shōnen Is Almost Over

Dragon Ball, Bleach, Naruto, and One Piece are kings of the last generation of shōnen anime. Bleach, Naruto, and One Piece are considered the "Big Three" of the art form, and Dragon Ball is easily the single most influential anime franchise of all time.

At times, it feels like these series will quite literally never end. Dragon Ball has been airing for more than 40 years, One Piece has exceeded 1,000 episodes and is showing no signs of slowing down, and both Bleach and Naruto have continued through sequel series.

Even though the old generation of shōnen doesn't want to wrap up, the new generation is here, and these new franchises have ushered in a very welcome change almost unrecognizable when compared to their predecessors.

The New Generation of Shōnen Is Here

The new generation of shōnen is here, and arguably, it's significantly better. Series like One Piece have influenced the genre massively, but even One Piece could learn a thing or two from these series.

There are a few things that set the two generations apart, but the biggest is concision. The old generation is bloated, saturated with useless moments and episodes that drag on and on. Solo Leveling, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen don't have a single skippable moment, creating much better experiences for the viewer.

These new series are also much more brutal than the older generation. In Dragon Ball and Naruto, death is almost entirely meaningless. Goku has died five times, and when Kakashi died, Naruto convinced his killer to revive him. The opposite couldn't be more true in Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer, as even the most significant characters die at a moment's notice.

When most people look towards the king of the new generation, they look at Demon Slayer. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, but that doesn't mean it should represent the new generation. If there is one series that should be seen as the leader of new-gen anime, it's Jujutsu Kaisen.

Jujutsu Kaisen Stands for More Than Demon Slayer Does

Demon Slayer thrives in simplicity. Muzan wants to master the sun and kills innocent people in order to achieve that goal. Tanjiro wants to get revenge for what Muzan did to his family and wants to save his sister at the same time. That's it.

There's nothing wrong with this straightforward story; if anything, Demon Slayer's simplicity is one of its greatest strengths, but it's that simplicity that holds it back from becoming the king of modern shōnen. Jujutsu Kaisen, on the other hand, is rife with complications that show how deeply connected it is to the time that it's from.

In the 2020s, the world feels like a very complicated place, and Jujutsu Kaisen reflects that masterfully. At its core, Jujutsu Kaisen is about surviving the oppressive systems that seek to break us down. Maki Zen'in is a perfect example of this. She's one of the strongest characters in Jujutsu Kaisen, but never got the respect she deserves until her entire clan was slaughtered.

Satoru Gojo is only respected because he is the strongest, and the second he was out of the picture, the conservative higher-ups in Jujutsu Society looked to keep him locked up and kill everyone he was protecting.

Jujutsu Kaisen Is the True King of Modern Shōnen Anime

Jujutsu Kaisen is the true king of modern shōnen because it's a modern anime. It's an anime that reflects the dishonesty of oppressive systems and how difficult survival can be. It highlights mental illnesses like depression through Megumi Fushiguro and blinding narcissism through Naoya Zen'in.

Demon Slayer will go down in history as an incredibly influential anime series, but it isn't as reflective of the world's culture as Jujutsu Kaisen. Jujutsu Kaisen is brutal, unforgiving, and downright cruel, and that's a reality all too many people can relate to.

This generation of shōnen anime is incredibly different from the previous generation's, and that's because the world has changed a lot. What will the next generation of shōnen look like, and how will people look back on this generation? Until we find out, we'll have to rely on series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and Chainsaw Man to lead the way.

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  Created by Koyoharu Gotouge

  First Film Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train

  Latest Film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba - To the Hashira Training

  First TV Show Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

  Latest TV Show Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

  First Episode Air Date April 6, 2019

  Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a wildly popular anime and manga franchise created by Koyoharu Gotouge. Set in Taishō-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks a cure for his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into one. The franchise includes a manga, anime TV series, films, video games, and spin-offs. Known for its stunning animation and gripping storyline, Demon Slayer is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.

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  Created by Gege Akutami

  First Film Jujutsu Kaisen 0

  Latest Film Jujutsu Kaisen 0

  First TV Show Jujutsu Kaisen

  Latest TV Show Jujutsu Kaisen

  Upcoming TV Shows Jujutsu Kaisen

  Jujutsu Kaisen is a Japanese anime and manga series created by Gege Akutami. The story is set in a world where Cursed Spirits, born from negative human emotions, prey on humanity. It follows high school student Yuji Itadori as he becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after swallowing a cursed talisman—Ryomen Sukuna's finger—and becomes the host for one of the most powerful curses. Yuji joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College to learn how to combat curses while searching for the remaining fingers of Sukuna to exorcise him permanently.