In the past, subbed anime series were tucked away in random YouTube channels and fan-made streaming websites. However, today the biggest television companies have picked up on the genre’s popularity. While there are a number of mainstream streaming services available, HBO Max has its own anime roster to compete with.
For anime fans questioning if subscribing to HBO is worth it, there’s positive news as the streaming subscription has some of the best anime to date. These series have made a huge impact on the anime community since airing and they all stream on HBO Max.
10 Blue Exorcist Is An Ideal Show For Classic Anime Fans
For classic shonen-style anime fans, HBO Max gives their subscribers access to Blue Exorcist. The story follows the kind, but wayward teenager Rin who struggles to find his place in the world. His massive strength has always given him unwanted attention and made him look like a monster. What he doesn’t realize is that he’s Satan’s son.
After learning the truth of his parentage under the most tragic circumstances, Rin is hunted down by demon exorcists. Rather than allowing himself to be assassinated, Rin fights to join their ranks. With a motley crew of characters and unfolding mysteries hiding around every corner, this series is a crowd pleaser.
9 Tokyo Revengers Brings The Hit Manga To Life
After the enormous success that Ken Wakui found with his manga Tokyo Revengers, Liden Films created the much talked-about anime adaptation of the same name. Taking a unique approach to the themes of time travel, this series follows 26-year-old Takemichi and his quest to change the fate of the one girl he loved, Hinata.
Takemichi’s life has gone downhill since middle school, which was when he was dating Hinata, had supportive friends, and felt respected. After learning of Hinata’s death, Takemichi is suddenly given the gift of time travel and uses it to save his old girlfriend and undo his past mistakes. This action-packed drama from 2021 still has fans on the edge of their seats.
8 Food Wars! Is An Outrageous Delight For The Senses
There have been plenty of anime that focus on food, some more successful than others, but Food Wars seems to be topping all of them. It aired back in 2015 and quickly became one of the most talked about anime. Today, it remains one of the most recommended series for comedy fans.
While the anime follows the typical trend of presenting a confident and eager main character who aims to be the greatest at his craft, it’s the ridiculous scenarios within the plot that has grabbed so many viewers’ attention. It’s no question that anime food at large looks delicious enough to make one drool, but this anime takes that notion and turns it up to an extreme, bringing in much comedy.
7 Dr. Stone Brings The Power Of Science To The Shonen Genre
Most shonen anime emphasize the power of raw physical strength, which is why the series Dr. Stone stands out. Its mix of real-life science with fantasy elements creates an original and engaging experience that fans can enjoy and be intrigued by.
The series follows the brawny teen Taiju and his genius friend Senkuu as they combine their strengths to save humanity from a sudden global catastrophe of unexplained petrification. Granted, the ideas and logic behind this series might turn some away, but for those who are capable of suspensions of disbelief, this anime is a lot of fun to watch.
6 Madoka Magica Shakes Up The Magical Girl Trope
There’s a reason why Puella Magi Madoka Magica fans and anime lovers at large rave about the series. Puella Magi Madoka Magica takes a dark twist on the Magical Girl trope in the most heart wrenching and dramatic ways.
The series follows two young girls who are given the chance to become magical girls in exchange for one wish. While building up the main characters, the series gradually sets up this fictional world of horrors supported by thrilling action and mesmerizing animation. Most viewers don’t feel the same after watching this iconic series.
5 To Your Eternity Explores The Journey Of Life
Though anime is notorious for certain tropes, there are some series that avoid them. To Your Eternity is a visually stunning saga that explores life in different forms through a shape-shifting being. The series doesn’t explain much, adding to the mystery and poetry of the story. It’s a series that deserves multiple watches for this lack of exposition.
While some viewers missed the usual anime tropes that help to guide the audience’s engagement, most argue that the stirring emotions and poetic approach to storytelling are what makes this show so special.
4 Mob Psycho 100 Provides A Perfect Storm Of Emotions
Airing within the shadow of One-Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100 founds its own fanbase and esteem from the anime community. Though there are many viewers who still compare it to One-Punch Man, Mob Psycho’s compelling story of a young, insecure, but powerful boy captivates viewers for several reasons.
Putting aside the obvious mention of this series’ note-worthy animation, it takes shonen themes of a superpowered universe and adds heart and the most clever details. With raw emotions at the core of this thrilling series, viewers are in for a fun ride.
3 The Promised Neverland Is A Rare Horror Gem
Shonen anime is commonly known for its action, drama, and comedy, but The Promised Neverland captivated fans as a thrilling shonen horror. It follows the trials and tribulations of three orphan children who learn that their assumed safe haven is in fact a prison with no positive future for them.
Dangers lie in wait for them as they turn of age. They eventually put together an escape plan, but this nightmare home isn’t so easy to escape from.
2 Jujutsu Kaisen Is A Highly Debated Series For A Reason
For fans of the manga, the Jujutsu Kaisen anime is a fantastic adaptation. The creators do an incredible job of bringing this beloved series to life, presenting some of the most raved about action sequences. Classic shonen-style fans have fallen in love with this series, not just because of the familiar shonen elements, but more so with what the creators have done to improve them.
The series follows a group of superpowered fighters called Jujutsu Sorcerers whose job is to vanquish bloodthirsty monsters known as Curses. Fans are thrilled by the show’s intense and bleak perspective of the heroes’ work and add multiple layers to both sides of the battlefields. With only one full season aired, this anime has already become one of the biggest anime series today.
1 Hunter X Hunter (2011) Brings The Classic Anime Back To The Limelight
Though it hasn’t garnered as much popularity as other modern anime, the 2011 remake of Hunter x Hunter is beloved by its fans. This is another anime that shonen fans will fall in love with as it takes inspiration from many shonen hits.
The story follows Gon, a 12-year-old chasing the goal of becoming a Hunter, not for power or fame, but to try and meet his estranged father, who is also a Hunter. As childlike as this series may appear to be, its raw emotions have resonated with viewers of any age and the action and drama keeps audiences engaged until the very last episode.
Leave a Reply