The 18 Best Seinen Anime For Battle Shonen Fans

Highlights

• Seinen anime offers unique narratives different from the usual formula, making them the best the genre has to offer.
• Seinen anime like Gantz and Goblin Slayer feature graphic violence, mature themes, and thought-provoking stories that appeal to older audiences.

Some of the most popular and cherished anime of all time are based on either seinen or shonen manga. These stories could belong to any genre, but they are marketed to different audiences. While shonen anime targets adolescent boys, seinen anime is aimed at young men aged 18 and up.

Shonen anime includes notable shows such as Attack on Titan, Naruto, and Demon Slayer. Of course, whether a show is a shonen or seinen, fans of all ages, genders, and preferences can enjoy them. Get some popcorn ready, because here are a few incredible seinen anime that are great choices for those who are already big shonen fans.

Updated December 8, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra: Seinen anime certainly has a huge audience of its own, with some of the most appealing anime around marketed mostly to older audiences. These shows tackle more mature themes and end up being riveting watches in their own right, but there are some similarities to shonen anime that can still be noted here. This is especially true in the case of battle shonen series, and fans of these anime will be more than happy with the seinen shows that scratch the same itch.

18 Yamada’s First Time

MAL Rating: 6.85

Not all seinen anime have to be dramatic or gory — sometimes they’re super corny and hilarious comedies! That is the case with Yamada’s First Time, a comedy anime following Yamada, a high school girl with a personal goal to have her way with 100 different guys before she graduates.

It quickly becomes very apparent that she has no game, no guts, and no ability to achieve her goal, as she gets stuck wooing her very first boy. It’s hilarious, adorable, and features mature humor that those who have already graduated high school can appreciate.

17 Gantz

MAL Rating: 7.03

Gantz is one of the goriest and most messed-up anime of all time, and viewer discretion is highly advised. It’s a science fiction anime where a group of recently deceased people are resurrected by a mysterious black sphere known as Gantz.

They are forced to participate in a deadly game where they must fight various aliens using advanced weaponry. The anime’s graphic violence, mature themes, and moral ambiguity make it a thrilling and thought-provoking watch… which makes its harrowing moments even harder to stomach.

16 Goblin Slayer

MAL Rating: 7.45

Goblin Slayer is a show many people know for its shocking first episode, which garnered a ton of controversy for justified reasons. It chronicles the story of an adventurer known as Goblin Slayer, a powerful and brutal warrior who specializes in exterminating goblins.

The show was criticized across the board for its senseless depiction of graphic violence and its reliance on shock value instead of building up something meaningful and riveting. However, Goblin Slayer is a slow burn, and viewers who power through an admittedly slow and weak beginning will find the rest of the series to be quite riveting indeed.

15 Elfen Lied

MAL Rating: 7.47

After watching the first episode, it would be easy to dismiss Elfen Lied as nothing more than a mindless gorefest. However, this shocking opening settles into a rather thought-provoking show that poses several interesting questions.

Lucy serves as a great tragic protagonist in Elfen Lied, with the show’s quality heightening due to the character’s fascinating personality. The anime might have a more rushed ending, but it’s a great watch nonetheless and the manga is always there for people who remained invested till the end.

14 Knights Of Sidonia

MAL Rating: 7.72

Knights of Sidonia, a 2-season series from 2014, is a lesser-known anime that deserves more recognition. A boy who lived in seclusion his entire life emerges into a world where the last remains of humanity live on a traveling fleet in space, avoiding a deadly alien threat.

The animation style is different than most anime, with a more 3D style. The story is unique and keeps audiences engaged and eager to know what happens next. The characters are admirable, and the futuristic world-building is truly enchanting.

13 Tokyo Ghoul

MAL Rating: 7.79

Set in a world where human-like creatures called Ghouls roam undetected in society, this dark thriller features dramatic action scenes, effective character development, and flesh-eating beings out to kill humans.

The protagonist, Ken Kaneki, ends up as a half-ghoul and must use his skills to handle living with both ghouls and fearful humans. It’s a classic seinen anime that has received plenty of praise since its release back in 2015.

12 Lupin III

MAL Rating: 7.90

There is no doubt that this popular seinen series is internationally successful, having so many remakes and sequels under its belt. The action-comedy follows the adventures of Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of the famous Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of Maurice Leblanc’s novels.

Lupin III is considered the greatest thief in the world, being a pro at stealing valuable items and not getting caught. It’s a great series that is still going strong to this day.

11 Black Lagoon

MAL Rating: 8.17

An action-packed series that fans of mature and realistic battles will love, Black Lagoon is iconic for many reasons. Unlike most shows with clear-cut heroes and villains, the morality of most characters in Black Lagoon is quite gray, making these characters pretty interesting from the get-go.

The gunfights in Black Lagoon are wonderful to behold, and it’s easy to see why so many people remember the show for the sheer amount of action it throws at viewers. Black Lagoon is many things, but boring certainly isn’t one of them.

10 Erased

MAL Rating: 8.30

Playing off the classic “butterfly effect” theory, this series follows the story of a 27-year-old man who wakes up in the body of his 10-year-old self, after being accused of his mother’s murder. He must now navigate being a child again and figure out who killed his mother, while also preventing the notorious kidnappings that occurred in his childhood.

It’s a high-intensity anime of just 12 episodes, making it a wonderful show to binge in one or two sittings. Anyone who likes mystery, drama, youthful friendships, and sci-fi will love Erased.

9 Parasyte

MAL Rating: 8.33

This bone-chilling series follows the story of Shinichi Izumi, a high schooler who lives on an alternate version of Earth. This world is infiltrated by parasitic creatures that take over and devour people’s brains and bodies.

Shinichi stops a parasite from taking him over completely but traps it in his arm. He now must understand and work with the parasite to help the rest of humanity against the alien threat. It’s creepy, gory, frightening, and worth the watch.

8 Hellsing Ultimate

MAL Rating: 8.35

Hellsing Ultimate is a series of OVAs that detail Alucard’s adventures and encounters in the Hellsing universe. Each one of these OVAs is full to brim with memorable characters and mind-blowing animation.

The show can be pretty grisly to watch at times, but Alucard’s brilliance as a protagonist will make even the most squeamish anime viewer celebrate every victory.

7 Ghost In The Shell

MAL Rating: 8.42

This Japanese cyberpunk franchise is a stunningly unique series that most anime fans will enjoy, featuring enticing visuals, a beautiful soundtrack, and exciting plot twists. The protagonist Mokoto is a technologically advanced cyborg and public security agent, who is faced with critical situations involving valuing her own identity and self-worth.

Viewers are left questioning everything about humanity and society once they finish this series. There have been many remakes, games, books, and TV shows based on this original anime, proving it’s not only one of the best sci-fi animes of all time but also one of the greatest seinen ones.

6 One-Punch Man

MAL Rating: 8.50

Most people are surprised by the fact that One-Punch Man is actually a seinen series as opposed to a shonen one. This fact, in and of itself, is enough for this amazing show to bag a spot here.

One-Punch Man‘s hilarity is present throughout the show, even though the second season features a notable dip in animation quality. With a third season on the horizon, there’s no better time to get into this legendary series.

5 Fate/Zero

MAL Rating: 8.55

Fate/Zero is a dark fantasy anime that serves as a prequel to Fate/Stay Night. The story follows several powerful mages who compete in a battle royale for the Holy Grail, a powerful artifact that can grant any wish.

The anime is known for its complex and morally ambiguous characters, intricate plotlines, and intense action sequences that feature powerful magical abilities and unique weapons. It helps that Kiritsugu Emiya is a riveting protagonist, and fans were glad to see Shirou’s mysterious father get some much-needed time in the spotlight.

4 Berserk

MAL Rating: 8.58

Berserk is a brilliant manga that serves as Kentaro Miura’s magnum opus. The late great mangaka poured his heart and soul into the Berserk manga, and no adaptation has come anywhere near as close to depicting the amazing artwork of this series.

That being said, the 1997 anime and the movie adaptations of The Golden Age are still a blast to sit through. The brilliant direction and character development in these adaptations are enough to warrant a watch for any shonen anime fan.

3 Mushishi

MAL Rating: 8.66

This award-winning anime is fittingly based on an incredible award-winning manga released in the early 2000s. It follows the story of Ginko, a man on a lonely journey to uncover the meaning of the rare, almost mythical Mushi, a very simple form of life that can mimic other things and is widely unknown to humans.

Ginko follows any leads that could lead him to answers on what the Mushi truly are and why they exist. It’s a slow, soft, beautiful, and emotionally compelling anime that tells a story unlike anything seen before.

2 Vinland Saga

MAL Rating: 8.80

The first season of Vinland Saga was essentially a prologue, which is mind-blowing considering it tells a gripping and satisfying narrative all on its own. Starting in Winter 2023, the sequel has a fairly different rhythm and setting to its predecessor; however, its writing and character work are just as good. Although purposefully single-minded at first, Thorfinn has grown into a complex protagonist who is haunted by his past actions.

Thorfinn’s growth throughout the two seasons is a joy to witness. Hopefully, Vinland Saga will continue to be a riveting watch for years to come, as there is certainly enough source material for a lot more episodes.

1 Kingdom

MAL Rating: 8.81

Kingdom is a historical fiction anime set during China’s Warring States period. The protagonist of this tale is a young war orphan named Xin who has grand dreams of becoming a great general.

The anime is beloved for its epic large-scale battles, intricate political intrigue, and compelling characters. The fact that it’s set in a real-life historical period that explores ancient China adds to the show’s novelty and makes it a blast to watch. The animation in the earlier seasons can take some getting used to, but it is worth adapting to just to experience this fantastic story.

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