Shonen anime are well known for their brave heroes, terrifying villains, and epic fight scenes. Many of the most popular anime fall under the shonen category. Because shonen anime are mainly aimed towards young men, they usually feature strong, fearless male protagonists; however, women are also seen fighting bad guys and being all-around warriors.
Many anime fans remember well the moments when their favorite characters were introduced, whether it was during an awesome fight, a great twist, or fate bringing them together with other characters who would become their life-long friends and students. Although some protagonists have a more subtle introduction, many shonen heroes debut with a bang.
10 Ban Busts Out Of His Cell And Gets A New Haircut
Otherwise known as the Fox’s Sin of Greed, Ban is known to be imprisoned when Elizabeth sets out to track down the Seven Deadly Sins. Upon hearing that his captain, Meliodas, has come to retrieve him, Ban kicks down his cell door, dawning a scraggly beard and giant holes through his body from where he had been chained to his cell wall.
Because Ban can heal quickly, it was no problem for him to remove his bindings and escape. The Apprentice Holy Knight, Jericho, attempts to apprehend Ban but only gives him a clean shave with her sword.
9 When Kakashi Meets Team 7 For The First time
Naruto fans can’t help but remember fondly when Kakashi first meets the infamous Team 7. As Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke wait for Kakashi, Naruto decides to play the old eraser over the door prank. Naruto laughs, Sakura apologizes and blames Naruto, and Sasuke broods in a corner.
Kakashi states that his first impression of the three genin is not a positive one. As viewers get to watch Kakashi grow fond of the three foolish children who would become some of the greatest ninja, it can’t be forgotten that Kakashi’s first introduction to his team was quite poor indeed.
8 Yumeko Jabami Beats Mary Against What Seems To Be All Odds
Yumeko Jabami is the new girl at Hyakkaou Private Academy, a school where the entire social system is based around who is the best gambler. When she is asked to join a game based around rock, paper, scissors by Mary, she teeters on the edge of becoming a class pet—the lowest on the totem pole—on her first day.
When it appears that Yumeko is about to lose it all, she turns the tables and beats Mary. Yumeko explains that she knew Mary had been cheating, but that cheating was just part of the game, and she loves the rush gambling gives her. The red eyes of an excited Yumeko are something any opponent should fear.
7 Mob Exorcises A Spirit Without Breaking A Sweat
Reigen, a con-man and fake psychic, calls upon his student, Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama, for help when he follows a client into an abandoned building and comes face-to-face with a nasty spirit. When Mob shows up to help, he is a small, awkward-looking boy who is also expressionless.
Despite his appearance, Mob proves himself to be an extremely strong psychic and quickly exorcises the spirit. It becomes clear that Mob doesn’t realize his master is a fraud, though he asks his master to please refrain from calling him on such short notice.
6 Killua Meets Gon In The First Stage Of The Hunter Exam
During the first stage of the Hunter Exam, the participants are told to follow the first examiner as he runs down what seems to be the longest tunnel ever. As Leorio, a man who would become another close friend of Killua, pants and attempts to keep up, he sees Killua riding past cooly on a skateboard.
Leorio becomes enraged and claims that Killua is cheating at the endurance test. Gon interrupts and states that it is not an endurance test and that the only instructions were to follow the leader. Killua takes an immediate liking to Gon, kicks his skateboard into the air, and decides to run next to the boy who would soon become his best friend.
5 Jiraiya Gets Caught Being A Pervert And Teaches Naruto A New Skill
While Naruto is in his first stages of training, he winds up at a hot spring—coincidentally at the same time that Jiraiya is doing “research” for his next book. When Naruto catches Jiraiya, he calls him out and brands Jiraiya as a, “Pervy Sage.”
Because Jiraiya knocked out Naruto’s teacher at the time—Ebisu—Naruto demands that Jiraiya take responsibility and teach him something new. Jiraiya finally consents and teaches Naruto to control his chakra to stand on water. Thus begins the relationship that would warm the hearts of all Naruto fans.
4 Meliodas Is Discovered As One Of The Deadly Seven Sins
When Elizabeth sets out looking for the Seven Deadly Sins to ask for their assistance in stopping the Holy Knights and save her family, she wanders into the Boar Hat Pub and meets a short man and his talking pet pig.
A Holy Knight attacks the pair out in search of the Seven Deadly Sins, they are faced with two options—either run or fight. Meliodas reveals himself to be the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins, the Dragon’s Sin of Wrath. The Knight troops discover Meliodas’ true identity right before defeating them with his power, Full Counter.
3 All Might Saves Midoriya
Midoriya is a small, Quirk-less boy whose only dream is to be a hero. He has always looked up to the number one hero, All Might, who enters every battle with a smile on his face and brings hope to all those in danger. When Midoriya wanders into a tunnel and is attacked by a villain, he is rescued by his favorite hero, All Might.
The rippling muscles, huge smile, and Texas Smash work together to save young Midoriya and inspire him even further. Although All Might appears to be daunting, he is found to be a bit goofy and possesses a lot of humility. Altogether, All Might is a loveable guy, and viewers begin to understand why he is so revered.
2 Gojo Saddles In With His Souvenirs And Fights Sukuna
After eating the finger of Sakuna to gain power and rescue his friend, Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro are left fearing that Itadori will lose control and Sukuna will kill the both of them. At this moment, Satoru Gojo casually appears holding a bag of souvenir treats he had purchased in the city. Gojo seems to be pretty relaxed despite seeing his student bloodied and beaten.
Gojo quickly gets filled in on the situation and then asks Itadori to give him ten seconds with Sukuna; he assures Itadori not to worry because he is the best. Gojo goes on to cooly fight Sukuna, dodging his awesome attacks and dealing out his own power, which, although impressive, isn’t even close to him going all out. Cool, casual, and carefree.
1 Saitama Defeats A Monster With One Punch
There is a large, purple, alien-like monster threatening the city by smashing buildings and attacking the people. Suddenly, a smallish guy with a shiny bald head appears in a yellow suit and cape. The monster asks the mysterious bald yellow-suited man who he is, to which Saitama responds that he’s “just a guy who’s a hero for fun.”
The monster, which refers to himself as Vaccine Man, proceeds to droll on his evil mission, ranting while Saitama looks on bored. Finally, Saitama punches the monster into oblivion. While viewers might believe that Saitama would be proud of his victory, he surprises by falling to his knees and screaming to the sky in frustration that it only retook one punch. Saitama seems to want a challenge but is having some bad luck.
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