While it has iconic moments and largely set the stage for anime and shonen in particular, Naruto does not age well; there are plenty of better shows. It is very culturally relevant to be familiar with, however.
Naruto
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (Parts 1 & 2)
Jojo’s is an extremely over-the-top presentation of a lot of dramatic, sexy-posing men, and it is a beautiful thing.
Yakitate!! Japan
Yakitate!! Japan is a goofy, wholesome comedy that channels a similar vibe to the great Abridges series of the early 2010s with quality humor and the cast doesn't really take the show seriously.
Kakegurui XX
Kakegurui presents the eternally glorified “Anime High School Girl” and then shatters it into disturbing pieces.
Food Wars! – Shokugeki no Soma (Seasons 1-3)
Genre(s): Food, Shonen, Comedy, Ecchi, School Age-Appropriateness: 16+ (Very frequent suggestive themes, mild language) Platforms: Crunchyroll, Hulu Episodes: 61 (+5 OVA) TheAwersome Rating: 9.2 / 10 (A definite gem, though not for everyone) Premise: Soma Yukihira wants nothing more in life than to one day surpass his father’s cooking skills and take over the family... Continue Reading →
Kakegurui
Genre(s): Drama, School, Psychological, Shounen, Game Age-Appropriateness: 17+ (Profanity, Violence, Sexual Themes) Platforms: Netflix Episodes: 12 TheAwersome Rating: 7.2 / 10 (You’ll either love it or you’ll hate it. Hard to be middle-ground) Premise: Hyakkaou Private Academy is an elite school housing the children of Japan’s most wealthy and influential businessmen, and regularly produces world-class... Continue Reading →
Soul Eater
Genre(s): Shonen, Comedy, Dark Fantasy Age-Appropriateness: 14+ (Blood, minor language, frightening imagery, occasional suggestive themes) Platforms: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu Episodes: 51 TheAwersome Rating: 8.2 / 10 (Somewhat niche-y, but if you’re into it definitely worth your time, bingeable) Premise: At Death Weapon Meister Academy (DWMA) in Death City, there are two categories of students:... Continue Reading →
Toriko
Genre(s): Shonen / Ridiculous Comedy / Food Age-Appropriateness: 7+ (depending on translator) Platforms: CrunchyRoll, Hulu, Funimation Episodes: 144 (147 including One-Piece and DBZ cross-over episodes) TheAwersome Rating: 7.7 / 10 (Worth watching, bingeable, not a must-see) Premise: In a bizarre future, the world is somewhat returned to a Jurassic-type state where giant plants and animals... Continue Reading →
