Shonen Anime has always won the hearts of fans with emotional storytelling that resonates with them and action that keeps them on the edge of their seats. But once such a wonderful work is created, what follows is even more difficult. The sequel is expected to not only be on par with the prequel, but even surpass it.
but often Shonen anime unable to continue the amazing level of production shown last season. For a sequel to not only continue the series' legacy, but to elevate it, is a tall order. Below are 8 sequels that made fan favorites even better.
Best Anime Since 2000, Ranked
From Fullmetal Alchemist to Skip Beat and Samurai Champloo, the best anime of the 2000s are simply great shows of all time.
Mob Psycho 100 Season 2
From the creator of One-Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100 is the story of the daily school life of a quiet teenager who is capable of unparalleled psychic powers. But the show doesn't give us an over the top main character. Instead, he gives us a self-aware young boy who has no control over his powers and closes himself off from people. The show's vibrant and dynamic art style immediately catches the attention of many fans, and its vivid storytelling allows the characters to instantly connect. At one point we see Mob struggling to hold a simple conversation. Next, he is in combat where he eliminates his opponents while walking the fine line between good and evil.
Season 2 continues the same level of animation and fight choreography, but is more enjoyable to watch because it focuses so much on emotion and character development through characters like Mob and Reigen.
Demon Slayer Season 2
The first season did everything an opening season is supposed to do. It introduced the world of demon slayers, glimpsed the danger that is the Twelve Demon Moons, and revealed two ultimate goals for Tanjiro: to cure Nezuko and defeat Muzan. Action, bits of comedy and emotional stories for both humans and demons made it an unforgettable season.
Season 2 immediately follows up on the Muge Train Arc, giving us an action-packed and emotional farewell to Rengoku that will touch the hearts of fans. Without slowing down, the entertainment district continues, featuring some of the best animation the series has done to date. The season works as a perfect follow up as we see Tanjira confront the members of Twelve Moon head on, showing his growth while maintaining his most important trait, his kindness.
Naruto Shippuden
One of the big three of anime, Naruto is an iconic series that holds a key place in most fans' childhood memories. The emotional and inspirational story of the young ninja immediately resonated with fans, making it a huge success. The anime's popularity comes from its huge number of unique characters, focus on complex human emotions, and actively developing arcs. Shippuden kept these strengths and developed them further by showing the growth of familiar characters while introducing countless new ones, making the story richer.
Naruto's biggest drawback was its filler episodes and the same continued in Naruto: Shippuden. But regardless of this one major flaw, it is still considered one of the most iconic and beloved anime of all time.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is the story of a young prince's rebellion against his own father. The anime deals heavily with themes of justice, revenge, and morality through its main character, Lelouch Lamperouge, and his supernatural powers. The show has its share of action and cool machinations, but the real intensity lies in the intellectual clashes and constant cliffhangers. The second season builds on the climax of its prequel. It starts off slow, but once the action gets going, it doesn't stop until the very end. The character dynamic between Lelouch and Suzaku is used for an ending that many fans believe is one of the best shonen endings of all time.
Vinland Saga Season 2
Vinland Saga is the story of a young warrior consumed by revenge. Through the eyes of revenge, Thorfinn constantly encounters violence, warfare and politics. Following in the footsteps of the man he despises the most, he walks into a cruel world where the attainment of power and wealth is absolute. Season 2 completely turns this story upside down. After suffering a great loss, Thorfinn walks a path away from violence. A man who once knew nothing but war changes his ways and stands by his words and emotions. His newfound power is much stronger than the daggers of his past. This contrast between the two seasons makes Vinland Saga Season 2 one of the most impressive sequels ever. It is a beautiful realization of human emotions, reflection and change.
Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War
Once considered in the same league as Naruto and One Piece, Bleach's hasty exit in 2012 was a sad ending for fans of the series. The anime also struggled to maintain consistency throughout its run due to the amount of filler, poor pacing, and poor world-building.
Thousand-Year Blood War, as a sequel, fixed a lot of problems with Bleach. First, the animation is on another level, which has attracted many modern fans and pleased older fans as well. The anime was also split into multiple parts, giving time for proper production and the anime not having to rely on the fillers that used to be its biggest killer. The adaptation of the final arc was also well done where the danger of Yhwach is well explained and the motives of Ichigo and his companions are clear. The sequel breathed new life into an iconic anime that never had a satisfying ending.
Gintama: The Finale
Widely known and loved for its over-the-top comedy, the series has finally come to an end with Gintama: The Final. Gintama is popular with many fans for its ability to seamlessly transition from parody to action, with characters that feel genuine and go through changes and developments that feel real. His final film was a fitting and emotional end to this iconic series. The appearances of many characters that fans have loved throughout the show, the perfectly timed comedy that brought fans to tears, and the fun action made it a beautiful finale. The film didn't attempt anything out of the ordinary; it just stuck to the same elements that always made anime enjoyable.
Attack on Titan Season 3 Episode 2
Few shows can balance action, emotion, and unpredictability like Attack on Titan can. Before Season 3, Part 2, the show had already set up a world of uncertainty. The origin of the Titans, the fate of humanity, and the way out of all suffering were questions that had no clear answers. With the arrival of this season came one of the most action-packed, story-driven, and emotional series of events in anime.
The season not only revealed the truth about the fate of Paradis Island, but also some important characters faced severe tragedy. The season also ended on a cliffhanger, leaving fans unsure but excited about the future of the anime. It is undoubtedly one of the most iconic sequels in anime because of the impact it had on the series. The action sequences were beautifully animated and perfectly choreographed.
The 40 Best Shonen Anime of All Time, Ranked
One Piece, Naruto, DBZ, Frieren and Jojo are just some of the best shonen anime of all time and they have a lot of tough competition.
A proper sequel will ensure that fans remember the anime positively, whether it's an ending or a holdover from newer releases. The above seasons/shows have been some of the most popular and highly rated in shonen anime to date. With great anime still being produced, it will be nice to see more recent shows added to similar lists.
