While shonen anime does tend to focus on male characters, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some amazing shonen female characters to get hyped about. For this list, we’re counting down some of the best shonen heroines out there. We love side characters, but this list is focused on protagonists or near-protagonists. So, Nezuko Kamado from Demon Slayer gets the spotlight, while…
Masashi Kishimoto is the artist and author behind the shonen manga series Naruto. First published in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1999, Naruto quickly became one of the most important and well-known series in the manga world. Over the years, Kishimoto has participated in interviews that offer some insight into the creation process. We went through these interviews and collected some of the things we…
The best anime stories create a sense of suspense, often by featuring a character who’s harboring a secret. Whether it’s a kid who doesn’t want anyone to know that he called himself “Dark Flame Master” in middle school, or a bunch of teenagers who join the military without mentioning to the higher-ups that they’re actually man-eating monsters, anime characters…
Ask any anime fan what the most irritating thing about anime is and chances are, they’ll say that it’s filler arcs and episodes. Filler are anime-exclusive stories that typically arise because the creators are waiting for the manga, light novel, or other content on which the anime is based, to release new material so that…
The Akatsuki serve as one of the biggest groups of villains in the Naruto universe. Their goal is to capture the tailed beasts, take control of them, and use them as weapons of war. However, each member has their own set of motivations that keep them going – Deidara lives to create explosive art, Hidan sets out to…
In the world of Naruto, Genjutsu is less common than ninjutsu or taijutsu, but it’s no less useful. Genjutsu allows users to create illusions that range from mere images to painful, world-enveloping nightmares. Who are the best genjutsu users in Naruto? The ultimate attack in Naruto Shippuden, Infinite Tsukuyomi, is the work of one of the strongest genjutsu users, Madara Uchiha. However, there are plenty of others beyond…
Most anime deaths have some level of drama or gravitas attached to them, but some of them are truly epic moments featuring anime characters who went out in a blaze of glory. Many of these characters lost their lives in high-stakes battles that they didn’t even once consider running away from no matter how badly hurt…
Naruto is a beloved series, and for good reason. It’s a hugely influential show with an inspiring story, great art, an unforgettable cast of characters, and a well-thought out. But despite its well-deserved place in the anime canon, it has some issues. Even the most dedicated fans can admit that there are some Naruto criticisms to be made….
One of the most incredible powers in the world of Naruto belongs to the jinchuriki. The jinchuriki are people with tailed beasts sealed inside of their bodies. The tailed beasts are powerful creatures with huge reserves of chakra, and each one bestows their jinchuriki with incredible strength. Unfortunately, most jinchuriki are shunned by their villages – that’s…
Many cartoon fans have experienced characters who are as dull as dirt. And, indeed, boring anime protagonists can make it hard to actually enjoy the series in question. These characters aren’t necessarily bad. Some of them are beloved for good reason; they’re occasionally charming. The majority of lackluster protagonists, though, don’t deserve the spotlight. There are plenty of other secondary characters who grow…
