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{{page should be category}}MOD: To be consistent with Shojo, the category should be named "Shonen Demographic".
{{page should be category}}MOD: To be consistent with Shojo, the category should be named "Shonen Demographic".


{{Manga demographic target groups}}
[[File:shonenjump3 8018.jpg|frame]]
[[File:shonenjump3 8018.jpg|frame]]
⚫
'''Shonen manga''' is [[manga]] published in Japanese magazines aimed primarily at tween and teenaged boys. Shonen anime is [[anime]] based on shonen manga. It is ''not'' a genre.


[[The Other Wiki]] tells us that the word can be pronounced with either a short or long "sho", so "shonen" and "shounen"/"shōnen" are equally correct romanizations of 少年. For ease of typing on a [[American English|US English]] keyboard, and to distinguish the demographic from the magazines, we will use "shonen" here.
⚫
'''Shōnen manga''' is [[manga]] published in Japanese magazines aimed primarily at tween and teenaged boys. Shōnen anime is [[anime]] based on Shōnen manga. It is ''not'' a genre.


Japanese fiction aimed at this demographic tends to be focused more on "action" than relationships, with romance generally either [[Token Romance|perfunctory]] or played for comedy.{{verify}} Physical combat is a common element,{{verify}} and the cast is predominantly male.{{verify}}
Japanese fiction aimed at this demographic tends to be focused more on "action" than relationships, with romance generally either [[Token Romance|perfunctory]] or played for comedy.{{verify}} Physical combat is a common element,{{verify}} and the cast is predominantly male.{{verify}}


Shōnen series were the first to be brought over ''en masse'' to the Western world, because it was the closest match to what was being aired by Western networks at the time (nearly all popular Western animation either is geared towards males or has [[Multiple Demographic Appeal]]). Thus, it makes up much of the popular American perception of anime.
Shonen series were the first to be brought over ''en masse'' to the Western world, because it was the closest match to what was being aired by Western networks at the time (nearly all popular Western animation either is geared towards males or has [[Multiple Demographic Appeal]]). Thus, it makes up much of the popular American perception of anime.


In Japan, "Shōnen" is a designation of the stories that were published in a particular class of magazines,{{verify}} not a label that describes the genres of the stories in those magazines.{{verify}} That leads to series that are different from the typical Shōnen style but still count as examples, and series that follow all the typical Shōnen tropes but aren't Shōnen because they didn't originate from a Shōnen magazine.
In Japan, "shonen" is a designation of the stories that were published in a particular class of magazines,{{verify}} not a label that describes the genres of the stories in those magazines.{{verify}} That leads to series that are different from the typical shonen style but still count as examples, and series that follow all the typical shonen tropes but aren't shonen because they didn't originate from a shonen magazine.


Contrast [[Shojo]], which is the tween and teenaged girl demographic; [[Seinen]], which is the men demographic ; and [[Josei]], which is the women demographic.
Contrast [[Shojo]], which is the tween and teenaged girl demographic; [[Seinen]], which is the men demographic ; and [[Josei]], which is the women demographic.
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== General Examples ==
== General Examples ==
* Almost anything with [[Humongous Mecha]].
* Almost anything with [[Humongous Mecha]].
* Sometimes, adaptations of stories with [[Multiple Demographic Appeal]] will create two versions of the story, one Shōnen and one [[Shojo]].
* Sometimes, adaptations of stories with [[Multiple Demographic Appeal]] will create two versions of the story, one shonen and one [[shojo]].
** The [[Cut and Paste Translation|attempted localization]] of ''[[Cardcaptor Sakura]]'' in the U.S. could be ''very'' generously described as an attempt to create a Shōnen version of the series (i.e., increase appeal in the proven male market), despite the show being entrenched like a rock in [[Shojo]] tropes.
** The [[Cut and Paste Translation|attempted localization]] of ''[[Cardcaptor Sakura]]'' in the U.S. could be ''very'' generously described as an attempt to create a shonen version of the series (i.e., increase appeal in the proven male market), despite the show being entrenched like a rock in [[shojo]] tropes.
** This practice also occurs in Japan. ''[[The Vision of Escaflowne]]'' had a Shōnen-version manga produced of its story, while ''[[Magic Knight Rayearth]]'''s [[OAV]]s have a similar bent as compared to the original series.
** This practice also occurs in Japan. ''[[The Vision of Escaflowne]]'' had a shonen-version manga produced of its story, while ''[[Magic Knight Rayearth]]''{{'}}s [[OAV]]s have a similar bent as compared to the original series.
* Nearly all the titles featured in the ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' (or simply ''Jump'') magazine have a kind of legacy with each other, enough that a [[Crossover]] [[Jump Super Stars|video game]] was highly received.
* Nearly all the titles featured in the ''[[w:Weekly Shōnen Jump|Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' (or simply ''Weekly Jump'') magazine have a kind of legacy with each other, enough that a [[Crossover]] [[Jump Super Stars|video game]] was highly received.
** The ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' series is by far the quintessential Shōnen, and due to its age, length and influence provides examples of most of the classic tropes.
** The ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' series is by far the quintessential shonen, and due to its age, length and influence provides examples of most of the classic tropes.
** Of all the ongoing Shōnen series, ''[[One Piece]]'' is by far the most massively popular. It has drawn a great deal of inspiration from ''[[Dragon Ball]]'', but developed a ''very'' unique and compelling flavor of its own.
** Of all the ongoing shonen series, ''[[One Piece]]'' is by far the most massively popular. It has drawn a great deal of inspiration from ''[[Dragon Ball]]'', but developed a ''very'' unique and compelling flavor of its own.
** Completing the [[Rule of Three|Jump Triforce]] is ''[[Naruto]]'', the most popular anime in America, period.
** Completing the [[Rule of Three|Jump Triforce]] is ''[[Naruto]]'', the most popular anime in America, period.
** ''[[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure]]'', released in 1987, is one of ''Shōnen Jump'''s longest running Shōnen series, having reached over ''90'' volumes in Japan. It was only very recently that it got an official English release, and even then it jumped the gun a little, starting with the more-famous Series 3. With its 7th part, "Steel Ball Run", it has switched magazines and became [[Seinen]].
** ''[[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure]]'', released in 1987, is one of ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''{{'}}s longest running shonen series, having reached over ''90'' volumes in Japan. It was only very recently that it got an official English release, and even then it jumped the gun a little, starting with the more-famous Series 3. With its 7th part, "Steel Ball Run", it has switched magazines and became [[Seinen]].
* [[Three-Point Landing]]: They love this to make the characters [[Rule of Cool|look cool.]]
* [[Three-Point Landing]]: They love this to make the characters [[Rule of Cool|look cool.]]
* General rule of thumb on the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism|scale of idealism vs. cynicism]], most Shōnen works (particularly the action fighter types), tend to fall in the [[The Idealist|idealist side]]. [[Deconstruction]]s, [[Darker and Edgier]], and/or, those that fall in the opposite side of the scale can easily be mistaken as a [[Seinen]] series and give a [[What Do You Mean It's for Kids?]] reaction (''[[Death Note]]'' and ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' are some of the notable examples).
* General rule of thumb on the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism|scale of idealism vs. cynicism]], most shonen works (particularly the action fighter types), tend to fall in the [[The Idealist|idealist side]]. [[Deconstruction]]s, [[Darker and Edgier]], and/or, those that fall in the opposite side of the scale can easily be mistaken as a [[Seinen]] series and give a [[What Do You Mean It's for Kids?]] reaction (''[[Death Note]]'' and ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' are some of the notable examples).


== Other Examples in ''[[Shonen Jump]]'' ==
== Other Examples in ''[[Shonen Jump]]'' ==
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* ''[[Captain Tsubasa]]'' — up until the ''Road to 2002'' saga, that is: then it moves into [[Seinen]] territory. Makes sense, the readers are mostly adult males ([[Periphery Demographic|and some adult females]]) who grew reading it in ''[[Shonen Jump]]'.
* ''[[Captain Tsubasa]]'' — up until the ''Road to 2002'' saga, that is: then it moves into [[Seinen]] territory. Makes sense, the readers are mostly adult males ([[Periphery Demographic|and some adult females]]) who grew reading it in ''[[Shonen Jump]]'.
* ''[[Claymore]]'' — although it seems to be aimed at girls more than at boys, since it features an almost all-female cast of characters. It is sometimes thought to be Seinen for the same reason and because of its dark themes.
* ''[[Claymore]]'' — although it seems to be aimed at girls more than at boys, since it features an almost all-female cast of characters. It is sometimes thought to be Seinen for the same reason and because of its dark themes.
* ''[[Death Note]]'' — although even plenty of anime fans still mistake it for Seinen, mostly because Light is an adult for most of the series and there's the [[What Do You Mean It's for Kids?]] factor. Played with in the ''[[Bakuman｡]]'' series (by the same creators), in which several characters support Seinen-type stories running in Shōnen magazines.
* ''[[Death Note]]'' — although even plenty of anime fans still mistake it for Seinen, mostly because Light is an adult for most of the series and there's the [[What Do You Mean It's for Kids?]] factor. Played with in the ''[[Bakuman｡]]'' series (by the same creators), in which several characters support Seinen-type stories running in shonen magazines.
* ''[[D.Gray-man]]'', even when its [[Estrogen Brigade]] says otherwise.
* ''[[D.Gray-man]]'', even when its [[Estrogen Brigade]] says otherwise.
* ''[[Dokonjo Gaeru]]''
* ''[[Dokonjo Gaeru]]''
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** ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (anime)|Yu-Gi-Oh! GX]]''
** ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (anime)|Yu-Gi-Oh! GX]]''
** ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's]]''
** ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's]]''
* ''[[Yu Yu Hakusho]]'' — another paradigm of Shōnen.
* ''[[Yu Yu Hakusho]]'' — another archetype of shonen.




== Non-''Shōnen Jump'' Examples ==
== Non-''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' Examples ==
* ''[[A.I. Love You]]''
* ''[[A.I. Love You]]''
* ''[[Air Gear]]''
* ''[[Air Gear]]''
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* ''[[Baby Steps]]''
* ''[[Baby Steps]]''
* ''[[Bakugan]]''
* ''[[Bakugan]]''
* ''[[Black Butler]]'' — even though it resembles a mix of Seinen and Shojo much more than actual Shōnen.
* ''[[Black Butler]]'' — even though it resembles a mix of seinen and shojo much more than actual shonen.
* ''[[Blue Exorcist]]''
* ''[[Blue Exorcist]]''
* ''[[Chuuka Ichiban]]''
* ''[[Chuuka Ichiban]]''
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* ''[[Eiken]]''
* ''[[Eiken]]''
* ''[[Et Cetera]]''
* ''[[Et Cetera]]''
* ''[[Eureka Seven]]'' — the anime can go into many genres, but both the manga adaptations were published in Shōnen magazines.
* ''[[Eureka Seven]]'' — the anime can go into many genres, but both the manga adaptations were published in shonen magazines.
* ''[[Fairy Tail]]''
* ''[[Fairy Tail]]''
* ''[[Flame of Recca]]''
* ''[[Flame of Recca]]''
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* ''[[Muv-Luv]]'' — the manga adaptation of ''Unlimited'' only; the other adaptations are [[Seinen]].
* ''[[Muv-Luv]]'' — the manga adaptation of ''Unlimited'' only; the other adaptations are [[Seinen]].
* ''[[Neko-de Gomen!]]''
* ''[[Neko-de Gomen!]]''
* ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''- often mistaken as pure Seinen, but most of its manga adaptions as well as the anime are either Shōnen or Shōjo.
* ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''- often mistaken as pure Seinen, but most of its manga adaptions as well as the anime are either shonen or shojo.
* ''[[Nichijou]]''
* ''[[Nichijou]]''
* ''[[Oku-sama wa Mahou Shoujo|Oku-sama wa Mahou Shoujo: Bewitched Agnes]]'' (a.k.a. ''My Wife is a Magical Girl: Bewitched Agnes'')
* ''[[Oku-sama wa Mahou Shoujo|Oku-sama wa Mahou Shoujo: Bewitched Agnes]]'' (a.k.a. ''My Wife is a Magical Girl: Bewitched Agnes'')
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* ''[[Tiger Mask]]''
* ''[[Tiger Mask]]''
* ''[[Trigun]]''—until it switched publisher and became [[Seinen]].
* ''[[Trigun]]''—until it switched publisher and became [[Seinen]].
* ''[[Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle]]''—yes, despite the genre of the various series it's a crossover from it runs in Shōnen magazine.
* ''[[Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle]]''—yes, despite the genre of the various series it's a crossover from it runs in ''[[w:Weekly Shōnen Magazine|Weekly Shōnen Magazine]]''.
* ''[[Ultimate Mop Daisuke DX]]''—an [[Affectionate Parody]] of Shōnen tropes.
* ''[[Ultimate Mop Daisuke DX]]''—an [[Affectionate Parody]] of Shōnen tropes.
* ''[[Watashi no Messiah-sama]]''
* ''[[Watashi no Messiah-sama]]''
* ''[[Yotsuba&!]]''
* ''[[Yotsuba&!]]''
* ''[[Yakitate!! Japan]]''
* ''[[Yakitate!! Japan]]''
* ''[[Yomeiro Choice]]''—the majority of the series, the first few chapters were published in a [[Seinen]] magazine, then it got transferred to a Shōnen magazine and it stayed till the very end. The strong content from its [[Seinen]] day still remains through the whole run, making it ''very'' hard to label as suitable for the younger audiences outside the Japanese demographic rating of Shōnen.
* ''[[Yomeiro Choice]]''—the majority of the series, the first few chapters were published in a [[Seinen]] magazine, then it got transferred to a shonen magazine and it stayed till the very end. The strong content from its [[Seinen]] day still remains through the whole run, making it ''very'' hard to label as suitable for the younger audiences outside the Japanese demographic rating of shonen.
* ''[[Zatch Bell]]''
* ''[[Zatch Bell]]''
* ''[[Zettai Karen Children]]''
* ''[[Zettai Karen Children]]''


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Anime Genres]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Manga Demographics]]
[[Category:Anime Fan Speak]]
[[Category:Anime Fan Speak]]
[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Pages with working Wikipedia tabs]]
[[Category:Pages with working Wikipedia tabs]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Trope Names from Japanese]]

Latest revision as of 17:55, 31 October 2022

MOD: To be consistent with Shojo, the category should be named "Shonen Demographic".

Manga demographic target groups:

  • Kodomomuke: children age 10 or younger
  • Shonen: "tween" or young-teen boys
  • Shoujo: "tween" or young-teen girls
  • Seinen: older-teen boys or young men (in modern usage, up to age 40)
  • ヤングレディース (literally "young ladies", does not appear to have a Western name): older-teen girls or young women
  • Redikomi (literally "ladies' comics"): women who are older than the audience for ヤングレディース
  • Josei: females age 18-40 (an academic and Western-fan term, not in general use in Japan)

Other Japanese comic styles:

  • Gekiga (literally "dramatic pictures"): adults

Shonen manga is manga published in Japanese magazines aimed primarily at tween and teenaged boys. Shonen anime is anime based on shonen manga. It is not a genre.

The Other Wiki tells us that the word can be pronounced with either a short or long "sho", so "shonen" and "shounen"/"shōnen" are equally correct romanizations of 少年. For ease of typing on a US English keyboard, and to distinguish the demographic from the magazines, we will use "shonen" here.

Japanese fiction aimed at this demographic tends to be focused more on "action" than relationships, with romance generally either perfunctory or played for comedy.[please verify] Physical combat is a common element,[please verify] and the cast is predominantly male.[please verify]

Shonen series were the first to be brought over en masse to the Western world, because it was the closest match to what was being aired by Western networks at the time (nearly all popular Western animation either is geared towards males or has Multiple Demographic Appeal). Thus, it makes up much of the popular American perception of anime.

In Japan, "shonen" is a designation of the stories that were published in a particular class of magazines,[please verify] not a label that describes the genres of the stories in those magazines.[please verify] That leads to series that are different from the typical shonen style but still count as examples, and series that follow all the typical shonen tropes but aren't shonen because they didn't originate from a shonen magazine.

Contrast Shojo, which is the tween and teenaged girl demographic; Seinen, which is the men demographic ; and Josei, which is the women demographic.

Examples of Shonen Demographic include:


General Examples

Other Examples in Shonen Jump


Non-Weekly Shōnen Jump Examples

Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Shonen_Demographic?oldid=1986399"