The Ultimate Anime Starter Kit: Explore the World of Shonen and Beyond

Are you often perplexed by terms such as Kodomomuke or Isekai? You're not alone! This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about anime, even if you're an experienced fan.

Discover your favorite genres and navigate the vast world of Japanese animation with this comprehensive guide that breaks down key terms and types of anime. Whether you're a seasoned watcher looking to brush up on your lexicon or starting your anime journey, this guide has something for you. Let's dive in!

Contents

What is anime?

If you've made it this far, chances are you already understand what anime is and are excited to get started. But if you're not familiar with it (or want to refresh your knowledge), anime is essentially a form of animated film or television show that originated in Japan. It is often derived from manga, a style of Japanese comic book and graphic novel, but can also be inspired by other sources such as video games.

What are the main types of anime?

Anime and manga are usually classified into five categories based on their target audience. Let’s take a closer look at each type:

Kodomomuke

The Pokemon Company

First on the list is Kodomomuke, an anime genre specifically designed for children below the age of 12. This particular style of anime typically includes uncomplicated narratives that convey educational messages to engage younger viewers, along with vibrant and lively animation. Surprisingly, many individuals have unknowingly cherished well-loved Kodomomuke anime series such as Pokémon and Beyblade.

Shonen

Crunchyroll

Shonen or Shounen anime, which primarily targets teenage boys between the ages of 12 and 18, is considered one of the most popular genres among the five types. However, its appeal extends beyond its intended audience.

Encompassing a wide range of genres such as adventure, action, and science fiction, Shonen anime predominantly revolves around a male protagonist.

Popular examples of Shonen include Attack On Titan (final season airing in 2023), Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen.

Shojo

IMDB

Shojo, also known as Shoujo, is a genre specifically tailored for young girls, generally ranging from 12 to 18 years old. Unlike Shonen, which primarily features male protagonists, Shojo centers around female lead characters and delves into genres such as romance and drama.

The most popular Shojo anime includes Fruit Baskets, Rent-a-Girlfriend and the cultural phenomenon Sailor Moon.

Seinen

IMDB

Moving onto more mature series, Seinen translates to youth and is designed for young men (aged 18+).

This category builds upon elements found in Shonen anime, but it also delves into more mature themes such as psychological horror, gore, and violence.

Some popular Seinen anime titles include Vinland Saga, Berserk, Tokyo Ghoul, and, controversially among fans, One Punch Man.

Josei

Crunchyroll

The last category on our list is Josei, which is the more sophisticated equivalent to Shojo. Josei anime is specifically geared towards adult women (18+) and delves deep into their lives, exploring subjects like relationships, professional obstacles, and familial duties.

Similar to Shojo, Josei also includes LGBTQ+ storylines in its sub-genres. Some notable examples are Gokusen (which inspired a popular live-action TV series), Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits, and The Apothecary Diaries.

Anime genres explained

Now that we have familiarized ourselves with the five primary types of anime, let's explore the diverse range of genres it encompasses. These genres include action, fantasy, comedy, sports, sci-fi, and many others. To illustrate, here are a few notable examples:

IMDB

Mecha

This genre features massive robots or human-controlled machines known as mechs.

Popular anime that falls into this category include Code Geass and Ghost in the Shell.

Slice of Life

Anime in this category depicts the daily lives of characters and the drama that unfolds around them.

Notable examples include Yuru Camp and Kotaro Lives Alone.

Mahou Shoujo

Also known as magical girl anime, this genre revolves around heroines with magical abilities.

This includes popular series like Little Witch Academia and Sailor Moon.

Isekai

One of the currently trending subgenres is Isekai. In this particular subgenre, the primary protagonist is transported to or reborn in a different world and is usually assigned a mission to complete.

Series like The Rising of the Shield Hero and Netflix‘s Good Night World are popular examples in this category.

Yaoi and Yuri

Yaoi and Yuri are distinct genres within LGBTQ+ themes. Yaoi focuses on romantic relationships between men, as exemplified by the anime Yuri on Ice. On the other hand, Yuri centers around relationships between women, like the anime Strawberry Panic.

According to IMDb, Given, which aired in 2019, is the highest-rated Yaoi anime of all time. For Yuri anime, Maria-Sama Ga Miteru, a two-season drama that aired in 2004, is widely regarded as the archetype for all subsequent Yuri series.

Harem

Harem anime commonly depicts a main character who is encircled by numerous individuals of the opposite sex. In these series, there is usually a male protagonist at the center, although the concept can also be reversed with a female lead in a "reverse harem."

Two exemplary instances of this subgenre are the highly acclaimed Hana Yori Dango (a romantic comedy series adapted from a manga of the identical title), which was broadcasted from 1996 to 1997, and Ouran High School Host Club, which aired in 2006.

Ecchi

This genre of anime sets itself apart by incorporating mild sexual undertones, combining elements of comedy, romance, and adult content to appeal to a more mature audience.

Notable examples of popular anime in this genre are the 2013 action series Kill La Kill and the 2014 mini-series No Game, No Life.

Idol

The last genre of anime we have in store is Idol anime. This genre mainly focuses on idol groups consisting of both male and female performers. These groups are a popular form of entertainment in countries like Japan and Korea, with groups like BTS gaining immense popularity.

One of the top series in this genre is Zombie Land Saga, released in 2018 and available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

That concludes our guide for now. We hope that we have offered you a thorough insight into the world of anime, allowing you to delve into this varied realm on your own.

Let us know if there are any terms we’ve missed, and stay tuned for more updates in this ever-evolving universe.

How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023

Accessing Crunchyroll's full selection while outside the US is incredibly simple with the help of ExpressVPN. Whether you're a fan of popular shows like One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen, Crunchyroll is the ultimate streaming hub for anime.

Get a better browsing experience with ExpressVPN's ultra-fast servers and enjoy a secure and private connection no matter where you are globally. Select from a variety of 24 different locations across the United States, ranging from New Jersey to Santa Monica.

Check out Crunchyroll online to start streaming your favorite animes, along with the possibility of discovering new ones.

Opting for Crunchyroll's US content selection yields significant advantages. While Hong Kong users can only access less than 100 titles, the US offers almost 1,000 movies and TV shows.

You can access anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan. Alternatively, you have the option to subscribe and even enjoy a 14-day free trial if you're undecided.

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