Shonen anime have always been a huge part of the anime world, with classics like Dragon Ball Z and newer hits like Demon Slayer leading the way.

Recently, remakes of these popular series have become more common, with Netflix’s upcoming One Piece adaptation being one of the most talked-about projects.

But beyond these big names, there are many other shonen anime that could benefit from a fresh remake, whether to update their stories for modern audiences or to finally give fans the complete adaptations they’ve been hoping for.

Older shonen anime, in particular, could be improved with remakes that make their often complicated plots easier to follow for today’s viewers.

By upgrading the animation, pacing, and storytelling, these classic series could get a new life, appealing to both longtime fans and those who are discovering them for the first time.

A remake could also solve some of the problems from the original versions, such as long filler episodes or inconsistencies in the story.

On top of that, several shonen anime from the past never got the chance to fully adapt their manga, leaving fans with unfinished stories.

A new animated version could give these series a second chance to complete their story arcs, allowing both old and new fans to enjoy the full experience.

Bringing these unfinished tales back to life with a remake could renew interest in beloved franchises and ensure that they continue to be appreciated by fans for years to come.

1) Bleach

Bleach was once part of the shonen big three alongside Naruto and One Piece, but it didn’t have the same staying power.

With the rise of darker shonen anime like Demon Slayer, Bleach now feels more relevant than ever. The recent release of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War has also brought back its popularity, reminding fans why the series was so beloved.

This renewed interest has led many fans to call for a remake of the original Bleach anime. A new version could cut out unnecessary filler episodes and focus on the main story, while also improving the iconic fight scenes.

10 Classic Shonen Anime That Are Perfect for a Modern Remake — Bleach (Studio Pierrot)

This would create a smoother, more engaging experience for both longtime fans and newcomers who want to explore the series.

Some fans even believe Bleach is more deserving of a remake than One Piece, which recently received a live-action adaptation.

A refreshed Bleach series could take advantage of its current momentum, introducing the story to a new audience while offering older fans a chance to experience it again in an updated, polished form.

2) The Promised Neverland

The Promised Neverland was once a highly praised anime and manga series. However, the ending of the manga was not well received by many fans, and the anime’s second season made things worse.

The second season rushed through and condensed the later parts of the story, leading to widespread disappointment and making the manga’s ending seem better in comparison.

Despite being relatively recent, fans are eager for a new version of the series. A remake of The Promised Neverland should faithfully adapt the entire manga, addressing the issues where the first anime either rushed or skipped important parts of the story.

It’s important that this new version provides a better ending, offering a satisfying conclusion that the original anime failed to deliver.

Given that both the manga and anime are still fresh in memory, there is a strong case for remaking the series.

Creating a new version of The Promised Neverland would give the story another chance to shine. It could correct the mistakes of the previous adaptations, providing a more complete and fulfilling experience for fans.

This would not only fix the problems of the past but also allow a new generation of viewers to appreciate the series as it was originally intended.

3) The Soul Eater

Many fans hold the Soul Eater*anime in high regard, but like many adaptations, it doesn’t fully live up to the manga.

The anime ended years before the manga was finished, leading to significant differences in the storyline. With just 51 episodes, the original series left out a lot of important content, leaving fans craving a more complete adaptation.

A remake of Soul Eater would be a great addition to the current anime scenario. The series’ dark, Gothic vibe, mixed with its energetic and fun tone, would look amazing with modern animation.

A new version could adapt the entire manga, offering fans the full story they’ve been waiting for and reintroducing this unique world with updated visuals and storytelling.

A remake could also bring in Soul Eater Not!, which had its own anime but is now a decade old. It might even tie more closely with Fire Force, a series set in the same world.

This could breathe new life into the Soul Eater franchise, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers.

4) Reborn!

Reborn! was a series that came out at a difficult time, missing the peak international success of Naruto and One Piece and arriving before the resurgence in anime popularity with Dragon Ball Super.

Although it was popular in Japan, the series faced issues in both its manga and anime versions. The manga started to decline after volume 8, turning into a typical battle shonen, and the anime struggled with adapting the early, highly-regarded parts of the story.

Initially, Reborn! was a comedy manga, but it later shifted to a battle focus, creating a mixed identity. A remake could fix this by better combining the comedy and action elements.

It could also improve on the original anime’s issues, especially its animation quality, which didn’t fully capture the series’ potential.

Since the first anime made many changes and didn’t stay true to the manga, a new adaptation would be a better option than continuing the old series.

A remake could faithfully represent the original manga and enhance the animation, giving fans a completer and more refined version of Reborn! that could appeal to both longtime followers and new viewers.

5) Toriko

Toriko was once seen as a potential major success, with high hopes due to its anime launch, which even featured a crossover with Goku from Dragon Ball and Luffy from One Piece.

Unfortunately, the Toriko anime did not live up to expectations. It was criticized for censoring important elements and not properly representing the manga.

The manga for Toriko has been around for nearly 20 years, and the anime ended a decade ago. Over time, the franchise has faded from memory, partly because it didn’t build on its early excitement.

A remake of the Toriko anime could give the series a chance to properly adapt the manga and revive interest in the franchise.

A new version of Toriko could show whether the series deserved its initial hype and bring it back into the limelight.

By faithfully adapting the manga and avoiding the issues of the original anime, a remake could reintroduce Toriko to both old fans and new viewers.

6) Zatch Bell!

Zatch Bell!, also known as Golden Gash!! in Japan, gained popularity in the West when it aired on Toonami alongside big names like One Piece and Naruto.

The story centers around Kiyo Takamine, a young man who partners with Zatch Bell, a mysterious boy.

Kiyo becomes Zatch’s “book reader,” unlocking spells from Zatch’s spellbook that are important for battling other Mamodos who are competing for control of their future.

This series is a mix of shonen battle anime and monster-raising elements, similar to what fans might recognize in shows like Pokémon or Digimon.

Unfortunately, Zatch Bell! has faded from memory over time, partly due to the fact that it’s not available on popular streaming platforms.

The anime strayed from its manga source material and ended before the full story was told, leaving fans with an unfinished version of the original tale.

Now that both the manga and anime have been around for more than 20 years, it’s a great time for a Zatch Bell! remake.

A fresh adaptation could reintroduce the series to a new audience while also giving longtime fans the complete story they’ve been waiting for.

Bringing the series back could reignite interest in this unique and action-packed world, making it relevant again for both old and new fans alike.

7) Rave Master

Rave Master, created by Hiro Mashima, is often seen as superior to his later work, Fairy Tail. The story centers on Haru Glory’s quest to find the missing pieces of the Rave.

While the manga is highly regarded, the original Rave Master anime faced several challenges, especially with pacing, as it skipped over key parts of the early story from the manga.

A remake of Rave Master should focus on faithfully adapting the entire manga, allowing Mashima’s full story to be told as it was intended.

By taking the time to include all the important plot points, this new version could deliver a more complete and engaging experience for fans.

It could become the definitive adaptation of the series, bringing the manga’s vision to life in a way that the original anime did not.

Modernizing the animation would also give the remake a fresh appeal. The original series had fairly basic visuals, but with today’s advanced animation techniques, a remake could truly shine.

This updated look would draw in both longtime fans and new viewers who may not be familiar with Rave Master, giving the series a renewed presence in the anime world.

8) Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo was a unique and comedic shonen series that ran as a manga for four years. It combined over-the-top humor with battles, parodying shows like Fist of the North Star in a satirical way.

The anime adaptation, which ended around the same time as the manga, didn’t cover the entire story, and there was a sequel in the manga that never got an anime version.

A remake of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo could fully explore the manga’s humor and jokes, which were sometimes altered in the original dub.

This new version could also complete the story by including the short sequel and avoid leaving fans with an unfinished plot.

A remake could introduce new jokes and references to current anime, continuing the series’ tradition of comedy. By doing this, it could attract both longtime fans and new viewers with its unique brand of humor and satire.

9) Appleseed

Appleseed, by Masamune Shirow, is a classic cyberpunk series similar to his other work, Ghost in the Shell, and shows like Patlabor.

Even though it’s well-regarded, Appleseed has only been adapted into OVAs and movies, and it never had a TV anime series.

The OVAs show their age, and the movies, even the better ones, suffer from outdated CGI animation.

With the recent popularity of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, now seems like a great time to make a new anime series of Appleseed.

Anime is more popular than ever, making it a good time to introduce a fresh take on the series. A new Appleseed show could attract a larger audience and become more mainstream.

A new Appleseed anime could appeal to older viewers with a more mature story and updated visuals. It could introduce the series to a new generation of fans while staying true to its cyberpunk roots.

10) After War Gundam X

The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise is known for its many beloved series, but After War Gundam X is one of the more debated entries.

As the third alternate world Gundam series, it has a mix of passionate fans and critics. The main problems with the show come from its pacing and changes in focus, which happened when the number of episodes was cut in half.

A remake of Gundam X could be beneficial for several reasons. Unlike the other Gundam series that are part of the complex Universal Century timeline, Gundam X is a standalone story.

This means a remake could fully explore the intended story without being limited by previous continuity. It could address the original series’ issues, like pacing and character development, and provide a completer and more refined version.

With recent hits like Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury and *Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, it might be the right time to revisit Gundam X.

A new version could take advantage of the current interest in the franchise and offer fans a fresh and enhanced experience of this series.