7 Shonen Anime Turning 20 in 2026

The 2000s were a fantastic time for anime. Many fans today grew up watching shows from that decade, which really defined the era. Interestingly, a lot of those classic anime still feel surprisingly fresh and modern, as if they were released just recently.

Many beloved anime series are reaching or have already surpassed the 20-year mark. 2006 was a particularly strong year for new shonen anime, and some of those shows have become true classics. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable shonen anime celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.

School Rumble: 2nd Semester

Despite being somewhat overlooked, the comedy anime School Rumble from the 2000s remains genuinely funny even today. While it didn’t reach the same level of popularity as other comedies of the era, like Gintama or Azumanga Daioh, it’s still a reliably hilarious show that consistently delivers laughs.

While School Rumble is known for its silly and over-the-top comedy, it’s more than just slapstick. The show carefully introduces its characters, allowing viewers to connect with them between all the laughs.

Aria the Natural

Season two of Aria the Animation, Aria the Natural continues the story from the first season, following Akari as she strives to become Neo-Venezia’s top-ranked Undine – a skilled sightseeing guide.

Aria the Natural is a significant improvement over the first series, offering well-developed characters and stunning animation. The Aria anime is perfect for those who enjoy calm, character-driven stories. Even after twenty years, it still looks fantastic, making it a wonderful experience for both longtime fans and newcomers – the visuals and atmosphere are truly captivating.

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Negima!?

The world of Negima! can be tricky to navigate. There’s the original manga, which ran for nearly a decade, plus several animated specials and two different anime series. The first anime, simply titled Negima!, initially follows the manga’s story but eventually creates its own unique plot. The second series, Negima!?, from 2006, takes a completely different path, telling an entirely original story from the very beginning.

While many fans prefer the original manga’s story, Negima!? is still a very enjoyable series. It gets off to a slow start, but it really hits its stride as it goes on. Studio Shaft provides consistently good animation in their unique style, and they develop the characters more effectively than the previous adaptation.

Black Jack 21

First published in 1973, Black Jack is a long-running series created by the famous Osamu Tezuka, and it has been adapted into different forms many times over the years.

Black Jack 21 is a strong follow-up to the 2004 series, offering a slightly more serious and connected storyline compared to the original’s more self-contained episodes. Both versions are excellent adaptations of the manga, capturing everything fans love about it. While some viewers weren’t thrilled with the new, continuous plot, it’s still a good story that fans of the series will likely enjoy.

Gintama

While Gintama is famous for its humor, it also delivers surprisingly powerful dramatic scenes and exciting action. The main characters – Gin, Kagura, and Shimpachi – are a hilarious group, but they also prove to be capable and complex when the story demands it, showing there’s much more to them than just comedic relief.

The Gintama anime ran for 12 years, finishing just before the original manga ended. A movie called Gintama: The Very Final was released in 2021, bringing a close to over a decade of comedy and heartfelt scenes. For fans who want more, there’s a spin-off series, Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class, which received an anime adaptation in Fall 2025, continuing the adventures of Gin and his friends.

D.Gray-man

The D.Gray-man manga remains popular after more than 20 years, currently spanning 29 volumes and over 250 chapters. While the manga has thrived, the anime adaptation hasn’t achieved the same level of success. The original D.Gray-man anime aired 103 episodes between 2006 and 2008, and a follow-up series, D.Gray-man Hallow, premiered in 2016.

While it didn’t get a full, extended run like many popular action manga adaptations, the 2006 D.Gray-man anime is still very well-made and enjoyable. Its music is fantastic, and the series has a unique, distinctive atmosphere that set it apart from other anime of that era.

Death Note

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Death Note, as October will be two decades since the anime adaptation by Madhouse of Tsugumi Ohba and

I recently watched the manga adaptation of Takeshi Obata’s Death Note. While it may not have the same massive following it once did, I still found it to be a really compelling series.

Light isn’t always a pleasant character, but he’s captivating to watch. His journey as Kira, the thrilling chase with L, and eventual downfall are key reasons why Death Note is such an enjoyable and fascinating series. Combined with a fantastic soundtrack and strong supporting characters, it’s easy to understand why the show was so popular when it first aired.

2026-02-16 03:07