Summary
A good shounen anime mentor will have a positive and encouraging influence on the main characters, preparing them for the conflicts to come – characters like Jiraiya and Reigen Arataka stand out for inculcating ideals and lessons actively into their respective practitioners. Mentors can vary in age and relevance to the story, as long as their words and actions have a meaningful impact on the hero. Competent teachers help anime heroes reach their full potential, often surpassing their mentors in the process – as seen with characters like Midoriya in My Hero Academia.
The best shounen anime advisor are often steadfast figures of security and strength, but they don’t have to be, as the shining quality of a good mentor is the ability to positively influence and motivate. In shounen anime, action-packed battles are always around the corner, and it’s the main characters’ mentors’ job to prepare them for the conflicts to come, whether they be physical, mental, or emotional.
Mentors can be of any age, and even their relevance in the larger story of the series can vary. For example, an older master from a previous generation may have almost no screen time, but as long as their words and actions have a meaningful impact on the main character, they will be better mentor than the young big brother figure that always appears. next to the main character. However, the opposite can also be true.
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10 Yami is a laid-back guild master who can always be trusted
Black Clover (2017), produced by Studio Pierrot
Black Clover is a modern shounen version of the classic witch fantasy archetype, as it plays with ideas similar to those seen in anime like Fairy Tail, but does it with precision and grace. much better shape. The story is about a boy named Asta who aspires to become the Wizard King in a magical world. Unfortunately, his physique prevents him from using any kind of magic, and his adoptive brother, Yuno, who has the same goal, is hailed as a genius wizard.
Asta doesn’t let these setbacks get him down thanks to his naturally cheerful personality and through rigorous physical training, he is able to muster enough strength to join the Black Bulls, the team said to be the weakest of the kingdom’s Magic Knights. The captain of this team is Yami, the embodiment of courage and overcoming challenges, making him not only a strong supporter of Asta but also a mentor who can casually guide him through adversity.
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9. Almighty passes on the torch
My Hero Academia (2016), produced by Studio Bones
In My Hero Academia, school and audio education are central ideas, considering its role as an anime Shounen about nurturing young heroes. The entire series and its premise are based on overcoming adversity, and main character Midoriya Izuku would be nothing without the guidance of former number one hero, All Might.
As a child born without a gift, a type of superpower unique to My Hero Academia, Midoriya has almost no chance of becoming a hero. Luckily, he met All Might, who recognized his passion and transferred his power to him. Thus, a wonderful story of growth and self-discovery will unfold, when All Might protects and guides Midoriya on all fronts, from battles with evil villains to coping with his tumultuous relationship with Bakugo.
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8 Rayleigh teaches Luffy Haki
One Piece (1999), produced by Toei Animation
One Piece is one of the best shounen anime of all time, and with that title comes trials and tribulations for its main characters like no other. One of the driving forces behind the success of the main characters, Luffy and his friends, is the abundance of mentors capable of guiding them when needed most.
For Luffy, such a character is Silvers Rayleigh, the former vice captain of Pirate King Gol D. Roger. After the tragic death of Luffy’s older brother, Ace, he was not only physically injured but also mentally torn. Rayleigh is one of the key characters who helps Luffy cope with this loss throughout the series, and even teaches Luffy one of the most powerful abilities in the pirate world, Haki.
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7 Gojo is one of the most realistic anime mentors
Jujutsu Kaisen (2020), produced by MAPPA
Solidifying its position in the most popular shounen anime of this decade, Jujutsu Kaisen returns in full swing with its second season in summer 2023 and does it in style, especially with characters like Gojo . Although the series follows Itadori Yuji, Gojo has repeatedly captured the attention and hearts of many fans.
One reason for Gojo’s explosive popularity is his role as a mentor and the personal variations he brings to his teaching style. Although very similar to Kakashi from Naruto, Gojo takes this role much less seriously, creating humorous situations such as participating in the antics of his three students. However, when push comes to shove, Gojo can be considered the strongest wizard, making him one of anime’s best mentors.
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6 Genkai taught Yusuke the magic gun and more
The Hakusho (1992), produced by Studio Pierrot
Yu Yu Hakusho is arguably one of the best shounen anime of all time, combining all styles of conflict, fighting, romance, and comedy into one concise story. The film tells the story of Yusuke, a kind-hearted criminal who sacrificed his life to save a small child. As a result, he is thrown into a world of spirits, demons, and fierce moral battles.
Near the beginning of his journey, Yusuke meets his teacher, Genkai, an elderly master who lives in the forest. She teaches him Yusuke’s iconic soul gun throughout the series, but more importantly, she teaches him not to make the same mistakes she did when she was younger, Or at least strong enough to deal with the consequences.
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5 Takamura is the perfect role model
Hajime no Ippo (2000), produced by Madhouse
Hajime no Ippo also known as Fighting Spirit is one of the best sports anime of all time, as it focuses on the dangerous journey of a shy yet fierce Makunouchi Ippo who dreams of becoming a champion. World boxing champion. The way Ippo began his journey was all thanks to his mentor, Takamura Mamoru, a top professional boxer who saved him from bullies and introduced him to the world of boxing.
Takamura not only serves as a role model and goal for Ippo but also teaches him the importance of being a professional boxer, from a firm belief in exercise to understanding the difficulties that come from the smallest things like losing weight. In addition to being a mentor, Takamura is also a friend, the two most necessary types of relationships in Ippo’s life.
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4 Jiraiya died trying to correct his mistake
Naruto: Shippuden (2007), produced by Studio Pierrot
One of the Big Three in shounen anime, Naruto, brought the world of ninjas to modern eyes, especially through the second half of the series, Naruto: Shippuden. This anime follows orphan Naruto, who aspires to become Hokage, or leader of the Leaf Village. However, that dream arose from his loneliness, when he said that he wanted to become Hokage because that was the person the village respected and admired the most.
On Naruto’s journey towards this goal, his teacher, Jiraiya, one of the three legendary Sannin, along with the Fifth Hokage Tsunade and Orochimaru, enters his life and provides indispensable guidance. Jiraiya not only taught Naruto the skills of the Toad Sage, but also left Naruto with lasting ideals that endured even after his tragic death.
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3 Onizuka lives up to his title
The Great Teacher Onizuka (1999), produced by Studio Pierrot
Great Teacher Onizuka is a shounen anime that completely departs from the fighting shounen model, instead focusing on school life and what it means to be a teacher. The main character, 22-year-old ex-criminal biker Onizuka Eikichi, sets out to become what he believes is the greatest teacher of all time, starting with a high school class of problem students.
Without traditional training, Onizuka is able to bring his entire personality into his teaching style without restraint. This involves the exact opposite of perceived optimal teaching strategies, as he doesn’t let his students intimidate him and he connects with them on a much deeper and more caring level. than any teacher has ever done before. Through his unusual methods, Onizuka proves himself worthy of a great teacher and an unprecedented mentor.
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2 Koro-sensei is an alien in body but not in mind
Assassination Classroom (2015), produced by Studio Lerche
The popular anime series Assassination Classroom is a unique twist on the typical high school anime genre, as the story follows a class of students considered problem children who are used by the government to assassinate an alien that is threatening the world. Even though this premise seems completely absurd, the anime pulls it off and goes so far as to make it make sense.
Even though the class’ alien teacher, Koro-sensei, is the main source of conflict in the series, he is by no means obnoxious. Koro-sensei even encouraged his students to strive towards more creative ways of assassination, while also ensuring that they learned their core subjects. Koro-sensei’s entire existence is a metaphor for the importance of minimizing hostility between students and teachers despite the underlying power dynamic. In every aspect, everything Koro-sensei does for his students is the ultimate mentor figure.
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1 Reigen reveals what it means to become an adult
Mob Psycho 100 (2016), produced by Studio Bones
Mob Psycho 100 is a shounen anime that follows the powerful Kageyama “Mob” Shigeo through his life as a psychic and his coming of age. Emotionally, Mob deals with issues related to depression and teenage curiosity, and physically, he doesn’t really know what to do with his powers. Luckily for Mob and the entire Mob Psycho universe, he meets Reigen, a psychic who claims to be a fraud.
However, because he was innocent, Mob signed up to be Reigen’s assistant. Even in the face of Reigen’s questionable career decisions, he still teaches Mob the most important lessons in life. He emphasizes that Mob should only use his power to help the weak and he exposes the instability of adult life, showing that all adults are just pretending until they make it. This culminates in the final scene of the first season when Reigen accidentally borrows the Mob’s power to defeat his strongest enemy. This level of depth and realism is what makes Reigan the greatest shounen anime mentor of all time.
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