We have now reached the end of the Big 3 Series. I wanted to end on what everyone’s been recent discussing the new additions to the Big 3 conversation. There are some new anime that have been the center of a lot of conversations. Some have been over-hyped and some have delivered great results. Nonetheless I have picked the shows I would considered for the New Big 3 Shonen.
This first choice is a favorite for A LOT of people. It is of course My Hero Academia. This show has taken the anime world by storm back in 2016 and it is probably the most show on this list. The show is all about student Izuku Midoriya as he strives to become the number 1 hero, the Protector of Peace. There are lot of things My Hero does right like the character development (Hello Bakugo!), fight animations, and the overall style of the show. My Hero was like a breath of fresh air to Shonen and I don’t think we were quite ready for how much popularity it was going to bring. With the Class of 1-A being diverse in powers and personality. There is literally a student everyone can relate to and cheer on as they all strive to become Pro-Heroes. Yes, that means I have my Funko Pops of my favorite Class 1-A student and my favorite teacher Shota Aizawa. And shirts, many many shirts. The love for My Hero continues to soar and I don’t see it stopping any time soon. Overall, My Hero has great potential to stay relevant and grow as a fandom.
The next show I’m proposing to be apart of the Big 3 is Black Clover. Yes yes, I know everyone compares it to Naruto. And yes I know it took like 15 episodes to actually get going (which I would add I might’ve skipped a few). However, Black Clover is lit. I mean the current arc with the elves! Not too mention the fighting sequences have been amazing. Black Clover gets a lot of backlash because a lot of people compare it to Naruto. (I did too and you can check it out here.) And while there are similarities Black Clover is all its own. One major difference is there’s WAY less filler episodes and the filler episodes are actually bearable. The only negative I can honestly say is just the slow start, which the show more than makes up for with it’s great battles sequences and fast-paced arcs. The show has been playing up Asta’s rivarly with Yuno, but these power-ups are about to be crazy.
Demon Slayer. Demon Slayer. DE-MON SLAY-ER! THIS. SHOW. IS. BIG. 3. ENERGY. This anime is amazing. So much so that it could end today and still be considered a great show. While most shonen likes to focus on the power of friendship, Demon Slayer points to the relationship of an older brother and younger sister. Tanjiro has tragically lost his entire family, killed by a demon. At the scene he realizes his sister Nezuko, is still alive but has been turned into a demon. Instead of running away he immediately focuses on how to save her and turn her back human. Demon Slayer has the elements of a great shonen. It has the characters you can identify with and love. And the animation is beautiful. Water is a large theme in the show and the way it is animated is stellar. While Tanjiro does not have an overall goal like Izuku or Asta, you can’t help but become engrossed on his quest to turn his sister back human. If I were to compare it to one of the past Big 3’s I would definitely equate Demon Slayer to Bleach. Both Tanjiro and Ichigo just want to protect those close to them versus wanting to become the King of Pirates, the Number 1 Hero, the Hokage, or the Magic King. Demon Slayer is like the diamond in the rough and has (in my opinion) already made it’s mark in the anime world.
This post rounds out the Big 3 series! Let me know what show you think should be in the Big 3 conversation as there are no wrong choices! I’ll be back tomorrow with my final post for #nowsthetimenov! Peace!
