15 Battle Shonen With Zero Fanservice for Straight Male Viewers

It can be tough to find anime that prioritize thrilling action and a strong story without getting bogged down in things like distracting camera work or unwanted romance. Many anime fans just want exciting fights and interesting character development. Luckily, the shonen genre offers several series that value your time by focusing on high stakes and sensible designs. This list showcases some of the best, where the focus is firmly on the action and the story.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009–2010)

Brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric are on a quest to find the Philosopher’s Stone, hoping to repair their bodies after an alchemy experiment went wrong. The series includes compelling female characters, such as Riza Hawkeye, who earn respect through their abilities and expertise. Most characters wear military uniforms, and the story heavily focuses on the realities of war and the sacrifices people make. The exciting action sequences emphasize clever alchemy and strategic thinking over flashy effects.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

The series centers on Eren Yeager and his companions who enlist in the military to battle gigantic, human-like creatures that eat people. It portrays a military where everyone wears the same uniform, and the main focus is on simply surviving. Strong female characters, like Mikasa and Hange, are known for their fighting abilities and smarts, not how they look. The animation realistically depicts the horrors of war and the danger of each fight, avoiding the use of overly sexualized imagery.

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014)

As a huge anime fan, I’m completely captivated by Hunter x Hunter. It follows Gon, a young boy who sets out to become a Hunter – kind of like a licensed professional – to find his dad who disappeared years ago. The world he enters is massive and full of incredible creatures and hidden treasures. What really sets it apart is the power system, Nen, which leads to these unbelievably clever and strategic fights – it’s not just about brute force. And honestly, the character designs are so refreshing! They’re really unique and imaginative without falling into tired tropes or unnecessary fanservice. It’s a surprisingly mature show too, dealing with some pretty dark and complex themes, but it never loses sight of the importance of adventure and the bonds of friendship.

‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016–2022)

Shigeo Kageyama, nicknamed Mob, is a middle schooler who’s incredibly powerful psychically, but all he really wants is to fit in. The show has a simple, yet striking art style that works perfectly for its fast-paced action scenes. The story centers on Mob learning to understand his emotions and the guidance he receives from his mentor, Reigen. It’s a story focused on personal growth and being a good person, without any emphasis on romance or fan service.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–)

Yuji Itadori teams up with a group of sorcerers to fight a dangerous curse called Ryomen Sukuna. The series is praised for giving its female characters uniforms that are as functional as the ones worn by the men. The story features exciting, supernatural fights that highlight the characters’ unique abilities and fighting skills. Importantly, the series portrays all sorcerers with respect and avoids unnecessary or exploitative camera work during action scenes.

‘Ranking of Kings’ (2021–)

Prince Bojji is a young, deaf prince who dreams of becoming a great king, even though many doubt he can. The show has a lovely, storybook-like art style that’s more thoughtful and complex than it appears. All the characters – regardless of gender – are well-developed and act as their own people, without being overly sexualized. The fight scenes are smooth, beautifully animated, and emphasize the emotional impact of each battle.

‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ (1992–1994)

Yusuke Urameshi is a Spirit Detective who solves mysteries involving ghosts and demons that affect the human world. The show features a lot of fighting tournaments and intense battles where spiritual energy is key to victory. Strong female characters, like Genkai, play important roles as both teachers and formidable fighters, earning the admiration of their male counterparts. The animation is known for its dynamic action, emphasizing the power of each punch and energy blast.

‘To Your Eternity’ (2021–)

A being who doesn’t age is sent to Earth and discovers what it means to be human by inhabiting the bodies of people who have died. The story follows families across many years, thoughtfully examining life and death. Conflicts happen to move the plot forward and help characters grow, not just for exciting action or to please fans. The story treats its characters with respect, keeping the focus on the emotional core of the narrative.

‘Dororo’ (2019)

Hyakkimaru, a wandering samurai, travels the war-torn Sengoku period searching for the body parts stolen from him. He’s aided by a young, orphaned thief. The story is dark and realistic, focusing on the harsh realities of survival and the difficult choices people make during wartime. The characters and animation style emphasize brutal sword fights while staying true to the historical setting.

‘Dragon Ball Kai’ (2009–2015)

This version of the classic anime focuses on Goku and his friends as they battle powerful villains to protect Earth. It cuts out unnecessary scenes to deliver a fast-paced story centered around intense fighting and energy attacks. Characters are almost always ready for battle, and the fate of planets hangs in the balance, creating a constant sense of urgency and excitement.

‘Trigun’ (1998)

Vash the Stampede journeys across a harsh desert planet, attempting to avoid trouble and help people despite a huge reward offered for his capture. He’s followed by two insurance agents who try to limit the destruction caused by his wild adventures. The show cleverly mixes comedic moments with exciting action, and importantly, treats its female characters with respect. As the story unfolds, it explores complex questions about peace, violence, and their lasting effects, staying focused on its core themes.

‘Ushio and Tora’ (2015–2016)

A young teen unexpectedly unleashes a strong tiger demon and the two are forced to team up to fight off other supernatural creatures. The series feels like classic manga but with updated artwork and thrilling monster fights. Importantly, the female characters, such as Asako and Mayuko, are central to the story’s emotional impact and are portrayed with respect. The bond between the two main male characters fuels the story and leads to dramatic battles.

‘World Trigger’ (2014–)

As a huge fan of sci-fi action, I was immediately hooked by this series! It starts with these crazy monsters pouring through a dimensional gate and basically wreaking havoc on Earth. Thankfully, there’s this organization called Border that steps in to fight back. What really sets it apart isn’t just the action, but how they fight. It’s all about teamwork and clever strategy – brains over brawn, you know? Everyone on the team wears these specialized combat suits, called Triggers, that are built for practicality and look pretty uniform. And I really appreciate that the series features a ton of strong, capable female characters who are treated as equals to the men – they’re just as much a part of the action and just as skilled on the battlefield.

‘Karakuri Circus’ (2018–2019)

A boy unexpectedly comes into a large inheritance, which makes him a target for deadly puppets. He’s rescued by a martial arts expert and a puppeteer. The anime is filled with exciting battles featuring huge, mechanical puppets and memorable characters. The story unfolds over many years and in different places, always circling back to the mystery of the puppets and the characters’ heartbreaking pasts. It’s packed with action and emotional drama, and avoids common clichés found in similar shows.

‘Blood Blockade Battlefront’ (2015–2017)

Leonardo Watch becomes part of the Libra organization to keep the peace in a city where the normal world mixes with the supernatural. The show is fast-paced and action-packed, filled with strange creatures and powerful attacks. The female members of the team, such as Chain Sumeragi, are skilled and effective in their jobs. Each episode focuses on exciting action and humor, rather than romantic storylines or mature themes.

2026-01-02 01:16