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Are any battle shounen anime worthy of the title 'masterpiece'?

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Which Battle Shounen is a masterpiece?
One Piece
18.9%
144
Naruto (Shippuden included)
11.4%
87
Bleach
2.8%
21
Fairy Tail
3.4%
26
Katekyo Hitman Reborn
1.1%
8
Hunter x Hunter 2011
30.3%
230
Dragon Ball Z
8.0%
61
Hokuto no Ken
1.2%
9
Yu Yu Hakusho
6.4%
49
None
16.4%
125
760 votes
Feb 18, 2014 10:47 AM
#1
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Mar 2013
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Hey guys, JD here

Battle shounen anime are quite controversial among anime fans. They are the gateway anime for a lot of people and therefore many people have fond memories to them. But according to others, they should be avoided like the plague.

Here on MAL, I think there are a lot of battle shounen fans, myself included. But are any of these popular series worthy of the title masterpiece? A look at MAL's top anime list shows that only Hunter x Hunter is in the top 30 (at number 17) with One Piece showing its face at spot #51. Similarly, One Piece is the only battle shounen series to make it into the top 30 manga series (at #6).

Myself of all people knows that MAL's rankings are not universal, but these results clearly show a dislike of battle shounen. Does this mean that battle shounen have been dismissed as being merely used to pacify children on sunday mornings?

This begs the question, are any battle shounen anime worthy of the title masterpiece?

Please note, I am considering a battle shounen to be a long-running shounen that focuses on battles

CD2411Feb 19, 2014 1:47 PM
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Feb 18, 2014 10:47 AM
#2

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Apr 2011
4658
Dragonball Z is a masterpiece as far as I am concerned
Feb 18, 2014 10:49 AM
#3

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Jun 2013
1482
Bleach is the only battle shounen I watch these days, and the occasional Naruto episode which I don't watch that much anymore. DBZ is up there too.
Feb 18, 2014 10:50 AM
#4

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FMAB says hi
It is so dense. Every single image has so many things going on.
Feb 18, 2014 10:50 AM
#5

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9897
yes its called Dragon Ball Z

an isnt FMA Brotherhood a battle shonen?
Feb 18, 2014 10:55 AM
#6
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4166
A battle shonen has to be over 100 episodes? That's a rather arbitrary, useless limit :|

Also, all of these series are so recent! There's no Dragonball Z or Hokuto no Ken or Yu Yu Hakusho - and because of the episode limit, there's no History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi or Berserk or Hajime no Ippo.
Feb 18, 2014 10:57 AM
#7

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Hajime no Ippo has over 100 episodes in total.
Feb 18, 2014 10:58 AM
#8
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jayss said:
Hajime no Ippo has over 100 episodes in total.


Whoops! My bad.
Feb 18, 2014 10:59 AM
#9

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Oct 2013
5174
I think that, due to the number of episodes of that kind of anime (150+) the quality goes down, so no, I don't think there are any that I'd call a masterpiece, but FMA Brotherhood is very good.
Feb 18, 2014 11:00 AM

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26413
Only One Piece so far. If you count the other ones that aren't usually referred to as Battle shounens then Hajime no Ippo and FMAB are ones too.
Feb 18, 2014 11:05 AM

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3284
full metal alchemist brotherhood
Just because you know how to use a torrent does not give you the god given right to pirate.

My actual list: https://kitsu.io/users/mattbenz99/library

check out my youtube channel for my review: https://www.youtube.com/user/mattbenz99

Feb 18, 2014 11:08 AM

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2671
Why the 100 eps? If you take that out, FMA is beastly. I hesitate to call anything a masterpiece, but it's the only anime or manga I've ever given a 10 to, besides Code Geass.

Most things on that list I haven't approached and can't speak for. Naruto and One Piece I would never consider masterpieces, even though they are both very enjoyable right now in the latest manga chapters. I'm only following the manga of both series now, I hate how slow paced the animes can be for these. Both series are too inconsistent for me otherwise, sometimes I'll love one arc in the story, and hate the next one haha. That's usually the problem with really long anime, if there is that much content out, its hard for the studio/creator to keep developing content that is interesting/not rehashing the same shit.

Dragon Ball Z was extremely enjoyable at the time when I first was watching it on Toonami. But looking back on it from my current adult perspective (and after watching other anime series), I can't call it a masterpeice. Yu Yu Hakusho was fun, but not anywhere near a 10 though.
Feb 18, 2014 11:09 AM

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Jun 2010
889
The only battle shounen that I regard as masterpiece is Dragon Ball. I don't really care for the others. ><
Although FMAB's battle scenes are excellent too. X')
Feb 18, 2014 11:11 AM
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10447
Forgetfulness said:
Let me guess, that one vote for Fairy Tail is from JD2411, right?
I haven't voted yet :p
Feb 18, 2014 11:18 AM

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Jan 2014
3077
If any of these is a "masterpiece" all the rest are, since all of them are the same.

All of them, except one, are not good enough to be considered "great", let alone masterpiece.


So for quality, only Hunter x Hunter could be a masterpiece. First of all it's the only one that actually tries to tell a story. And, it does it very well.
The arc that's been going on the past 5 months is the best I've seen for a shonen.


Of course DBZ or OP are probably gonna win due to popularity.
GrunbeldFeb 18, 2014 11:23 AM
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Feb 18, 2014 11:20 AM

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Rurouni Kenshin has 100 episodes if you count the OVAs. I would not argue with someone calling that show a masterpiece.
Feb 18, 2014 11:21 AM

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Dragon Ball, One Piece(manga), FMAB, HxH (he cleans the art up in the volumes)

Probably Kenshin, too. Again, manga.
Feb 18, 2014 11:23 AM

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I'm a big fan of battle shounen in general, but I think One Piece is the most deserving of the title.

Is this about anime only or is it just in general? Because I hate the OP anime, that pacing feels slow as fuck.

If it's anime only, I'd change my opinion to Bleach or Fairy Tail. (not on my list, but I've seen a few episodes).
Feb 18, 2014 11:27 AM

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May 2010
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I'd go with OP, but after time skip it became trash (not the plot which is still awesome, the terrible pace).

For anime I'll go with Naruto, it may be getting worse, but still is enjoyable, got used to it and it's plotholes after so many years of watching it, I guess.
Going with manga though, OP owns everything.
Feb 18, 2014 11:30 AM

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Where the hell is Flame of Recca?
I'm an Avid Slice of Life fan, if you have any interesting SoL anime/manga to introduce, please do so ^^,

Just your typical Yandere lover :3
Feb 18, 2014 11:33 AM

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You left quite a lot of other titles.

My vote is Naruto, the others are not really close and some are just terrible. I would have voted for HxH if it weren't for the current disappointing arc.
Feb 18, 2014 11:33 AM

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Bleach is good.
Feb 18, 2014 11:35 AM

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Kitsu-nee said:


For anime I'll go with Naruto, it may be getting worse, but still is enjoyable, got used to it and it's plotholes after so many years of watching it, I guess.

What plot holes?
Feb 18, 2014 11:37 AM

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Jun 2013
671
None listed here shounen that is focused just being shounen can never be a masterpiece
Feb 18, 2014 11:37 AM

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May 2012
2125
HxH 2011. Naruto and Bleach have quite a few well animated episodes but nothing too memorable.
Feb 18, 2014 11:38 AM

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Kitsu-nee said:

For anime I'll go with Naruto, it may be getting worse, but still is enjoyable, got used to it and it's plotholes after so many years of watching it, I guess.

It's gotten worse and is worthy of "masterpiece"?
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Feb 18, 2014 11:38 AM

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A perfected Dragon Ball series created by Akira Toriyama, Naho Ooishi and the writers of Dragon Ball online would be a masterpiece and completely annihilate the big 3 in popularity.
Feb 18, 2014 11:39 AM

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Symqn said:
None listed here shounen that is focused just being shounen can never be a masterpiece


What?Battle shounen that tries to be a battle shounen can never be a masterpiece? Explain and elaborate.
Feb 18, 2014 11:39 AM

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DrGeroCreation said:
A perfected Dragon Ball series created by Akira Toriyama, Naho Ooishi and the writers of Dragon Ball online would be a masterpiece and completely annihilate the big 3 in popularity.


What's happened to the online game? Still running? Popular? FTP?
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Feb 18, 2014 11:40 AM

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judals said:
DrGeroCreation said:
A perfected Dragon Ball series created by Akira Toriyama, Naho Ooishi and the writers of Dragon Ball online would be a masterpiece and completely annihilate the big 3 in popularity.


What's happened to the online game? Still running? Popular? FTP?
Discontinued I think but that is irrelevant to my point.
Feb 18, 2014 11:42 AM

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DrGeroCreation said:
judals said:
DrGeroCreation said:
A perfected Dragon Ball series created by Akira Toriyama, Naho Ooishi and the writers of Dragon Ball online would be a masterpiece and completely annihilate the big 3 in popularity.


What's happened to the online game? Still running? Popular? FTP?
Discontinued I think but that is irrelevant to my point.


Still I don't think Toriyama would be able to write a masterpiece. He's good at coming up with fresh ideas but not as good with putting them together and using them in an excellent way.
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Feb 18, 2014 11:43 AM

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My vote goes for OP.
FMA:B and Ippo should have been on the list tho.
Feb 18, 2014 11:45 AM

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judals said:
DrGeroCreation said:
judals said:
DrGeroCreation said:
A perfected Dragon Ball series created by Akira Toriyama, Naho Ooishi and the writers of Dragon Ball online would be a masterpiece and completely annihilate the big 3 in popularity.


What's happened to the online game? Still running? Popular? FTP?
Discontinued I think but that is irrelevant to my point.


Still I don't think Toriyama would be able to write a masterpiece. He's good at coming up with fresh ideas but not as good with putting them together and using them in an excellent way.
He is a master at character design and action. That's why I included Naho Ooishi and the Dragon Ball online writers, a collaboration is needed to create a Dragon Ball masterpiece. AT is a good writer Trunks, Android and Cell sagas prove that.
Feb 18, 2014 11:49 AM

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DrGeroCreation said:
A perfected Dragon Ball series created by Akira Toriyama, Naho Ooishi and the writers of Dragon Ball online would be a masterpiece and completely annihilate the big 3 in popularity.
No use talking about something that hasn't and might not happen. This is about the now.
Feb 18, 2014 11:49 AM

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440
Bleach and Hunter x Hunter. Bleach is awesome but the anime's got way to many fillers for it to be called a masterpiece. Hunter x Hunter actually tells a story and everything doesnt repeat itself like in most shounen anime (Fairy tail is the worst, feels like Ive rewachted the whole thing ten times even after just 50 eps).
Feb 18, 2014 11:49 AM
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I guess they're highly enjoyable for a lot of people, but the critical acclaim is uncommon probably due to their often simplistic nature and lack of objective qualities.

Oh, and I don't think any battle shounen could generally be considered a masterpiece.
removed-userFeb 18, 2014 11:55 AM
Feb 18, 2014 11:51 AM

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tsudecimo said:
What plot holes?

I guess I used wrong word here since I didn't really have anything concrete on my mind now. Sometimes it does just feel stupid though.
judals said:

It's gotten worse and is worthy of "masterpiece"?

Sure, why not, for me it still kinda is, though I can see the flaws of it etc. Well, it's hard to judge something with so many arcs and chapters, some were really amazing, while the other weren't even good.
Feb 18, 2014 11:51 AM

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ButNotForMe said:
FMAB says hi
Yup! And if you include the great original series it is 100+ episodes ;)
Feb 18, 2014 11:52 AM

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2938
I generally dislike battle shounen anime.

However, I really like The Law of Ueki, which didn't make it to the survey poll, I see. Granted, it only has 50 episodes and is fairly tight in its plot development. There are still certain things I don't like about Ueki (convenient power-ups when needed, etc.) but other aspects I really like (rigid rules governing use of powers, consequences for misuse).

I have seen a bit of Fairy Tale (first few episodes) but asides from the character design, which I really liked, I really couldn't draw much of conclusion about the series as a whole from such a small preview.
Feb 18, 2014 11:53 AM

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*Jumps out sideways*
Gintama!
no? ok ( ._.)
*Jumps back into hole* :')
"To be a boy is to be a Fool. To be a fool is pure bliss"
Feb 18, 2014 11:56 AM

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One Piece
Hunter x Hunter
Yu Yu Hakusho
Feb 18, 2014 11:57 AM

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HxH it's not even close and it can't be compared to generic trash like one piece and naruto.
Feb 18, 2014 11:57 AM

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Kitsu-nee said:

Sure, why not, for me it still kinda is, though I can see the flaws of it etc. Well, it's hard to judge something with so many arcs and chapters, some were really amazing, while the other weren't even good.


I don't know, I guess I understand.
Although to me, the writing has been abysmal for the past 2 years, the trolling's gotten worse than Kubo's, and the plot-holes are just being raked in.


sebrina8 said:
HxH it's not even close and it can't be compared to generic trash like one piece and naruto.


Last week you were hating on HxH. What gives?
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Feb 18, 2014 12:03 PM

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I want to say One Piece but recently I haven't been too impressed... the manga is a masterpiece at least
Feb 18, 2014 12:06 PM

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judals said:
Kitsu-nee said:

Sure, why not, for me it still kinda is, though I can see the flaws of it etc. Well, it's hard to judge something with so many arcs and chapters, some were really amazing, while the other weren't even good.


I don't know, I guess I understand.
Although to me, the writing has been abysmal for the past 2 years, the trolling's gotten worse than Kubo's, and the plot-holes are just being raked in.


sebrina8 said:
HxH it's not even close and it can't be compared to generic trash like one piece and naruto.


Last week you were hating on HxH. What gives?

huh? when?
Feb 18, 2014 12:06 PM

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bloodgods said:
the manga is a masterpiece at least

lol good joke.
Feb 18, 2014 12:07 PM
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Dragon Ball Z definitely is a masterpiece. It's been influential to mangakas of One Piece, Naruto and Fairy Tail.
Feb 18, 2014 12:09 PM

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sebrina8 said:
bloodgods said:
the manga is a masterpiece at least

lol good joke.


But it is. I love how you've read 700+ chapters, yet still gave it a 1. Tsundere.
Feb 18, 2014 12:14 PM

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Cupquake said:
sebrina8 said:
bloodgods said:
the manga is a masterpiece at least

lol good joke.


But it is. I love how you've read 700+ chapters, yet still gave it a 1. Tsundere.

really people don't get tired of the tsundere joke thing?!. one piece is no where close to being a masterpiece, your fanboy self will disagree but idc.
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