6. My Hero Academia
How is it different? The concept of the main character that gets injured whenever he uses his power is a great one and adds much drama and subsequently, depth in the title, as is the case with the mentor on the brink of losing his powers. This element is stressed even more by Todoroki's life story, a really dramatic one that includes year of abuse for both him and his mother, along with a concept of eugenics, all due to this father who wanted to have a son that would be much more powerful than he is. At the same time, a number of other characters are also analyzed and a number of social comments surface through them, like commercialization, money, and the way companies work.The elements that allow “My Hero Academia” to stand out from the plethora of similar titles, however, are the ones revolving “outside” the main arc. The role the press, the school, and the parents play is explored quite thoroughly, with the interaction among them forming one of the most interesting aspects of the series. The fact that the school administration has to face scrutiny from the press for the attacks of the villains and the danger children are placed in is quite engaging, with its consequences giving a completely different turn to the whole story. The professionalism exhibited by the faculty is impressive, and finds its apogee to the various episodes of teachers visiting students' families to apologize and to explain their new policy. Particularly the episode revolving around Midoriya, his mother and All Mighty is one of the most dramatic and at the same time realistic in the whole series, with the whole of this aspect highlighting both the writing and the direction of the series.
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7. One Punch Man
How is it different? Apart from the obvious and original concept of a man with the strength of Saitama, there are a number of other themes and notions, that linger somewhere between parody and preposterousness. The latter includes the way Saitama has become so strong, and the various characters, like the one with homosexual tendencies who ends up naked every time he fights, or the kid whose chin is clearly shaped as a butt. As for the parody, “One Punch Man” actually mocks shounen anime in every way, and chiefly with the main hero, who instead of having to train vigorously for years to become strong, he is almighty from the beginning. Not to mention his drawing, with the creators making him as common-faced as possible, in contrast to every other character of the anime, who are extremely well drawn, with much detail.
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8. Rage of Bahamut: Genesis
How is it different? The elements that make “Bahamut” stand out from the plethora of similar titles are both contextual and presentational. Regarding the first aspect, the main factors are the loans from many previous anime titles and a number of elements from mythology, history and religion. In that fashion, the overall setting loans much from “Berserk” with the dark-ages/medieval setting while the three main characters share many similarities with the ones in “Samurai Champloo”. The violence/gore levels are higher than the latter title, but by no means reach the “fest” of the former. Furthermore, some minor “loans” from “Attack on Titan” are also here. Apart from those, the story includes dragons, biblical demons and angels, characters from Greek mythology and one whose story (and whole persona) actually seems to follow that of Jean D'arc. Furthermore, he sensuality of the title, which is evident, subtle, artistic, and adult-oriented finally, since “Bahamut” is not tormented by the ridiculous concept of the fanservice all its bloody-nosed extensions, is another aspect that makes the anime stand out. Lastly, Yoshihiro Ike's music induces the anime with a very fitting sense of epicness.
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9. Vinland Saga
How is it different? The same combination of historical facts with mythology that made “Vikings” so popular is once more here, although without the apocryphism of the live-action series. Instead, “Vinland Saga” features one of the main concepts of “Berserk” of a man who hurts a kid in the harshest way eventually becoming its mentor, with Askeladd functioning as something between Griffith and Gambino. The series begins as an action-oriented one, as the focus remains on Thors and Thorfinn, occasionally through flashbacks, with this approach actually keeping up until the end, particularly through the presence of Thorkell, one of those excessive creatures that can only be found in anime (look at “Grappler Baki”). However, as the focus changes to Askeladd, the narrative changes completely, becoming more strategy than action, while the appearance of Prince Canute brings along elements of political machinations, that also add much depth to the title. Lastly, the presentation of the lives of the Vikings, with their disregard for Christianity, their blood-thirsty nature and their omnipresent eagerness to feast, is also presented in all its glory.
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10. World Trigger
How is it different? “World Trigger” begins slowly, with Mitsuru Hongo (episodes 1-48) taking his time to build the story and the characters until episode 12, and in essence to set the rules of the game. This tactic, along with the fact that new characters, backgrounds, abilities and rules are added as the 73 episodes of the first season progress, is what sets “World Trigger” apart, since its story is quite intricate and extremely well built. This approach is what points directly to the video-game aspect mentioned before, with the fact that the rules and the situation are thoroughly explained by different characters functioning like the tutorial part many video games include. At the same time, the fact that the characters improve through training and battles also points towards the RPG. Furthermore, the part of the story that revolves around the inner-politics of Border, through the secrets, the machinations, and the various agendas adds more context along a political mystery element and making the title even more interesting. The role of the press, which seems to have become a permanent aspect of the latest shonen titles, as “My Hero Academia” also plays a significant part here, frequently dictating the actions of the protagonists. The concept of the hero, human nature, and particularly the way people accuse others, the importance of mentorship, friendship, and integrity, and the corporate world are also examined in the narrative, adding depth and drama, and deeming “World Trigger” one of the richest, contextually, anime of the category.
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