The anime trio has some of the most diverse and complex dynamics of the medium. In particular, Shonen Trios are rich in hilarious jokes and intriguing rivalries between characters that move the story forward in a friendly and engaging way.
There are many iconic trios to be found in anime, but none is more famous than the series’ lead trio. Duos are entertaining too, but the more, the better in this case. These excellent trios have battled some of the worst villains in the genre, stuck together through brutal training arcs, and cheered each other on during the most important battles in their series.
The best things come in three, and the characters are no exception. Some of the best anime series have main characters who come in a trio, and this happens for a variety of reasons. In any case, the three characters each add more dynamism to the relationship. If there are only two characters, then there is only one relation. But with three, you have a whole lot of connections, as you’ve seen with any anime with a trio of characters.
1. Zetsuen no Tempest (Blast of Tempest)
Zetsuen no Tempest is one of Studio Bones’ best shonen series ever.
It’s only 24 episodes long (it’s relatively short in Shonen’s world) but it tells a full story of magic, adventure, and revenge.
Likewise, you don’t always get to see a post-apocalyptic anime with a sensible storyline.
Sure, it sounds basic at first. A boy and his best friend embark on a magical journey to find answers and possibly save the world.
But Zetsuen no Tempest understands its universe — it’s not just created because the post-apocalyptic settings are cool to look at.
Characters think and adjust their strategies based on the way their worlds work.
Plus, I love how classical, orchestral music is in this action-packed shonen title.
2. Pandora Hearts
I’m still not over the fact that season two will probably never happen.
For one, the first season deviated from the source material and opted for an anime-original ending.
Second, not enough fans are battling for either a sequel or a full reboot.
It’s heartbreaking when a great show in the form of Pandora Hearts comes to an end.
Still, the 2009 Zebeck adaptation is pricey.
I saw it and didn’t know what I was in for. Which I assume was also the case for Oz Vesalius, whose coming-of-age celebrations eventually lead to panic and an encounter with an evil girl who turns into a horror-yielding giant rabbit.
3. Detective Conan (Case Closed)
I don’t know why anyone thought it was a good idea to name it Case Closed in English – when Detective Conan already serves as a title for the international market.
Anyway, this anime proves that shonen doesn’t have to be about supernatural forces and stopping the world from ending.
Yes, Shinichi Kudo sometimes settles cases that otherwise would have led to disasters (especially in the movies that come out every year). But its scale in setting and story is relatively small.
This shonen franchise has been around since 1996, and I honestly don’t want it to go away.
As long as it has strong well-paid writers, fans can expect more thrilling mysteries, even if they know that Shinichi will solve the case over time.
4. Hajime no Ippo (Fighting Spirit)
I mentioned shonen titles that focus on baseball and basketball, so why not boxing?
Like Major, it helped me see the many struggles and successes of a motivated individual.
And I’m not kidding when I say that Hajime no Ippo has a ton of material: The Madhouse franchise (with some help from MAPPA for last season) has 126 episodes and two-hour specials.
I don’t blame you if you think it’s weird for a boxing anime to go on for so long, but that’s the magic of the fighting spirit – it’s got top-notch realistic fight scenes, fun moments, and some romance to boot. claims to.
5. Yusuke Urameshi (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Despite being a criminal, Yusuke is a very funny man when he is with his friends and on his own. He is not afraid to satire on him or his enemies, even insulting some enemies on their faces. He and Kuwabara have a lot of fun together as it is usually one of the minds and the other depending on the situation. Even in the most dire of situations, such as when the Special Defense Forces tried to kill him, Yusuke made it seem like he was bad at messing with them.
Even Yusuke’s relationship with Keiko is hilarious because she doesn’t put up with his bullshit and isn’t afraid to slap him, even if he’s terribly injured. Yusuke even made his proposal a bit funny to her and he blew it, but said no and waited three years to return to the human world.
also read: top 10 anime series
