The Big Four of Shonen Anime

Anime Club

You asked for it, and we brought it back to the Teen Center. If you have never experienced anime, and you like animation, then this is the club for you. Each Friday at 2 pm, we will host an anime club online in Google Docs. First, there will be an anime episode for you to watch and then a great discussion with Dawson.  Click here to join or email Dawson at mplteencenter@gmail.com. When we are back in the library, you may participate online or in the Teen Center. Whatever works for you!

This Week’s Anime

Anime: Sound! Euphonium

Episode 2: “Singing Solfège”

Watch the episode here: https://www.crunchyroll.com/sound-euphonium/episode-4-singing-solfge-678377

Pre-Viewing Question: Based on the episode’s title, what do you think the episode is about?

The Big Four of Shonen Anime

Anime has been around long enough to have many great series. In the Shonen anime community, there are four main series that have helped to define the Shonen genre. Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach are known as the “Big Four.”

In some fans’ eyes, Dragon Ball is seen as the grandfather of Shonen while One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach are known as the “Big Three”.  You can find inspiration from each of the “Big Four” in almost all Shonen anime. Successful Shonen series such as Fairy Tail have direct inspiration from One Piece. Of these series, only Bleach has reached a proper conclusion with no sequel series while Naruto and Dragon Ball have sequels. One Piece is the only anime of the “Big Four” to still be running after 20 years.

Did you know? While separated as Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z in the west, the Japanese run of the manga is just called Dragon Ball. The Z added onto the end was for the anime and the western run of the manga.

Want to learn more about anime? Join our Anime Club to watch an episode once a week and take part in discussing it with Dawson.