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shounen
What does shounen mean?
A demographic category targeting adolescent males, typically featuring action, adventure, tournaments and themes of friendship and perseverance.
"The tournament arc is the most shounen thing imaginable."
Origin
Japanese 少年 (shōnen), 'boy/youth'.
Frequently asked questions
What does shounen mean?
It's a demographic category of anime and manga aimed at teenage boys, usually heavy on action and adventure.
What themes are common in shounen?
Action, tournaments, and recurring themes of friendship, effort and perseverance.
How is shounen different from shoujo?
Shounen targets adolescent boys, while shoujo targets adolescent girls; the demographic focus shapes the typical themes.
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