Top 5 Tropes in Shounen Anime Series: The Power of Dream

Trope is a tool in the development of fictional stories. 

If taken literally, trope is an easy way to describe a situation in a story so that it can be understood by writers and connoisseurs of fiction. 

Of the many fictional stories, trope is also used in the anime series.

Each anime has its own trope, such as the romance series which often carries the famous trope enemy to lover or friend to lover.

On the other hand, the shounen series also has popular tropes, such as trope zero to hero. 

Of the many tropes that are often used in shounen anime, there are some of the best tropes. 

Approximately, anything, huh? 

Here are five of the best tropes in shounen anime.

1. The power of friendship is the most valuable thing

Unfortunately, the trope of friendship power that exists in this shounen anime is often misused or overused, causing a bad reputation.

One of the most famous offenders of this trope is Hiro Mashima from the Fairy Tail series. 

He uses the power of friendship to save heroes from a battle that cannot be won with premeditated or contrived strategy.

On the other hand, other shounen anime are able to handle this trope well so that it turns a trope that looks cheap into the most valuable thing.

The power of friendship is real because people in the real world rely on friendships for emotional support.

This Trope can be used by anime characters to get things done because not all of them have the power of friendship.

2. Shounen heroes always have amazing teachers

Everyone needs a role model, teacher, or mentor to teach them something they haven't been able to do.

They constantly need guidance as they walk the path they have chosen.

Just like anime fans, they also have someone they call their school teacher, college lecturer, sports coach, and senior co-worker to mentor them.

If related to the real world, the mentor character trope in shounen anime seems relevant. 

It's only natural that this trope can always entertain.

Some examples of the most popular mentor characters from this trope are Satoru Gojou from the Jujutsu Kaisen series and Kakashi Hatake from the Naruto series. 

They have played an important role in the development of each of their students.

3. The rise of the underdog to become the strongest hero

There are many important reasons why the fictional heroes of any shounen anime are downtrodden weaklings or underdogs.

One of the most awaited things about this trope is their awakening to become smarter and stronger over time. 

Those from this trope always have the determination to be able to strengthen them mentally and physically.

The underdog awakening trope is also able to provide enthusiasm or strength because shounen anime is directed at young fans who still have limited skills and experience.

With this trope, they might be motivated when they see shounen protagonists, such as Tanjiro Kamado from the Kimetsu no Yaiba series, Naruto Uzumaki from the Naruto series, and Ichigo Kurosaki from the Bleach series working hard from zero to hero.

4. Strong rivals become the best boost for shounen heroes

Trope ownership of rival or rival characters has become mandatory in shounen anime.

This trope is also one of shounen's best traits because this trope always succeeds in bringing out energy and enthusiasm for the hero character. 

With this trope, they will continue to compete with their respective rivals until they grow into stronger figures without them knowing it.

Good and healthy competition will motivate shounen heroes, they can even make friends with each other's rivals at certain times.

For example, the tsundere Caesar Zeppeli gave Joseph Joestar the impetus to thrive on Hamon in the Jojo's Bizzare Adventure series. 

Meanwhile, Izuku Midoriya, Katsuki Bakugo, and Shouto Todoroki are also determined to beat each other as trainees in the Boku no Hero Academia series.

5. The power of dreams can always inspire

Some shounen anime villain characters may often cynically ridicule or cast doubt on heroes who have dreams.

However, they are always proven wrong. The dream power trope present in the shounen series is able to give the hero a sentimental purpose. 

They are able to empower themselves to pursue dreams. 

They will improve themselves while achieving dreams.

For example, Monkey D. Luffy from the One Piece series wants to become a pirate king in the future, while Izuku Midoriya from the Boku no Hero Academia series has a strong determination to become a Symbol of Peace.

The dream power trope in shounen anime is also able to give encouragement to fans to pursue dreams that might have been doubted, just like their favorite anime characters.

Although this article discusses the best tropes in shounen anime, there really isn't any worst tropes. 

There are several shounen tropes that have been around for a long time and are often used in anime, such as zero to hero or vice versa.

However, what is more important is the way the trope is played, not the trope itself. 

For example, the five shounen tropes above may be familiar to you, but several anime are able to present these tropes in their own way, right?