Shōnen anime are often viewed as more simplistic than anime of other genres. By extension, this perspective leads the characters in even the best works in the genre to be viewed as bland and generic. However, every Shōnen fan is well-aware that this couldn't be farther from the truth.

While lower-quality Shōnen anime naturally feature weaker characters, heroes like Killua Zoldyck and Edward Elric prove that Shōnen characters can be as complex as any others. Some possess depth from the very start, while others have series-spanning character arcs that keep viewers hooked from start to finish. These 10 characters have the best development in Shōnen anime, with the changes they underwent having left fans in awe.

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Medieval fantasy most often takes place in the dark ages of Europe and Asia, and some titles are more historically accurate than others.

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