7 Shonen Jump Anime Classics That Need to Upgrade With a Remake, Ranked

Recently, many beloved anime series have been revived with new seasons, remakes, or reboots, which is fantastic news for longtime fans. Several classic series from Shonen Jump could benefit from this trend, and with so many successful comebacks after years of being off-air, it feels like more could follow suit.

Many fans are hoping for updated versions of classic Shonen Jump series, either because the originals could benefit from a modern makeover or because they haven’t been revisited in a long time. This list highlights some beloved Shonen Jump titles that would be great as official remakes or revivals.

7). Dragon Ball

I’m really excited about everything happening with Dragon Ball right now, but honestly, as a long-time fan, what I really want is a complete remake of the very first Dragon Ball series! It’s the 40th anniversary of the manga, and that original story feels more important than ever. While it’s great they’re looking at remaking Super, those first adventures of Goku are still stuck with the visuals of their time – it would be amazing to see them fully updated!

Fans have gotten glimpses of a potential new version of the original anime in things like Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, and the reaction has been very positive. While the original anime still holds up well, a full remake would be a great way to introduce it to a new audience.

6). Naruto

The same is true for Naruto. A new anime special is in the works to celebrate the series’ 20th anniversary, and a reel of iconic moments has already been released, getting fans excited about a potential full remake. A remake could really benefit Naruto by focusing only on the events directly from Masashi Kishimoto’s original manga, making it easier for new viewers to get into the series.

Even though the Boruto sequel series is currently airing, a remake could actually revitalize the franchise. While the sequel hasn’t generated the same excitement as the original, a remake would be a fantastic way to reignite fan interest.

5). Yu-Gi-Oh! Season 0

Like many popular series, the various sequels and spin-offs of Yu-Gi-Oh! haven’t quite lived up to the success of Kazuki Takahashi’s original manga. But one part in particular could really benefit from a modern update: “Season 0.” This initial adaptation of the story showed a much grimmer side of Yu-Gi-Oh!, focusing on the deadly games Yami played before the series became known for its card duels and younger audience.

Currently, this anime isn’t available outside of Japan. However, a complete remake of these original stories could give the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise the satisfying conclusion it deserves. Many anime fans are unaware of this part of the story, and a remake would be a great way to introduce it to a wider audience.

4). Hikaru no Go

Similar to Yu-Gi-Oh!, Hikaru no Go by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata centers around a single game, though it hasn’t achieved the same widespread popularity outside of Japan. The original anime series faced distribution problems in North America, with an incomplete TV run and releases on DVD that were ultimately cancelled. Streaming on the short-lived Toonami Jetstream platform also hindered its success, preventing it from gaining the traction of other anime based on games.

The anime’s focus on the game of Go might have limited its initial success, but a remake could help it finally gain the recognition it deserves. While there are many non-action anime available now, they often capture the same compelling feeling as popular action series like Hikaru no Go. The original series was simply ahead of its time, and a modern audience would likely be much more open to its themes. A remake would offer it a fresh opportunity to connect with viewers.

3). Eyeshield 21

Like many anime, Eyeshield 21 didn’t get a traditional release in North America. It was only available through Toonami Jetstream and never aired on the main Toonami channel, causing it to be largely overlooked by viewers. This is unfortunate, as the anime, with its exciting take on American football and dynamic art by Yusuke Murata, would have likely been a hit with that audience. It was a fast-paced and energetic sports anime.

I always felt Eyeshield 21 was a bit overlooked compared to other popular manga from Shonen Jump. But now that the manga volumes are being reprinted in North America after all this time, it feels like the perfect moment for a remake of the anime. It really deserves a second chance to gain some momentum.

2). Yu Yu Hakusho

Many fans consider Yu Yu Hakusho to be one of the greatest anime ever made, but it hasn’t really been updated since its original 1990s run. While the original voice actors reunited for a short project celebrating the show’s 30th anniversary, it only offered a small glimpse of what a new version of Yu Yu Hakusho could be. The anime also took some liberties with Yoshihiro Togashi’s original manga, so it would be interesting to see a truly faithful adaptation.

Bringing back this series with a remake could be a great way to recapture its original excitement. The creator was already struggling with exhaustion near the end of the first run, and honestly, it feels like the franchise deserves more recognition than it’s getting right now.

1). Katekyo Hitman Reborn!

Akira Amano’s Katekyo Hitman Reborn! feels like a series that deserves more recognition. It boasts a large cast of characters who consistently gain new powers throughout its many story arcs, and the anime ran for over 200 episodes. Despite its length, it isn’t discussed as often as other popular Shonen Jump series from the same era, like Naruto.

If Reborn! gets another anime season, it could really recapture what fans loved about the original while also improving the action. A revival feels like a sure hit and could re-establish the series in the anime world.

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2026-03-18 01:16