>>862066For Shounen, read epic poetry like Beowulf or Gilgamesh. Those two especially, because you don't have to know much about their culture to enjoy them. Something like the Iliad or Aeneid or the Song of Roland might be simple enough, but you need more context to really enjoy them.
For European sci-fi, try Roadside Picnic. It's what S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is loosely based off of.
Olaf Stapledon is also good, although pretty different from 5th element. I'd the summary of his Last and First Men a perusal to see if you're interested in that. Don't worry about spoilers, that's not the kind of book that has spoilers per se since it's a "fiction history." And if you end up liking Last and First Men, next up would be Star Maker. Alternatively, you could try Sirius, which is the perfect blend of Frankenstein and The Tin Drum, if you're familiar.
