Though anime fans might associate relationships with classic shojo and romance titles, the best anime couples come from a wide range of demographics, including classic shonen. In fact, it’s pretty common for shonen series to feature a romantic interest for their lead characters, as well as side characters. Including relationships not only helps the anime to draw in other demographics, but also makes the story feel more real, as these characters grow closer to one another throughout the hardships, trials, and tribulations that they face.
Often, it’s this willingness to stick together through thick and thin that makes many anime couples so cute in the first place. Anime couples also tend to be young and new to love, adding a cute layer of shyness or insecurity that they must work through in order to get together.
These couples aren’t always models for great relationships, but they do look awfully cute together and have more than their fair share of adorable moments worth calling out.
25
Yuta Okkotsu & Maki Zenin
Jujutsu Kaisen (2020)
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 follows Yuta Okkotsu, a high school student, as he grapples with the curse of his childhood friend Rika. Guided by Satoru Gojo, a teacher at Jujutsu High, Yuta enrolls in the school to master exorcism and combat the curse that haunts him.
Release Date
December 24, 2021
Runtime
105 minutes
Director
Sunghoo Park
Writers
Hiroshi Seko
Yuta Okkotsu and Maki Zenin are two major characters from MAPPA’s Jujutsu Kaisen, first introduced chronologically in the prequel film Jujutsu Kaisen 0. When Yuta joins Jujutsu High to get a handle on Rika’s curse, Maki is the person who plays the biggest part in helping Yuta break out of his shell and grow as a person, and the kindness Yuta shows Maki in turn causes a lot of development for their relationship.
Yuta and Maki’s relationship never goes further than being teased, but even then, the great chemistry Yuta and Maki have with each other always does wonders to sell them as a couple, especially with romance being largely nonexistent in Jujutsu Kaisen beyond that. Jujutsu Kaisen‘s epilogue heavily implies that Yuta and Maki started a family together, and that’s a fitting conclusion to the relationship that started the story so many years ago.
24
Izuku Midoriya & Ochako Uraraka
My Hero Academia (2016)
While Midoriya and Uraraka haven’t quite gotten together yet in the anime, the hints of attraction and their strong friendship have already set Deku and Uraraka up to be a great couple. Uraraka is a caring young girl who worries over Midoriya, who constantly injures himself due to his body being poorly adjusted to his Quirk.
In season 6, Uraraka took their relationship forward in a big way by publicly defending Midoriya when the assembled crowds of refugees wanted to chase him off, fearing he might attract villains to their location. By being willing to put herself on the line to give Midoriya a much-needed break, Uraraka proved the depths of her love, even if she hasn’t said it out loud yet.
23
Ranma Saotome & Akane Tendo
Ranma 1/2 (1989)
In this comedic series, martial artist Ranma Saotome navigates life with a unique predicament: he transforms into a girl when splashed with cold water. His engagement to Akane Tendo adds further complexity, as they encounter numerous challenges within familial and martial arts dynamics.
Release Date
October 6, 2024
Cast
Kappei Yamaguchi
, Megumi Hayashibara
, Noriko Hidaka
, Minami Takayama
, Kikuko Inoue
, Akio Otsuka
, Chō
, Shou Okumura
, Soshiro Hori
, Kouichi Souma
, Koichi Yamadera
Character(s)
Ranma Saotome
, Ranma
, Akane Tendo
, Nabiki Tendo
, Kasumi Tendo
, Soun Tendo
, Genma Saotome
, Passerby
, Postman
, Jusenkyo Guide
Seasons
1
Ranma 1/2 revolves primarily around the relationship between Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo, a pair of martial artists who are expected to marry to preserve their families’ dojos. Unfortunately, between Ranma being cursed to turn into a girl whenever he’s hit with water, the various suitors they each have to fight off, and their general abrasive and stubborn personalities, they’re often hard-pressed to express anything other than annoyance for each other.
While Ranma 1/2 is one of the prime examples of an anime harem rom-com, Ranma and Akane’s relationship is always shown to be engaging and all-around fun to watch, even when they spend most of their time fighting. Ranma and Akane were one of the quintessential anime couples of the 90s, and with Ranma 1/2‘s anime being rebooted for Netflix, even more people are bound to see what makes their dynamic so good.
22
Kagome Higurashi & Inuyasha
Inuyasha (2000)
Inuyasha follows Kagome Higurashi, a modern-day fifteen-year-old girl that finds herself transported to the Sengoku period of Japan. There, she meets Inuyasha, who is half-dog demon, half-human. Their fates are bound together by the Shikon Jewel, and the pair are sent off on a quest to recover the shattered pieces of it.
Inuyasha and Kagome often face difficulties communicating, as both are strong-willed individuals who tend to hide their true feelings. Still, when danger rears its head, the true weight of this couple’s love will rapidly become apparent, and may the gods have mercy on anyone who threatens one of them. In the sequel series Yashahime, Inuyasha and Kagome are married and have a daughter, Moroha.
21
Miroku & Sango
Inuyasha (2000)
Kagome and Inuyasha aren’t the only cute couple in Inuyasha. After Kagome shatters Shikon Jewel, Kagome and Inuyasha meet up with the demon slayer Sango and the cursed monk Miroku, who join their band with the intention of defeating the evil Naraku, who has ruined both their lives.
While Miroku starts off as a womanizer, which annoys Sango to no end, the two develop a strong bond over their travels, and eventually fall in love. Miroku and Sango also end up married in the Yashahime sequel series, and have several children of their own, including a young demon slayer named Hisui.
20
Riza Hawkeye & Roy Mustang
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
Riza Hawkeye is Roy Mustang’s loyal follower, a fact that has greatly complicated their relationship. Both are members of the military and as such there are certain restrictions on the kind of relationship they’re allowed to have.
Despite that, though, it’s clear that they care about each other very much, and there’s a smoldering attraction between them present for much of the series. Roy is even willing to do the unthinkable when Riza’s life is threatened, even knowing the consequences for himself.
19
Ritsuka Uenomiya & Mafuyu Sato
Given (2019)
One of the most iconic couples from the boys’ love genre, Ritsuka and Mafuyu’s relationship is one that, like many real-life relationships, wasn’t easy in the beginning. Mafuyu was still struggling after the loss of his previous partner, and in his struggle with dealing with his grief, turned to learning the guitar that was left behind. In this endeavor, he meets Ritsuka, a young musician who plays in a small band. Ritsuka begins to bring him along to rehearsals, and the pair’s bond begins to grow.
Over the course of their relationship, Mafuyu slowly begins to open up more to Ritsuka about his struggles with grief, and in this, the two’s bittersweet beginnings turn into something that is truly admirable, and has completely shifted many of the preconceived notions regarding the genre.
18
Usagi Tsukino and Mamoru Chiba
Sailor Moon (1992)
Sailor Moon‘s Usagi and her masked boyfriend Mamoru Chiba are a couple whose destiny is written in the stars. Usagi and Mamoru are reincarnations of the Neo-Queen Serenity and Prince Endymion, rulers from the distant future who were once joined in marriage.
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While Usagi and Mamoru aren’t exactly the same people as their former selves, they still have some incredible chemistry. No matter what happens to them, their souls will always find each other again, a romantic idea if ever there was one.
17
Yuki Itose & Itsuomi Nagi
A Sign Of Affection (2024)
Marking itself as an instant smash-hit shojo series from the Winter 2024 season, A Sign of Affection‘s main couple, Yuki and Itsuomi, have stolen the hearts of anime fans around the world. The couple is also incredibly unique, as Yuki is a young deaf woman navigating university, and Itsuomi is a world-traveler who speaks multiple languages already. While their relationship begins with Itsuomi simply expressing an interest in learning sign language, it quickly grows into something much deeper.
Yuki experiences many firsts with Itsuomi, and he proves himself time and time again over the course of the anime to be the perfect partner for her. His keen interest in learning sign language not only helps the pair communicate, but, within the story, it also works as a beautiful metaphor for their devotion and love for one another.
16
Lucy Heartfilia & Natsu Dragneel
Fairy Tail (2009)
Lucy Heartfilia and Natsu Dragneel are a fan-favorite relationship in the Fairy Tail fanbase. Natsu helps Lucy to join the guild, and they form a strong and endearing bond throughout the series. Lucy and Natsu shippers are elated to know that the couple are married in the parallel “Edolas” universe.
While Fairy Tail leaves Lucy and Natsu’s relationship open-ended, the series features many other couples that do fortunately end up together such as Gajeel and Levy.
While the series proper ended without any kind of confirmed relationship between the two of them, rumors of a sequel have fans hoping that the couple could at least be confirmed after the fact. Regardless of their official status, the two clearly have great affection for one another, and after all that they’ve been through together, a romance seems inevitable.
15
Ash Lynx & Eiji Okumura
Banana Fish (2018)
Based on the original manga that began serializing in 1985, Banana Fish features one of the most heartbreaking anime couples, as the relationship between Ash Lynx and Eiji Okumura is well-known among anime fans around the world for being more than just a little bittersweet. Taking place in the United States, Ash Lynx is a gangster searching for the truth behind the mysterious “banana fish” before meeting Eiji, a photographer’s assistant from Japan.
As the two grow closer, it becomes clear that Ash’s lifestyle is one that constantly pulls him close to being killed. Eiji begins to plead with Ash to return with him to Japan, even going as far as to arrange for the two to escape the violent underbelly of the city which Ash is involved with. Tragically, Ash never makes it in time for the pair’s runaway. However, the tenderness and tragedy shared between the “what-ifs” surrounding Banana Fish‘s ending just as memorable as the series itself.
14
Yusei Fudo & Aki Izayoi
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s (2008)
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s is the third main spin-off series in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. This anime follows Yusei Fudo, a duelist participating in the new Turbo Duels, in a futuristic world known as New Domino City. Set in a dystopian society, the show introduces a new form of dueling with motorcycle-like vehicles called Duel Runners, and explores themes of social disparity and personal growth.
Cast
Alexandre Crepet
, Gregory Abbey
, Ted Lewis
, Marc Diraison
, Jason Griffith
, Cassandra Lee Morris
, Clay Adams
, Wayne Grayson
Release Date
September 13, 2008
Creator(s)
Kazuki Takahashi
In the first arc of Studio Gallop’s Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s, Yusei Fudo met Aki Izayoi, a fellow Signer who’s been ostracized over her psychic powers that make people feel real pain during duels. While Aki saw herself as nothing but a monster, Yusei helped her see value in her life, and the bond between them slowly developed into a romantic one from that point forward.
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s always did a good job of selling Yusei and Aki’s relationship as one of mutual support, and while it ended on a somewhat inconclusive note, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s finale made it abundantly clear that their relationship can’t be seen as anything other than romantic. Yu-Gi-Oh! is a franchise that often stumbles with romance, but when it came to Yusei and Aki, they succeeded at selling them as a couple on all fronts.
13
Son Goku & Chi-Chi
Dragon Ball (1986)
In Goku’s first quest for the Dragon Balls, he had a fateful encounter with Chi-Chi, the daughter of the Ox King, who fell in love with Goku and asked if they could get married when they were older. While Goku thought marriage was a kind of food, he nonetheless agreed to it when they reunited near the end of Dragon Ball, and the two have been together ever since.
Goku rather infamously isn’t very openly affectionate with his family, but what few moments Goku and Chi-Chi share together always do a great job of showing off the genuine care they have for one another. One moment that stands out, in particular, was the rage Goku felt when he learned that Goku Black killed Chi-Chi in another timeline and the relief he felt when he saw his Chi-Chi again, and it’s moments like those that make them such an endearing couple.
12
Makoto Yuki & Aigis
Persona 3 The Movie (2013-2016)
Makoto Yuki and Aigis are two of the principal characters of A-1 Pictures’ Persona 3 The Movie tetralogy, an adaptation of the video game of the same name. Aigis is an Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon i.e. a robot who joins SEES in the second film, and despite her only just meeting Makoto, she has a strange compulsion to protect him from any and all danger and stay by his side at all times.
Makoto and Aigis were already pushed as the main couple in the game, and sure enough, the Persona 3 movies make Makoto and Aigis’ relationship even stronger than it was in the game with far more scenes of them hanging out and helping one another through emotional moments. Makoto and Aigis’ relationship is a major part of the films’ emotional core, and the work that’s done with it is truly astounding.
11
Tohru Honda & Kyo Sohma
Fruits Basket (2001; 2019)
Fruits Basket is one of the most famous shojo manga ever published due to the iconic romance between the soft-hearted Tohru Honda and hot-headed Kyo Sohma. After Tohru begins living with the Sohma family, she quickly grows closer to Kyo and Yuki – who, at the beginning of the series, seems like a likely candidate for Tohru to end up with. As the manga continues, though, it becomes clear that the bond Kyo and Tohru have forged is unbreakable.
Tohru helps Kyo learn to love and accept himself, and the two are able to overcome generations of trauma hand in hand, and build a better future, together. The pair’s remarkably written relationship has remained one of the most iconic for well over twenty-five years.
10
Naruto Uzumki & Hinata Hyuga
Naruto (2002)
One popular Naturo relationship is that between Hinata and Naruto. They were introduced to each other during their Chunin Exams, and while at first Naruto thought Hinata was “weird” and “shy,” her behavior can be easily explained by her feelings for him.
Naruto begins to care for Hinata over the course of the series, stepping up to defend her when others are disparaging Hinata in public. While there is some debate within the fandom about who Naruto should have ended up marrying, he does eventually marry Hinata, who gives birth to his son, Boruto.
9
Ichigo Kurosaki & Orihime Inoue
Bleach (2004)
Ichigo Kurosaki and Orihime Inoue are the main couple of Studio Pierrot’s Bleach. Orihime is introduced as having a one-sided crush on Ichigo due to being one of the only people in their school to see through his tough facade, and as they both develop spiritual powers and have to fight new threats, the two of them slowly but surely grow closer together as a couple.
Like with many shōnen anime, romance isn’t a big part of Bleach‘s story, but even with so, Bleach does an incredible job selling Ichigo and Orihime as a couple thanks to the constant emotional support they provide one another that always pushes them to be stronger. Ichigo and Orihime’s relationship is far better than most people give it credit for, and it’s a truly standout part of the series, by far.
8
Misaki Ayuzawa & Takumi Usui
Maid Sama! (2010)
Maid Sama!, or The Class President Is a Maid!, is a manga that was animated and released in 2010. The series begins as a former all-boys school transitions into a co-ed institution, where the girls still remain a minority. Misaki Ayuzawa becomes class president, who is secretly working at a maid café.
Takumi Usui discovers her secret and becomes interested in her. They become a couple, but there are several obstacles in their relationship throughout the series. Their “opposites attract” dynamic is beloved by fans who advocate for their relationship.
7
Shirou Emiya & Sakura Matou
Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel (2017-2020)
Ufotable’s Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel trilogy is an adaptation of the third and final route of the Fate/stay night visual novel, with Shirou’s romantic partner now being his underclassman, Sakura. In the trilogy, Shirou and Sakura begin to grow closer as issues in Sakura’s home life force Shirou to be more involved with her, but the closer they get, the clearer it becomes that she’s not just an innocent girl as portrayed in the previous routes.
While Shirou and Sakura’s relationship is the last one fans will experience, the character development and emotionally cathartic writing tied into Shirou and Sakura’s relationship makes it one of the strongest in the original Fate/stay night story, if not the strongest. The Heaven’s Feel trilogy serves as a finale to the original Fate/stay night story, and there was no better romance to tie that together than Shirou and Sakura’s.
6
The Rentaro Family
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You (2023)
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You is a romantic comedy series that follows high school student Rentarou Aijo, who, after being rejected 100 times, meets 100 girls destined to be his true loves. Each girl falls deeply in love with him, creating humorous and complicated scenarios. Adapted from the manga by Rikito Nakamura and Yukiko Nozawa, the series explores themes of love, destiny, and teenage relationships.
Cast
Wataru Katoh
, Kaede Hondo
, Miyu Tomita
, Maria Naganawa
, Asami Seto
Release Date
October 8, 2023
Seasons
2
In Bibury Animation Studios’ The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You, Rentaro Aijo is told that not only will he meet 100 soulmates during his time as a high schooler, but that he has to find a way to love all of them or else they’ll die. This leads to Rentaro gaining an ever-expanding harem of girlfriends, with the group eventually being referred to in-universe as the “Rentaro Family”.
Not only does the series always go to great lengths to justify why so many girls would love Rentaro, but The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You always gives the girls reasons to care about each other beyond dating the same person. The Rentaro Family often feels more like a family than just a large assortment of couples, and it’s done a lot to make the series stand out from day one.
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