Who among us hasn’t watched an anime and been utterly floored after watching two characters fall in love? It is because anime has a truly magical way of depicting romance, and the characters go from shy and hesitant to deeply expressive and affectionate within a few episodes itself. Whether they are fighting common foes side by side or bonding over their shared passions, these couples model what it means to have healthy communication, respect, and teamwork. They are devoted and ever-so-willing to build something together, which simply raises the bar for what real love could be when two people meet halfway.
In many ways, anime shapes our understanding of love from a very young age. Because in these shows, the relationships transform and grow over time, with growth and by seeing the other person become a better version of themselves. Moreover, even though anime idealizes love, it’s always inspiring. These fictional couples become a window to our hopes and dreams. Because this is what love is supposed to be like – patient, pure, and unconditional.
20 Inuyasha and Kagome (Inuyasha)
This one evokes some heavy childhood nostalgia for viewers who’ve grown up with the innocent feeling of watching their favorite characters gradually fall in love. Released back in the 2000s, Inuyasha is a feel-good romantic adventure set in feudal Japan. On her 15th birthday, Kagome is suddenly pulled from her modern day high school life and plunged into an old well by a demon. In this strange, ancient world she meets the half-demon Inuyasha who mistakes her for someone else and resents her only for them to go on a quest to recover the broken shards of an important jewel. From other love interests to terrifying demons, it is on their difficult journey that Inuyasha and Kagome grow close and fall in love.
19 Hiro & Zero Two (Darling in the FRANXX)
There is no arguing on the fact that Japan does dystopian best. Darling in the FRANXX shows a post-apocalyptic world where plants don’t bloom and humanity is nearly extinct. Young soldiers are trained to pilot giant mechas known as FranXX in pairs of two – a boy and a girl. Hiro is an aspiring pilot who meets the mysterious Zero Two one day when he skips class. Apparently, she’s a top pilot known around as the “Partner Killer,” but that doesn’t bother Hiro and the two begin working together. Every duo piloting a FranXX are called “darlings” which is fitting because a romance eventually ensues between our couple. Their relationship becomes proof that love can transform, with Zero Two becoming more human and kind and Hiro having something worth fighting for.
18 Winry and Edward (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Edward Elric is a genius alchemist who is on a quest to restore his brother’s body after a failed experiment left him hanging on to nothing but an armored suit. Winry is Edward’s childhood friend and an excellent automail mechanic. She gives all her support to him by repairing his brother’s prosthetic limbs and treating him after every battle when he ends up at her doorstep for a quick tune-up.
As they grow closer through Ed’s struggles Winry begins to see him as more than family. But Ed’s quite stubborn and dismissive so neither of them really dares to say anything. It takes a near-death experience to make them finally confess their love. Ultimately, theirs was the best slow burn in anime history.
17 Ryuji and Taiga (Toradora!)
Picking an age-old trope from romantic comedies where two characters who are actually meant for each other begin spending time together so they can help confess their love to their respective crushes, Toradora! is an adorable little show. Ryuji is a kind high school boy who loves doing household chores regardless of his scary face. And Taiga is an aggressive miniature teen with a big attitude. The two form an unlikely friendship to support each other while winning the affections of other characters they fancy. But let’s be honest, it is actually their chemistry that is undeniably intense. Ryuji and Taiga are polar opposites and they quarrel like infants, but this only leads them to understand each other better and embrace their imperfections.
16 Naruto and Hinata (Naruto)
At 10 seasons, this internationally acclaimed anime has to have at least one couple we can ship with pure devotion. It comes in the form of our titular hero and a fellow classmate. Hinata Hyuga has always silently admired Naruto Uzumaki. Her affections first bloomed when Naruto stood by her side in front of nasty bullies when they were a kid but she’s too shy to lay her feelings bare. Besides, it’s not really easy to hold the attention of an aspiring ninja who is scorned for having a demon fox inside of him. It takes him years, but Naruto finally notices Hinata’s feelings. Their honesty and undying support for one another builds trust and they prove that love can be inspiring if you allow it. Together, as friends and colleagues, Naruto and Hinata are the very definition of couple goals.
15 Usagi Tsukino and Mamoru Chiba (Sailor Moon)
Featuring a subtle enemies-to-lovers trope, Sailor Moon is a classic anime that centers around Usagi, a clumsy teenage girl who unassumingly saves a strange-looking cat one day. The cat tells her it wasn’t a coincidence and that Usagi was destined to become Sailor Moon and protect the Earth from all evil. As the planetary guardian fighting battles, Usagi meets Tuxedo Mast, a mysterious man who often helps her. They form a beautiful connection as the power couple fighting against countless monsters and death itself. They slowly discover that he is Mamoru Chiba, a college student she disliked and often argued with. Despite all the bickering, it is their chemistry and contrasting personalities that make their union fated.
14 Vegeta and Bulma (Dragon Ball Z)
Dragon Ball Z may all be about Goku and his Z warriors fighting against the evil to defend Earth, but the series also has several overarching stories with the most interesting characters. One worth mentioning is the relationship between Vegeta and Bulma. Vegeta is an alien Saiyan prince who comes to Earth with the sole mission of acquiring the magical wish-granting Dragon Balls. He meets Bulma, a brilliant scientist also searching for the same balls. Though they start as enemies and Vegeta tries to defeat Goku and his friends, over time, Bulma’s faith in him softens his princely, fierce heart. Slowly, Vegeta even transforms into a family man. They raise a son together and Vegeta spends most of his time at home, shopping malls, and resorts.
13 Izumi and Kyoko (Horimiya)
This recent manga adaptation isn’t your traditional high school romance anime. But instead, Horimiya subverts all known tropes and slaps us with a story and characters that will have you hooked from the start. Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura are two teens who lead very different lives. Kyoko isn’t a social butterfly. In fact, he is distant for the very reason that he doesn’t want people to see beneath his layers (literally) at all the tattoos and piercings. Izumi, on the other hand, is the quiet, studious, popular girl in school.
The two don’t have a happening after-school life, but when a chance encounter brings them together, they begin spending all their free time together. They reveal their true personalities and fall for each other. Besides, things between them escalate real quick, which makes for a fun watch.
12 Kaguya and Miyuki (Kaguya-sama: Love is War)
Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya are student council president and vice-president respectively at the prestigious Shuchiin Academy. They both secretly harbor feelings for each other but are too arrogant to confess. So instead, they strategize ways and plot detailed schemes to lead the other to admit their love first. Despite being envied by the entire student body for being the perfect couple, their countless plans to actually date backfire. Eventually, the two realize that love cannot be conquered or expressed through tricks but simply by being honest. Filled with exciting encounters, flattering dialogues, and hilarious characters, their story touches on love as something that heals your past, breaks down walls, and brings peace.
11 Yato & Hiyori (Noragami)
Noragami is an action fantasy anime at its best. It centers around Yato, a minor deity and self-proclaimed "Delivery God," who is struggling to gain worshippers. Without a single person having heard of him or a shrine dedicated to his name, his dream remains unfulfilled and his partner, fed-up of the slow routine, decides to quit. Lucky for him, an ordinary middle school girl named Hiyori saves him from a car accident. Battered, she survives but her soul remains loose and Yato, for selfish reasons like wanting a new partner, refuses to restore it for her. Though initially annoyed, they form a deep bond. Hiyori teaches Yato about things beyond fame and he guards her against supernatural threats. Their relationship leads to great chemistry, with sparks flying all over.
10 Ichigo & Orihime (Bleach)
Spanning 16 seasons and over three hundred episodes, Bleach is one of the greatest action anime series ever created. The main story revolves around Ichigo, who has the power to see ghosts. When he’s approached by a Soul Reaper named Rukia Kuchiki, he learns to use his powers to protect the living from Hollows, which are the corrupted spirits plaguing their town. Orihime is his friend, who also develops supernatural powers and joins Ichigo’s team. They are different in a sense that when pitted together, they create a perfect balance. Ichigo is a headstrong, unyielding fighter and Orihime is kind-hearted and reserved. But they both love and stand for their friends loudly, which is what sustains their bond and helps them face any battle.
9 Meliodas & Elizabeth (Seven Deadly Sins)
The two aspects that make The Seven Deadly Sins a gem of an anime are its incredible composition and the genuine creativity to keep things fresh. The series is as crafty as it is chaotic, as we follow Elizabeth, the princess of Britannia, desperately wanting to save her kingdom. She sets out on the search for the Knights who turned rogue in order to overthrow the previous rulers. On her pursuit, she meets Meliodas, the Dragon Sin of Wrath and former leader of the Sins. Apparently, they were in love in their past lives but Elizabeth has no recollection. Moreover, because of a curse his father cast on him, Meliodas is forced to watch as Elizabeth dies repeatedly. Eventually, their fight for love bears sweet fruit because in the final season we see them wed and living happily ever after.
8 Tatsumi & Mine (Akame Ga Kill!)
Set against the tragic, fictional backdrop of an assassination branch known as the Night Raid, this mature anime pulls all the stops in making you feel things. Tatsumi is our hero. He joins the Night Raid assassin group with the sole aim of changing the corrupt Empire and bringing peace. He meets with several other assassins, one of which is Mine, an experienced sniper with a brash personality. Although the pair has a few setbacks and Mine does not accept her feelings for this young villager until she’s practically face-to-face with death, their love is truly beautiful. As Tatsumi develops his fighting skills and gets better, Mine begins to grow fond of him. It’s pretty clear when you look back at all the fun and flirting and the shared dreams of a better world.
7 Renji & Rukia (Bleach)
While the main storyline of Bleach is dominated by Ichigo, the rest of the Soul Reapers are equally vital in making the series a success. And even though it seemed like Ichigo and Rukia could become a thing, we can’t really ignore that Rukia actually trained with Renji to become a Soul Reaper. As spirit guardians, they have shared a history and an intense admiration for one another.
For instance, despite being adopted into a noble family, Rukia was never a privileged child and Renji never abandoned his vow to free her from their oppressors. Also, when Rukia is sentenced to death, Renji stops at nothing to save her. What begins as a desire to protect each other soon comes as a revelation that their feelings stem from an unconditional love.
6 Kirigaya & Yuuki (Sword Art Online)
Kirigaya and Yuuki aren’t just a power couple in Sword Art Online, but they’re the two characters that basically carry the series throughout the first couple of seasons with their crucial storyline. Kirigaya is a beta tester who enters the virtual reality MMORPG Sword Art Online. However, when the game creators disable the “log-out” button for all users and give them the ultimatum to kill the final boss, Kirigaya is left with a life-or-death challenge. He meets Yuuki, who is also a skilled player but she’s hiding her terminal illness. They’re initially competitive but Kirigaya soon develops a deep sense of liking for Yuuki and does everything in his power to protect her. It is almost ridiculous how the two stick together almost all the time. And yet, their story remains timeless.
5 Asuma & Kurenai (Naruto: Shippuden)
Dating in secrecy isn’t a trope we usually see in anime. And for a series like Naruto: Shippuden, Asuma and Kurenai bring a much-needed lighthearted intrigue. Like its predecessor, Naruto: Shippuden is the epic tale of ninjas, with Naruto yearning to become the Hokage in his village. There is magic, betrayal, action, adventure, and of course, love. Lots of it. Amidst the swirl of all the drama Asuma and Kurenai never make their relationship known to the students at Shinobi Academy. But their love is patient, honest, and held together by friendship. While one was cool and collected, the other was an elegant master with a kind heart. However endearing their relationship was, it really hurt bad when Asuma died and it was later revealed that Kurenai was pregnant.
4 Yusuke & Keiko (Yu Yu Hakusho)
An incredibly captivating anime, Yu Yu Hakusho follows Yusuke, a 14-year-old teenage delinquent who dies saving a child but he is somehow revived as a Spirit Detective because of his unexpected act of sacrifice. He reunites with Keiko, his childhood friend. Having known each other as kids, Yusuke and Keiko already have a beautiful chemistry. She’s a fiery, no-nonsense type of girl who wouldn’t waste a minute calling Yusuke out if he’s wrong. But her love for her transcends all the bickering because she never leaves Yusuke’s side when he battles demons. When they finally confess, the series takes a sharper turn and their relationship flourishes against the backdrop of threat and turmoil. Regardless, the two create a sanctuary of love when they can simply be themselves.
3 Spike & Julia (Cowboy Bebop)
Home isn’t a place, but a person. That’s pretty much what his iconic anime couple believes. Following a ragtag group of bounty hunters who trot across galaxies to fight the bad guys, Cowboy Bebop is a show even non-anime lovers have heard of. So it is only fitting that this classic tale filled with humor, twists, action, and stunning music would have a couple to root for. Spike and Julia’s is as tortured as it is captivating. Julia, a beautiful woman and Spike, a laid back bounty hunter trying to run away from his past. To say that they had a complicated history and even more bewildering romance would be an understatement. But the fact that they yearned to leave this life of crime behind and start fresh, together, is what makes us believe in a better future. Through shadows and heartache, their love bloomed for a little while.
2 Midoriya & Ochaco (My Hero Academia)
My Hero Academia follows the journey of Midoriya, a boy with no quirks who dreams of becoming a hero. Set in a world where every person’s strength and destiny is determined by their special powers and their capacities, the series delivers not only fantastic action and battle sequences but also a sweet, lighthearted romance between Midoriya and Ochaco. The latter is also a shy and adorable girl. She possesses a quirk but lacks confidence.
As they train together and face great challenges, their friendship shows potential to turn into love. They clearly are fond of each other and care about the other being okay. But because their goals are to become a better hero, the series only continues to tease their love. Hopefully, it’ll triumph soon.
1 Touka & Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul)
Tokyo has a sinister shadow crawling up its streets and alleys because now, the city is filled with flesh-eating "ghouls" who look just like humans. Both the ghouls and humans struggle to coexist in this dark world. Between the dread and chaos created by Tokyo Ghoul, we have Kaneki, a half-human, half-ghoul trying to understand his own identity and role in the world and Touka, a strong-willed ghoul who does not want to hurt anybody, but make a difference. Despite being a violent show, the romance between these two characters gives us home. From friendship to understanding to sharing pain, the couple teaches us that love is most powerful when it leads you to the right place even in the darkest of times. Within the four seasons, Touka and Kaneki sleep together, get married, and create a family.