Best Rivalries In Anime

Key Takeaways

• Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak’s rivalry in Pokemon showcases steady improvement over time.
• Bakugo and Midoriya’s rivalry in My Hero Academia stems from childhood insecurities.
• Light Yagami and L’s rivalry in Death Note revolves around intellect and high stakes.

For decades, anime has been the battleground for some of the most intense rivalries ever portrayed on screen. Shonen, in particular, has housed most of these match ups, with them often being a core feature of the genre, and a large pull for audiences.

While some rivalries burn bright but brief, others take their time and become iconic in their own right. Regardless of how lengthy they are, they’ve become some of the most undisputed rivalries in anime.

8 Ash Ketchum Vs. Gary Oak

Pokemon

Ash and Gary’s rivalry is arguably the most iconic in Pokemon, beginning early in the show when Ash has only Pikachu. Gary mocks Ash while boasting six Pokemon, igniting their competitive tension.

It quickly becomes evident that Gary is the superior trainer as he consistently outperforms Ash. However, as is typical in Shonen, Ash steadily improves over time and their match ups become closer. You eventually see the rivalry evolve into something new as both trainers mature.

7 Bakugo Vs. Deku

My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia has risen to become one of the greatest shonen anime, largely due to the complex narrative surrounding Midoriya and Bakugo. Their rivalry goes beyond mere respect and is deeply rooted in their shared history.

Initially, Bakugo and Midoriya are portrayed as childhood friends. However, when Bakugo’s quirk manifests while Midoriya remains quirkless, it triggers a shift in Bakugo’s personality, leading to his persistent bullying of Midoriya. This behavior stems from Bakugo’s insecurities, as he perceives Midoriya to excel in ways that challenge his own self-worth, despite Midoriya’s lack of a quirk.

Bakugo’s volatile nature begins to stabilize after Midoriya inherits a quirk from All Might, forcing Bakugo to confront and reevaluate their dynamic.

6 Spike Spiegel Vs. Vicious

Cowboy Bebop

Spike, once a hitman for the Red Dragon Syndicate, eventually becomes a bounty hunter after his life takes a dangerous turn. His entanglement with the Syndicate grows complicated when he has an affair with Julia, the girlfriend of his rival, Vicious.

This affair leads Spike to betray the Syndicate, faking his death to escape exile. Meanwhile, Vicious, consumed by his obsession with Julia and an insatiable thirst for power, becomes increasingly ruthless, orchestrating a coup to seize control of the Syndicate.

This rivalry is dangerous, emotional, and has very high stakes. Julia, caught between the two, becomes the emotional linchpin of their conflict.

5 Dio Brando Vs. Jotaro Kujo

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

Dio is the main antagonist of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say he was the rival of all Joestar generations. However, Jotaro was to be the rivalry remembered the most.

Some Minor Spoilers Ahead!

After Dio becomes a vampire, his Stand, The World, is revealed in the final episodes of Season 3, leaving Jotaro seemingly clueless about how to counter it. But, in true JoJo fashion, Jotaro discovers that his Stand, Star Platinum, can also manipulate time, leading to an epic and devastating showdown.

Although their rivalry wasn’t exactly long-running, the build-up was exceptional, and the conclusion was nothing short of epic. Moreover, having seen Dio’s presence since the beginning, his rivalry with the entire Joestar family makes this battle the show’s defining moment.

4 Naruto Uzumaki Vs. Sasuke Uchiha

Naruto

The rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke is one of the most well-known in anime, central to the narratives of both Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.

It begins early in the series, with Sasuke and Naruto being more or less friends but with contrasting personalities. Naruto is driven by a need for acknowledgment, while Sasuke’s natural talent, combined with his eventual pursuit of Orochimaru’s power and thirst for revenge against Konoha, slowly leads him down a very different and dark path.

Their rivalry intensifies, culminating in the legendary battle at the Valley of the End, where their contrasting ideals clash head-on. Sasuke’s thirst for revenge and power is the stark opposite of Naruto’s beliefs. The rivalry evolves, yet persists throughout the series.

3 Tyson Granger Vs. Kai Hiwatari

Beyblade

Tyson and Kai may not be as widely recognized today, but their rivalry remains one of the most memorable experiences for Beyblade fans. It begins when Tyson defeats Carlos in battle, prompting Kai, Carlos’s gang leader, to step in and punish him.

True to his fiery nature, Tyson challenges Kai, igniting their legendary rivalry. Throughout the series, they are forced to develop an understanding, as teammates in the Blade Breakers. While they often seem more like allies, the rivalry never truly fades. This tension later reaches a peak, culminating in what many consider the greatest battle in Beyblade history.

2 Goku Vs. Vegeta

Dragon Ball Z

There are rivalries, and then there is Goku vs Vegeta. Their first clash in the Saiyan Saga marked the beginning of a legendary rivalry that would continue to define the Dragon Ball series.

Initially, Vegeta is driven by a thirst for vengeance against Frieza, and after his defeat on Earth, his character seemingly shifts towards an anti-hero role. However, the same cannot be said about his pride.

Vegeta’s obsession with surpassing Kakarot, driven by his royal heritage, leads him to one of the most intense and brutal training regimens, eventually unlocking his transformation into a Super Saiyan.

At this point, the rivalry between Goku and Vegeta is officially reignited, and it intensifies leading to some of the greatest moments in the anime’s history.

1 Light Yagami Vs. L

Death Note

When you think of rivalries in anime, physical confrontations often come to mind. But in the case of Light and L, it’s all about intellect and high stakes.

Death Note is one of the most iconic shows of all time, frequently recommended to those who claim to hate anime, as it’s a perfect starting point. Here, we meet Light Yagami, an ambitious student who comes into possession of the Death Note, a book with the power to kill anyone by simply writing their name.

L, the world’s greatest detective is suspicious of Light and this leads to their match up. The brilliance of both characters becomes evident in their cat-and-mouse game, where logic and deception become the weapons of choice as they each try to outwit the other. Light and L’s rivalry is a masterclass for how to execute a rivalry with words alone.