Anime is built on emotions and has given us some of the most memorable friendships in fiction. Some creators have perfected the art of writing good duos and bonds that make us laugh, cry, and cheer for the characters we love the most. Whether it’s a connection rooted in childhood, a friendly rivalry between two characters, or some random guys doing the unthinkable, these friendships are just beautiful to witness on-screen.
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Other friendships push characters to become stronger, while some provide much-needed emotional support in the harshest possible way. Here’s a look at some of the best anime friendships that have stood the test of time and have been widely loved by anime fans.
10
King And Saitama – One Punch Man
Literally Bonded Over Video Games
In One Punch Man, King is an S-class Hero, popularly known as the Strongest Man on the planet, but in reality, he’s just an average guy with over-the-top good luck. He’s a coward but has gained the world’s respect as a hero for being at the right place at the right time.
Saitama, who is the strongest man, knows the King’s truth but never exposes him. Instead, they develop an unlikely friendship, bonding over video games and lazy hangouts. King admires Saitama’s strength, while Saitama enjoys King’s company without the burden of being a hero, proving that true friendship just requires a good understanding.
9
Einar And Thorfinn – Vinland Saga
Healing Through Friendship
Vinland Saga tells the story of Thorfinn, who has made it his lifelong mission to avenge his family after a powerful Viking named Floki invades his village and kills his father. Thorfinn’s journey is weighed down by the burdens of his past, but he finds comfort in Einar, someone whom he met as a slave.
While Thorfinn is consumed by the desire for vengeance, Einar dreams of freedom and a peaceful life. Though they have different perspectives on life, it’s Einar’s kindness that helps Thorfinn rediscover that he’s a human himself. Just as they work together, their friendship grows, helping them heal from their traumas.
8
Spike And Jet – Cowboy Bebop
The Real Partners In Crime
Spike Spiegel and Jet Black are a perfect depiction of a classic, no-nonsense duo. As bounty hunters in the space-western anime Cowboy Bebop, they travel across the galaxies taking jobs, getting into trouble, but always having each other’s backs.
In their friendship, Jet, an ex-cop, is the responsible one, acting on his principles and holding the team together, while Spike is just a spoiled guy who often drags them toward trouble. However, despite their opposite personalities, they trust one another. Whether fighting criminals or just sharing a meal, their bond is one of mutual respect.
7
Joseph And Caesar – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
A Rivalry That Turned Into A Friendship
The second part of the JoJo series, Battle Tendency, introduces Joseph Joestar and Caesar Zeppeli as rivals constantly trying to one-up each other. Caesar sees Joseph as a fool, while for Jojo, he is just too uptight.
However, their rivalry soon turns into a strong friendship when they team up to fight the Pillar Men, a group of evolved species posing a serious threat to humanity. Fighting the same enemy, Jojo and Caeser grow so close that during the battle with the Pillar Man, Wamuu, Caesar sacrifices his life, giving us one of the series’ most heartbreaking moments.
6
Goku And Krillin – Dragon Ball Franchise
From Training Together As Kids To Lifelong Friends
Goku and Krillin first met each other as young boys on Master Roshi’s Island, where both wanted to train under the master’s watch. At first, Krillin saw Goku as a competitor, but it wasn’t long before they became best friends.
Throughout the series, as they fought side by side, they shared dreams of becoming the strongest, building an unbreakable bond. Even though Goku was far stronger due to his Saiyan heritage, he never looked down on Krillin, and Krillin always remained Goku’s most loyal ally.
5
Eren And Armin – Attack On Titan
A Friendship Amidst A Larger War
Eren and Armin’s friendship started with a childhood dream of exploring the world beyond the wall. But as they grew older, their reality turned those dreams into nightmares. While Eren manipulated the entire world for what he believed freedom was, Armin was always the idealist, always trying to keep the bond between them intact.
Armin never gave up on Eren, even when the entire world saw him as a monster. Although their friendship became painfully complex, in the end, it was Armin whom Eren turned to, knowing that he was the only one who could understand the reasoning behind everything he had done.
4
Ash And Pikachu – Pokémon
The Iconic Human-Pokémon Bond
Any anime fan knows of the friendship between Ash and Pikachu from the classic Pokémon series. On the first day of his journey, Professor Oak gave Ash Pikachu as his starter Pokémon, but their relationship didn’t start smoothly as Pikachu refused to obey Ash right away.
However, over time, their bond grew stronger. Through wins, losses, and countless battles with other legendary Pokémon, Pikachu stays by Ash’s side. Their connection goes beyond that of a trainer and Pokémon, as it was one of an unspoken promise to always stick together, no matter what.
3
Naruto And Sasuke – Naruto
A Rivalry That Defined A Generation
In the Shinobi world, you will find a lot of duos, but one of them is as iconic as Naruto and Sasuke. Starting from the same Team 7 under Kakashi, they quickly became bitter rivals who would constantly try to overshadow one another.
Even when Sasuke sought more power, which he may have attempted to sever their friendship, Naruto never let go of him, showing that true friends fight for each other no matter what. Towards the end of the show, they followed their own paths and achieved their dreams, yet remained lifelong friends.
2
The Straw Hat Crew – One Piece
A Family Of Pirates That Goes Beyond Friendship
Luffy’s crew isn’t just a group of pirates goofing around, they’re a family. Each member has a tragic past, but that doesn’t stop them from being loyal to one another’s goals.
From Zoro’s willingness to have Luffy’s back to Nami’s trust in him that he will always be there for her, the Straw Hats show that friendship isn’t just about fun moments; it’s about trust and sacrifice. Their bond is at the heart of the show, where we see their adventures and the world of One Piece through their eyes.
1
Gon And Killua – HunterXHunter
The Purest Friendship In Anime
Gon and Killua’s friendship is among the purest things in the ruthless world of hunters. Although Gon’s optimism contrasts with Killua’s troubled past, they always bring out the best in each other.
Killua, raised in an assassin family and rebelling against them, finds true happiness with Gon, while Gon relies on Killua as his closest companion. Their bond is built on trust and laughter, and no matter what trial comes their way, they will look to one another for help. This alone makes them one of the most beloved duos in anime history.
