The 25 Best Anime Couples

Who are the best anime couples? 

The best anime couples are featured in various genres, from the predictable shoujo anime aimed at younger female audiences to action and adventure series with broader appeal.

We’ve put together this list to explore the more memorable anime couples the medium offers, from well-known series such as Naruto to obscure gems including Fruits Basket and the aptly titled My Love Story!!

Let’s get into it! 

The 25 Best Anime Couples

Our ranked lists are created by researching and rounding up information from the most reputable web sources.

Here’s our list of the 25 best anime couples adored by anime fans around the world:

25. Meruem and Komugi

While many of the best relationships are between plain old humans, sometimes romance blossoms between the most unlikely characters.

In Hunter X Hunter, world Gungu Champion  Komugi hooks up with Mereum, the King of the Chimera Ants and one of the key antagonists in the story.

After figuratively battling it out in board games, the King faces multiple defeats, by which point they’ve spent so much time together they start to enjoy each other’s company.

Their relationship reflects Hunter X Hunter’s knack for smoothly integrating character development with action.

24. Nishi and Myon

Masaaki Yuasa’s Mind Game is among the most criminally under-seen anime movies of the 21st century.

A kaleidoscopic adventure through the heavens and into the belly of a whale follows the exploits of a young comic book artist, Nishi, who meets his childhood sweetheart, Myon, while walking home one evening.

As their love is rekindled, Yuasa lets his animators go wild, serving up one visually creative scene after another in one of the finest movies in anime history.

There’s a racy love scene between Nishi and Myon, too; their love-making is represented with powerful splashes of color and not-so-subtle symbolism involving trains and tunnels.

23. Ken Kaneki and Touka Kirishima

The romance between Ken Kaneki and Touka Kirishima in Tokyo Ghoul proves you can feature some heart in your horror.

Tokyo Ghoul protagonist, Ken Kaneki’s discovery of the world of ghouls, is accompanied by the development of his relationship with Touka Kirishima, whose cute schoolgirl appearance belies the fact she is a ghoul.

Some fans would argue that Touka is, in fact, the main protagonist of Tokyo Ghoul since her character experiences stronger narrative arcs as the series unfolds.

22. Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki

While some anime romantic couples aren’t hinted at for several seasons, others place the potential lovers together from the outset.

Ichigo and Rukia meet early on in Bleach, and Ichigo’s character arc, as he explores his newfound ability to fight the deadly Hollows – under Rukia’s mentorship – provides the perfect backdrop for their relationship to grow.

Bleach manages to squeeze in plenty of action, and main characters Ichigo and Rukia’s chemistry extends into some of the epic battles which ensue (in this regard, it’s not dissimilar to the Dragon Ball franchise).

Bleach’s popularity continues to grow, and with an impressive billboard marking the launch of season 17, there’s scope for Ichigo and Rukia’s relationship to continue developing.

21. Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga

One of the most popular animes in recent years, Naruto is an action-packed series with a huge ensemble cast of characters which gives the Dragon Ball franchise a run for its money.

As you’d expect from a series that runs into the hundreds of episodes (beating the record set by Dragon Ball Z), there’s plenty of romance bubbling beneath the surface, including between central characters Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga.

It takes some time before Naruto and Hinata get together; when they first meet, Hinata struggles to speak to Naruto at all.

Obviously, this shyness fades as they grow up, and as their feelings grow, they finally end up on the same page.

20. Kazuma and Megumin

KonoSuba ranks as one of the funniest anime TV series of all time, and it more than exploits its setting and characters to deliver on the romance front.

Kazuma finds himself stuck in a world of games after dying pointlessly, and here he teams up with a selection of beautiful women.

One of these is Megumin, a petite but strong-headed arch wizard who enters a secret relationship with Kazuma.

Megumin isn’t the only character with a crush on Kazuma; their companion Darkness also confesses her love but is rebuked by Kazuma.

19. Winry and Edward

Fullmetal Alchemist quickly became a solid fan favorite when it first aired on Japanese television, impressing audiences with its strong storyline and eye-popping action sequences.

Winry and Fullmetal Alchemist’s hero Edward have known each other since childhood, forming intense bonds with Edward’s brother, Alphonse.

The emotional support Winry and Edward provide one another helps them overcome a stream of obstacles, with their close friendship evolving towards true love.

18. Meliodas and Elizabeth Liones

The Seven Deadly Sins is set in a world of adventure and fantasy, with elements of medieval Europe blended with demons and goddesses.

Elizabeth Liones is one such goddess, as well as a princess, so it’s perhaps no surprise she’d become romantically involved with Meliodas. 

Naturally, things become a little more complicated when it transpires that Meliodas is the cursed son of the Demon King, and their intimately linked destinies form the core of their relationship.

17. Kenshiro and Yuria

Fist of the North Star isn’t the first anime movie you’d expect to feature a romantic undercurrent, but something is touching about Kenshiro’s and Yuria’s relationship, which undercuts the violence.

Make no mistake, Fist of the North Star is first and foremost a ballsy action film, with plenty of blood-soaked hand-to-hand combat and a healthy dose of exploding heads for good measure.

Kenshiro and Yuria’s love suffers plenty of trials and tribulations, with the betrothed separated when Yuria is captured by a jealous rival.

Kenshiro does what he does best, and Fist of the North Star’s high-impact violence acts as a visual metaphor for untamed passion.

16. Kamina and Yoko Littner

Gurren Lagann’s Kamina is one of the best-loved characters from the anime world, admired for his infectious “can do!” spirit and commitment to protecting those he loves.

His relationship with Yoko Littner, the sharp-shooting girl from a neighboring village, starts with Kamia bowled over by her looks and style, even if he can’t resist the odd snide comment.

Beneath this faux belligerent facade, the two share a great deal of warmth and affection, which comes through the most when they face mortal danger.

Gurren Lagann plays with the conventions of traditional mecha anime both in its visual style and narrative choices, earning its place at the pinnacle of the genre.

15. Makoto Konno and Chiaki Mamiya

The romance in The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is of the subtlest variety, reflecting how love can be fleeting and unspoken.

When 17-year-old high school student Makoto Konno discovers she can leap through rifts in time, her life becomes increasingly confusing.

As she uses these powers to avoid being late for school and other trivial matters, she realizes her actions aren’t working out so well for the other people in the town.

Her close friend and closest confidant, Chiaki Mamiya, is the romantic interest with more to him than meets the eye.

14. Okabe Rintarou and Makise Kurisu 

If you’re a fan of reality-bending, time-warping science fiction from the likes of Christopher Nolan’s TV series Steins, Gate will likely be right up your street.

Student Okabe Rintarou discovers a way to change the past, which proves to have serious consequences for Makise Kurisu, a neuroscience researcher who gets caught up in dangerous experiments.

Steins; Gate’s deft weaving of its complex time-bending plot and the emotional relationships of its characters marks it out as one of the best science fiction anime series in recent years.

13. Mitsuha Miyamizu and Taki Tachibana

Celebrated anime director Makoto Shinkai broke world records with his film Your Name, outperforming Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away at the Japanese box office.

Teenagers Mitsuha Miyamizu and Taki Tachibana become closer to one another than they first realize when a rift in space and time causes them to switch bodies.

Your Name is a classic example of young adult romantic fiction done right, and the relationship between these dimension-crossed lovers is beautifully developed.

It’s also one of the most visually arresting animated films ever made, with Shinkai creating wonderfully detailed landscapes and cityscapes against which the drama unfolds.

12. Taiga Aisaka and Ryuuji Takasu

Another popular series adapted from a series of light novels, Toradora! first aired on Japanese TV between 2008 and 2009 and was selected as a recommended work by the awards jury of the 13th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2009.

Taiga Aisaka and Ryuuji Takasu cross paths one day at high school, and they soon team up to help one another out with their respective crushes.

As the story unfolds, however, the romantic involvements become increasingly tangled and dramatic.

This is exactly what you’d expect from an anime rom-com.

11. Haruhi Suzumiya and Kyon

Adapted from the light novel series of the same name, Haruhi Suzumiya originally aired in 2006 and became an internet phenomenon in the Western anime world.

The series is centered around high school students (a familiar set-up for series with memorable anime couples), including the titular character Haruki Suzumiya and Kyon, who set up the SOS brigade.

Haruki and Kyon’s relationship – and the story’s commentary on what it means to be a “normal” person – demonstrates an impressive depth of characterization.

Haruhi Suzumiya stands out for its effortless blend of comedy, science fiction, and romance, which plays with a smorgasbord of anime themes and references.

10. Kyo Souma and Tohru Honda

Some of the best-loved anime couples are found in feel-good comedy series, and Fruits Basket is one of the genre’s best examples.

Tohru Honda might seem like your average Japanese girl, but her family has a secret that will change her life forever, as she discovers they are cursed by the spirits of the Zodiac.

When Kyo Souma moves in, love is quick to follow, although Kyo’s unfortunate habit of transforming into a cat proves to be one of many obstacles their love has to overcome.

Fruit Basket is a charming series, highly regarded in the anime community, which touches the heart and funny bone in equal measure.

9. Koizumi Risa and Otani Atsushi 

With a title like Lovely Complex, it’s reasonable to expect this anime series to feature its fair share of complicated love affairs, which is exactly what it delivers.

Koizumi Risa and Otani Atsushi met in high school (where else?).

Their relationship started as bitter rivals, with Otani’s short stature in contrast to Otani’s unusually tall height, often the cause of their squabbles.

Naturally, the pair grow increasingly fond of one another as Lovely Complex’s story unfolds, with the series delivering some of the most touching scenes found in anime.

8. Kaori Miyazono and Kousei Arima

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, also known as Your Lie in April, is another endearing romantic comedy anime set in – you guessed it – high school.

Melodrama and music are running themes in this series, with protagonists Kaori and Kousei bonding over their love of music and their passion for performing piano and violin recitals.

Death and grief undercut the romantic drive of Your Lie In April, which boasts some beautiful animation that elevates the drama to new emotional heights.

7. Misato Katsuragi and Ryoji Kaji 

Adolescent emotions play a central role in Neon Genesis Evangelion, the classic mecha science fiction anime series from the late 1990s, but the adults are the focus of romance.

Misato Katsuragi and Ryoji Kaji’s romance offers an interesting parallel to the hormonal teens charged with piloting the Evangelion mecha, their bond strengthening partly in response to other characters.

It’s a bittersweet series with an element of tragedy and a profound understanding of human frailty, which has become hugely popular in the anime community.

6. Kirigaya Kazuto and Yuuki Asuna 

Anime TV series Sword Art Online blends action and fantasy throughout its compelling story and boasts an impressive cast of endearing characters to boot.

Kirigaya Kazuto and Yuuki Asuna are the protagonists driving the plot – and emotional core – of Sword Art Online, as they strive to overcome a series of challenges thrown up in the virtual worlds of the titular game environment.

Kirito and Asuna’s relationship proved to be a real fan favorite, with Asuna, in particular, undergoing a well-crafted character arc as the series’ seasons progress.

5. Takeo Gouda and Rinko Yamato

As you’d expect from a series called Ore Monogatari (which is translated for English language audiences to My Love Story!!), there’s plenty of love and romance on offer.

The tough and muscular high school student Takeo struggles to succeed with women until he saves Rinko, setting a chain of events in motion where confusion reigns and crossed wires are everywhere.

My Love Story!! Manga creator Kazune Kawahara’s deft touch and obvious affection for the characters translates perfectly to the anime, which is a must for romantic comedy fans.

4. Kyouya Sata and Erika Shinohara

Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji – known in English as Wolf Girl and Black Prince – is often cited as one of the finest examples of shoujo anime available.

When Erika Shinohara is nearly caught in her lie about her romantic exploits, she takes a photo of stranger Kyouya Sata and claims he is her boyfriend.

Kyouya takes advantage of her predicaments to further his ends, but this doesn’t prevent Erika from falling for him in this sweet-natured and relatable anime series.

3. Shirayuki and Zen Wistalia

Snow White with the Red Hair might seem like a typical shoujo anime on the surface, but the execution of its familiar concept is a cut above the average, adored by anime fans for its lovable characters.

When Shirayuki escapes into the forest from the clutches of Prince Raji, she soon encounters Zen Wistalia, a prince from a neighboring country who helps her set up shop as a herbalist.

As Zen falls in love with Shirayuki, her feelings for him also develop, and the two bond over their mutual admiration for one another’s strong moral code.

2. Sawako Kuronuma and Shouta Kazehaya

Our penultimate entry on this list of anime couples, Kimi ni Todoke (known in the West as From Me To You), is centered around high school students Sawako Kuronuma and Shouta Kazehaya. 

Nicknamed Sadako because she resembles the ghostly character from the horror film Ringu, Sawako struggles with her undeserved reputation as a fearful and malevolent person.

Fortunately, Shouta sees through this, and after talking to her one day, the two embark on an endearing relationship, as Sawako emerges from her shell and opens up to the world.

With gorgeous animation from Production I.G., From Me To You is a tender study of how we all strive to find our place in the world.

1. Isaac Dian and Miria Harvent

The protagonists in the brutal, fun, and often hilarious Baccano! are more than just romantic partners; they’re partners in crime who offset their thieving ways with their infectious warmth and charm.

When the gift (or perhaps that’s a curse) of immortality leads them to change their ways, the lovers find themselves caught up in a world of mobsters, bootleggers, and monsters.

Expertly blending comedy, action, horror, and romance, Baccano! is widely considered the anime series with the most “perfect” ending, bringing the various storylines together in a visually stunning animated crescendo.

Summary

We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the best anime couples. 

These anime couples span every genre imaginable, their relationships bringing intense emotional resonance and enhancing the narratives.

Whether it’s an adaptation of a classic romantic light novel or an explosive tale of mechas or monsters, these fictional characters bring the heart and soul to each anime world they inhabit, cherished by fans in the global anime community.

Who’s your favorite anime couple? Leave a comment below.