Anime fans can attest that while plot, animation, and world-building are all key components to a successful franchise, there needs to be a strong focus on the show’s characters. The impact of character-driven series such as Vinland Saga, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and Neon Genesis Evangelion is significant because no matter the changes in animation style or medium trends, a well-written character will always hold up to the test of time. Creating a relatable, moving cast of characters is one of the most important things that an anime can do to hook viewers on the story.
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In particular, character bonds are a very crucial factor to give attention to; romance, enemies, friendship, and found family are all examples of important character relationships that can make or break an anime. While there’s plenty of love poured into nuanced anime love stories and hero/villain parallels, one dynamic that isn’t always talked about is a good rivalry. Anime rivalries have driven the growth, progress, and goals of characters for decades, with plenty of recognized rivalries used to showcase how two characters can affect each other in both good and bad. This list will focus on 10 of the most iconic anime rivalries that didn’t pull any punches and are still talked about within the community.
10) Asta and Yuno (Black Clover)
Black Clover is one of the few high fantasy anime series that manages to subvert the common tropes of the genre. One of those tropes is the show’s main rivalry between Asta and Yuno, two boys who both hail from the Clover Kingdom and aspire to be the next Wizard King. The two essentially grew up together after being abandoned as children, lending to a sibling bond that remains evident between the two best friends.
The main difference between Asta and Yuno is their respective skill level at the start of the series. Yuno is an extremely gifted magic prodigy who mastered wind magic and possesses a grimoire; Asta starts Black Clover with no magical capabilities, relying on his special grimoire to produce anti-magic weapons. Despite their differences and competitive spirit to grow stronger and better, the two remain supportive of each other throughout Black Clover, giving a refreshing take on the spirit of anime rivalry.
9) Mugen and Jin (Samurai Champloo)
Samurai Champloo is a seriously underrated historical action anime that blends aspects of hip-hop into the plot, giving a unique tone to the series that hasn’t been replicated since. Its most defining characteristic is the rivalry between the two main fighter characters we follow, Jin and Mugen, bound together by an oath they’ve made to help Fuu locate a mysterious samurai. Over their travels together, the two form a grudging respect that manifests into a genuine bond despite their bickering and different views on life.
A distinct difference between Mugen and Jin is their respective fighting styles, with Jin exemplifying the skilled, stoic samurai and Mugen the wild, sporadic outlaw who trained himself in battle. Their different philosophies on life, fighting, and honor put them at odds, but their quest manages to help them see eye to eye. This bond is what allows their final battle to end in the opposite of bloodshed, with both swords breaking symbolizing their equal standing as opponents and friends.
8) Yugi and Seto (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Yu-Gi-Oh! remains one of the most well-known, beloved anime series focusing on a game that the main characters take part in as a means of battle. The series follows the journey of Yugi Mutou, a young boy who releases the spirit of a pharaoh and then embarks on quests to defeat opponents and evil forces through the use of duels. One of Yugi’s main rivals is Seto Kaiba, another duelist whose main goal is to one day become the greatest duelist alive.
Unfortunately, Seto’s goal is one he feels is only possible if he beats Yugi in a duel to overcome the rising duelist’s winning streak. Seto tends to be one of the main antagonists in numerous arcs of Yu-Gi-Oh!, constantly heckling Yugi in an attempt to fight and beat him during championships and tournaments. While the two are never exactly friends, they have been known to work together and team up when the situation calls for teamwork.
7) Spike and Vicious (Cowboy Bebop)
Cowboy Bebop is an amazing neo-noir anime series that implements elements of a traditional western mixed with space fantasy within its plot and setting. There are plenty of things to praise about the series, but one dynamic that fans tend to focus on is the highly antagonistic rivalry that exists between Spike and Vicious. The two have a history working together in the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate, assassins who were known for being the top enforcers in the organization.
Their relationship suffers for a variety of reasons, ranging from Spike falling in love with Julia, who happened to be Vicious’s girlfriend, to abandoning the Syndicate in an act of desertion. Vicious and Spike develop drastically different goals, with Spike wanting to escape his past, unlike Vicious, who thrives on ambition and violence. This push and pull haunts both of them and determines their actions, up until their final showdown, leaving Spike to an ambiguous fate.
6) Ash and Gary (Pokémon)
Pokémon is easily one of the biggest names in anime, particularly early 2000s anime series that managed to break through to Western audiences. The show centers around the journey of Ash Ketchum as he attempts to become a Pokémon master by catching, training, and battling Pokémon. This goal means Ash faces numerous opponents and sources of opposition, most commonly Team Rocket, the main antagonists of the series, despite their comical nature.
Though Ash’s villains tend to get the most attention in regards to his challenges throughout Pokémon, it’s good not to forget his main rival, Gary Oak. The two both grew up in Pallet Town under very different circumstances, with Ash often portrayed as an underdog trainer against Gary’s privileged, popular persona. Ash and Gary are meant to be parallels to each other’s journey, even though they’ve only actually battled a handful of times in the anime.
5) Inuyasha and Sesshomaru (Inuyasha)
Inuyasha is a classic 2000s shonen anime that blends fantasy, Isekai, supernatural, and historical genres into an emotionally complex plot. The series focuses on Kagome Higurashi, a schoolgirl who is transported to feudal Japan in time to awaken half-demon, Inuyasha. It focuses on themes of reincarnation, redemption, identity, and the concept of humanity. Inuyasha is credited as being one of the most well-executed Isekai in modern anime. It also contains a stellar sibling rivalry between Inuyasha and his half-brother, Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru is a full demon whose dislike of his half-brother stems from the fact that Inuyasha is a half-demon, born from their father straying and falling in love with a human. This causes him to believe Inuyasha’s birth led to their father’s death, and that Inuyasha is not worthy of wielding the Tessaiga sword. While the two are often at odds and do fight in the anime, Sesshomaru is just as inclined to save his younger brother when Inuyasha is in danger, hinting at the deeper sibling bond they carry despite their rivalry.
4) Bakugo and Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
If there’s one modern anime that encapsulates the feel of comic book superheroes, it’s My Hero Academia, a shonen series that focuses on the inherent divide between heroes and villains. Izuku Midoriya must train to become the strongest hero and combat the latest growing forces of evil, otherwise known as the League of Villains, alongside his classmates. My Hero Academia boasts a massive cast of characters with unique powers and designs, but one of the most iconic besides our protagonist is Katsuki Bakugo.
Bakugo and Midoriya are one of the top examples of anime rivals from the last decade, often compared to other pairs on this list that came before them. Formerly childhood friends, Bakugo becomes a source of pain for Midoriya when he becomes his middle-school bully; during their time together at U.A High School, their relationship develops into a full-blown rivalry that pushes them both to surpass the other. The duo is often used as story parallels, and features often as the pair the other characters revolve around.
3) Light and L (Death Note)
Death Note remains as one of the top crime anime with touches of supernatural influence, often cited as boasting one of the best intelligence-centered rivalries in anime history. Light Yagami receives a Death Note from a shinigami, allowing him to pen the name of anyone on its pages, effectively killing them. His murderous spree of justice is seen by L, a British orphan raised to be the world’s top detective. Their opposing views on what justice means and how to handle criminals are at the center of their conflict.
One of the differences Death Note’s rivalry has is the lack of physical conflict often seen between anime rivals, with no big duel or fight scenes taking place. All of Light and L’s battles occur within the mind, creating iconic scenes and monologues of the two constantly attempting to bait or catch the other out. Even after L’s defeat at the hands of Light, his presence continues to haunt the other so much that L’s specter is the final thing Light sees before his death.
2) Vegeta and Goku (Dragon Ball)
The Dragon Ball franchise is one of the largest in anime, and is known by pretty much any anime fan, even if they’re not invested in the numerous series that fall under the franchise’s umbrella. Known for its iconic, drawn-out fight sequences and power-scaling moments, Dragon Ball introduced one of anime’s most recognized characters in Son Goku. Specifically, Goku is often cited as one of the strongest anime characters with the most potential in a fight, held to the gold standard in terms of strength and battle prowess.
While Goku’s incredible power is a source of awe for many in the series, it creates one of the best anime rivalries in shonen between him and Vegeta. Heralded as a Saiyan Prince, Vegeta’s desire to surpass and beat Goku in battle is his primary driving force. Though they initially were more enemies than rivals at the start of Dragon Ball, their relationship develops into a more neutral rivalry, with both using the other as a push to grow stronger and better.
1) Sasuke and Naruto (Naruto)
Naruto is one of the most popular shonen battle series and was placed in the “Big Three”, alongside titles like Bleach and One Piece. The show follows Naruto Uzumaki’s journey to master the ninja arts to become Hokage of his childhood village. Naruto features plenty of villains and anti-heroes that make the story stand out among others, but more than anything, it’s defined by the ever-present, sometimes one-sided rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke.
Initially, the duo started on Team Seven together under the instruction of the powerful jonin, Kakashi. Their desire to outperform each other in different techniques was born more out of a healthy rivalry than the later, violent battles they would engage in down the line once Sasuke defects. Both Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden feature climactic fights between the two towards the end of each series that embody what the anime’s message was trying to convey, and cement their rivalry as one of the most impactful in terms of character development.
Have you watched any of these anime series? Tell us your favorite anime rivalry in the comments below.
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