We just can’t help but get attached to lovable characters, and maybe project our own desires a little bit. But when a waifu and husbando love each other very much, they become a power couple. And this is true of really any couple(girlfriends, dates, bromances…) Well for this piece we’ll be ranking some of the best anime couples based on cuteness, #goals-ness, and maybe some badassery.
35. Hitagi Senjougahara and Koyomi Araragi
Anime: Bakemonogatari Love stories don’t usually start with the female shoving a stapler in the man’s mouth. But hey, there’s a first time for everything. Senjougahara definitely gave off mad yandere vibes. And I was almost expecting her to pull a Yuno, but to my surprise their relationship made a lot of sense. Sure, she can be overbearing. But it’s never out of malicious intent, and they balance each other out pretty nicely. So not only was it a surprising relationship, but it was also a damn good one.
34. Legoshi and Haru
Anime: Beastars I’m not a furry, let’s just get that out of the way. But these two were amazing. It wasn’t even the “oh my god they’re so cute together/this could be us but you playing” type of amazing. No, rather it was just very realistic. Their relationship is a bit more complex. The battle for power is very real even though it’s unwanted. And with side characters thrown into the mix, like my Dear hitman and Juno, everything felt very heavy. And I loved it.
33. Yuu Otosaka and Nao Tomori
Anime: Charlotte From the beginning, it was clear that these two had some chemistry. As pointed out by the trolling angel Ayumi. But I didn’t think much of it. I’ll have to go into spoilers to explain the moment these two became goals in my eyes, so spoilers ahead. After the yandere junior incident when Yuu went off the deep end, Nao followed him around in secret. She didn’t stop his little rampages because she knew he was angry with the world at that time. But just when he was close to crossing the final line, she swooped in and set him straight. That, coupled with the last scene of the series, make these two pure goals.
32. Lelouch Lamperouge and Kallen Stadtfeld
Anime: Code Geass It’s a pity that the whole “starting a revolution” business takes up so much time. Because I really would have loved to see these two spend more time together (without people dying around them, that is). Their love is definitely real. But it was not meant to be, as they were both extremely ambitious and cared for the future of their people more than anything else. Just before Lelouch staged his own Caesar treatment, we do get confirmation on how they feel. But for the most part it falls to the hands of our own imagination.
31. Kaoru and Hajime Tsunashi
Anime: I Can’t Understand What My Husband Is Saying I mean, if we’re talking about goals then these two should be a staple in the anime community. It’s not rare to see the boyfriend/husband portrayed as an otaku. But seeing his girlfriend/wife truly try to understand where he’s coming from, and not just letting it be the butt of jokes, now that’s a bit more rare. Kaoru has her fair share of quirks as well. But they just seem like such a healthy couple that it’s hard to imagine anything causing a wedge between them.
30. Zero Two and Hiro
Anime: Darling in the FranXX It’s not every day that you meet your soulmate by having them jump out of a river completely naked with a fish in their mouth. Quite rare, actually. Now this relationship seemed one sided initially. More like Zero Two just got a pet she’s really fond of, to be more precise. But it’s interesting how quickly that relationship grew. I mean, by the final scenes of the show the two seemed like kindred spirits, roaming the cosmos with only each other for comfort. Although extremely dangerous and kind of depressing if you think about it, it’s also very romantic.
29. Shuka Karino and Kaname Sudou
Anime: Darwin’s Game What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. And who doesn’t kill you makes you their lover, I guess. So yeah, the first sparks were definitely made from clashing iron. And the relationship initially seemed like a power move. But I’ll be darned if these two didn’t start genuinely caring for each other by the latter part of the series. They were the dynamic duo. The head of the spear that was going to bring down the very organization that put them together.
28. Goku and Chi Chi
Anime: Dragon Ball I feel like Chi Chi gets a bad rep for constantly screaming at Goku and Gohan. But we have to remember the other side of the story. First of all, Chi Chi waited for Goku for so long. Waiting for him to fulfil his promise to marry her. Second, Goku needs to be screamed at from time to time. Because honestly, this man’s brain is a bicep. I always put Goku and fighting on this list, to be honest. But when you look back at the Dragon Ball series, and Chi Chi’s more sincere moments in the Dragon Ball Z series, it’s crystal clear that they were made for each other.
27. Krillin and Android 18
Anime: Dragon Ball Z In the entirety of the DBZ series, this is probably the only W the poor man got. But I have no doubt that it was worth it. It was interesting to see how far Krillin was ready to go for Android 18. And only after a cheeky kiss no less. So when his feelings were reciprocated, it was a worthy payoff for us all. Plus Android 18 is just such a baddie that it’s both hilarious and endearing to see her next to the short king himself.
26. Celty Sturluson and Shinra Kishitani
Anime: Durarara!! This is a Beauty and the Beast rendition I never saw coming. An underground doctor and a headless horseman, or should I say horsewoman… Dullahan to be exact. I’m constantly amazed at how supportive they are to each other. Like Shinra is not even bothered when Celty traps him in spheres of darkness so she can get some shuteye. And conversely, Celty forgives Shinra for doing some pretty shady things. Because it only matters to them that it came out of love. And that’s just beautiful. Enough to make a grown man cry.
25. Meruem and Komugi
Anime: Hunter x Hunter (2011) I’m going out on a limb here, as the two were depicted as being properly in love. And it seems like some type of love must have been present. The evolution of Meruem was one of the most fascinating in Hunter x Hunter, and it was all thanks to Komugi. A little sweetheart who absolutely kicked ass in Gungi. But even as early on as that bird incident, we saw how deeply Meruem cared for Komugi. And their final scene is probably one of my favorite scenes in anime. It was so tragic, and yet so beautiful and inspiring, that even a “monster” like Meruem found someone he could share his last moments with.
24. Himeko Inaba and Taichi Yaegashi
Anime: Kokoro Connect This relationship was a wild ride to say the least. To spoil the lovey dovey mess that unfolds in this show, Taichi actually starts the show off by dating a different girl(Iori) who was a friend of Himeko. Also, Himeko brought the two together. But woopsie doopsie, now she’s crushing on him. And there’s this weird demi-god dude who keeps messing with everyone. But when it was all said and done, Himeko and Taichi’s relationship was rock solid. I mean, once you go a week or two of switching bodies with someone and reading their mind… very few secrets are left.
23. Kazuma and Megumin
Anime: KonoSuba Okay I’m just trying to wish this one into existence. Kazuma doesn’t actually end up with anyone. And as a person who sees Kazuma as his spirit animal, I cannot accept that. So Megumin, the two always had a very cute relationship since Kazuma is one of the few people that appreciated Megumin’s explosion magic. He went with her to her targets, graded her performance, and then gave her a piggy back home. They seem like a really fun couple. And I’m not the only person who ships them. I’m sure Megumin’s parents will be more than thrilled, if Kazuma had some paper that is.
22. Junko Saotome and Kyosuke Takakura
Anime: Nana Nana has quite the few toxic relationships. Not Tumblr toxic, but moreso “broken people searching for glue” toxic. But among them all there’s one relationship that stands out: Junko and Kyosuke. They’re both very down to earth and they make an excellent balancing force to the rest of the cast, chilling them out and spitting straight facts. Sure, the Takumis and Shinichis of the world are quite the wild ride. And certainly make for some excellent stories. But in the long run you need a Junko and a Kyosuke. Or a Yasu, if that ideal piece of bald manliness ever learns how to be selfish.
21. Ban and Elaine
Anime: The Seven Deadly Sins Come to think of it, Seven Deadly Sins had some killer relationships. If only I could say the same about the animation quality, cough cough Wrath of the Gods. I think I enjoyed Ban and Elaine so much because they were so physically and thematically interesting. I mean, you wouldn’t expect a character as edgy as Ban to fall in love with a frail little fairy. But he does. And he really sticks to his guns, never giving up hope on his lost lover. He was even prepared to pull an ultimate betrayal move just to save her. So it was nice seeing them finally together, even if for just a bit.
20. Meliodas and Elizabeth Liones
Anime: The Seven Deadly Sins These two took the concept of “tragic lovers” and just took it to such insane levels. To get you up to speed, they’re both cursed. Elizabeth must repeatedly die and reincarnate without her memories, while Meliodas must keep on living and fall in love with her every time. But even when Elizabeth regains her memories, their love is still so strong, without a single strain on the heart after all that tragedy. So if you think long-distance relationships are hard, you can only imagine what it’s like for these two cursed lovers.
19. Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuuga
Anime: Naruto: Shippuden Man, my girl Hinata had to put in so much work for this to happen. Well, the dandere version of work, that is. Naruto is cool and all, but man is he thick. So when the moment finally arrived and the ironically-named Last movie came out, I was thrilled to see these two finally end up together. I was even more glad to see that Hinata learned to stand her ground and be the voice of reason in the household. They just worked as a couple. Two kind-hearted people that possess immense power and produced a single likable kid.
18. Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki
Anime: Naruto: Shippuden
The second a flashback episode showed how these two ended up together, I held them in such high regard.
It’s very similar to the Naruto x Hinata story. But simpler, as they both had some level of confidence and awareness.
The admiration they had for each other was always touching. And the few scenes where they take care of baby Naruto are just adorable.
It also helps that they’re kickass parents and kickass ninjas.
For the life of me, I can’t watch their final scene without tearing up.
17. Rintarou Okabe and Kurisu Makise
Anime: Steins;Gate It’s no surprise that a show as high caliber as Steins;Gate would produce one of the best couples in anime. This is because individually, the characters are amazing as it is. So when a relationship started getting some hints, it was like the second coming of Cupid Jesus. It’s not in your face and it’s not immediate. And like a fine wine, it only gets better with each episode (or movie). The cherry on top was definitely Christina’s rendition of the mad scientist. It was so incredibly touching and really showcased how close the two had become.
16. Kamina and Yoko Littner
Anime: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Spoilers incoming! This might seem like an odd pick, as it was perhaps the shortest relationship anime has seen. But I don’t think that made it any less enjoyable. It was so interesting to see these amazingly strong individuals fall for each other. Especially because of the tragedy that followed soon after. If you prefer the long and steady couple, by all means go for Simon and Nia. But for me that single kiss and brief conversation Kamina and Yoko had before the battle struck a chord, certainly in a more notable way than any other couple in the series.
15. Makoto Konno and Chiaki Mamiya
Anime: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time This one, I just flat out didn’t see coming. Especially with how it’s resolved. The trio of Makoto, Chiaki, and Kousuke had such a terrific dynamic, always looking out for each other and having fun. So when Kousuke got a girlfriend and the other two were left alone, it got a bit more interesting. Sure, Makoto avoided the situation completely. But by the end, she realizes how big of a mistake that was. They don’t get enough time to be a proper couple. But I think they would look adorable together.
14. Mitsuha Miyamizu and Taki Tachibana
Anime: Your Name. These two are somehow the best example of love I have seen in recent times, and also I can’t really call them a “couple”. This is because they’re like kindred spirits, only meeting through the supernatural. And yet, even without properly meeting until the latter part of the series, their introduction held so much weight. I don’t want to spoil too much as this movie is really something you have to experience for yourself. So I’ll just end it at what a beautiful couple, what a splendid string of fate.
13. Ken Kaneki and Touka Kirishima
Anime: Tokyo Ghoul This relationship was the only thing that kept me watching the last season, in all honesty. With Touka initially being an absolute badass and protecting Kaneki, things got interesting when the tables were reversed. Then it got weird when the table forgot it was a table. It did, however, bring forth an amazing scene when Haise and Touka “meet” for the first time. When things got dire, it was Touka who gave Kaneki strength to go plus ultra. And in the shounen world, that’s the biggest confession of love you can get.
12. Taiga Aisaka and Ryuuji Takasu
Anime: Toradora! It’s a universal law that if you manage to get into a loving relationship with a tsundere, it will be amazing. For the viewers at least. And Taiga is the tsundere queen. Not because she resorts to violence the most often. But rather because she’s as emotionally constipated as they get. So seeing her open up to a nice guy(not the Reddit version) like Ryuuji, it was adorable. Seeing them both try their best to be people worthy of love, and worthy of each other, was such a fun experience. And made me cry the appropriate amount, I’d say.
11. Suzumiya Haruhi and Kyon
Anime: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Don’t get me wrong: Haruhi was a desirable girlfriend. She was spontaneous, in charge, looked great in a bunny costume… but man, was she a lot of work. I think Kyon felt that way too. But instead of driving him away, it(like a religious experience during major turmoil) brought him closer to God. And even though we never got any on-screen action, which might be for the better considering Haruhi’s wishes are like law… it’s still heavily implied that the two do end up together, which is good enough for me.
10. Yuri Plisetsky And Victor Nikiforov
Anime: Yuri On Ice Time for some inclusion, baby. And I’m not saying that as in “I’m throwing this couple in just to have inclusion”, but rather thank the lord we finally got a couple worth mentioning. So Yuri and Victor. Both extremely passionate people who constantly try to improve their skills, but also make sure their partner keeps up. This kind of flirtatious rivalry is always good to see, as it makes their scenes together very dynamic and exciting. Now all we have to do is wait for society to be okay with two men kissing and we’re on track for even more serious entries for this list!
9. Kaori Miyazono and Kousei Arima
Anime: Your Lie In April
It’s a pity that the world had to be so dark for these two to find each-other’s flames.
But that’s just how life goes sometimes.
What makes them such a good couple is their contrastive nature. Although both suffered from issues no child should go through, their reactions were quite different.
While Kousei gave up on what made him happy, Kaori dropped everything besides what made her happy.
So seeing her draw out a smile from Kousei, and Kousei in return helping her truly enjoy life, was a beautiful sight.
8. Kazuto Kirigaya and Asuna Yuuki
Anime: Sword Art Online Say what you will, but the story of Kirito and Asuna is now more believable than ever. The part where you meet someone online, fall in love, adopt a virtual child, do other NSFW things, you know. And to their credit, their love did persist outside of the virtual world. I mean Kazuto basically saved her from the creepiest of creeps in two separate worlds. Sure, it might not be spicy. But it’s familiar and comforting. And sometimes that’s all I need out of a series.
7. Kyou Souma and Tohru Honda
Anime: Fruits Basket These two I just can’t handle, my man. They are far too adorable to watch. On paper, their relationship is cliché. With Kyou being a grumpy bad boy who has a soft spot for Tohru, a literal ray of sunshine who will disperse all negativity. But the characters are just done so well together that the cliché nature of it all means absolutely nothing. You’ll want to attend their wedding more than you want to attend your own. I don’t know man, they just hit different.
6. Takeo Gouda and Rinko Yamato
Anime: My Love Story “Never Judge a Book by its Cover”, the anime. It’s just full of cute moments. My boy Takeo is a literal care-bear who just wants everyone to be happy. But because of his appearance, he kept getting that cursed left swipe. Until Rinko, the honey bun that she is, decided to repay his kindness with even more kindness. And some sweets, of course. Watching these two stumble over their words until they finally mustered up the courage to admit their true feelings was somehow just as satisfying as finally seeing them happily together.
5. Risa Koizumi and Atsushi Ootani
Anime: Lovely Complex
This show had such a simple premise, and yet I cannot say I remember anyone else doing it before them.
At least in anime form, and in a good way.
The female lead is tall and the male lead is short.
Both are ostracized because society likes those gender norms. So they fall into each other’s arms for comfort.
I especially like the message it has, because Risa and Atsushi are very nice people. And we can see that they’re both capable and deserving of true love, regardless of their physical traits.
I don’t know, they were just beyond cute together. That deserves a high ranking in my eyes.
4. Shirayuki and Zen Wistalia
Anime: Snow White with the Red Hair If high school really isn’t your scene, then this couple might just suit your fancy. It has your typical fairy tail setting where the male protagonist is a prince. However, the female lead isn’t just some girl with daddy issues. Rather she’s an herbalist with her own goals and aspirations. And the prince isn’t some blank slate with a good bank state. He’s actually quite the mate to whom you can relate (OK no more poems). And if the characters are interesting individually, they become even better as a couple. You could say this show really dwarfed the competition… sorry I had to get it out of my system.
3. Sawako Kuronuma and Shouta Kazehaya
Anime: From Me to You This is one of those rare times where I completely get why a character is the popular kid. Sure, Shouta may not be perfect. But he’s such a nice fellow, and he never lets the popularity turn him into a raging douchebag. It’s for this reason that he extends a helping hand towards Sawako, a girl whose social life was ruined because she looked like that one chick from The Ring. I especially like the pacing of the show, because the two don’t just fall in love out of the blue. They become friends first. And their emotions grow from episode to episode. And they are so precious.
2. Kyouya Sata and Erika Shinohara
Anime: Wolf Girl & Black Prince Now this anime got two things right. First, that people in high school can be quite the devils if it means fitting in. With Erika, it’s just lying about having a boyfriend for some social brownie points while Kyouya was fully prepared to blackmail the hell out of her. However, the second part they got right is that it’s rarely out of truly malicious intent. We can see that once a true bond was established, a lot of that darkness fades from Kyouya. And he even becomes a decent boyfriend. Two out of two, a solid score to say the least.
1. Isaac Dian and Miria Harvent
Anime: Baccano! If I had to give a fairy tale example of love, it would be these two. They’re literal kindred spirits. Which is really something, considering how objectively odd they are. Plus they’re the crime duo who always have each other’s backs, and can liven up any party just by their banter. At times they made Baccano seemed like an excellently written comedy. And the show is about the mafia and killer train spirits, so you can imagine how delightful they are. They don’t show much romance-wise. But honestly, they don’t have to. These two are the ultimate power couple. And I’m ready to defend that statement till my dying breath.
