It’s almost impossible to have a good action anime without a great rivalry. Rival characters push protagonists into growth in friendly… and sometimes, not so friendly ways. The key is that this growth becomes necessary to take on the true challenges of the series, sometimes even being the reason the hero is able to save the world.
That said, some of the best rivalries in anime are the ones that become friends over time. After constantly clashing with one another, they realize they have more in common than they have differences. They might not be the best of friends, but once they start getting along, rivals can share a bond that’s near impossible to break.
10 Shinra & Arthur
Fire Force
Shinra and Arthur are a unique rivalry in that they were never truly enemies with one another. Instead, they began training at the Fire Force academy together, and we’re eventually assigned to the same section. They were never bitter enemies, they just get on each other’s nerves.
Shinra refuses to tolerate Arthur’s ridiculous delusions, while Arthur believes Shinra’s behavior is unbecoming of a knight. Still, Arthur is one of the few people who has Shinra’s trust in battle, with both of them being two of Fire Force‘s strongest characters. Arthur’s also been there to offer Shinra words of encouragement when he needs them.
9 Goku & Vegeta
Dragon Ball Z
70zll0v” title=”origin”>Originally, this felt more like a blood feud than a rivalry. Goku and Vegeta’s first showdown at the end of the Saiyan Saga is the stuff of legend among anime fans. When forced to come together against greater threats though, the two Saiyans have constantly pushed themselves to greater heights.
It wasn’t until Dragon Ball Super that Goku and Vegeta’s rivalry evolved into a full-on friendship, though. In the aftermath of Battle of the Gods, the two began spending more and more time training together. Since then, their rivalry involves friendship as much as it does both of them aiming to be the best.
8 Naruto & Sasuke
Naruto
At the beginning of Naruto, Naruto and Sasuke’s relationship was rocky to say the least. Once they began working together on Team 7 though, they developed a grudging respect for one another.
By the time Sasuke abandoned Konoha Village for revenge, Naruto viewed Sasuke as a worthy rival… and trusted ally. It may have taken the rest of Naruto Shipuuden and one of the best fights in anime history, but eventually Sasuke viewed Naruto the same way. These days, Sasuke is just as important to the safety of Konoha as Naruto is.
7 Natsu & Gajeel
Fairy Tail
Natsu first encountered Gajeel when he was a member of Phantom Lord’s Element Four. The two got into a battle that pushed the Fire Dragon Slayer to his limits, though he ultimately came out on top.
Since then, Gajeel has viewed Natsu as his number one rival. He even went so far as to take on Pantherlily as his Exceed because Pantherlily could beat up Happy. Still, the two are on the same guild together, and Fairy Tail represents a family-like bond over everything else.
6 Hibiki & Chris
Senki Zesshou Symphogear
The dense, but well-meaning Hibiki Taliban had little trouble going into battle as long as it was against the faceless creatures known as the Noise. When she was forced to confront another human on the battlefield in Chris however, she struggled to maintain the same confidence. Chris’ powers and words forced Hibiki to toughen her resolve to keep fighting to protect everyone.
However, over time Hibiki’s earnestness broke through the barriers Chris put up to wall herself off from other people. Not only did Hibiki manage to bring Chris over to her side, but the two are incredible allies working together now.
5 Ichigo & Uryu
Bleach
A Quincy and a Soul Reaper are meant to be natural enemies. After all, a Quincy’s very existence upsets the natural order of life. This fact caused Ichigo and Uryu to be at each other’s necks early on in Bleach. However, Ichigo’s unorthodox way of doing things helped Uryu understand not all Soul Reapers are bad, and that the story as he understood it from his father might not be completely true.
As early as the Soul Society arc, Uryu trusted Ichigo enough to travel into enemy territory to try and help his friend. This meant risking himself against some of the strongest characters in the series. By the end of the series, the two might be caustic allies, but there’s no doubting their friendship.
4 Yusuke & Hiei
Yu Yu Hakusho
When Yusuke first met Hiei, it was as a Spirit Detective, and Hiei viewed Yusuke as little more than an obstacle in his path. After Yusuke defeated Hiei in battle however, Yusuke went from annoying obstacle to respected rival. Where Hiei constantly mocks Kuwabara, he holds Yusuke in high esteem.
Of course, that hasn’t stopped him from trying to get stronger than Yusuke like any good rival, though. Even by the Sensui arc, Hiei feels the need to challenge Yusuke in combat. The two might never have the relationship Yusuke and Kuwabara have or even Hiei and Kurama, but they know they can count on each other.
3 Nanoha & Vita
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
Vita’s first appearance in Nanoha A’s is as a vicious, relentless Hunter of Nanoha. Her incredible destructive force causes Nanoha no end of problems, and even costs Nanoha her Linker Core, leaving her out of action for a time.
However, Nanoha’s compassion and desire to help Vita’s master Hayate changes everything. After Hayate is saved, Vita learns to work with Nanoha, and even comes to respect her. More than respect, she understands Nanoha’s awful habit of pushing herself beyond her limits, and learns to scold her for it.
2 Vash & Wolfwood
Trigun
Vash and Wolfwood have an interesting rivalry in that they didn’t start out hating each other. Instead, their rivalry comes from a difference in ideas and beliefs. Vash believes it’s possible to get through dangerous situations while Wolfwood thinks that’s too risky.
Over time though, the two find they enjoy each other’s company too much to be bothered by the small stuff. By the end, Wolfwood even comes to realize he sees value in Vash’s way of doing things. This makes Wolfwood’s last scenes all the more tragic.
1 Jack Atlas & Yusei
Yu-Gi-Oh 5D’s
Jack and Yusei share an interesting rivalry because of its trajectory. Yusei and Jack began as friends, but Jack abandoned Yusei and the others to escape Satellite. After that, Jack became the first major obstacle Yusei had to overcome to keep moving forward in Yu-Gi-Oh 5D’s.
In battling Jack, Yusei not only had to overcome the previous bike he built, but the power of the mighty Red Dragon Archfiend and the stolen Stardust Dragon. In the end, Jack’s defeat caused him to realize the error of his ways. It wasn’t long afterward that Jack turned back into the friend Yusei and Crow had grown up with.