Shonen anime isn’t exactly known for having a plethora of memorable love stories. However, there are many that stand out. This demographic is often criticized for their underdeveloped relationships, like those of Sakura and Sasuke in Naruto or those of Ichigo and Orihime in Bleach. Unfortunately, many shonen romances fail because the female love interests are poorly written.
Even so, it would be unfair to dismiss romances from this demographic altogether. Many of them are well-written, realistically developed, and have a healthy dynamic. Some of these couples were rivals who became lovers, while others hit it off instantly. In any case, fans supported their relationship from start to finish.
10 Ryuuji And Taiga Helped Each Other Grow
¡ Toradora!
Toradora! Ryuuji and Taiga initially appear to be polar opposites. Ryuuji is level-headed, aloof, and reserved most of the time. Taiga, for her part, is known at school as “the palm tree tigress” for her volatile temper and penchant for violence.
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However, they tried to help each other get closer to their respective crushes. It turned out that Ryuuji and Taiga had a lot more in common than they initially thought. Ryuuji also found it easier to sympathize with Taiga than he himself thought. In the end, they fell in love with each other.
9 Renton And Eureka’s Relationship Developed Naturally
Eureka Siete
In the 2005 mecha anime Eureka Seven, Renton and Eureka’s love story unfolds naturally from the beginning. They started out as strangers who became co-workers and then friends, slowly falling in love over the course of the series. They care about each other very much and work well together.
Renton and Eureka have a very wholesome, down-to-earth dynamic that is unusual for this demographic, especially at the time of the anime’s release. Their easy-going relationship is a testament to the brilliant blend of mecha, action, and romance of Eureka Seven.
8 Inuyasha And Kagome Went Through Their Ups And Downs Together
Inuyasha
The two main relationships of classical isekai Inuyasha were polar opposites. While Inuyasha’s relationship with Kikyo was quite unhealthy, her romance with Kagome was surprisingly heartwarming.
The start of their relationship was an emotional rollercoaster, but it was clear they had unparalleled chemistry and were destined for each other by the end of the series. Inuyasha and Kagome’s personalities balance each other out, though they didn’t seem the most compatible when they first met.
7 Shoya And Shoko’s Love Story Is Defined By Their Character Growth
a silent voice
A Silent Voice is a heartbreaking animated film about the impact of bullying on both the bully and the victim. Shoya bullied Shoko so much in high school that she moved out. Although his friends congratulated him back then, when he arrived in high school, no one wanted to associate with someone like Shoya. Shoya deeply regretted his actions and wanted to atone for them.
Although Shoko had no reason to forgive him or give him a second chance, she wanted to hear his version of events. Shoya was desperate to make things right. Their relationship is defined by character growth, forgiveness, and responsibility for the suffering of others.
6 Nozaki Ignoring Sakura’s Feelings
Monthly Girls Nozaki-Kun!
In Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun!, it’s pretty obvious that the titular Nozaki will end Sakura. However, fans and Sakura grow impatient with Nozaki’s blatant indifference to their romantic advances.
While its density makes it a great comedy, fans can’t wait for it to realize that Sakura pine for it all the time. The entire series pokes fun at romantic comedies and shojo tropes, playing on stereotypes while taking the main love story seriously. Although they are not yet together, the romance between Nozaki and Sakura is unforgettable.
5 Hori And Miyamura Can Be Their True Selves Together
Horimiya
In Horimiya, Kyouka Hori and Izumi Miyamura are totally different from what they seem at school. Hori is popular and top of her class, but she spends the day taking care of her little brother because her parents are never home. Miyamura looks like a brooding loner at school, but he’s covered in self-inflicted tattoos and piercings.
They become friends after Miyamura brings Hori’s brother home after getting lost. Hori almost didn’t recognize Miyamura. They spend more time together and Miyamura offers to help Hori take care of her brother. A key theme in their relationship is that they can be loyal to each other, exposing sides no one else at school can see.
4 Yusuke and Keiko are kindred spirits
Yu Yu Hakusho
In Yu Yu Hakusho, Yusuke and Keiko have had chemistry since the start of the series. While Yusuke is impulsive and quick to anger, Keiko is patient and never loses her temper. Their relationship was never rushed on the show, and it made sense in the end, unlike many other shonen romances.
It never felt like Yusuke and Keiko were meant for each other just because the shonen protagonist needed female love. Their relationship has depth, chemistry, and a healthy dynamic that was virtually invisible when they first dated. Yu Yu Hakusho.
3 Tatsumi And Mine Are Rivals Turned Lovers
¡ Akame Ga kills!
Many female characters from Akame Ga Kill! they adored Tatsumi, but only one of them ever had a meaningful relationship with him. In fact, there’s been some debate over whether Tatsumi would be better off as Mine or Akame, the icy female lead. However, the red strings of fate bound Mine and Tatsumi at the end of Akame Ga Kill.
Mine and Tatsumi started out as rivals. They had lots of funny banter and got along despite their lighthearted arguments. Their chemistry was evident from the start. Over time, the arguments ceased as they fell in love with each other.
2 Hiro And Zero Two Encourage Each Other
Darling in the Franxx
The relationship between Hiro and Zero Two in Darling In The Franxx was made public from the start. Hiro is the only one who can pilot a Franxx with Zero Two and come out in one piece. Most of Zero Two’s former companions died after working with her.
However, their relationship goes beyond the professional. Hiro helped Zero Two understand what it means to be human, making him realize the true value of life. The most important thing, however, is that the two encourage each other to do better and keep improving. They are the only two in the series to understand each other deeply.
1 Shikamaru And Temari Had The Healthiest Relationship On The Series
naruto
Most relationships in naruto they are misspelled. Sasuke and Sakura’s relationship isn’t like it came out of nowhere, but it was one-sided for most of the series, so it didn’t make sense when they got together at the end of the series. Shippuden. The relationship between Hinata and Naruto is arguably stronger, but Hinata is still underrepresented compared to other female characters in the series.
Shikamaru and Temari are the best couple in naruto from afar. They had chemistry since they first met during the Chunin Exams. They have a rival-to-lovers dynamic that captivated audiences. They respect each other as people, and their relationship has a healthy, balanced dynamic that’s enhanced by their amusing banter.