There are many things that can make the story of a protagonist or main character of an anime so exciting to follow, including pairing the main character with other characters who serve as “eternal” rivals. Seeing how two anime characters compete with each other is a spice that adds to the excitement of the anime.
If you talk about rivals, you might immediately think about the competition between the protagonist and antagonist. However, competition in anime doesn’t always only involve protagonists and antagonists. Not infrequently you can also find healthy competition between the protagonist and his friends or allies in anime.
So, this will describe a series of inseparable iconic anime couples!
Anime character rival couple
1. Goku and Vegeta – Dragon Ball
Vegeta is a very arrogant and hardworking Saiyan prince. It was his arrogance that made Vegeta feel he was the strongest fighter in the universe. That’s why, Vegeta was obsessed with surpassing Goku, the main character of Dragon Ball, after he was first defeated by Goku.
The initial rivalry between Goku and Vegeta was originally a rivalry between heroes and villains. But over time, precisely after Frieza’s death, Vegeta changed his role to become an antihero and eventually became one of the heroes in Dragon Ball. Even though he has become an ally, Vegeta is still struggling to prove that he is stronger than Goku.
2. L and Light Yagami – Death Note
Death Note is one of the anime where the main character, Light Yagami, becomes the main villain. Light is a high school genius who uses the Death Note to kill people who are considered corrupt and deserve to die. Light even revealed his actions to the world using the pseudonym Kira.
What Kira did managed to attract the attention of one of the best detectives known as L.L, who suspected that Light was Kira, observing all of Light’s activities to be able to justify his suspicions. On the other hand, Light, who is no less clever, tries his best to outwit L, so that a tactical battle ensues between the two. Unfortunately, Light was the first to reveal L’s real name.
3. Naruto and Sasuke – Naruto
Before facing the Chūnin exams, Naruto was told to join team 7 with Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura, under the guidance of Hatake Kakashi. When they met, Naruto always saw Sasuke as his rival. What’s more, the girl Naruto likes, namely Sakura, is even infatuated with Sasuke, which makes Naruto even more jealous of Sasuke.
Even though they often don’t get along, Naruto and Sasuke actually care about each other. Naruto mangaka, namely Masashi Kishimoto, created Naruto and Sasuke like yin and yang because of their complementary differences. You could say the rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke is like a hate but love relationship.
4. Izuku and Katsuki – My Hero Academia
When they were kids, Izuku and Katsuki were actually good friends. But as they got older, their relationship stretched even Katsuki often bullied Izuku who didn’t have a Quirk. Katsuki also gave Izuku the nickname Deku. Even though he is looked down upon for not having a Quirk, Izuku is still determined to become a superhero.
After the two of them made it through to U.A. High School, Katsuki slowly started to appreciate Izuku, moreover Izuku once beat Katsuki in a training. Izuku and Katsuki both idolize All Might, but they have different goals. Izuku wants to be a superhero to help others, while Katsuki wants to be a superhero to be proud of.
5. Yugi and Seto Kaiba – Yu-Gi-Oh!
As a shareholder and CEO of a multinational game company, Kaiba is known as the greatest gamer in Japan and has ambitions to become the best Duel Monsters card player. That’s why Kaiba didn’t accept it when Yugi beat him. Kaiba then becomes obsessed with being the most superior, including by beating Yugi.
Even though he continues to compete, Kaiba slowly turns into a better person through his competition with Yugi. He may still be cold and sarcastic, but he has great respect for Yugi, especially in his game. Kaiba even helps Yugi from various criminals.
Those are the rival pairs of anime characters who always compete but are never separated. Among the five pairs above, which one is your favourite?