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Two of the most iconic anime duos
Two of the most iconic anime duos (Image via GamesHorizon)

12 best new-gen anime duos who set friendship goals

Stuart RayBy 8 Mins Read Anime

While friendship is a recurring theme across most anime, some of these anime duos stand the test of time. Whether it is the sheer, raw strength of Ban and Meliodas as they effortlessly dispatch demons while ribbing each other or Deku and Bakugo’s intense rivalry-turned-grudging-respect, these new-gen anime duos manage to set friendship goals. Examples such as these point to how new-gen anime have kept up the trend of portraying their own Narutos and Sasukes, Zoros and Sanjis, or Natsus and Grays.

These relationships develop between family members, friends, classmates, siblings, cousins and even competitors. The individuals in these connections push each other right up to the limit and ultimately improve one another. Here are some notable of the most famous best pals in anime, keeping that in mind. It’s not a novel idea for a few characters to band together to defeat a shared foe. It has been around for a very, very long time in the anime community. The two friendly characters may work for the same goal the majority of the time, but occasionally they just might become friends. Let us take a deep dive into these iconic new-gen anime duos!

Midoriya and Bakugo and 11 more iconic new-gen anime duos

1. Ban and Meliodas from The Seven Deadly Sins

 

Two iconic members of the Seven Deadly Sins are Ban and Meliodas. Ban is famous for having no chance of dying, which renders him resistant to practically all physical harm. Ban has the talent known as Fox Hunt, which enables him to steal the magical power of other individuals in addition to his immortality.

Meliodas, on the contrary, has demonstrated multiple times that he possesses an absurd amount of strength. With the help of his Sacred Treasure, he can make copies of himself and is also “immortal.” The majority of the battles that the iconic anime duos of Meliodas and Ban both have engaged in have resulted in their victories.

2. Midoriya and Bakugo from My Hero Academia

Midoriya and Bakugo both joined U.A. with the hope of one day becoming professional heroes. Despite the fact that they are rivals, Katsuki Bakugo and Izuku  Midoriya have demonstrated their ability to cooperate. Even if their personalities conflict, the two U.A. students work well together. 

As the series progressed, Bakugo even mellowed down and admitted his wrongdoings, going so far as to throw himself under attack for Midoriya. In another scene, he was instrumental in ensuring that Midoriya return to U.A., showing he really cares for the protagonist. This pair has the potential to become a potent anime duo, capable of rivalling the very greats.

3. Kageyama and Hinata from Haikyuu!!

The iconic anime duo of these volleyball players immediately clear that they would make a formidable team the moment they shared the screen. With the exception of two things—their passion for volleyball and their irrational stubbornness—they are essentially diametrically opposed.

It turned out that was all they required to reach an understanding. Even though they frequently argue and cannot be considered friends, they are teammates who support one another no matter what. Even though they never lose the healthy respect they have for one another, their rivalry persists to the very end.

4. Itadori and Megumi from Jujutsu Kaisen 

In the most unlikely of circumstances, Itadori and Megumi became an iconic anime duo for new-gen viewers, and in their right, close friends. When they are together, things are fascinating because of their seeming opposing personalities. 

Megumi and Itadori have repeatedly found themselves in precarious situations, yet they have always been able to escape. Both of them have indeed a lot of promise and can get stronger with the right training.

5. Einar and Thorfinn from Vinland Saga

Thorfinn was someone Einar would have never imagined becoming friends with before they first met. Before they landed themselves on the same farm, Einar and Thorfinn had quite different lifestyles. Thorfinn was an unrelenting warrior who slaughtered anybody who got in his way.

Einar was a family-oriented farmer. They were able to put their history behind them, which is what makes this anime duo’s friendship so lovely. Thorfinn received aid from Einar in overcoming his earlier struggles. They eventually began collaborating and were successful in obtaining their release from Ketil.

6. Tanjiro and Nezuko from Demon Slayer

Nezuko and Tanjiro are related through blood. Unlike other siblings, who fight frequently, these two get along incredibly well together, which is not unexpected given that they are the only members of their family left. Together, Tanjiro and Nezuko have defeated numerous demons and have a strong connection.

 

The brother and sister team, who have become one of new-gen fans’ favourite anime duos, used their might to put Daki on the back foot even in the recently released Entertainment District arc. The demon was greatly irritated by her inability to beat the pair. The best part about their relationship is how it impacts the story’s theme because Tanjiro’s hesitation to slaughter demons stems in part from his realisation that his sister is one, causing him to believe that somewhere deep within the evil demons lie a hint of goodness.

7. Erwin and Levi from Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan’s brutal world doesn’t promote the development of many friendships. Despite this, the battle-hardy iconic anime duos of Erwin and Levi are two characters who were able to endure for a number of seasons. Erwin’s strategic leadership is what causes Levi to respect him, leaving the latter a little bit broken after the former dies. Similarly, Erwin trusts in Levi’s combat ability, and his Ackermann genes.

Years before the story’s start, the two grew good friends. They valued each other and were prepared to take chances based on each other’s judgement, even though they did not act like typical buddies. The Survey Corps became a force that is to be reckoned with thanks to the efforts of Levi and Erwin.

8. Saitama and Genos from One-Punch Man

The relationship of mentor and protege is shared by Genos and Saitama. Genos pursued Saitama after seeing his power and pleaded with him to become a pupil. Although they don’t often workout together, they have experienced some very emotional things together, which has strengthened their friendship even more.

The two of them is an iconic anime duo that possesses extraordinary power. Genos is a fireball, and Saitama is simply too strong for any demon. Even though Genos didn’t come out on top in their battle with Carnage Kabuto, the two joined forces.

9. Isagi and Bachira from Blue Lock

Isagi and Bachira have quickly risen to become two of the most iconic anime duos on screen, partially because of their enduring friendship and ability to respect each other despite being rival contenders for the spot of the number#1 striker. Bachira was the first person who saw Isagi’s potential by viewing the monster in him, and since then, the protagonist has depended upon his teammate and friend for consistent passes.

Similarly, Bachira went through an existential crisis in the Second Selection, only to see Isagi being there for him. Simply through knowing his friend, Isagi made Bachira feel that he was not alone and helped awaken the latter’s ego. Their wholesome interactions on screen are also pretty comedic.

10. Asta and Yuno from Black Clover

Black Clover has often been compared to My Hero Academia and vice-versa because of the close proximity of their release dates, and in fact, the story of a magic-less sorcerer vying to become the wizard king is truly reminiscent of Deku’s dream. On the other hand, Yuno’s prodigious talent makes him akin to Bakugo. 

The only difference is that these characters have been friends throughout even if they maintained a healthy rivalry. While pushing each other to be the best, Yuno had always respected Asta and the latter had managed to put in his best in an effort to surpass the former. 

11. Sekkekkyu and Hakkekkyu from Cells at Work

It is true that in our body, red blood cells require white blood cells to function. The connection between the two is significantly stronger in Cells at Work. Erythrocyte (Sekkekkyu) and Neutrophil (Hakkekkyu) share a connection that transcends the scope of typical biological functions.

In actuality, their relationship started before the former and latter even met. Sekkekkyu was saved from a bacterium when she was a little child by Hakkekkyu. She probably found him on her first day of work because there was somehow, inexplicably, already a strong connection between them.

12. Legoshi and Louis in Beastars

 While most of the Beastars fandom fixate on the partnership between Legoshi and Haru and their romantic relationship, another iconic anime duo often goes underappreciated. Yes, the deuteragonist Louis is Legoshi’s biggest foil. Whereas the grey wolf is ashamed of being too strong and his carnivorous nature, Louis the red deer is disgusted with his physical weakness. 

As such, Louis cannot sympathise with Legoshi’s shame and thinks of it as a personal affront to him and the other herbivores who were not blessed with this strength. While hitting and fighting Legoshi initially because of this reason, he slowly came to accept his nature as did Legoshi and the two gained a mutual respect of each other that helped them lead their world into a better future.

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Stuart loves anime, writing, and writing about anime. Someday, he hopes to illustrate his own manga from his novel!