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Anime has many iconic friendships that consist of the same sex, like Gon and Killua or Luffy and Zoro, but there are also many iconic friendships in anime that are between men and women. Friendship is a recurring theme in many anime, and it serves as the core of so many bonds by highlighting trust, mutual respect, and loyalty. Male and female friendships in anime prove love can be platonic and that not all bonds between males and females need romance.
From sibling-like relationships to friendships that thrive on shared experiences, male and female platonic bonds in anime come in many forms. Whether it's through teamwork in battle or providing emotional support, these friendships emphasize the power of companionship and the strength that comes from trusting one another.
10 Rengoku and Mitsuri
Demon Slayer
Cast Natsuki Hanae , Zach Aguilar , Abby Trott , Akari Kitō , Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
Release Date April 6, 2019
Seasons 5
Though not much of their relationship is shown in the actual Demon Slayer anime series, it is canon that Mitsuri and Rengoku shared a strong, non-romantic bond. Mitsuri looked up to Rengoku as he was her mentor. She developed her Love Breathing as a variation of his Flame Breathing style. His guidance inspired her and their connection was built on mutual respect and admiration. Given that Rengoku and Mitsuri both have bombastic personalities, their bond makes a certain amount of sense.
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The two also both share a love for food and have joyful, enthusiastic personalities. When learning about Rengoku's death after Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, Mitsuri was deeply devastated. Their relationship highlights the power of mentorship and the impact Rengoku had on Mitsuri’s life, both as a fighter and as a person. It's unfortunate that fans didn't get to see more of Rengoku, as him and Mitsuri are an interesting pair.
9 Gin and Kagura
Gintama
Gintama
Cast Susumu Chiba , Satsuki Yukino , Tetsuharu Ota , Michael Daingerfield , Akira Ishida
Release Date April 4, 2006
Kagura and Gintoki share a close familial bond that is very father-daughter-like. Throughout the series, Kagura has picked up on many of Gintoki's traits, such as picking her nose or even his carefree and sometimes crude behavior. The two are evidently partners in crime and share many goofy moments together that are always endearing.
Their platonic relationship is highlighted even more when Shinpachi states that Kagura is a "mini Gintoki." Kagura even refers to Gintoki as her "earth dad", showcasing that in all seriousness she does look up to Gintoki. Despite their frequent comedic banter on screen, they truly do care for each other, especially Gintoki, who cares about Kagura's safety when she is injured or in danger. Despite Gintama's wild story, Gintoki and Kagura share a wholesome affection for one another that makes them always compelling to watch.
8 Secre Swallowtail (Nero) and Asta
Black Clover
Release Date October 3, 2017
Seasons 4
Writers Kazuyuki Fudeyasu , Kanichi Katou
Directors Tatsuya Yoshihara , Ayataka Tanemura
Creator(s) Yūki Tabata
Since the start of Black Clover, Asta has been seen with an anti-bird companion named Nero that accompanies him at all times. Later, it is revealed this bird's real form is a girl whose name is Secre Swallowtail. While Secre initially sticks with Asta because of his grimoire and its connection to the first Wizard King, her loyalty deepens over time, and she grows to genuinely care for him. The result is one of the best friendships in Black Clover.
As a bird, Secre pecks and pulls on Asta's hair a lot when she becomes annoyed, showcasing their playful yet sibling-like relationship. When she turns into a human, it's more clear just how much she cares for Asta. Despite her usual apathetic demeanor, she is loyal and genuinely admires Asta for his relentless drive and unwavering spirit. Their relationship is very similar to when she served the first Wizard King with the same loyalty and respect.
7 Soul and Maka
Soul Eater
Cast Laura Bailey , Micah Solusod , Brittney Karbowski , Monica Rial , Todd Haberkorn , Jamie Marchi , Cherami Leigh
Release Date April 7, 2008
Seasons 1
Franchise(s) Soul Eater
Writers Akatsuki Yamatoya
Directors Takuya Igarashi
Creator(s) Atsushi Ohkubo
While some fans may interpret the strong bond between Soul and Maka as the foundation for a potential romantic relationship, the series never confirms them to be a couple. Instead, the two are close friends who share a deep connection that is strengthened by their partnership as meister and weapon.
Despite the contrasting personalities of Maka being hardworking and serious in Soul Eater, while Soul is more rebellious and cynical, their differences complement each other. Their ability to complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses makes them not only a great team, but also highlights what a genuine and supportive friendship looks like. Their relationship is a great representation of how people can still have great friendships with people who may be their polar opposite.
6 Connie and Sasha
Attack on Titan
Release Date April 7, 2013
Seasons 4
Franchise Attack on Titan
Production Company Wit Studio, MAPPA
Both Connie and Sasha serve as much-needed comedic relief in the dark and tragic world of Attack on Titan. Their playful personalities bring a lightheartedness to the otherwise serious and dangerous role a Survey Corps member has to play. When Sasha dies in one of Attack on Titan's saddest deaths, Connie is clearly broken, showcasing the strong bond the two had.
In the final battle, when everything comes to a close, Connie still visualizes Sasha smiling, highlighting how much she truly meant to him, even after her death. Despite how undeniable their chemistry is, their relationship remains platonic. Instead, fans often speculate that Nicolo would have been a better match for Sasha.
5 Shikamaru and Ino
Naruto
Cast Junko Takeuchi , Kazuhiko Inoue , Noriaki Sugiyama , Chie Nakamura , Shoutarou Morikubo , Hideo Ishikawa , Nana Mizuki , Houchuu Ootsuka
Release Date February 15, 2007
Seasons 22
Network Adult Swim
Writers Junki Takegami , Satoru Nishizono , Yasuyuki Suzuki , Yasuaki Kurotsu , Masanao Akahoshi
Directors Hayato Date , Masaaki Kumagai , Yasuaki Kurotsu , Osamu Kobayashi , Chiaki Kon
As part of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio in Naruto, Ino and Shikamaru share a particularly strong bond as teammates. Their relationship is built on mutual trust and understanding, which is crucial in their many battles together. Shikamaru has protected Ino's body on numerous occasions when she used her Mind Transfer jutsu, showing his responsibility towards her safety. In turn, Ino’s mind jutsu frequently assist Shikamaru’s shadow paralysis jutsu, creating a powerful combination that makes them a formidable team.
Their relationship highlights how well they recognize one another’s strengths, allowing them to work seamlessly together in battle. Outside of battle, the two are close friends who genuinely support one another. During the Chunin Exams, Ino cheered Shikamaru on, expressing her support in wanting to see her teammate win.
4 Power and Denji
Chainsaw Man
Cast Ryan Colt Levy , Fairouz Ai , Sarah Wiedenheft , Suzie Yeung , Reagan Murdock
Release Date October 11, 2022
Seasons 1
Writers Tatsuki Fujimoto
Denji and Power have a playful, sibling-like relationship where they bicker and tease each other. At first, the two don't get along due to their chaotic personalities clashing, but over time, their friendship grows. Despite their frequent arguments, it becomes clear that they care for each other in their own unique way, often resembling a brother and sister dynamic rather than just fellow Devil Hunters.
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When Makima kills Power in one of the Chainsaw Man manga's saddest deaths, Denji becomes so emotionally shattered that he surrenders himself entirely to Makima. Denji valued his friendship with Power, even if it wasn’t always expressed openly. Her death was a huge turning point for Denji and beneath their goofy interactions, he genuinely did cherish Power and the bond they shared.
3 Itadori and Nobara
Jujutsu Kaisen
Cast Junya Enoki , Yuma Uchida , Yuichi Nakamura , Adam McArthur , Asami Seto
Release Date October 3, 2020
Seasons 1
Writers Hiroshi Seko
Directors Sunghoo Park , Shōta Goshozono
Even though Nobara only knew Itadori for a short time, she downplays her emotions when discussing his supposed death with Megumi, claiming she isn't the type to cry over someone she barely knew. However, her quivering lip reveals that she cared more for Yuji than she was willing to admit. This moment subtly hints at the bond the two developed, despite the short time they spent together.
When Yuji returns to life, their bond grows stronger and evolves into a playful and bickering sibling-like relationship. Their friendship and undeniable chemistry are evident during both battles and in their downtime when they’re not on a mission. When Mahito seemingly kills Nobara, Yuji is clearly distraught. Even in his uncertainty about if Nobara was actually dead in Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuji couldn’t bear the thought of anyone replacing her.
2 Ichigo and Rukia
Bleach
Cast Johnny Yong Bosch , Michelle Ruff , Stephanie Sheh , Jamieson Price , Derek Stephen Prince , Wally Wingert
Release Date September 6, 2006
Character(s) Ulquiorra (voice) , Ryūsei 'Kenryū' Kenzaki (voice) , Ugaki (voice) , Avirama Redder , Kurōdo (voice) , Noitora (voice) , Uncredited , Maki Ichinose (voice) , Jinta Hanakari (voice) , Noba , Aaroniero Arruruerie (voice) , Lirin (voice) , Mashiro Kuna (voice) , Wonderweiss Margera (voice) , Hyōrinmaru (voice) , Uryu Ishida (voice) , Nel Tu (voice)
Seasons 16
Writers Tite Kubo , Masashi Sogo
Directors Noriyuki Abe , Jun'ya Koshiba
Showrunner Tite Kubo
Producers Tasuku Honda , Yoshihiko Tominaga , Genki Negishi
Many fans hoped Ichigo and Rukia would end up together, but in the end, their relationship remains strictly platonic. From the moment Ichigo meets Rukia, his life changes as she is the one who gave him powers to become a Soul Reaper. They have both been shown to bring out the best in each other at times when in battle or in strength.
Despite their strong bond, Ichigo ends up with Orihime in the end and Rukia ends up with Renji. Despite ending up with other romantic partners in Bleach's conclusion, Ichigo and Rukia remain good friends and keep in touch. This is evident in the ending, where Rukia visits Ichigo’s family alongside her husband, Renji.
1 Nami and Luffy
One Piece
Cast Mayumi Tanaka , Kazuya Nakai , Akemi Okamura , Kappei Yamaguchi , Hiroaki Hirata , Ikue Ôtani , Yuriko Yamaguchi , Kazuki Yao , Chō
Release Date October 20, 1999
Seasons 20
Writers Junki Takegami , Shoji Yonemura , Hirohiko Uesaka
Directors Kônosuke Uda , Junji Shimizu , Munehisa Sakai
Creator(s) Eiichiro Oda
The best platonic male-female friendship in anime is between Nami and Luffy. Nami was the second member to join the Straw Hat Pirates and acts as the ship’s navigator. Initially, Nami didn't want to become part of the crew due to her deep hatred for pirates. However, after Luffy defeated Arlong and freed her from a life of oppression, her view of him and the crew completely changed.
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Despite often being frustrated by Luffy's carefree and reckless behavior, Nami genuinely cares for him. Luffy, in turn, trusts Nami completely, even after she temporarily betrayed him early on during the Arlong Park arc. Their friendship demonstrates how deep bonds can form through shared hardships, regardless of differences.
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