10 Anime Relationships That Should Have Remained Platonic

Anime often adds romance to stories, but this can sometimes make strong friendships feel less important or change the characters’ paths in ways that don’t feel natural. These friendships often worked best when they were just about close companionship and respect, before romantic feelings entered the picture. In ten specific cases, the stories would have been stronger and more impactful if the characters had maintained a deep, complex friendship instead of becoming a couple.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Eren and Mikasa’s close connection began with a difficult childhood experience, leading Mikasa to feel fiercely protective of Eren. However, this relationship often felt more like a sibling bond than a romantic one. The suggestion of romance created an unhealthy dependence between them, hindering their development as soldiers. While Wit Studio initially focused on the action, the series consistently portrayed Mikasa’s feelings as being unreciprocated. Ultimately, their strongest connection stemmed from the trauma they shared and their commitment to their military goals.

‘Naruto’ (2002–2007)

Team 7, consisting of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, had a complex relationship built on rivalry and friendship, which sometimes overshadowed their individual development. Throughout most of the original series, Naruto’s feelings for Sakura weren’t returned. When they eventually became a couple, it felt forced, like a way to tie up a loose end rather than a genuine connection. The anime adaptation struggled to make this pairing believable, especially since Sakura had previously focused on other things. The strongest moments for the team always came when they worked together as dedicated and loyal comrades.

‘Sword Art Online’ (2012–YEAR)

Kirito and Asuna’s relationship developed rapidly during the Aincrad arc, quickly becoming a core part of the story. However, this fast pace meant that their individual characters weren’t explored as fully as they could have been. While their connection provided strong emotional moments, it sometimes overshadowed their personal growth after they became a couple so early on. The animation was well-done, but the story moved away from Kirito’s initially independent nature too quickly. They worked best as a team when facing challenges in the game, before the romance became the main focus.

‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

Misa deeply admired and was devoted to Light Yagami because of what she saw as his heroic actions as Kira. However, their connection wasn’t a genuine romance. Instead, it was a one-sided partnership based on Misa’s unwavering loyalty and Light’s calculating nature. While the animation studio Madhouse did a great job with the series, their relationship felt more like a power dynamic where Misa was a follower and Light was in control. She was consistently used to help Light achieve his aims, which weakened the intense psychological conflict that drove the story. From the beginning, the dark nature of their connection made any healthy romantic development impossible.

‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995–1996)

As a huge anime fan, I’ve always been captivated by Shinji and Asuka’s relationship in Evangelion. It wasn’t a simple rivalry, though. They really pushed each other’s buttons because they were both so broken inside. What made it so compelling wasn’t any potential romance, but how utterly unable they were to truly connect – it was a brilliant way to show their inner struggles. Honestly, the creators, Gainax, really nailed the psychological aspect of these characters. Their fights weren’t just drama; they were key to understanding the whole series’ themes of loneliness and feeling disconnected. Trying to turn them into a typical couple just misses the point of their individual journeys, in my opinion.

‘Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion’ (2006–2008)

Lelouch and C.C. had a strong connection based on a deal and a shared understanding of their unique abilities and the challenges that came with them. C.C. was Lelouch’s trusted partner and advisor, and their bond was built on trust and strategy, not necessarily romantic feelings. While the series explored their connection, their shared goals were always the priority. This made them a powerful and compelling duo, and one of the best non-romantic partnerships in anime.

‘My Hero Academia’ (2016–YEAR)

Ochaco’s early feelings for Deku added a charming dynamic to their relationship, but their real strength comes from consistently supporting each other. They grow the most as heroes when they challenge and inspire one another during training. The show’s beautiful animation highlights their parallel journeys of dedication and selflessness. Their friendship offers a heartwarming balance to the intense action, and doesn’t rely on romantic complications. The story is most compelling when it focuses on their shared goal of becoming professional heroes.

‘Black Clover’ (2017–2021)

At first, Noelle acted superior to Asta, but she gradually began to admire his unwavering spirit. This admiration often came across as classic ‘tsundere’ behavior – acting tough on the outside while secretly caring – which became a recurring joke rather than a deep emotional shift. The animation studio managed the fast-paced story, but the focus of Noelle and Asta’s connection stayed primarily on their teamwork within the Black Bulls. They had the strongest connection while fighting side-by-side as equals, demonstrating their abilities as magical knights. Sometimes, the potential romance between them overshadowed Noelle’s own important growth in accepting herself and mastering her powers.

‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ (1992–1995)

Keiko was a constant, stabilizing presence in Yusuke’s life, offering him a sense of normalcy and strong moral compass as his world became more chaotic. They shared a deep, comfortable connection as childhood friends, built on unwavering loyalty. The story centers around Yusuke’s transformation from a troublemaker to a Spirit Detective, and his friendship with Keiko is what keeps him focused on staying true to himself. The anime adaptation beautifully portrays their bond as a subtle but essential support system throughout the action-packed series. Though hints of romance existed, their connection was most powerful as a source of grounding and stability, rather than dramatic emotional displays.

‘Inuyasha’ (2000–2010)

Inuyasha and Kagome’s relationship was complicated by Inuyasha’s lingering feelings for someone else, creating a lot of tension between them. Though they grew close, their constant arguing often distracted from any real romance. The show beautifully portrayed its historical fantasy setting, but the relationship’s ongoing drama sometimes felt like a cycle. The most engaging parts of the story were when Inuyasha and Kagome worked together to collect the Shikon Jewel shards as a team. Focusing more on their friendship and teamwork could have made the love triangle clearer and the main story even stronger.

2025-11-24 23:47