Anime Where Rivals Become Genuine Allies Over Time

It’s common in anime for enemies to become allies. This shift from fighting to working together often creates strong character development and adds depth to the story. Whether they bond over respect, shared hardships, or a bigger danger, seeing rivals team up is a popular and satisfying element in many anime series.

‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989–1996)

Vegeta initially comes to Earth as a fierce warrior determined to take over the planet and defeat its protectors. After a tough fight with Goku and his allies, he reluctantly teams up with them to fight bigger enemies like Frieza and Cell. As time goes on, his rivalry with Goku evolves into a strong, respectful friendship, and they both become committed to defending Earth. By the end of ‘Dragon Ball Z’, Vegeta is a key member of the Z Fighters and a devoted husband and father.

‘Naruto Shippūden’ (2007–2017)

For much of the story, Sasuke Uchiha is a ninja who wanders alone, focused on getting revenge, which causes a lot of fighting between him and his old friend, Naruto. Naruto never gives up on Sasuke, always trying to bring him back to their friendship. They finally team up during a major war against powerful enemies like Madara Uchiha and Kaguya Otsutsuki. This partnership is the result of everything they’ve been through, and ultimately leads Sasuke to secretly protect their village.

‘One Piece’ (1999–)

Nico Robin first appears as a villain, known as Miss All Sunday, and a key member of the dangerous Baroque Works organization, opposing Luffy and his crew. After Baroque Works falls apart and its leader is defeated, she decides to join the Straw Hat Pirates, hoping to uncover the secrets of the world’s past. The Enies Lobby storyline fully establishes her as a trusted member of the crew. Ultimately, she finds a place where she truly belongs and becomes a vital part of the team, despite initially being their enemy.

‘Bleach’ (2004–2012)

Renji Abarai first appears as an opponent, sent to capture Rukia Kuchiki and battle Ichigo Kurosaki. However, after Ichigo defeats him and they both discover their shared goal of protecting Rukia from being executed, Renji becomes one of Ichigo’s closest allies. What starts as a rivalry transforms into a strong partnership as they face challenges against both the Soul Society and the Arrancars. Throughout the rest of the ‘Bleach’ series, Renji consistently supports Ichigo and frequently fights alongside him.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009–2010)

Initially, Scar is driven by revenge, hunting down and killing State Alchemists as payback for the atrocities committed during the Ishvalan Civil War – including targeting Edward Elric. His intense dislike of the military causes numerous dangerous clashes with the Elric brothers and their friends. But when a greater danger – the Homunculi – emerges, Scar joins forces with the heroes to avert a national disaster. Ultimately, he lets go of his desire for revenge and works with former enemies to rebuild his country.

‘My Hero Academia’ (2016–)

Katsuki Bakugo starts as a fiercely competitive rival to Izuku Midoriya, known for his explosive personality and determination to win. Over time, his rivalry softens as he focuses on becoming a better hero alongside his classmates at U.A. High School. He eventually recognizes Midoriya’s progress and begins working with him to fight against villains. Ultimately, Bakugo develops into a dependable teammate who understands that working together is essential for being a hero.

‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ (1992–1994)

Hiei starts as an enemy, initially kidnapping Keiko and fighting Yusuke Urameshi over stolen artifacts. After losing, he joins forces with Yusuke and Kurama, working with them to investigate supernatural events for the Spirit World. Though he appears cold and aloof, Hiei becomes fiercely loyal to his teammates, especially during the intense Dark Tournament. He ultimately proves to be a vital part of the group and forms a close, though reserved, friendship with Yusuke.

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014)

Killua Zoldyck and Gon Freecss initially meet as rivals during the challenging Hunter Exam, both trying to earn a license. Despite this, they quickly become friends. However, Killua’s upbringing as an assassin and the expectations of his family cause internal struggles that they face together. Their friendship is put to the test through battles with formidable opponents, including the Phantom Troupe and the Chimera Ants. Over time, they evolve from competitors to an incredibly close pair, becoming the heart of the ‘Hunter x Hunter’ story.

‘Haikyu!!’ (2014–2020)

Shoyo Hinata and Tobio Kageyama begin as rivals after a challenging middle school match where Hinata is determined to prove himself. When they both join Karasuno High School, they unexpectedly end up on the same volleyball team, despite their initial animosity. As the team’s setter and spiker, they have to learn to work together, developing a unique and powerful attack called the “freak quick.” Their growth from enemies to a strong partnership is key to Karasuno’s success as they climb the national volleyball rankings.

‘Fairy Tail’ (2009–2019)

Gajeel Redfox started as a member of the Phantom Lord guild and led an attack on Fairy Tail. After Phantom Lord fell apart, Makarov Dreyar invited him to join Fairy Tail, where he became a strong protector of his new guild. He changed from a ruthless fighter into someone who deeply cared for his friends and was willing to sacrifice everything for them.

‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ (2012–)

Robert E.O. Speedwagon starts out as a troublemaker who clashes with Jonathan Joestar, but after Jonathan shows him kindness, Speedwagon becomes a devoted friend and helps the Joestar family for generations. This pattern of enemies becoming allies is a common theme in ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,’ with characters like Noriaki Kakyoin and Jean Pierre Polnareff consistently stepping up to provide crucial support in battles against supernatural threats.

‘Kill la Kill’ (2013–2014)

Satsuki Kiryuin initially appears as the strict and powerful head of Honnouji Academy, standing in the way of Ryuko Matoi’s search for the truth. Their epic fights push the story forward until we learn Satsuki’s real reasons for opposing her mother. Ultimately, Satsuki fights against the Life Fibers and teams up with Ryuko and the Resistance. Together, the sisters use their combined strength to save the world from their mother’s destructive plans.

‘Gurren Lagann’ (2007)

Viral is a strong and recurring enemy of Simon and Kamina, fighting them repeatedly in his unique mecha. When the battle moves into space, he loses his direction and purpose. Eventually, he joins the crew of the Super Galaxy Dai-Gurren and helps humanity fight against the Anti-Spiral. His change from enemy to dependable teammate is crucial for humanity’s survival in ‘Gurren Lagann’.

‘Black Clover’ (2017–2021)

Mars is a powerful mage from the Diamond Kingdom who initially opposes the heroes during the Dungeon Exploration arc. However, after losing to Asta, he’s inspired by Asta’s dedication and desire to protect people. He then dedicates himself to improving his own kingdom and becomes a valuable ally, helping the Clover Kingdom fight against the Eye of the Midnight Sun. Mars’s journey from a manipulated weapon to a caring friend highlights how Asta can change even his enemies.

‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ (2019–)

Inosuke Hashibira is first seen as a fierce and aggressive fighter who immediately challenges Tanjiro and Zenitsu. He sees everyone as an opponent he needs to defeat to prove how strong he is. However, through Tanjiro’s compassion and their battles against demons together, Inosuke slowly learns how important it is to work as a team. He becomes a key part of the group, frequently using his special Beast Breathing technique to keep his friends safe.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–)

Aoi Todo is a powerful student from Kyoto who starts off aggressively towards Megumi Fushiguro and the students of Tokyo when they first meet. During a friendly competition, he unexpectedly bonds with Yuji Itadori over a shared taste in women. Todo then takes Yuji under his wing during a difficult fight with a strong cursed spirit, helping him learn to harness his power. He continues to be one of Yuji’s most unusual, yet dedicated, allies in future battles.

‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016–2022)

As a huge fan of ‘Mob Psycho 100’, I’ve always been fascinated by Teruki Hanazawa’s character arc. At first, he’s this incredibly arrogant guy who basically controls his school with his psychic powers and totally dismisses Mob. But after a really tough loss, he has a major wake-up call. It’s amazing to watch him completely change – he goes from being a rival to one of Mob’s most loyal and helpful friends, offering advice and jumping into fights to support him. Teruki’s story really gets at the heart of what the show is about – growing as a person and learning how to use your abilities responsibly.

‘Vinland Saga’ (2019–)

Thorfinn grows up working for Askeladd, the man who killed his father. Though driven by revenge and initially just using each other, they fight together for years. Askeladd unexpectedly becomes a mentor to Thorfinn, showing him how war and politics really work, even while Thorfinn repeatedly tries to kill him. Their complicated relationship fundamentally changes Thorfinn’s views and eventually leads him to embrace a peaceful life.

‘Blue Lock’ (2022–)

Shoei Barou is a highly confident striker who thinks of himself as the best player on the field and doesn’t like to share the ball. During a crucial competition, Yoichi Isagi proves he can beat Barou, pushing him to change how he plays. This leads to an uneasy but powerful partnership – their competitive spirit drives them both to improve. Ultimately, Barou becomes a vital, though still headstrong, teammate in the intense matches of ‘Blue Lock’.

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

Lelouch and Suzaku were childhood friends who ended up fighting on opposing sides of a war between Britannia and Japan. Lelouch became the leader of a rebellion under the alias Zero, while Suzaku fought for the Britannian army as a pilot. Their differing beliefs caused a lot of heartbreak and betrayal. Ultimately, they teamed up to create a lasting peace, requiring a difficult shared sacrifice called the Zero Requiem.

‘Shaman King’ (2001–2002)

Ren Tao starts as a cold and powerful shaman who sees spirits as objects to be used and isn’t afraid to kill. However, after fighting Yoh Asakura, he starts to wonder if his family’s way of life – built on hate and keeping to themselves – is right. Yoh’s friendly personality eventually softens Ren, and he ends up joining Yoh’s team in the Shaman Fight. Ren changes into a devoted friend who truly cherishes the connections he’s made with those he once saw as enemies.

‘Inuyasha’ (2000–2004)

Sesshomaru is Inuyasha’s incredibly powerful half-brother, and at first, he tries to kill Inuyasha to take their father’s sword. Over time, though, Sesshomaru starts to change, becoming less cold and distant, especially because of his relationship with a human girl named Rin. Although he never openly shows affection, he often helps Inuyasha and his friends fight against the powerful demon Naraku. This change from ruthless enemy to reluctant helper is a key part of Sesshomaru’s story in ‘Inuyasha’.

‘Saint Seiya’ (1986–1989)

At the beginning of the series, Phoenix Ikki appears as a major antagonist, leading a group called the Black Saints in a plot to steal powerful Gold Cloths. His harsh training left him feeling resentful, causing conflict with his brother, Shun, and the other Bronze Saints. However, after a defeat, Ikki becomes a strong ally, repeatedly appearing to help his former rivals when they face their greatest challenges. Though he prefers to work alone, Ikki is consistently a dependable protector of Athena.

‘Rurouni Kenshin’ (1996–1998)

Hajime Saito was once the captain of the Shinsengumi and a longtime rival of Kenshin Himura, going back to the Bakumatsu era. When they cross paths again during the Meiji period, they initially disagree due to their different views on what’s right. But they’re forced to work together, despite their past, to defeat the dangerous Shishio Makoto and his group. Ultimately, Saito proves to be a dependable ally, helping Kenshin keep the peace in this new era.

‘Slam Dunk’ (1993–1996)

Kaede Rukawa and Hanamichi Sakuragi are teammates on the Shohoku basketball team, but they can’t stand each other. Sakuragi sees Rukawa as his biggest competition, both on the court and for the attention of their classmate, Haruko. Their constant arguments throughout the series actually push them to become better players and learn to work as a team. It’s during the important games of the national tournament that they finally recognize each other’s strengths and begin to play together for the sake of the team.

‘Mobile Suit Gundam Seed’ (2002–2003)

As a lifelong fan of compelling stories, I’ve always been drawn to the dynamic between Kira Yamato and Athrun Zala. It’s heartbreaking to watch these childhood friends end up as enemies, battling it out in giant robots during a war between those naturally born and those genetically engineered. There’s this intense moment where they actually try to kill each other, but surviving that clash forces them to see how pointless everything is. They both decide they’ve had enough and leave their armies behind. From then on, they work together, determined to break the cycle of hatred and save both Earth and the space colonies from total destruction. It’s a really powerful story about choosing peace over conflict.

‘Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]’ (2014–2015)

Lancer and Archer are powerful summoned warriors fighting in the Holy Grail War, each serving a different master. Throughout ‘Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works’, they clash as rivals with opposing goals. But as the true dangers of the war and the corrupted Grail are revealed, they begin to work together. Lancer especially stands out as a honorable fighter, offering crucial help to the main characters when they need it most.

‘Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-‘ (2016–)

Julius Juukulius is a knight who embarrasses and defeats Subaru Natsuki after an incident at the royal castle. Subaru deeply resents Julius, seeing him as arrogant and a much stronger fighter. However, during the fight against the White Whale and the Witch Cult, they have to work together to survive. This cooperation eventually leads to respect between them, and Julius becomes one of the few people Subaru truly trusts.

‘Assassination Classroom’ (2015–2016)

Ryoma Terasaka starts out as a troublemaker in Class 3-E, unhappy with his teacher and trying to undermine his classmates. He often argues with Nagisa Shiota and other students who are serious about their studies and training. After a reckless attempt to prove himself puts everyone at risk, he recognizes his mistakes and begins working towards the class’s shared goals. Over time, he develops into one of the strongest and most reliable fighters in the class.

‘Gintama’ (2006–2018)

Toshiro Hijikata and Gintoki Sakata are rivals who constantly trade insults and sometimes even fight. Hijikata works for the Shinsengumi, while Gintoki leads the Yorozuya, placing them on opposite sides of the law in Edo. Despite their constant bickering, they often join forces when the city or their friends are in danger. This uneasy respect and reluctant teamwork is a common theme throughout the ‘Gintama’ series.

Share your favorite anime rivalries that turned into legendary partnerships in the comments.

2026-01-21 12:50