Anime is filled with many popular duos, but some are so iconic that they often become the heart and soul of their respective series. These duos resonate deeply with various audiences through their themes of friendship, rivalry, iration, and more. In their journey together, these duos explore the depths of emotional connection and growth.

By bringing out the best and sometimes the worst in each other, they create a truly captivating story. From Goku and Vegeta's epic battles to Gon and Killua's instant chemistry as friends, these duos showcase the strength of their connection through moments of triumph, conflict, and camaraderie.

10 Saitama and Genos

One Punch Man

Saitama and Genos are a unique duo with contrasting personalities. Genos is serious and always driven to improve, while Saitama remains easy-going and indifferent. Despite their differences, they develop a solid mentor-mentee relationship as Genos looks up to Saitama for his remarkable strength and genuine humility.

Eventually, Genos requests to live with Saitama to learn more from him, which transforms their relationship from mere teacher and student into a genuine friendship. Despite Saitama being nonchalant the majority of the series, he truly does care about Genos. This is especially evident in One-Punch Man Chapter #166, when Cosmic Garou rips out Genos’s core, Saitama’s reaction is visibly filled with rage, showing deep concern for his pupil.

9 Ban and Meliodas

Seven Deadly Sins

Ban and Meliodas are the two of the Seven Deadly Sins that arguably have the best friendship in the group. Even after not seeing each other for years, the two seamlessly picked up where they left off, playfully punching each other as a way to express their joy at being reunited.

Despite the two being highly competitive towards one another at times, they are still great friends. Like most friendships, the two have had their fair share of disputes, but they still hold great respect for one another. Ban refers to Meliodas as Cap'n and trusts him as a leader, while Meliodas is thankful to have Ban by his side.

8 Hyakkimaru and Dororo

Dororo

Hyakkimaru and Dororo first meet when Hyakkimaru saves Dororo from a demon. From there, Dororo decides to accompany Hyakkimaru on his journey to fight demons and regain his missing body parts. Sensing no threat from Dororo's soul, Hyakkimaru allows him to become his travel companion.

Throughout their travels, Hyakkimaru starts to find more comfort and enjoyment in having Dororo around. He becomes very protective of Dororo, ensuring his safety is a top priority, even if it means stopping his own personal missions. Together, the two become inseparable best friends.

7 Luffy and Zoro

One Piece

Roronoa Zoro was the first member to Monkey D. Luffy's crew, the Straw Hat Pirates. Zoro thinks very highly of Luffy as his captain, iring his indomitable spirit and determination. The respect is mutual, as Luffy ires Zoro as not only a skilled swordsman or as one of his strongest crewmates, but as a true friend.

Their bond is particularly highlighted in One Piece's infamous yet important Long Ring Long Land arc when Zoro implies that the only reason he is a pirate is because of Luffy. He says there'd be no point in being one if he couldn't have Luffy as his captain. These two truly embody what loyalty, respect, and trust mean in a friendship.

6 Light and L

Death Note

Unlike Luffy and Zoro who are loyal friends, Light Yagami and L Lawliet are complete opposites. They are each other's natural enemies, but that's what makes them a great duo. Both characters are extremely intelligent, and how they use their intelligence against each other is what truly captivates fans about their relationship.

Their complex relationship entails more than just a clash of good versus evil, but a deeper exploration into morality and ambition. The psychological chess match they play with each other is intriguing as they're both fighting for the same cause in two completely different ways. This cat-and-mouse chase of how they both try to outsmart each other is what naturally makes them a truly iconic duo.

5 Edward and Alphonse

Fullmetal Alchemist

The Elric Brothers definitely stand apart from most anime duos due to their true depiction of what brotherhood means. The brotherly bond they have is what serves as the backbone of their series. Like normal siblings, the two bicker often but would still sacrifice and do anything to protect one another. Still, Ed and Al are some of the best siblings in all of anime history.

Like many other iconic anime duos, the two have completely different personalities; Ed is quick-tempered, while Al is gentle and calm. It's these clashing personalities that make them bicker so often, but it is also what makes them a great representation of what siblings can be like. Their unwavering loyalty to each other, along with their differences and how they each approach their same goal, is what makes them one of the most memorable siblings and iconic duos in anime.

4 Goku and Vegeta

Dragon Ball Z

Arguably, one of the most iconic duos in anime is Goku and Vegeta, who have an interesting mix of friendship and rivalry. The two began as some of anime's most iconic rivals, but over time they learn to have respect for one another and even use each other as inspiration to train harder and become stronger. Though the two may not like to it it, they also create a great dynamic by teaming up together when needed.

Similar to Light and L, their personalities are very opposite, as Goku has an easygoing persona while Vegeta is more uptight and serious. Despite their stubbornness, frequent bickering, and clashing personalities, the chemistry the two have is undeniably apparent. This unique blend of competition and camaraderie solidifies their place as one of the most iconic duos in anime.

3 Naruto and Sasuke

Naruto

Since the beginning of the series, Naruto and Sasuke have been rivals, always trying to prove who was stronger, but they still made room to forge a true friendship. Due to them both being orphans with traumatic backgrounds, they understand each other more than others can. Though, despite having traumatic childhoods, they both have a different outlook on life and their own personal goals.

Sasuke was fueled by vengeance and Naruto was fueled by earning the respect of his village. Even though Sasuke chose his own path to vengeance, Naruto still considered him a friend and didn't stop at anything to save him from this path. In the end, the two still seem to raise the question of who is stronger, but at the same time, they show fans that what really matters about their relationship is that they fully recognize each other as true best friends.

2 Ash and Pikachu

Pokémon

Ash and Pikachu are arguably the two main faces of Pokémon, making them one of the most iconic duos in anime. Their relationship perfectly depicts what it means to be best friends and partners. In the beginning, the two have a rough start, seeing as Pikachu originally didn't respect Ash and didn't want to be in a Poké Ball.

Pikachu later ends up having respect for Ash when he saves him from a group of Spearows. From then, the two become inseparable best buds and Ash also allows Pikachu to be outside a Poké Ball at all times, either on his head or shoulders. Their bond not only symbolizes the true meaning of friendship but also highlights the growth and trust that can develop between a trainer and their Pokémon.

1 Gon and Killua

Hunter x Hunter

When Gon and Killua first meet during the Hunter Exam, they hit it off instantly, making it no surprise for the two to stand out as the best duo in anime. Throughout the entire series, Gon and Killua are inseparable, taking on almost every mission and challenge together. This constant companionship allows fans to see the deep bond and natural chemistry between them, whether they’re training together, facing enemies, or navigating the world around them.

The two had very different upbringings; Killua was born and raised into a family of assassins, while Gon was raised by his caring Aunt Mito. Despite that, Gon and Killua both learn a lot from one another, especially Killua, who, through Gon, begins to see the beauty and happiness in life outside the dark world he was raised in. Their journey together is a core element of the series, making them the most iconic duo in anime.