Ash and Pikachu from Pokemon are one of the most iconic duos in all anime, easily being recognized by just about anyone, even those outside of the anime world. The two become instant best friends when Ash becomes a Pokemon Trainer, and are together with each other throughout all of Ash’s travels in the series. Their bond is one that clearly cannot be broken.
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Though Ash and Pikachu are some of the most recognizable names out there, there are some anime duos that have a much stronger emotional impact. These duos have unbreakable bonds as well, but also sometimes have hilarious banter, emotional moments, and much more. Take a look at these six anime duos with better bonds than Ash and Pikachu.
Okarun and Momo
A Duo With Natural Chemistry
Dandadan follows Okarun and Momo as their friendship blossoms into something more. When they first meet, they bond over their similar obsessions, with Okarun having an interest in aliens, and Momo with spirits. With these things in common, they come together to defeat the supernatural forces that appear in their town. They are always at each other’s sides, making sure they are safe while also engaging in hilarious banter.
The bond between Okarun and Momo is much deeper than that of Ash and Pikachu, with the two of them eventually becoming closer than just friends. At first, they work together to stop Turbo Granny and get back Okarun’s ‘parts’, and this immediately sets up their unbreakable relationship. They are always together, and nothing will get in their way.
Bakugo and Deku
From Rivals to Friends
Though Deku and Bakugo were not friends in the slightest when they were children in My Hero Academia, throughout the series, they are constantly tied to each other. Bakugo initially looks down on Deku due to his lack of possessing a Quirk, but their rivalry grows into something much more as the two of them mature.
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Eventually, Deku takes a dark turn and leaves U.A. High, dealing with intense trauma and unable to bear it all. Surprisingly, the one to truly get him out of this darkness is Bakugo, as he is there to apologize to him and stand by his side to bring him back home. This relationship has so much emotional depth as they grow with each other, and eventually become friends, giving them a much more compelling story than Ash and Pikachu.
Loid and Yor Forger
Unexpected Family
In Spy x Family, Loid Forger is tasked with one of his biggest missions yet: to protect the peace between two rival nations. However, in order to do this, he must get married as soon as possible and have a child who can attend Eden Academy, in order to get close to Donovan Desmond’s son. Along the way, he meets and marries Yor. However, he is not aware of her assassin status, making for some hilarious moments as both try to hide their true identities.
Though the two of them are both still unaware of their double lives, they begin to grow much closer, resembling something of a real family. Despite Yor and Loid coming together in an unusual way, their marriage becomes real, and their love and support for their daughter, Anya, become more than justa mission and a cover-up. This growth is steady throughout the anime and shows a legitimate bond stronger than that of Ash and Pikachu.
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Edward and Alphonse Elric
Brothers Tied By Regret
In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Alphonse and Edward are more than just brothers: they become tied to each other permanently after they attempt to bring back their mother using alchemy, and fail. Edward loses an arm and leg, and Alphonse has his soul tied to a suit of armor. The two of them explore the world together, searching for the Philospher’s Stone to attempt to restore their bodies. However, along the way, they learn a lot about humanity and their brotherly bond.
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These two brothers have an intense and unwavering trust, and they both do everything they can to protect the other. Despite being tied by blood, they have a strong relationship unlike any other, and are always willing to sacrifice themselves for the other. As the anime progresses, their relationship is only strengthened, and they learn just how important family and friendship is.
Goku and Vegeta
Powerful Rivals
Dragon Ball Z follows Goku, a member of the alien species, Saiyans, who works to stop powerful enemies from destroying Earth. Along the way, he becomes rivals with Vegeta, who is constantly looking to surpass Goku in strength. Though he is constantly trying to pick a fight with Goku, Goku views their relationship in a more positive light, and overtime, the two of them become real allies.
Though their relationship stems from rivalry, their eventual partnership constantly requires them to keep becoming stronger. The two of them support each other in their advancement as fighters, and they work together to defend Earth in the best way they can. Their relationship has a lot deeper meaning than that of Ash and Pikachu, continuously challenging each other and keeping them on their toes.
Naruto and Sasuke
Friends For Life
Naruto and Sasuke are by far one of the greatest friendships and rivalries in anime of all time. In both the Naruto and Boruto timelines, the two of them are always involved with each other, supporting each other in their lives as Shinobi and encouraging each other’s growth. Though the two of them constantly butt heads, if they did not have each other in their lives, they would likely not have reached their full potential.
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Though they both have very different personalities, they synergize well together, making for some hilarious moments and also emotional, deep conversations. When the two of them become fathers, their children automatically become close, and their relationship as friends remains as strong as ever. Even when Sasuke falls down a dark path, Naruto does everything in his power to bring Sasuke back to the light. Although they have differing morals and goals, the two keep each other motivated, and are always there to help each other when needed.
Pokémon
- Release Date
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1997 – 2023
- Network
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TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
- Directors
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Shigeru Omachi, Koji Ogawa, Fumihiro Ueno, Hideki Hiroshima, Maki Kodaira, Makoto Ooga, Ayumi Moriyama, Keitaro Motonaga, Shigeru Ueda, Fumihiro Yoshimura, Minoru Ohara, Yoshitaka Makino, Kiyoshi Egami, Makoto Sokuza, Bjarne Heuser, Naoki Murata, Kenichi Nishida, Tomoe Makino, Masahiko Watanabe, Hiroaki Takagi, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Ryohei Horiuchi, Yoshihiro Oda, Hiromichi Matano
- Writers
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Junki Takegami, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Hideki Sonoda, Yukiyoshi Ôhashi, Yuka Miyata, Takeshi Shudo, Shouji Yonemura, Shinzo Fujita, Michihiro Tsuchiya, Deko Akao, Reiko Yoshida, Aya Matsui, Junichi Fujisaku
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Rica Matsumoto
Satoshi (voice)
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Ikue Otani
Pikachu (voice)
