Imagine this: a heartwarming tale of two inseparable childhood friends who embark on countless adventures together. Through thick and thin, they tackle obstacles side by side, and perhaps even discover a spark of something more than friendship. As they journey into their teenage years, their bond blossoms into a beautiful romance, making their story all the more enchanting. This delightful theme of childhood companionship evolving into love is a common occurrence in the world of anime. It’s like unraveling a captivating tale, where you can almost predict that these childhood friends will eventually become a couple or share intense romantic chemistry.
Now, let’s dive into the realm of anime and explore some of the most captivating couples who started as childhood friends. But remember, the best pairings depend solely on your personal taste. If you crave a love story with a hint of danger, brace yourself for the captivating tale of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki from Naruto. Their journey begins when Minato heroically rescues Kushina from the clutches of kidnappers, igniting a love that grows deeper with each passing moment. On the other hand, if you prefer drama-free romance that warms your heart, let’s introduce you to Yuuko and Takeshi Nishigori from Yuri!!! on ICE. This adorable couple manages the local skating rink near Yuri’s home, and their relationship is filled with unwavering support and a cozy warmth.
No matter what kind of romance makes your heart flutter, one thing is certain: witnessing childhood friendships evolve into love is a truly magical experience. So, get ready to be captivated by the tales of these remarkable couples and let their stories steal your heart away.
1. Winry Rockbell & Edward Elric – ‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’
Winry Rockbell and Edward Elric were childhood neighbors who would occasionally play together. However, their bond grew stronger when Ed and his brother moved in with the Rockbell family following their mother’s passing and a subsequent alchemy mishap. As Winry honed her mechanical skills, she took on the responsibility of constructing and maintaining Ed’s prosthetic limbs. This meant that they had to regularly meet up, despite Ed’s busy schedule as a state alchemist.
Sure, they would often argue and bicker incessantly, but over time, their relationship evolved into something more than just friendship. Love blossomed between them, and by the conclusion of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, they had tied the knot and started a family, blessed with two beautiful children.
2. Kushina Uzumaki & Minato Namikaze – ‘Naruto’
Yes, even shonen anime incorporates the childhood friends to lovers trope. In the case of Naruto’s parents, Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze, their story begins when they were just kids in Ninja Academy. Unfortunately, Kushina is kidnapped because she has the nine-tailed fox sealed inside her. Desperate for help, she cleverly leaves behind strands of her red hair, hoping that someone will recognize them as hers and come to her aid. Surprisingly, the only person who responds is Minato, a classmate she had previously dismissed as strange and unreliable. However, after he successfully rescues her, Kushina’s perception of him undergoes a dramatic change, and they form a close bond of friendship. And as time goes on, their relationship evolves into something more – they become lovers.
3. Yona & Hak Son – ‘Yona Of The Dawn’
Yona, believe it or not, has two childhood buddies: Hak Son and Suwon. However, any possibility of a romantic connection with Suwon goes down the drain when he murders her father and almost takes her life while attempting to seize control of their kingdom. In a desperate escape for her own safety, Yona vows to fight against corruption and lend a helping hand to the less fortunate in their land. Interestingly enough, during this journey, she unexpectedly finds herself falling for Hak Son.
4. Yusuke Urameshi & Keiko Yukimura – ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’
Yusuke Urameshi and Keiko Yukimura go way back, having known each other since they were little kids. Surprisingly, their relationship seems to thrive precisely because of this long history. Yusuke, known for his violent tendencies and lack of interest in school, often finds himself in fights. On the other hand, Keiko is more level-headed and responsible. However, she recognizes that there’s more to Yusuke than his tough exterior suggests. She sees his caring and sweet side, understanding that his troubled family life has influenced his behavior. It is their early connection that keeps her committed to a relationship she might otherwise have walked away from.
5. Narumi Momose & Hirotaka Nifuji – ‘Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku’
As kids, Narumi Momose and Hirotaka Nifuji were tight buddies, bonding over their shared passion for gaming and all things otaku. However, due to Narumi’s superior social skills and extroverted nature, while Hirotaka struggled to convey his feelings for her, they eventually drifted apart.
Fate brought them back together when they coincidentally landed jobs in the same office. Initially, Narumi planned on concealing her otaku side, having previously faced negative reactions from potential partners. Yet, she soon realized that she’d be better off with someone she could be completely honest with. So, she decided to let go of that idea.
As the series unfolds, their relationship blossoms into a healthy and mutually respectful bond, centered around gaming, cosplay, and other geeky pursuits.
6. Mochizou Ooji & Tamako Kitashirakawa – ‘Tamako Market’
Mochizou Ooji and Tamako Kitashirakawa have known each other since birth. Their families are close friends and run businesses in the Usagiyama Shopping District. At first, their relationship is a bit rocky. Mochizou used to tease Tamako until she would cry. However, as they grow older, things change. Their bond becomes more friendly and they start spending a lot of their free time together. They even come up with a clever way to communicate using cups and string.
In the Tamako Market movie, called Tamako Love Story, everything takes a turn. Mochizou gathers up the courage to confess his love for Tamako. After some deep thought and consideration, she accepts his heartfelt confession and feels the same way about him. From that moment on, they officially become a couple.
7. Futaba Yoshioka & Kou Mabuchi – ‘Blue Spring Ride’
When Futaba Yoshioka and Kou Tanaka crossed paths as children, they hit it off famously. However, their reunion in high school revealed a shocking transformation in Kou’s demeanor. Along with adopting the new surname Mabuchi, his once sweet nature had turned into something dark and aggressive following his mother’s passing. Adjusting to this abrupt change in Kou’s personality proved challenging for Futaba, who longed for the return of the boy she had initially fallen for. Nevertheless, as time went on, she grew to value and adore the person he had become, eventually leading to a blossoming romance between the two.
8. Sakura Kinomoto & Syaoran Li – ‘Card Captor Sakura’
When Sakura Kinomoto and Syaoran Li first cross paths, they are both elementary school students on a mission to capture Clow Cards. Initially, Syaoran views Sakura as a rival rather than a potential friend. However, as he gets to know Sakura better, his perspective changes, and he eventually develops romantic feelings for her. Their journey takes a temporary detour when Syaoran must return to Hong Kong to attend to some matters, leaving Sakura behind in Japan. However, fate brings them back together as teenagers, and they embark on a romantic relationship, even deciding to live together.
The course of their relationship may vary depending on the continuity you follow, especially considering the influence of Reservoir Chronicles on multiple CLAMP storylines. Nevertheless, regardless of the timeline, it is evident that Sakura and Syaoran are meant to be together.
9. Yoh Asakura & Anna Kyoyama – ‘Shaman King’
When Yoh and Anna first meet at the age of ten, they are engaged, even though they don’t fully grasp the significance of it. Initially, they are just friends, although Yoh does have a small crush on Anna. However, Anna is not enthusiastic about this as she fears her psychic abilities might harm him. As they enter their teenage years, Anna reenters Yoh’s life with the purpose of training him to become the next Shaman King. Unfortunately, her training methods are harsh to the point that Yoh constantly seeks ways to escape it. Their relationship has its fair share of ups and downs, but in the end, they do get married and have a child named Hana.
10. Hatsuharu Sohma & Rin Sohma – ‘Fruits Basket’
Haru and Rin belong to the cursed Sohma clan, where they transform into animals from the Chinese Zodiac – Haru as the Ox and Rin as the Horse. Despite being distantly related, they didn’t actually meet until much later in their childhoods. Their first encounter occurred when Rin was hospitalized due to her parents’ physical abuse. It was during this time that Haru stood up for Rin by confronting her parents in a heated confrontation. This incident solidified their friendship, which eventually evolved into a romantic relationship during their teenage years.
However, their relationship faces significant challenges due to the curse that binds them to obey the family ‘god’, Akito Sohma. Akito, who seldom approves of romantic involvements among the Zodiac members, inflicts severe violence upon Rin throughout the series. This ongoing abuse puts immense strain on their relationship, testing their bond to its limits.
11. Chitoge Kirisaki & Raku Ichijou – ‘Nisekoi’
Nisekoi is like a modernized version of Love Hina, but with some added mob connections to make things more interesting. The story revolves around Raku Ichijou, the son of a mob boss, who made a childhood promise to marry Chitoge Kirisaki. However, the circumstances surrounding this promise are quite complicated, and there are other girls involved as well.
Chitoge, also from a mob family, is forced to pretend to be in a relationship with Raku for the sake of their families. Naturally, they don’t get along at all, especially because Raku has feelings for someone else. But as time goes on, they begin to understand and appreciate each other.
In the end, they surprise everyone by getting married and even having a child in the manga. It’s a story filled with unexpected twists and turns, showcasing the journey of Raku and Chitoge’s relationship amidst the chaos of their mob backgrounds.
