These are so memorable their names often pop up in your mind together when just one of them is mentioned.
It is often that we remember more than just one character in anime. Be it the protagonist or not, sometimes characters have such great dynamics with others that we can’t help but remember them as a duo. Here are 5 of the most iconic cases.
Naruto and Sasuke (Naruto)
Naruto and Sasuke are probably the most famous anime duo. Yes, these two had a lot of disagreements and a strong rivalry between the two — fighting each other many times. However, that only adds to their dynamic: they complement each other greatly, and they’re way more alike than might look at first glance.
Both orphans and outcasts, both trying to get recognized by others for something other than who they were born as, their similarities proved to be thematically relevant to the series many times — and in the end, they remained friends through many hardships.
Elric brothers (Fullmetal Alchemist)
In both the 2003 series and Brotherhood, the dynamic between Edward and Alphonse Elric is largely the same. Two brothers who rely mostly on each other, they showcase the strengths of familial bonds like no others — despite being polar opposites.
Impulsive and hot-tempered Edward is very different from soft-spoken and polite Alphonse, but together they work as a perfect duo. No wonder they were feared by many of their opponents in the anime.
Gintoki and Shinpachi (Gintama)
Gintoki Sakata is a samurai in a world where samurais aren’t needed anymore, who takes on odd jobs but prefers to read manga all day. Shinpachi Shimura is his apprentice, who is much more rational and compassionate — Gintoki’s polar opposite. Together, they work as a boke and tsukkomi duo, commonly found in Japanese manzai comedy.
Shinpachi is a tsukkomi, the straight man, who is a comedic foil to Gintoki’s foolish act as a boke (the funny man). Their perfect comedic pairing isn’t the extent of their dynamic, however: during more serious arcs, they work together just as well.
Lawrence and Holo (Spice and Wolf)
Holo and Lawrence from Spice and Wolf (Ookami to Koushinryou) are known for their witty, back-and-forth dialogue and how well they suit each other. While they come from completely different backgrounds (Lawrence is a traveling merchant and Holo is a goddess), their dynamic is great — and the slowly developing romance in the series is proof of that.
Each of the two helps the other grow as a person, making the relationship deeper. The anime is getting a remake soon, which made many remember how great it was to watch them together.
Isaac and Miria (Baccano!)
Isaac Dian and Miria Harvent are a pair of thieves from Baccano! known for their eccentric behavior. Despite acting like complete fools, they are surprisingly competent — although they seem to have no regard for anything in the world but robbing people just for the sake of it.
They even accidentally drink the elixir of immortality during the story — and completely fail to notice they are immortal until many decades later in the novels. They even had a cameo in Durarara!! — another work by the author set in the same universe.