Love can be a double-edged sword sometimes since it can not only make people feel happy, but it can also lead to some undergoing a difficult emotional time. Whether one ended up being rejected, shunned, or hurt, no one wishes to hear the word "no" from someone they held dear to their heart.
Combating the sad and hopeless feelings one can get from these difficult situations can be challenging, and like humans today, fictional characters may have difficulties dealing with it. Therefore, here are 10 anime characters that were friend-zoned.
10 Naruto Uzumaki Was Overlooked By Sakura Who Chose Sasuke Instead
As one of the most popular characters in anime history who ended up in a great relationship with Hinata Hyuga, Naruto Uzumaki is no stranger to the friend zone. Although Naruto marries Hinata at the end of Naruto Shippuden, he was trying to win over the heart of another girl named Sakura Haruno.
Despite Naruto's best efforts to win over his childhood crush's heart, Sakura couldn't get her mind off Sasuke. Furthermore, Naruto knew Sakura's deep-feelings for Sasuke were strong during her confession to Naruto, which Naruto knew was a ruse to get him to stop chasing after Sasuke.
9 Tsubaki Sawabe Looked Out For Kousei, Only To Be Rejected
Your Lie In April might be a romance anime with a heartbreaking ending, but it's also a show that's not afraid to leave one of its main protagonists in the friend zone. Tsubaki Sawabe was the childhood friend of the anime's male protagonist Kousei Arima and essentially held the mantle for him after Kousei lost his music composing drive.
At first, she only views Kousei as a younger brother figure and feels that it's her responsibility to look out for him. However, when she develops feelings for Kousei and confesses, Kousei sadly rejects her in favor of the other main female protagonist Kaori Miyazono since she reignited his musical passion.
8 Kazuma Kuwabara's Flirting Failed To Capture The Heart Of Yukina
Even though Keiko and Yusuke's love for each other in Yu Yu Hakusho may be a mystery from the series that was solved, the same can't be said for the anime's other main protagonist Kazuma Kuwabara. Known for being Yusuke's bully and a hot-headed teenager, Kuwabara eventually finds love in the demon protagonist Hiei's sister, Yukina.
No matter how many times Kuwabara flirted with Yukina, Yukina never seemed to reciprocate the same feelings Kuwabara had for her, though she appreciates his company. Kuwabara may not have won her heart, but he at least got into a well-acclaimed high school.
7 Satoru Fujinuma Was Left In A Coma While Kayo Married Another Man
Erased might be a great time travel anime, but some fans may find Kayo Hinazuki's unintentional rejection of Satoru Fujinuma's complicated affection for her saddening. Although Satoru had his adult mind inside his younger self's body, the hand-holding scene and many others hinted at his love toward Kayo.
Despite his feelings, he'd lose his chance due to a coma he sustained from his murderer, which led to Kayo marrying another man. Though Erased was a depressing anime that had a happy ending, Kayo's decision can leave fans feeling depressed.
6 Taiga Aisaka Was Friend-Zoned By Kitamura But Ended Up With Ryuji
Though Taiga Aisaka and Ryuji Takasu are known as one of the best couples in shojo anime, Taiga did succumb to the friend zone in Toradora. In the beginning, Taiga wishes to get close to Kitamura and confess her newfound feelings to him and ends up in a deal with Ryuji to help him win the heart of her best friend.
Despite the plan seeming to be in Taiga's favor, she discovers that Kitamura no longer has feelings for her as he did in the past. He has since moved on and found a new lover but insists that he and Taiga can be friends. Although Taiga didn't anticipate Kitamura to move on, the anime ended with her new relationship with Ryuji.
5 Homura Akemi Risked Her Life For A Long-Term Relationship With Madoka That Never Happened
Having crossed multiple timelines and witnessed many scenarios where the person close to her suffered immense pain, Homura Akemi never once wanted to give up on saving Madoka Kaname's life in Madoka Magica. Homura went as far as to risk her life in favor of securing a long-term relationship with Madoka.
There are many scenarios after fans find out the truth behind Homura's character that indicates the strong sense of "yuri content" implemented into the relationship between these girls. Although Homura's admits to loving Madoka, Madoka never admits to having the same feelings for her, showcasing that she may value her as a friend and nothing else.
4 Naruko Anjou Stood By Jinta As He Struggled To Move On From Their Deceased Friend
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is arguably an anime that will make fans cry not only for its conclusion but also because of the events surrounding some of its protagonists like Naruko Anjou. Since childhood, Anjou always had a crush on Jinta Yadomi, and after trying so hard to win him over, she couldn't reach Jinta's heart as much as Menma did.
Despite being asked to hang out by many men, Anjou never wanted to betray her love for Jinta. Her loyalty knew no bounds as she even stood by him during his difficulties in moving on from their deceased friend, Menma.
3 Hiroto Suwa Erased His Relationship & Future With Naho
Orange is an anime that features teenagers making decisions that not only could impact their futures but the lives of their friends. One of the male protagonists, named Hiroto Suwa, and his decision to sacrifice his relationship with Naho Takamiya is one example.
Although Hiroto discovers a future where he and Naho have children together, he also finds out that Naho's crush Kakeru commits self-murder leading Naho to undergo a depressional phase when they're adults. Suwa eventually chooses to erase his future with Naho and his future children, to create a world where everyone is happy.
2 Chiyo Sakura Couldn't Effectively Get Her Feelings Across To The Oblivious Nozaki
What makes confessing to someone difficult sometimes is when someone's crush doesn't understand the other person's affectional signs. In Monthly Girls' Nozaki Kun, the female protagonist Chiyo Sakura tries to win over a lover who exhibits those oblivious traits but ends up unsuccessful.
With every attempt Chiyo made toward her crush, Umetarou Nozaki, she'd only receive responses showcasing his naivety regarding romance, mostly because he's not interested in lovey-dovey relationships. Sadly for Chiyo, the only interest Nozaki has in romance is in concern to his manga writing in which he feels her moves are mere content pitches.
1 Kenji Harima Finds Happiness In Manga Drawing After Being Shoved Into The Friend Zone By Tenma
In School Rumble, Kenji Harima has a hard time expressing his affection for Tenma Tsukamoto. Harima's main struggle is letting go of his emotions for Tenma as she already has feelings for another guy in the anime. Despite having been shoved into the friend-zone, Harima finds happiness elsewhere, preferably with manga drawing, a skill he develops to distract himself from Tenma's friend-zoning.