The world of anime has many sophisticated relationships between its characters whether platonic or otherwise. Like any good story, romance makes for an exciting theme and is especially unpredictable when it is not a core tenant of the narrative itself (as it has more of an opportunity to make unprecedented plot twists).
Just like real life, many of these relationships are extremely one-sided and toxic. By discerning the worst and most abusive couples to have ever been conceived, we can judge the ways in which their ill-fated union has altered the course of the story.
10 Esdeath & Tatsumi Were On Opposite Sides Of The War (Akame Ga Kill!)
From the moment she laid eyes on him, Esdeath was madly in love with Tatsumi. Their unlikely (and mostly one-sided) relationship was a recurring theme of the narrative, especially since each of them fought on opposite sides of the war.
Though Tatsumi refused to acknowledge Esdeath as his romantic interest, he did display some signs of reciprocation. He told the general when he was returning home, could not state honestly that he loathed every minute of his time with her, and was willing to be with her if she changed sides. Her insistence on bending him to her will was what made their union impossible.
9 Palm Would Only Help Gon If He Went On A Date With Her (Hunter X Hunter)
Palm Siberia was clearly not in the right mindset just by looking at her. She was hopelessly infatuated with Gon, refusing to assist him until the two of them went on a date. Without understanding the ramifications of just how unhinged she actually was, the hunter readily agreed.
In addition to being abusive, Palm was also an adult who was smitten with a child. This was perhaps the most disturbing facet of the Hunter X Hunter series - a difficult feat, considering that the story includes cannibalism and genocide.
8 Gin Kept Rangiko In The Dark About His True Intentions (Bleach)
Though never officially together, Gin adored Rangiku from the shadows. His vigilance for her was a driving impetus to serve Aizen, ironically making their relationship impossible.
As noble as this sacrifice might seem, what they had was toxic because Gin told her nothing of his intentions. As a result, she assumed every encounter between them to be perilous, and given how closely he followed Lord Aizen, it was a reasonable assumption to make. Only after his betrayal of his master would she realize his true intentions - tragically after it was too late to make amends.
7 Sasuke Tried To Kill Sakura (Naruto)
Sasuke's relationship with Sakura was one of the most openly abusive and heinous in all of Naruto. Despite how she pleaded for her allies not to hunt the rogue Uchiha (even though he was now an international fugitive), he attempted to kill her moments after they had first reunited.
Even after Sasuke's alleged "redemption," he abandoned her, only returning to watch over Sarada. Therefore, their relationship is frequently one-sided, with Sasuke rarely reciprocating the generous love that Sakura offers him.
6 Light Took Advantage Of Misa's Feelings To Further His Goals As Kira (Death Note)
Misa's relationship with Light Yagami may not have been as conspicuously abusive as Sasuke's, though it is arguably even worse for the subtle and deliberate ways in which Yagami used her. He coaxed the young woman into halving her life span in order to attain the shinigami eyes, all so that he wouldn't have to make any sacrifices himself.
Additionally, Light's final bid to slay L involved the death of Rem, who was to Misa what Ryuk was to himself. In addition to being an abusive monster, he has no genuine commitment to her whatsoever, demonstrated through his courtship of Kiyomi Takada when it was convenient.
5 Nami Uses Sanji's Infatuation To Get What She Wants (One Piece)
Though not in an official relationship, Nami would often exploit Sanji's infatuation in order to reap the benefits of his lust. Whether helping her in financial endeavors or making food which vastly eclipses the rest of the crewmates' in quality, she constantly manipulates the cook with the idea that they might day be together.
It may be played for laughs in the anime, but considering the lengths he is willing to deign in her name (even refusing to punch a man that shares her likeness), it is particularly sad and desperate.
4 Meliodas Takes It Too Far With Elizabeth Who Doesn't Remember Him (Seven Deadly Sins)
Meliodas and Elizabeth were star crossed lovers who were bound to reunite with each other on account of the curse inflicted against them by the Supreme Deity and Demon King. This not only made Liz reincarnate endlessly but also necessitated she would fall in love with the captain in every new life, only to die three days after she realized who she was.
Though this may seem sweet at first, Meliodas feels entitled to grope her body with reckless abandon, often even in front of friends or strangers. Considering that she does not remember him from her past, this is a grotesque trespass of her personal boundaries - curse or otherwise.
3 Yukako Abducted, Tortured, & Forced Koichi To Reciprocate Her Feelings (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Koichi and Yukako were both students that lived in Morioh. The latter was obsessed the former and even abducted him when he had intentionally tried to make himself unattractive to her. She was willing to torture her unlikely "lover" in order to guarantee his "success" and "put him back on the right track."
When that failed, she confronted Stand user Aya Tsuji, hoping that her unique power would force Hirose to reciprocate her affection. Bizarrely, it worked - ever since, the two have been inseparable.
2 Fuhrer King Bradley & His Wife Gave The Illusion Of A Healthy Relationship (Fullmetal Alchemist)
King Bradley and his wife superficially had a healthy relationship. Together, they raised their "adopted son" Selim, who appeared equally as innocuous as they were.
However, both her child and husband were actually homunculus hellbent on feeding the human race to their depraved father. On his deathbed, the king justified that Mrs. Bradley was owed no explanation since "she knew what it meant to be the wife of the Fuhrer." It displayed apathy for his partner and indicated what love he gave her was only a ruse.
1 Alisa Abandoned Jet Black & Later Tried To Use Him To Her Advantage (Cowboy Bebop)
As charming as Spike's relationship with Julia was, Jet did not share the same fortune. When he was a former member of the ISSP, Alisa had grown increasingly unsatisfied with him until she abandoned him with little notice or explanation.
When the bounty hunter encountered her later, she attempted to use their old flame in order to protect the fugitive she was currently courting. This was a grotesque breach of his trust and one that indicated she had not changed since they last met.