Shounen anime is known for all varieties of anime decadence. This means insane animation to complement its fights, insane fights that use a variety of martial arts and magic systems, and magic systems that are part of fully realized and imaginative worlds. However, if there was one thing that Shounen anime doesn't get enough credit for (and for good reason) it's romance.
More often than not, romance is used to tease the distant future for some characters if not just a tool for some comic relief. Despite not always being taken seriously, there is some elements of romance within these anime, and the fans themselves do more than a good enough job of filling out the gaps. This list will be celebrating all of that Shounen romance and running down some of the best ships in the genre's history.
Updated on April 22nd, 2021 by Sean Cubillas. 2020 was certainly a hard and isolating year for many which is why it's so comforting to turn to the lives and adventures of anime characters. It's particularly even more enjoyable these days to see them in scenes of tenderness and romance that are only made even stronger with loud explosions and laser beams going off on the background. The last time this list was made, it didn't make room for both new ships within the Shounen world as well as old ones treasured within less fight-centric, Shounen series. With plenty of more time these days to watch Shounen anime, it's never too late to reflect on all of its love.
15 Meliodas x Elizabeth (The Seven Deadly Sins)
The Seven Deadly Sins premiered as one of the most hyped, adrenaline-pumping fantasy series out there and plenty of that adrenaline was going towards Meliodas and Princess Elizabeth. As soon as these two shared a look, there was instant electricity in the room that could rival even Gilthunder's powers.
These two have such a nice and sincere rapport that it almost makes one wish that there wasn't political turmoil and demons out there. Despite all of that plot moving stuff, Meliodas and Elizabeth still persevere, with Meliodas always looking to Elizabeth for hope and innocence and Elizabeth looking to Meliodas for strength and courage.
14 Raku x Chitoge (Nisekoi)
For years, Nisekoi was the big series within Shonen Jump that screamed "We're not just about buff guys fighting." This fun, romcom focused on a Romeo and Juliet-esque story with a few tinges gang violence. Raku Ichijo and Chitoge Kirisaki come from competing, gang families who decide to end tensions by having their heirs form a fake relationship.
However, as any good romcom does, Raku and Chitoge's fake feelings quickly begin to form something real. With the added romantic tension of a lost love backstory, Raku and Chitoge always kept the fans guessing but always hoping.
13 Deku x Ochaco (My Hero Academia)
One of the biggest ships of Shonen Jump's modern era is the adorkable, awkward tension between two, high school sweethearts. Seeing as how Bakugo technically doesn't count, Ochaco Uraraka was technically Izuku's first friend and the first girl that he ever got to talk to that wasn't his mom.
For Ochaco, Deku was a constant well of dependability and strength that always inspired her to be her best. The two perfectly mesh together to keep the other growing while also chaotically getting into awkward banter, as they still struggle to acknowledge their feelings for one another. Well, that's high school.
12 Inuyasha x Kagome (InuYasha)
How can one talk about Shounen romance without talking about the series that practically defined Shounen romance? Rumiko Takahashi is one of the most influential and successful romance mangaka of all time whose dip into fantasy and action just created even more opportunities for romantic tension.
The center of that was a lot of people's first anime ship: the spunky and courageous Kagome Higurashi and her bad boy/dog, love interest, Inuyasha. These two were the Sam and Diane of anime couples, and their budding relationship kept people watching just as much as the actual action.
11 Kousei x Kaori (Your Lie In April)
It's hard to see Your Lie in April as a Shounen anime, mostly because people can't see through their tears, but it does embody some of the central traits of a Shounen series and, even more importantly, has an utterly enrapturing romance story.
Kousei Arima was a young pianist who became disillusioned from ever touching a piano again after his mother's death but found the will to play again after meeting the lively and caring Kaori Miyazono. Kaori is a flourishing artist who became even more inspired to follow her dreams after meeting the talented Kousei. Their relationship creates a beautiful harmony, and it's one of the greatest in Shounen kind.
10 Ichigo x Orihime (Bleach)
This is a classic anime that complimented a lot of people's edgy teenage years. At its helm is the stoic, bad boy that was Ichigo Kurosawa whose entire being screamed more edge than his actual blade. In near perfect complement and opposite to him was the kind and caring Inoue Orihime, whose undying support and courage in the series have more than helped Ichigo and his friends on the battlefield.
To give them a special edge beyond a lot of other anime couples, the ending of the series would actually reveal that two getting together, fulfilling a romantic dream that few Shounen series meet.
9 Luffy x Nami (One Piece)
Romance is the furthest thing from One Piece's core. With a series that revels in its imagination and adventure, creator Eiichiro Oda has been very adamant about not putting romance at the forefront of his series. However, this doesn't stop fans from reading into their own subtext and even making their own predictions.
Perhaps the biggest ship that the fans have made across the course of the series has been the historied relationship between Monkey D. Luffy and Nami. Having met before the crew had even formed and in constant pairing with one another in each journey, Luffy and Nami have formed one of the most likely and evident ships within the long-running series.
8 Vegeta x Bulma (Dragon Ball)
Dragon Ball has cultivated a long and developed history that has seen a lot of relationships form within its day. And while the relationships of Goku and Chi-Chi, Gohan and Videl, or Krillin and Android 18 would be great picks for this list, there really is no comparing to the tense and eccentric dynamic between Vegeta and Bulma.
Vegeta is the hot-tempered, self-important Prince of the Saiyans whose arrogance cuts more than his chops. Bulma is the loud-mouthed, strong-willed female protagonist who's stuck with the course of the series no matter how large in scale her journey with Goku has gotten. With Bulma not even fearing the ex-Saiyan leader and Vegeta not having much to combat Bulma's sharp tongue, the two make just an incredibly cute pair.
7 Natsu x Lucy (Fairy Tail)
Unlike a lot of its contemporaries, Fairy Tail really enjoys shipping and romance. It's teased several romances across the course of the series, and its finally before 100 Years Quest seemed near-dedicated to flaunting which ships actually got together.
To stand beyond all the other relationships in the series, the biggest one in Fairy Tail is undoubtedly the ongoing, never-ending dialogue between Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfelia. Loyal comrades that are seemingly bound together by fate, the two have continuously been at each other's side and supported one another since the series began. It's all about just putting it on paper at this point.
6 Yusei x Keiko (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Getting into a little '90s love, Yu Yu Hakusho cared little about creating any ambiguity between the relationship between Yusei Urameshi and Keiko Yukimura. After Yusei dies at the beginning of the series, the only way he can come back to life is by a kiss from Keiko. From then on, Keiko constantly seeks to provide support to Yusei through his long journey across spirit crimes and tournaments.
When the two actually separate for Yusei's lone journey to find Raizen, it becomes a heavy plot point of the two finally meeting one another once Yusei returns. It makes sense that one of the most foundational Shounen series would have one of the most foundational romances within the genre.
5 Kenshin x Kaoru (Rurouni Kenshin)
Another example of an unambiguous and incredibly loyal relationship, the budding romance between Himura Kenshin and Kamiya Kaoru is one that would see redemption and a home for the war-torn Battosai and a new faith in the samurai for lowly dojo owner.
When Kenshin embarks on his wandering quest to do some good in the world, he finally finds a family and home that he doesn't mind protecting when he meets Kaoru. Despite going through all manner of danger and enemy during his stay, Kaoru doesn't shy away from being at Kenshin's side. As another cathartic plus, the two would actually get together and marry before the series ended.
4 Gintoki x Tsukuyo (Gintama)
Despite being significantly more well known for its comedy and, much later on, its Shounen action, Gintama does parade around a long line of love interests. Gin has been shipped and teased with a variety of his female counterparts throughout the series, whether it's been the loyal, big sister figure that is Otae, the obsessive stalker in Sarutobi, or even the unsuspecting best friend that is Madao.
However, one fan-favorite ship that has contributed to plenty of hilarious and adorable gags has been with the series' more serious ninja character, Tsukuyo. A lot of tension has been seen between the two since her introduction, and Tsukuyo, in particular, has expressed direct interest in Gin, especially during her more drunken states. Whether they're teaming together for battle or Tsukuyo is shyly throwing shurikens in Gin's face, they're one of the cutest pairs in the series.
3 Ed x Winry (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Fullmetal Alchemist brought a variety of action-packed, intelligent, and existential spectacle to its fans. The adventures of Ed and Alphonse have introduced people to a unique journey through evil science and corrupt governments that had everyone biting their nails to see who survives. If there was a character to act both as comfort from this and deep concern for having a death flag, it would be Winry Rockbell.
Not only has she been consistent support for the two, but her charged banter with Ed teased a relationship that fans desperately wanted to happen. Not a series to disappoint, Fullmetal Alchemist's cathartic ending would see the eventual and oddly nostalgic union of Ed and Winry.
2 Eren x Mikasa (Attack On Titan)
Attack on Titan is a series that has made fans worried about being attached to anything. Just when people think there's this solid ground to feel safe on, Titans and government conspiracy come in to knock everyone off their feet. Despite this, whatever relationships and love interests that have managed to survive this long into the series are grasped tightly by the fans like the last drops of water during a drought.
The most succulent of them all so far would possibly be between the human stress test that is Eren Yaeger and the rock hard, badass Mikasa Ackerman. They're two kids that have lost so much and seen so much that they would absolutely break if they lost each other. It's intimacy in tragedy, and everyone's wishing them the best.
1 Naruto x Hinata (Naruto)
Sitting at the top of this list is a ship that surprised even its fans. Despite the series having teased some eventuality between Naruto and Sakura, the series took a huge left turn and paired the boy with his humble stalker, Hinata. And as it turns out, the series was better for it.
It's a relationship built on a greater, mutual interest, and it just seems healthier overall when considering the pink-haired girl that Naruto has next to nothing in common with. It's a relationship that was a story and not just a payoff, and it left a good impression on the fans.