Love has always been a big part of anime. Whether it’s the main focus of the story or just a nice subplot, romance brings a new layer of emotion and drama to any series. Fans love to pair up their favorite characters and debate which ships are best within the fandom. Shonen has a lot of iconic couples throughout the genre, but some are admittedly better than others.
A lot of relationships in the genre portray unhealthy tropes that make them a lot less enjoyable for fans. However, nowadays there are just as many shonen couples with healthy, balanced relationships based on trust and understanding. These couples are the best in the shonen anime, showing that a true relationship is a partnership between two equals who know each other better than anyone else.
10 Asuna And Kirito Have Supported Each Other Since The Beginning (Sword Art Online)
Fans have mixed opinions when it comes to Sword Art Online, and the same can be said about the series' heroes, Kirito and Asuna. Some love them, others hate them, but either way, it's undeniable that these two have a very sweet and loving bond.
From the very start, the two work together and slowly build trust in each other, eventually becoming unstoppable partners. Their support for each other and undying love is one of the best parts of the franchise, and even haters have to admit that they're a healthy and well-balanced couple.
9 Tanjiro And Kanao Have A Precious Budding Relationship (Demon Slayer)
They may not be a couple as of yet, but fans still adore the relationship between Tanjiro and Kanao in Demon Slayer. Whether they become canon or not, the two make for one of the cutest couples in the series, both supporting the other and wishing for their happiness.
Their relationship got off to a rocky start at first, with Tanjiro competing against her, but it didn't take long for a strong bond to form between them. After their initial meeting, it's implied that Kanao has developed a crush on Tanjiro. It's still yet to be revealed if her feelings will be reciprocated, but even if their relationship remains one-sided, they're a cute and wholesome couple that fans love.
8 Natsu And Lucy Have A Close Bond Built On Trust (Fairy Tail)
At the start of Fairy Tail, Natsu and Lucy are nothing more than teammates in the same guild. However, as they fight alongside each other, they slowly begin to trust each other more than anyone else. While fans have often debated on whether or not their relationship is romantic, there's no denying that they have the closest bond out of everyone in the group.
No matter what their feelings may be, their teammates, partners, and friends above all else. Unlike many male and female leads in shonen, these two have an incredibly healthy and close relationship built on trust and respect.
7 Meliodas And Elizabeth Are A Surprisingly Wholesome Couple (Seven Deadly Sins)
Fans tend to criticize the relationships in Seven Deadly Sins, including the main couple, Meliodas and Elizabeth. Due to Meliodas' perverted nature towards her, many consider it a problematic relationship at first. However, their romance is actually surprisingly sweet and wholesome. Looking past the tasteless jokes thrown in, the two share a strong and loving bond that transcends thousands of years.
Everything Meliodas does is for Elizabeth's sake. He fights to protect her and break her curse, and in return, she offers her support and protection as well. Seven Deadly Sins is a unique series within the genre, putting a much greater emphasis on romance and relationships that gives them more depth and emotion than ever before.
6 Kenshin And Kaoru Are Equals And Regard Each Other With Respect (Rurouni Kenshin)
When Kenshin Himura and Kaoru Kamiya first meet in Rurouni Kenshin, their relationship is nothing more than one of mutual respect. However, as the series progresses, their feelings slowly begin to change, and Kaoru becomes a major part of Kenshin's life.
She acts as a rock, grounding him and giving him meaning after his violent and traumatic past. Even as Kaoru learns the dark truth about Kenshin, she regards him with love and support. From start to finish, Kenshin and Kaoru remain as equals, supporting each other as they change for the better.
5 Simon And Nia Have A Tragically Beautiful Romance (Gurren Lagann)
Out of all the couples in Gurren Lagann, Simon and Nia are the most iconic. From the moment they first meet as kids, they have a strong connection that only gets stronger throughout the years. Though their romance is ultimately tragic, the love they share is part of what makes the series so amazing.
Through it all, they never give up on each other and are willing to go to the ends of the earth if it means they can be together. Even with their sad end, the relationship between Simon and Nia is wholesome, pure, and a joy to watch.
4 Komi And Tadano Have The Healthiest Relationship In Modern Shonen (Komi Can't Communicate)
At the start of Komi Can't Communicate, Hitohito Tadano and Shoko Komi seem like they live in two completely different worlds. However, it doesn't take long for their worlds to collide in the most unexpected way ever. Tadano and Komi are one of the cutest and most wholesome relationships to come out of recent anime.
While they currently aren't an item, it's clear the two have feelings for each other, and fans can't help but love their budding romance. Through their friendship and trust, they know each other better than anyone, and Tadano can even pick up on Komi's feelings without her having to convey them. They make each other's lives better simply by being together, making for one of the sweetest shonen couples of all time.
3 Krillin And Android 18 Are One Of The Best Couples In The Franchise (Dragon Ball)
Dragon Ball fans can't seem to get enough of iconic couples like Goku and Chichi or Vegeta and Bulma. But they aren't the only great relationships in the franchise. Though not as popular, Krillin and Android 18 have one of the cutest relationships in the series.
While they may be an unlikely pair, the two have amazing chemistry together and bring out the best in each other. Since settling down and starting a family, they've become an iconic slice-of-life couple and one of the most adorable Dragon Ball families of all time.
2 Shikamaru And Temari's Relationship Feels The Most Natural (Naruto)
There are a lot of beloved ships in Naruto, and while they're all iconic, some work better than others. A lot of Naruto couples seem forced and make little sense initially. While that may be the case, Shikamaru and Temari are a couple that has always made sense to fans.
Since their first encounter, their relationship has built up slowly over time. It started out as a bond of mutual respect between allies, but as years passed, the two became close friends, and eventually developed romantic feelings. The progression in their relationship feels the most natural out of all the characters, and it's no wonder how it became one of the most popular ships of the series.
1 Ed And Winry Went From Childhood Friends To Lovers (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Ed Elric and Winry Rockbell have been close their entire lives. Long before the events of Fullmetal Alchemist, the two were childhood friends joined at the hip. They remained close as they grew older, with Winry even acting as Ed's personal mechanic after he lost his arm and leg.
Throughout the series, Ed and Winry support each other emotionally and physically, both fighting to protect the other. Their relationship has a gradual and natural progression, going from best friends to lovers to husband and wife. They're easily one of the most beloved couples in shonen anime, and it's easy to see why fans adore their story.