Anime rivalries have been a staple of the genre for decades. Fans can't get enough of their favorite heroes and villains pitted against each other in heated battles. Yet, not all anime conflicts are between heroes and villains. Sometimes the heroes begin bitter competitions against each other.
The heroes embroiled in these competitions have many reasons for fighting. Sometimes, it involves extreme differences of opinion, while other conflicts are born from simple jealousy. No matter the situation, these heroic anime rivalries are bitter disputes that remain semi-permanent fixtures of their respective franchises.
Updated on February 28th, 2023 by Sarah Martin: Fierce rivalries are still a popular trend in anime today. The best heroic rivals push each other to succeed and to become better versions of themselves. We've added even more fan-favorite pairs of anime heroes who can't stop one-upping each other to see who's the best. In the end, that's something that fans will have to decide for themselves.
13 Hinata & Kageyama (Haikyu!!)
In Haikyu!!, Hinata lost his first and only middle school volleyball game against Kageyama. He vowed to defeat him but wasn't expecting to be playing on the same high school team as his declared rival. At first, Hinata and Kageyama weren't even able to share a gym together, so their teammates kicked them out until they learned the importance of teamwork.
After that, they realized they make a better duo than they thought. They always try to improve their skills so they can one day stand on opposite sides of the net again and play a fair volleyball game.
12 Atsushi & Akutagawa (Bungou Stray Dogs)
In Bungou Stray Dogs, Atsushi and Akutagawa have nothing in common other than they've both worked with Dazai. They always butt heads over how the other views life and criticize each other for it.
Still, there's no denying that they make a better team than anyone else in the series -- and their fight against Fitzgerald proved it. Ultimately, Dazai kept stirring the pot between his former protege and Atsushi because he recognized that they'd make a strong team and ultimately save Yokohama from any dangers it faces.
11 Jin & Mugen (Samurai Champloo)
In Samurai Champloo, Jin and Mugen are both samurai with entirely different fighting styles. Jin is more reserved and orthodox -- he fights by the book and doesn't try to challenge what he's previously learned.
Meanwhile, Mugen is an unpredictable swordsman who runs into battle like a bull in a china shop. He's always ready for the next fight. Though they've vowed to fight each other one day and prove whose swordsmanship is objectively better, Mugen and Jin put their differences on the back burner to protect Fuu as they venture across Japan.
10 Makeru Yadano & Shoko Komi (Komi Can't Communicate)
Shoko Komi is the incredibly shy, but beautiful protagonist of Komi Can't Communicate. Despite her demeanor, Komi is a naturally talented individual – much to Makeru Yadano's dismay. Like Komi, Yadano is a gifted person who boasts a wide variety of skills. However, unlike Komi, Yadano is exceedingly competitive.
Unbeknownst to Komi, Yadano has made it her mission to defeat Komi in any real or perceived competition. Yadano even goes as far as discovering Komi's medical records to compare them to her own. Though Yadano would have an easier time if she simply talked to Komi, Yadano has become so invested in her vendetta that there is no turning back.
9 Rin Matsuoka & Haruka Nanase (Free!)
Rin Matsuoka and Haruka Nanase began swimming at a young age in Free!. Though they enjoyed swimming together at their local swim club, Rin eventually moved to Australia to swim competitively – leaving Haru behind. In Rin's absence, Haru became bitter toward his former friend, and vowed to only "swim free."
Now in high school, the two boys are on rival teams and hope to prove to each other that they never lost their spark. With both boys fighting to one-up each other, they end up forming a competitive rivalry based on their shared desire to swim together again.
8 Nagisa Shiota & Karma Akabane (Assassination Classroom)
Nagisa Shiota is not the most stand-out character of Assassination Classroom, yet his academic drive and unparalleled instincts make him one of the top students in class 3-E. Likewise, Karma Akabane is a gifted scholar with a knack for devious pranks. Although Karma is typically known for his ruthlessness, his world is shattered when Nagisa becomes the more cunning assassin.
Despite their differing attitudes and philosophies on life, Karma and Nagisa find themselves competing to be better scholars and assassins. Both with a deep desire to prove themselves, Karma and Nagisa are constantly vying for the top position among the renegade students of Kunugigaoka Middle School.
7 Soma Yukihira & Erina Nakiri (Food Wars)
When Soma Yukihira arrives at Totsuki Academy with nothing but diner cooking experience, many current students scoff at his bravado. However, when he meets the stern God Tongue, Erina Nakiri, Soma surprises her with bold flavors.
The two begin their heated rivalry as Soma hopes to prove that unorthodox techniques and humble ingredients can be just as powerful as gourmet cuisine. Meanwhile, Erina strives to prove that high-end food is the only food worth tasting. Though they eventually come to an understanding, their rivalry is at the heart of what Food Wars! is all about.
6 Naruto Uzumaki & Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha have disliked each other from the beginning. Naruto resents Sasuke's arrogance and popularity while Sasuke despises Naruto's lack of skills and foolish antics. The two immediately start a competition to see who will become the better ninja faster – with both of them constantly trying to beat the other in Naruto.
While they are on the same team and eventually become allies, Naruto and Sasuke retain their competitive edge. In the end, though, they are both better fighters and ninjas thanks to their rivalry.
5 Yuki Sohma & Kyo Sohma (Fruits Basket)
Since the beginning, the Cat and the Rat of the Zodiac have been resentful enemies. The Rat told the Cat the wrong day for God's feast, causing the Cat to miss out, and making it an outsider among the rest of the Zodiac. Because of this, Yuki Sohma, the embodiment of the Rat Zodiac and Kyo Sohma, the embodiment of the Cat, have been sworn rivals in Fruits Basket.
Although Yuki couldn't care less about the feud, Kyo is bent on demonstrating that he deserves to be a revered member of the Zodiac like the others. Their fights usually end in devastating destruction with Yuki as the victor. Fortunately, Kyo eventually does conquer Yuki when he wins the heart of their shared crush, Tohru Honda.
4 Izuku Midoriya & Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia)
Since childhood, Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo have been at odds with each other. Bakugo was always incredibly talented, with Midoriya lagging. However, now that Midoriya has a Quirk of his own, he and Bakugo have started an even more intense competition to see who will become as great as All Might.
The boys physically fight each other a few times in My Hero Academia, with Bakugo instigating most of them due to the jealousy and inferiority he feels toward Midoriya. Yet, now that Bakugo knows the truth about Midoriya's Quirk, the two seem to have come to an understanding but are still doing everything they can to one-up each other.
3 Ash Ketchum & Gary Oak (Pokémon)
As soon as Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak began their quests to become Pokémon Masters, the two have been at odds with each other. Gary's impertinent bravado needles Ash at every turn, as he fights to one day surpass Gary.
Ash does eventually achieve his goal, but he and Gary remain rivals. They may have each other's respect now, but neither of them is willing to stop trying to become the greatest Pokémon Master in Pokémon.
2 Vegeta & Goku (Dragon Ball Z)
Though they used to be enemies, Vegeta and Goku have become two parts of one of the most iconic hero rivalries in anime. Their opposition began when Vegeta came to Earth to destroy it. Yet, Goku was prepared to save his new home world, causing the animosity to begin.
Dragon Ball Z features many iconic battles between Goku and Vegeta. The pair does eventually pull away from each other, and they even become allies. Yet, Goku and Vegeta's grudge matches are still a sight to behold.
1 Kaguya Shinomiya & Miyuki Shirogane (Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War)
Despite having feelings for each other, Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane refuse to be the first to give in to their feelings. With both of them afraid of rejection, the two Student Council members actively try to provoke the other into a love confession.
With each failed attempt, Kaguya and Shirogane's schemes become increasingly convoluted. They sabotage each other so much that each of them comes to fear that they have driven the other away. While their relationship took a big step forward recently in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Kaguya and Shirogane have yet to tell one another that they are in love.