Rivalry is a river that runs deep within the pages of shojo manga. In some cases, it can even be the primary premise of a particular series. Rivalries between characters are not exclusive to love triangles where the characters vie for someone's affection. However, those types of rivalries abound in shojo.

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Two or more characters can be rivals based on their talents as well. In many instances, a perceived rivalry is one-sided. Perhaps the best moments of a rivalry are when the antagonist gets their moment to shine, but antagonists don't always lose. Sometimes, rivals show everyone who's boss and who the real protagonist of the series should be.

10  Ruka Nogi: Gakuen Alice - Two Friends Fall For The Same Girl

Alice Academy Cast

In Gakuen Alice, also known as Alice Academy, Mikan Sakura enrolls in the mysterious Alice Academy, searching for her best friend, Hotaru. Once there, she realizes that the school caters to children with unique abilities known as "Alices," and she has several rare Alices, including nullification.

Mikan reunites with her best friend Hotaru but also befriends Ruka Nogi. Ruka's best friend Natsume mercilessly teases Mikan. Ruka was one of the first students to show Mikan kindness, they become fast friends, and he develops a crush on Mikan. Ruka's feelings eventually lead to a rivalry between him and Natsume. Soon after confessing to Mikan, Ruka gives his blessings for Natsume and Mikan to be together.

9 Nana Yamamoto: Bokura Ga Ita - The Ghost Of Yano’s Past

Nana San Bokura Ga Ita

At its core, Bokura Ga Ita, also known as We Were There, is the bittersweet love story between Nanami Takahashi and Motoharu Yano. Following the pair from high school into their early twenties, the story is also the tale of two Nanas. Nanami soon finds herself in love with the distant Motoharu.

Motoharu spends much of the series wrestling with his feelings for his deceased girlfriend Nana, who died in a car crash. Since his ex Nana was with an ex-boyfriend when she died, Motoharu thinks she was cheating throughout much of the series. The ghost of Nana hangs over the relationship for Nanami and Motoharu until the two reunite years later when they finally come to terms with their past.

8 Tadase Hotori: Shugo Chara - The Would-Be King

Tadase and Amu Shugo Chara

In Shugo Chara, eleven-year-old Amu Hinamori meets Tadase Hotori when Amu discovers she has three guardian characters who allow her to transform into different versions of herself. Amu joins Tadase as a member of the "Guardians," a group of students with guardian characters.

Amu has a crush on Tadase throughout much of the series. Tadase's guardian character is a king because his greatest dream is to be the king of his world. When Tadase transforms, it is often comically self-centered. Tadase is often at odds with Ikuto Tsukiyomi, a boy he once regarded as his older brother. Ikuto's cat-like guardian is the opposite of Tadase's self-absorbed king guardian, and ehen the two boys reconcile, a rivalry still appears to exist in regards to Amu's affections.

7  Kiri Koshiba: Beauty Pop - The Accidental Rival

Kiri and Narumi Beauty Pop

In Beauty Pop, Shogo Narumi is a member of the "Scissors Project," a group of high school students who are makeover artists. Narumi is a beautician who hopes to be the top beautician in Japan. When Narumi and his friends refuse to makeover Kiri Koshiba's best friend, Kiri steps in to lend her friend a little of her "magic" anonymously.

After providing another miraculous makeover to a girl, Narumi challenges Kiri directly. Kiri, who is often aloof, defeats him quite thoroughly. As a result, Kiri gives Narumi a haircut that even he acknowledges is expertly done. Even after Kiri reluctantly joins the Scissors Project, Narumi constantly challenges her. Due to his perceived rivalry with her, it takes Narumi quite some time to recognize his romantic feelings for Kiri.

6 Kei Takishima: Special A - Seemingly Unbeatable

Kei Takishima Special A

Since the age of six, the protagonist of Special A, Hikari Hanazono, has thought of Kei Takishima as her one true rival. Kei beat the previously undefeated Hikari in a wrestling match. Since that defeat, Hikari has followed Kei to his elite high school in the hopes of winning against him.

Much to Hikari's annoyance, Kei often calls her number 2 because he ranks above her constantly. Whether it is sports or academics, Kei always seems to best Hikari. Hikari does win when it comes to how much Kei loves her and whenever Hikari is in trouble, Kei loses his cool.

5  Mikoto Kujou: Last Game - Cluelessly In Love

Hisato and Mikoto Last Game

For Hisato Yanagi in Last Game, his life changes in elementary school when Mikoto Kujou transfers to his school. Before Mikoto came along, Hisato was always top of the class both in academics and in sports. Mikoto soon bests him at every turn, which irks Hisato immensely.

Mikoto is unaware that Hisato follows her to college with the hope of beating her someday. When Hisato suspects that Mikoto is in love with him just as he loves her, he decides he will play one last game for her heart.

4  Sora Kitazawa: Kitchen Princess - The False Prince

shojo - Kitchen Princess

In Kitchen Princess, Nijika Kazami enrolls in Seika Academy to find her "flan prince." The young boy saved her from drowning and comforted her with flan shortly after her parents' death. There she meets Daichi and Sora Kitazawa, two brothers.

Nijika soon becomes smitten with the gentlemanly Sora, especially when he tells her he is the prince she was searching for. When Sora unexpectedly dies, Nijika loses her sense of taste while in mourning. He did admit to not being the flan prince shortly before his death. Nijika ends up falling in love with Daichi even before it is revealed that he is the flan prince.

3 Yuki Sohma: Fruits Basket - Always At Odds With The Cat

Yuki Sohma Fruits Basket Manga

From the beginning of Fruits Basket, Yuki Sohma, "the rat," and Kyo Sohma, "the cat," hate each other. The two cousins, along with eleven other family members, are cursed with the spirit of the zodiac animals. The only outsider who knows of their curious condition is Tohru Honda, a young orphan who begins living with the family.

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Kyo is promised his freedom if he can defeat Yuki at something before the end of high school. Unfortunately for Kyo, Yuki is a talented martial artist. Yuki is also considered by many to be the prince of the school and even has his own fan club. He even shows affection for Tohru, whom Kyo loves. Yuki sincerely exchanges gifts with Tohru and constantly reminds Kyo never to make her cry.

2 Seiya Kou: Sailor Moon Tries To Steal Usagi’s Heart

Seiya embraces Usagi Sailor Moon

In the magical girl series Sailor Moon, it is established early on that Usagi/Sailor Moon and Mamoru/Tuxedo Mask are long-destined lovers. In the manga's final arc, when Mamoru travels abroad for school, Seiya Kou is introduced. Seiya is one of the members of a famous band known as "The Three Lights."

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Seiya is instantly drawn to Usagi and constantly teases her. Seiya's attraction to Usagi is partly due to the fact that Usagi reminds Seiya of her own princess. She professes her love for Usagi sometime after Usagi finds out Seiya's true identity as a female Sailor Guardian called Sailor Star Fighter crossdressing as a man to find her lost princess Kakyu. Even Seiya acknowledges that her love for Usagi is one-sided.

1  Kakeru Naruse: Orange Inspires All To Change Their Future

In the uniquely plotted Orange, one day, before she heads off to school, Naho Takamiya receives a curious letter from her future self. The letter tells Naho all about Kakeru Naruse's arrival and how Naho and her friends befriend him. Through the mysterious letter and flash-forwards, readers are made aware of two things, Kakeru has died, and Naho is married to her friend Hiroto Suwa. The two even have a child together.

It becomes evident to Naho, and those around her, including future husband Hiroto, that Naho loves Kakeru. Although Hiroto also has a letter from his future self detailing his life with Naho, he helps Kakeru and Naho get together. Much of the plot revolves around the characters trying to prevent Kakeru's death.

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