Shonen anime and manga aren't usually known for their strong appeal to romance. Some, like Hunter x Hunter, don't even contain the concept throughout the entirety of the series, as that is not the focus. Yet, on the other hand, many shonen anime become the subject of shipping wars and love triangles.
Many of the anime on this list are totally completed, whether that be in their anime or their manga. All that were completed have ended with official couples getting together, even if some of those couples raise a few eyebrows and made no sense. Here are five couples that pretty much everyone wanted to see end up together at the end on shonen anime and manga, as well as five that just don't really make sense, yet are still shipped.
10 Wanted To See: Ed & Winry (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Edward Elric and Winry Rockbell were a long-time favorite couple of many fans of the two series and manga. The pair were childhood friends and quite obviously harbored some feelings for one another. Though their relationship started off as argumentative and childish, the two used their behavior to hide their feelings.
As they grew older, they became more dependent and protective of each other, growing softer and softer as the show went on. By the end of the series, Ed proposed to Winry in the most Ed-way ever, and the two have seemed to live happily ever after, having many children together. Pretty much everyone wanted to see these two together, so, when that didn't happen at the end of the original series, fans felt pretty upset. In Brotherhood, however, everyone got the ending they wanted.
9 Made No Sense: Ed & Rose (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Ed and Rose were more of an issue in the original Fullmetal Alchemist. While the two didn't interact much, a few people shipped the couple. The show also set up a few moments to make it seem like the couple actually had any sort of potential. Yet, in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Rose plays more of a background character, only important in one arc of the series. She also seems to be older than Ed, and their relationship is framed as just platonic. This relationship was a weird one and really didn't make any sense.
8 Wanted To See: Ichigo & Rukia (Bleach)
This may be a bit controversial, but many fans were very surprised to see the ending of the Bleach manga not end with Rukia and Ichigo. Throughout the entirety of the series, Rukia and Ichigo seemed like the couple. Ichigo was constantly worried about Rukia, and the two shared a very deep and special bond unlike any other in the series.
The two were labeled "Black Sun and White Moon" by the series creator and were said to be characters to compliment and complete one another. Ichigo constantly risked his life to help and save Rukia in any way he could, even beyond the first arc. Rukia also bounced off of Ichigo's personality wonderfully. She understood every side of him: the serious man, the hero, and the teenage boy.
7 Made No Sense: Ichigo & Orihime (Bleach)
Orihime and Ichigo became the canon couple at the end of the series, which, once again, didn't really make sense to a lot of the viewers. Orihime always showed her interest in Ichigo, but, also saw that his eyes seemed solely focused on Rukia.
This is one of the main issues during the Arrancar arc. Many fans also assumed that, based on the framing of this arc, that Orihime would move on from the uninterested Ichigo and develop feelings for the Arrancar, Ulquiorra. Ichigo also never shows interest in Orihime, both in the manga or anime, so, after the large time jump, it shocked many that they were married instead of Ichigo and Rukia.
6 Wanted To See: Naruto & Hinata (Naruto)
Naruto and Hinata seemed destined to be together since the first series. She had a major crush on him and was always super shy around him. Naruto, being himself, never really seemed to notice. In Shippuden, Hinata constantly proves herself and her affections for him. She saves his life during the fight with Pain and confesses her feelings. At the end of the series, the two get married, with everyone else in Konoha village there to celebrate with them.
5 Made No Sense: Naruto & Sakura (Naruto)
Naruto may have always crushed on Sakura when they were younger, but Sakura only ever had eyes for Sasuke. As the two aged, they developed more of a sibling bond over everything else. In reality, Sakura is Naruto's best and closest friend, and vise versa. The two share in the heartache of Sasuke's betrayal.
Sasuke and Sakura also end up together in the series, fulfilling another longtime ship many fans had. Sakura and Naruto would have never worked, and the idea of them being a couple is just odd. They each know their feelings for their respective partners and respect them.
4 Wanted To See: Lelouch & C.C. (Code Geass)
This couple seemed like it would definitely become canon by the end of season two of Code Geass. However, due to his apparent "death," fans were unable to get closure on whether or not this actually happened. Lelouch and C.C. share a number of romantic moments with one another. They kiss two or three times in the original show, as well, and the moments were always led by C.C.
Many fans didn't know Lelouch's feelings towards the green-haired witch, but, in one of the final episodes of the series, he thanks her for always being there for him and expresses how much he cares and appreciates for her. He begins to walk up to her as if to embrace or kiss her before being interrupted by Kallen in a Knightmare. However, in a recent film Lelouch of the Re;Surrection, the pair finally gets together as Lelouch proposes in his own way. They also have a ton of canon artwork that implies they are more than friends.
3 Made No Sense: Lelouch & Kallen (Code Geass)
Kallen harbored feelings for Lelouch because of dual identity as Zero. However, Lelouch never really showed interest in her outside of being friends and partners. Kallen kissed Lelouch a few times, but his advances were unreciprocated. By the end of the series, Kallen turns on Lelouch, not understanding his goals any longer and feeling betrayed. She attempts to kill him a number of times while still harboring mixed feelings for him. This ship was a weird one due to their hostility and the existence of the other relationships that were closer to Lelouch.
2 Want To See: Deku & Uraraka (My Hero Academia)
My Hero Academia is the only show on this list that is not yet completed. However, based on the direction it seems to be heading in, it appears that Deku and Uraraka may become end game. The two have both shown interest in one another in a variety of occasions. Deku blushes whenever Uraraka gets too close to him and has rushed to save her a handful of times when she needs it. Uraraka has admitted her feelings to herself and the audience and wants to become a good enough hero for Deku.
1 Makes No Sense: Deku & Toga (My Hero Academia)
While many fans seem to like this odd ship, it realistically will probably never happen. Toga is part of the League of Villains and has threatened Deku and his friends on a number of occasions. With Deku's drive to become the best hero after All Might, it wouldn't really make sense for him to end up with a crazed villain who has no issues killing whoever gets in her way. While her crush on him is certainly comical, there is no way these two would actually work out.