The best rivalries in anime aren’t just about who’s stronger. They’re about identity, philosophy, and the relentless drive to surpass someone who pushes you beyond your limits. A great rival makes the protagonist better, challenges their worldview, and creates tension that keeps us watching episode after episode.
We’ve ranked the greatest anime rivalries based on narrative impact, character development, memorable confrontations, and the emotional complexity of the relationship. These aren’t just competitors—they’re two sides of the same coin.
The List
20. Edward Elric vs. Roy Mustang
- Series: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- The Dynamic: Superior and subordinate who constantly clash while sharing the same ultimate goals. Ed’s impulsive morality versus Mustang’s pragmatic military approach creates friction that makes both better.
- Best Moment: Mustang burning Envy while Ed tries to stop him from becoming a murderer.
19. Meliodas vs. Escanor
- Series: Seven Deadly Sins
- The Dynamic: The Sin of Pride cannot accept that his captain might be stronger. Their fight over who’s number one is central to both characters’ identities.
- Best Moment: Their rooftop battle where Escanor actually damages Meliodas in Assault Mode.
18. Kira vs. L
- Series: Death Note
- The Dynamic: The greatest detective versus the greatest mass murderer, neither able to prove the other’s secret. Their intellectual chess game defines the series.
- Best Moment: The silent tennis match that’s really a psychological warfare battle.
17. Ichigo vs. Grimmjow
- Series: Bleach
- The Dynamic: Pure combat rivalry without complications. Grimmjow wants to fight Ichigo at full power, nothing more. It’s refreshingly straightforward in a series full of complex motivations.
- Best Moment: Their final desert battle where both finally go all-out.
16. Midoriya vs. Bakugo
- Series: My Hero Academia
- The Dynamic: Childhood bully becomes rival when the quirkless kid he despised inherits All Might’s power. Bakugo’s insecurity and Deku’s admiration create endless tension.
- Best Moment: Their Ground Beta rematch where Bakugo finally breaks down about All Might.
15. Killua vs. Gon
- Series: Hunter x Hunter
- The Dynamic: Not adversarial, but they constantly push each other. Killua’s assassin pragmatism versus Gon’s reckless heroism creates a friendship that’s also a rivalry of worldviews.
- Best Moment: Killua’s breakdown when Gon excludes him during the Chimera Ant arc.
14. Inuyasha vs. Sesshomaru
- Series: Inuyasha
- The Dynamic: Half-brother versus pure demon, fighting over their father’s legacy and swords. Sesshomaru’s disdain for Inuyasha’s human blood slowly transforms into grudging respect.
- Best Moment: Their final battle where Sesshomaru chooses to forge his own path.
13. Spike vs. Vicious
- Series: Cowboy Bebop
- The Dynamic: Former partners in the Red Dragon crime syndicate, now mortal enemies over Julia and their diverging paths. Their rivalry is fate—neither can escape their shared past.
- Best Moment: The final confrontation, neither truly wanting to survive.
12. Kenshin vs. Shishio
- Series: Rurouni Kenshin
- The Dynamic: The successor who chose peace versus the one who chose conquest. Both were manslayers; only their philosophies differ. Shishio represents what Kenshin could have become.
- Best Moment: Their exhausted final exchange of philosophies mid-battle.
11. Jotaro vs. DIO
- Series: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders
- The Dynamic: The same type of Stand, destined enemies across generations. DIO’s theatrical evil versus Jotaro’s cool stoicism creates iconic contrast.
- Best Moment: “Oh? You’re approaching me?” The road roller. All of it.
10. Gintoki vs. Takasugi
- Series: Gintama
- The Dynamic: Former war brothers who processed their master’s death differently. Gintoki found peace in absurdity; Takasugi found only hatred. They’re mirrors of trauma.
- Best Moment: Their final duel resolving years of unspoken grief.
9. Mob vs. Reigen
- Series: Mob Psycho 100
- The Dynamic: Not combat rivals—moral rivals. Reigen is the conman who accidentally becomes Mob’s moral compass. Their relationship questions who’s really teaching whom.
- Best Moment: Reigen’s exposure as a fraud and Mob’s response.
8. Lelouch vs. Suzaku
- Series: Code Geass
- The Dynamic: Best friends whose methods are incompatible. Lelouch will break any rule for results; Suzaku insists on changing the system from within. Neither is entirely wrong.
- Best Moment: The final scene of Zero Requiem—Suzaku killing Lelouch as planned.
7. Luffy vs. Law
- Series: One Piece
- The Dynamic: Allied captains who constantly frustrate each other. Law’s careful planning versus Luffy’s chaos creates comedy and genuine strategic partnership.
- Best Moment: Law realizing Luffy never actually follows any plan.
6. Shirou vs. Archer
- Series: Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works
- The Dynamic: A young man versus his future self. Archer hates what Shirou’s ideals will cost him; Shirou refuses to abandon them anyway. It’s identity crisis as sword fight.
- Best Moment: Their ideological battle across the Reality Marble.
5. Naruto vs. Sasuke
- Series: Naruto
- The Dynamic: The orphan who became everyone’s friend versus the orphan who pushed everyone away. Their bond transcends rivalry—it’s the series’ emotional core.
- Best Moment: Their final fight at the Valley of the End, years of pain resolved with fists.
4. Zoro vs. Sanji
- Series: One Piece
- The Dynamic: The Straw Hats’ strongest fighters who cannot stop bickering. Their constant competition hides genuine mutual respect and perfect combat teamwork.
- Best Moment: Any moment they accidentally compliment each other, then deny it furiously.
3. Gon vs. Meruem
- Series: Hunter x Hunter
- The Dynamic: Not a traditional rivalry, but thematically crucial. Gon’s transformation into a monster to kill Pitou mirrors Meruem’s transformation into something more human. They’re narrative parallels.
- Best Moment: Neither directly—but watching them evolve in opposite directions.
2. Eren vs. Reiner
- Series: Attack on Titan
- The Dynamic: The warrior who infiltrated Paradise and the boy whose life he destroyed. They should be mortal enemies, but they understand each other too well. Both are trapped by circumstances larger than themselves.
- Best Moment: Their basement conversation where Eren admits he’s the same as Reiner.
1. Goku vs. Vegeta
- Series: Dragon Ball Z/Super
- The Dynamic: The low-class warrior who surpassed the prince. Vegeta’s entire character arc is defined by his inability to accept that Goku—a common soldier—is always one step ahead. And Goku doesn’t even care about the rivalry; he just loves fighting strong people.
What makes Goku vs. Vegeta the greatest anime rivalry is its evolution. It begins as genuine hatred—Vegeta trying to kill Goku and everyone he loves. It becomes grudging alliance, then friendship, while never losing its competitive edge. Vegeta acknowledges Goku as the best just once, and it’s one of the most earned moments in anime history.
Their Majin Buu fight, their fusion into Vegito, their teamwork against Jiren—every stage of their relationship builds on what came before. After decades, Vegeta is still chasing Goku, and we’re still watching.
The rivalry works because Vegeta’s growth is anime’s greatest redemption arc. He goes from genocidal prince to family man who still needs to prove himself against his eternal rival. Goku makes Vegeta better. Vegeta makes Goku’s victories meaningful.
And they still haven’t had a truly definitive final fight. The rivalry continues.
Honorable Mentions
- Ash vs. Gary (Pokémon) – The OG childhood rival everyone remembers
- Yusuke vs. Kuwabara (Yu Yu Hakusho) – Punk delinquent vs. honorable delinquent
- Kaneki vs. Jason (Tokyo Ghoul) – The rivalry that broke and remade Kaneki
- Asta vs. Yuno (Black Clover) – Magic versus no magic, forever competing
- Saitama vs. Garou (One Punch Man) – Hero versus monster ideology
- Simon vs. Viral (Gurren Lagann) – Enemies becoming allies through respect
- Light vs. Near (Death Note) – L’s successor finishing his work
- All Might vs. All For One (MHA) – Symbol of Peace vs. Symbol of Evil
What Makes a Great Rivalry
Push and Pull: Great rivals make each other stronger. Vegeta would be half the character without Goku to chase.
Philosophical Contrast: The best rivalries represent competing worldviews, not just power levels.
Evolution: Static rivalries get boring. The relationship needs to change and deepen over time.
Mutual Impact: Both characters should be shaped by the rivalry, not just one.
Memorable Clashes: Whether physical fights or battle of wits, the confrontations need to deliver.
Anime rivalries give us characters who bring out the best and worst in each other. They’re the relationships that define series and the reason we keep rooting for both sides.