Top 10 Anime Rivalries
These are the rivalries to end all rivalries. Most anime characters fight, and often they fight themselves fighting for the same goal, but from opposite sides. Whether it's fighting for freedom and liberty, to be the best trainer in the world, or just for the sake of fighting, these are characters might be friends if they weren't so busy taking swings at each other.
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Top 10 Anime Rivalries
Top 10 Most Heated Rivalries In Anime (Ft. Clifford Chapin)
These rivalries are the most epic in all of anime. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we are counting down our picks for Top 10 Anime Rivalries. For this list, we considered two people who share similar objectives, but come into conflict with each other while trying to achieve their goals.
#10: Edward Elric & Scar “Full Metal Alchemist” series (2003-11)
Often in anime one has to choose between the lesser of two evils. This is most definitely the case for the first entry on our list. Edward Elric and Scar first meet when Edward is investigating the brutal murders of local state alchemists. The killer turns out to be Scar, on a personal quest for revenge against those he feels are responsible for the genocide of his people. Definitely two sides of the same coin, Scar possesses a chaotic form of alchemy that can only destroy, while Edward’s alchemy can be used to reshape and create.
#9: Shizuo Heiwajima vs Izaya Orihara “Durarara!!” (2010, 15-)
Sometimes characters become rivals for no other reason than because they have nothing better to do. Originally meeting in high school, one of Shizuo’s friends became rather close to Izaya, which resulted in some serious melodrama. This is one of the more entertaining entries on our list, as these two will literally start trying to kill each other every time they cross paths. Best advice, just watch for random heavy objects flying through the air.
#8: Inuyasha & Koga “Inuyasha” (2000-04, 2009-10)
Its not uncommon for demons have rivalries, especially wolf demons. First encountering each other on the battlefield, Koga fought Inuyasha for killing his followers. This rivalry is exacerbated when Koga falles in love with Inuyasha’s companion Kagome. While they become reluctant allies as the series progresses, both demons want to murder each other on sight, despite having relatively the same amount of strength. Remember folks, power isn’t everything.
#7: Alucard & Anderson “Hellsing” (2001-02)
Anime Duel: Alucard vs Dio Brando
For our next entry, we have vampires vs the Vatican. In a world where the supernatural terrorizes humanity, the Hellsing Organization keeps them in check, answering only to the Vatican of course. Alucard is widely known as the most powerful entity in the series, and Anderson is the only person who can hold his ground against our favorite vampire. Alucard and Anderson give us some of the best banter and fights in the series.
#6: Lelouch Vi Britannia & Suzaku Kururugi “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion” (2006-08)
Much like our previous entry, this rivalry is one between justice and chaos. Beginning with their childhood friendship, Lelouch and Suzaku clash when they both decide to help form a new vision for Japan. They each take different paths, as Suzaku rises through the ranks to peacefully change the country from within while Lelouch resorts to violence and terrorism. What’s interesting about this relationship is that while they loathe each other’s methods, they still remain close friends. Friendship trumps everything.
#5: Ash & Gary “Pokemon” series (1997-)
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For this next entry, we’re going back to our childhood. The main rivals throughout the first few seasons of the series, Ash and Gary have always been competing against each other to become the next Pokemon master. While Gary has obvious advantages such as fashion sense, Ash has Pikachu, and a true understanding of the relationship between pokemon and master.
#4: Natsu Dragneel & Gray Fullbuster “Fairy Tail” (2009-)
Top 10 Fairy Tail Fights (Ft. Todd Haberkorn - Voice of Natsu!)
When warriors and mages spend too much time together, they are bound to butt heads. This happens all to often in the Fairy Tail guild, especially between Fire-Dragon slayer Natsu Dragneel and Ice-Make wizard Gray Fullbuster. Unlike the other entries on this list, this is a more of a friendly rivalry than bitter conflict, as both are good friends with main character Lucy. Well we all know fire and ice don't mix.
#3: Light & L “Death Note” (2007-08)
Some of the best rivalries aren’t about brawn, but brains. Light Yagami is secretly killing people by writing his or her name in a Shinigami notebook called a Death Note. L is a brilliant investigator assigned to arrest Light and discover the source of his power. This epic conflict is a battle between two geniuses, with the stakes being the future of human kind.
#2: Goku and Vegeta “Dragonball Z” series (1989-96)
Anime Duel: Goku Vs Saitama
The two most conflicted characters in the Dragonball Z series, Goku and Vegeta have very different ideas on how to accomplish their goals. Vegeta, the prince of the Saiyans, an alien super race, constantly competes with our hero Goku over who is the strongest. Vegeta serves as the main rival for the majority of the Saiyan saga, but eventually joins forces with Goku and the remaining Z-Fighters. Vegeta’s popularity rivals Goku himself, and their rivalry has lead to some of the most intense clashes in anime history. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Ryoko & Ayeka “Tenchi Muyo!” (2003-14) Yugi Muto & Seto Kaiba “Yu-Gi-Oh” series (1998-2004) Nagi & Zange “Kannagi Crazy Shrine Maidens” (2008) Ryuko Matoi & Satsuki Kiryuin “Kill La Kill” (2013-14) Elric brothers & The Homunculi “Full Metal Alchemist” series (2003-11)
#1: Naruto & Sasuke “Naruto” series (2002-)
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The rivalry to end all rivalries. Originally students in the same clan, Sasuke left his village to pursue a different path. The conflict began when Naruto and Sasuke started fighting each other over the same ambition, the future of the Jinchuriki. Their conflict serves drives much of the plot in the original “Naruto” series, finally wrapping up just in time for the launch of “Naruto: Shippuden”. Do you agree with our list? Which anime rivalry is your favorite? For more competitive top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.