The strongest anime duos don’t have to necessarily be the strongest characters in anime or even in their own verses- they just have to be the most inspiring and hyped pairs when it comes to fighting on screen. With that in mind, here are the strongest, most popular duos in anime that get our blood pumping.
Maka & Soul From Soul Eater
Maka and Soul are the most underrated anime duos. Maka and Soul also share an interesting relationship as they are not rivals, or siblings but partners in life- and not in the romantic sense. Soul can transform into a weapon- specifically a scythe. And Maka is a weapon maestro who can wield these human weapons to kill enemies and harvest their souls. She is skilled, confident, and ambitious whereas Soul is chill and easygoing but he’s got the drive to help Maka. Together they make one of the deadliest duos in anime.
Midoriya & Bakugo From My Hero Academia
Midoriya or Deku and Bakugo share an interesting relationship. Bakugo used to bully Midoriya and call him Deku. Midoriya on the other hand has always looked up to Bakugo for being so good at everything. They are one of the most interesting and complex anime duos and it shows in the way their character arcs pan out. At the end of the day, both of them use the other to fuel themselves to greater heights. They are rivals but also, in a twisted way, best friends.
Asta & Yuno From Black Clover
Asta and Yuno aren’t blood brothers but they might as well be as their bond runs thicker than blood. They are the iconic duos from Black Clover that both aim to reach the pinnacle of wizardry and become the Wizard King. Both of them are friendly rivals and brothers and their journeys take them to greater heights. Any of them could’ve been the main protagonists of their own show even but alas- we follow Asta.
Edward & Alphonse From Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Edward and Alphonse are the original brothers among the anime duos. They are actually biologically brothers but what matters is that they are brotherly in spirit too. They aren’t really rivals as Alphonse looks up to and relies on his big brother Edward but together they form one of the most reliable anime duos in history. Their dynamic is enjoyable and their story and character arcs are riveting.
Gon & Killua From Hunter x Hunter
Gon and Killua are probably the most wholesome anime duos on this list. They are best friends and casual rivals. What makes them iconic is how their relationship works. Killua sees Gon as his sun and is inspired by him to be a better person. Gon is simply a shining ball of energy and childish wonder. Gon relies on Killua to set him straight and keep him focused on his goals. And when one loses their way- the other helps them get back on their feet and heal. When one is in danger, the other will surely come to help save the day.
Shinra & Arthur From Fire Force
Shinra and Arthur are sworn brothers and rivals and while Fire Force is not as popular or highly acclaimed as any of the others on this list, what puts them on this list of strongest anime duos is that they simply are the strongest of them all. And yes, they are even stronger than Goku. Shinra by the end of the series is able to create and destroy realities and universes. Arthur, while not at that level yet, is still comparable so it only makes sense that they’d be among the strongest anime duos.
Luffy & Zoro From One Piece
Luffy and Zoro share a bond of crewmates but they are probably one of the most badass anime duos on this list. They are not rivals unlike what’s the norm. They share a Captain and First Mate relationship and behave more like best friends. But when they are serious and go all out they are the strongest anime duo in spirit as they are unstoppable by any force.
Naruto & Sasuke From Naruto
Naruto and Sasuke are the most popular anime duos but they are also some of the strongest. They start off as bitter rivals but throughout the story, their journeys bring them closer to each other in spirit while keeping them apart physically. The final fight between Naruto and Sasuke at the end of Naruto: Shippuden will go down in history and solidify them as one of the best-written anime duos in the history of anime.
Saitama & Genos From One Punch Man
The only one who can compete with Goku is Saitama. Saitama and Genos however share a teacher-student relationship. Yet they make for iconic anime duos as Genos constantly tries to catch up to Saitama’s power while Saitama just ends up schooling him on the gap between them every time. Even so, Genos never loses heart and comes back stronger than before each time.
Goku & Vegeta From Dragon Ball
The original anime duos since the dawn of modern anime, Goku and Vegeta are some of the strongest characters in all of anime- period. Except in their own verses of course. They are sworn brothers but also rivals in spirit and are constantly in competition with each other and encouraging each other’s growth- which you can tell from their common Saiyan forms. They set the standard for powerful anime duos that follow them.
- Also Read: Top 5 Anime Series Like Jujutsu Kaisen
The reason most new-gen anime didn’t make it- or specifically any of the Dark Triad is because they don’t really lean into the duos dynamic. If you’re interested in action anime like the ones mentioned above, then check out our list on the best action anime of all time.
