Shipping and ship wars in the anime community have been a thing for as long as I can remember. Nearly every anime fan has at least one ship or OTP (One True Pairing) they are willing to die on a hill debating. Shipping is not necessarily exclusive to the anime community, though. It also exists within various other media fandoms. However, when it comes to anime, people are typically ready to defend their ships and die on a hill, trying to prove two or more characters belong together.
Granted, shipping is not just about romantic relationships or liking two characters and wanting them to be together. It can also be about fans’ emotional connection and investment with certain characters, making fans feel strongly toward some of their favorite characters. I am no different from any other fan. I have plenty of anime ships, even if they are controversial, and I will die on a hill for all of them. In this article, I will share the ten anime ships I believe genuinely belong together, no matter what the canon may or may not say.
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Nana Komatsu & Nobuo Terashima – NANA
Although Nana tends to fall for men quickly, his love for Nobuo feels sincere and real when they get together. Nana had gone through some maturing and realized she truly loved Nobuo and wanted to be with him, not for selfish reasons like her previous relationships. On the other side, Nobuo treated Nana with respect and a lot more consideration than her other love interests, like Takumi, ever did. I firmly believe that Nana and Nobuo would have ended happily together if not for Nana’s pregnancy with Takumi, whom she slept with before she and Nobuo were together.
Sasha & Niccolo – Attack on Titan
Next on our list of anime ships is Sasha and Niccolo. Initially, Niccolo was a typical Marleyan soldier, harboring hatred and fear towards Eldians like Sasha. But after his capture, he was surprised by Sasha’s excitement over his cooking. She even inspired him to use his cooking skills to bring happiness to other people. After that, it seemed like they were meant to be together. He loved to cook, and she loved to eat; they were a match made in heaven in the hellscape that was Attack on Titan. Although it is unknown if Sasha held the same feelings for Nicolo as he did for her, I would argue they would have ended up together in the end had her fate been different.
Marin & Gojo – My Dress-Up Darling
Marin and Gojo”s relationship is a perfect example of opposites attracting. Initially, it seemed like Gojo and Marin could not be any more different from one another, let alone have any common interests. Their relationship is lovely because they genuinely support and accept the other person for their hobbies, which allows them to be themselves with one another. Although the romance in the anime feels heavily one-sided for now, I have complete faith that Gojo and Marin are meant to be together.
Inuyasha & Kagome – Inuyasha
Although I initially rooted for Kagome to be with Koga. I eventually saw the light and that Kagome and Inuyasha were meant for one another. Despite Inuyash’s occasional struggles expressing his feelings, his love for Kagome always shines through. Unlike Kikyo, Kagome truly understands Inuyasha and accepts him as a half-demon, and he doesn’t try to make him turn into a full human to be with him. While some may argue Inuyasha’s first love is Kikyo, it is clear that Kagome is the only one who truly loves and understands him.
Spike & Faye – Cowboy Bebop
This may be my most farfetched ship, but Spike and Faye being together makes sense. Spike and Faye have great chemistry with one another despite their petty arguments. Both share some level of concern and empathy for each other’s situations, particularly with Faye always caring for Spike whenever he gets hurt and risks his life. If Faye and Spike had met at a different time without all the baggage from their pasts, I think they couldn’t have had a real shot at love.
Erza & Jellal – Fairy Tail
Erza and Jellal’s relationship has gone through its fair share of tests and trials, but it is one of the most interesting in Fairy Tail. They started as childhood friends turned enemies and later turned into occasional allies who love each other but have not admitted it to each other yet. Although their feelings for each other are canonical, Erza is too shy to fully confess her feelings to Jellal. Meanwhile, Jellal denies himself love and happiness with Erza to punish himself. Regardless, the fact that they are meant to be the same together remains.
Guts & Casca – Berserk
Guts and Casca’s comradeship had a rocky start but eventually grew into something beautiful. His feelings for Casca are profound and have endured so much over the years. Casca initially loved Griffith and devoted her life to him because she felt he gave her life purpose. However, with Guts, she can be vulnerable and have her feelings reciprocated in a way that Griffith never would. While some may see their relationship as a consolation prize, I disagree. Guts and Casca’s relationship is built on trust and deep respect for one another, which developed naturally over time.
Yona & Hak – Yona of the Dawn
The handsome Dragon Warriors constantly surround Yona; it is clear one man stands out the most, and that is Hak. Granted, Yona did not always see Hak in a romantic light for most of their upbringing due to her feelings for her cousin Soo-won. Meanwhile, Hak has always only felt for Yona and has dedicated his life to protecting her. This anime ship is so special because Hak’s undying support for Yona and her mission speaks volumes about how much he cares for her. With Hak supporting her, Yona has found strength and become a more capable heroine.
Usagi & Mamoru – Sailor Moon
Regardless of how anyone feels about Usagi and Mamoru’s relationship and their three-year age gap (two years in the manga), they were always destined to be together. Simply because they are the reincarnations of their past selves, Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion, I will always defend that this ship has no predatory influences and that, given the setting and the subject matter of the show, the age difference is not that big of a deal. So, while I understand why the age gap can bother people, it feels like a moot point with this couple. That aside, I love that even after reincarnation and all of their other challenges, Usagi and Mamoru have always been able to find one another and fall in love again.
Ichigo & Rukia – Bleach
Everything about Rukia and Ichigo’s dynamic throughout Bleach‘s run made me, and many other fans, believe they would eventually end up together. They have great respect and cared deeply for one another. The series built up their relationship so much over time that it felt like they were heading in that direction. Not to mention, Ichigo and Rukia’s dynamic, interactions, and chemistry were much better than Ichigo and Orihime’s. Especially when Ichigo only ever treated Orihime as a peer and friend. However, his relationship with Rukia was more profound than that. To this day, I refuse to accept their canon pairing at the end of the manga series.
Anime ships and ship wars should be fun whether you have one or more cherished anime ships. Ultimately, what matters most is whether or not you are willing to die on a hill defending it. While I stand firmly by my favorite OTPs, I invite other fans to share their favorite ships, too.
