All best couples in anime have one thing in common — their personalities complement each other in unfathomable ways, creating a palpable chemistry between the lovers. No matter if their relationship starts as acquaintances or even rivals, the audience can always sense the underlying attraction and emotional connection between anime’s best couples. Tales of romance rely on characterization first and foremost.
So, capturing a genuine enchantment between romantic partners is crucial to a compelling love story. Strong chemistry is not exclusive to romantic relationships in anime — all kinds of characters can play off each other in enchanting ways that spark kinetic energy. However, chemistry in romance is distinctively salient, introducing fans to an idea of love founded on not only simple attraction but inexplicable compatibility of character.
10 Yona & Hak (Yona Of The Dawn)
Despite coming from vastly different backgrounds, Yona and Hak from Yona of the Dawn share a special bond that relies on trust, mutual respect, and loyalty. Hak has been Yona’s bodyguard since childhood, harboring feelings for her from the very start. Even after both became fugitives following the death of the princess’s father, Hak didn’t leave Yona’s side, vowing to protect her on their journey to retake the kingdom.
Hak and Yona have a peculiar dynamic, often bickering and poking fun at each other. The playful teasing combined with genuine devotion and fondness for each other makes Yona and Hawk’s chemistry enticingly believable.
9 Shouta Kazehaya & Sawako Kuronuma (Kimi Ni Todoke)
Kimi ni Todoke proves that toxicity and aggression aren’t needed for romantic partners in anime to have amazing chemistry. Kazehaya and Sawako work great together because both accept each other unconditionally, striving to overcome hurdles through kindness and encouragement. Before meeting Kazehaya, Sawako was a timid outcast, bullied for her resemblance to The Ring‘s protagonist.
Sawako’s school’s popular boy, Kazehaya, was the first to show Sawako compassion. Throughout their relationship, the pair helped one another overcome insecurities; Sawako learned to be more outgoing, while Kazehaya tamed his selfishness and low self-esteem. It’s rare to see a couple with such healthy, authentic chemistry in anime.
8 Isaac Dian & Miria Harvent (Baccano!)
Baccano‘s infamous pair of eccentric thieves, Isaac and Miria, are a match made in heaven, even if nothing about their love is conventional. Their personalities complement one another perfectly; both overly excited, fun-loving, and impulsive. The latter quality constantly leads Isaac and Miria to get involved in peculiar schemes.
Through dumb luck or inexplicable opportunism, the pair always escapes trouble unscratched, encouraging each other to partake in even more outlandish hijinks on their way out. Even though Isaac and Miria are immortals, there’s no way the couple will get tired of each other at any point during their shared eternity.
7 Risa Koizumi & Atsushi Ootani (Lovely Complex)
By traditional standards, Koizumi and Ootani from Lovely Complex do not make a perfect couple. An unusually tall girl and a significantly shorter than-average boy are bound to have romantic insecurities in high school, especially if everyone perceives the idea of them together as comical. Yet, Koizumi and Ootani swiftly bond over their inability to find love.
Their relationship, like many greatest romances, starts as an affectionate friendship filled with shared laughter, eccentric antics, and sincere support. Even after they develop romantic feelings for each other, Koizumi and Ootani remain incredible friends, which adds depth and genuineness to their chemistry.
6 Xie Lian & Hua Cheng (Heaven Official’s Blessing)
Heaven Official’s Blessing is a tale of a love stronger than any other force, be it time, distance, or even death. When Hua Cheng was a child, Crown Prince Xie Lian saved his life, and Hua Cheng has never doubted his devotion to his rescuer ever since. They reunited 800 years later — Hua Cheng was now a feared Supreme-rank ghost, and Xie Lian was a laughingstock of a god no one respected.
Yet, their differences didn’t stop them from developing a connection. Hua Cheng and Xie Lian are capable of seeing past the negatives others attribute to them, protecting each other from prejudice and ill will of close-minded people.
5 Takanashi Rikka & Togashi Yuuta (Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions)
At first, Takanashi Rikka crashes into Togashi Yuuta’s life as an embarrassing reminder of his middle school chuunibyou phase. While the protagonist of Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions has outgrown the “eighth-grader syndrome,” Rikka is still living out her absurd fantasies.
However, their shared past and current differences make the chemistry between the pair brilliant. Rikka’s crush on Yuuta is adorable in its sincerity, while the boy’s ability to keep his love interest grounded in reality without judging Rikka for her eccentricities too harshly makes him her perfect match.
4 Yuu Koito & Touko Nanami (Bloom Into You)
The complex emotional bond at the core of Bloom Into You begins with the shojo-loving protagonist, Yuu Koito, realizing that her fascination with love has nothing to do with the ability to experience the feeling first-hand. Yet, Yuu’s inaptitude to feel the excitement of romance makes her relationship with Touko Nanami all the more compelling.
Stoic and distant, Touko begins to open up to Yuu, similarly set on understanding the true meaning of love. The girls complement each other in their shared emotional insecurities. Yet, the beauty of their chemistry comes from relying on one another to overcome these apprehensions.
3 Hitagi Senjougahara & Araragi Koyomi (The Monogatari Series)
It’s rare to stumble upon a couple with awe-inspiring chemistry in a harem anime. Yet, the Monogatari series is set to defy expectations, even in the aspect of romance. The violent tsundere Hitagi Senjougahara is the first love interest Araragi Koyomi encounters on his quest to rid different girls of the oddities possessing them.
Despite Senjougahara’s frightening aura and sharp tongue, the pair establishes a vibrant connection. Araragi is one of the few who can keep up with Senjougahara’s wittiness, and his influence helps the girl overcome her trauma. While their relationship is far from ordinary, it’s clear that Senjougahara is Araragi’s one true love.
2 Okabe Rintarou & Makise Kurisu (Steins;Gate)
The romantic development between scientist Okabe Rintarou and his stoic counterpart Makise Kurisu is executed beyond perfection in Steins;Gate. At first, their differences spark heated debates and underlying annoyance, preventing them from being friends, let alone lovers. However, even at the shaky early stages of Okabe and Kurisu’s relationship, their chemistry was palpable.
Trust and affection bloomed gradually between the pair while the snarkiness and irritation melted into flirtatious bickering. In every version of Steins;Gate, Okabe and Kurisu end up falling for one another, as if bonded by fate they both refuse to obey in every aspect except love.
1 Kraft Lawrence & Holo (Spice And Wolf)
It’s hard to imagine what might’ve compelled an ancient fox deity to stay by the side of an ordinary merchant. Yet, a bit of time spent in the company of Spice And Wolf‘s main couple deems that question irrelevant. While Holo is far more knowledgeable and experienced than Lawrence, her lover manages to surprise the goddess with his perceptiveness and quiet affection.
After years of isolation, Holo found her perfect company in Lawrence, and their travels allowed her to see the world she dearly missed. For a goddess to settle with a mere human speaks volumes of their connection, and Holo genuinely cherishes the comfort and company Lawrence provides her.