Love between two people is complicated enough without adding a third person into the mix. However, that’s exactly what makesanimelove triangles so exciting to watch. When it comes to understanding, portraying, and resolving the conflict of multiple love interests vying for a character’s attention, anime has truly perfected the art of infusing it into an already rich narrative.
Whether central to the overall plot or simply a juicy subplot, these romantic dilemmas keep you on the edge as you anxiously wait for a subtle clue hinting toward a new development.
Will the supportive childhood friend ultimately win against the charming new student? Will two unexpected rivals finally recognize the spark between them? Will the protagonist finally reciprocate the long-held feelings of their lost love? Anime knows just how long to dangle the question before us and turn the relationship around in surprising ways.
That said, the best love triangles in anime not only playthe classic will-they-won’t-they tropefor fun, but also use the device to add layers to their characters. This makes us deeply invested in their stories. Their struggles feel real, and their heartbreaks hit hard. Here are the 20 best love triangles and the anime series that feature them.
20Emilia, Rem, & Subaru — Re:Zero (2018)
Transported to a mysterious fantasy land after a harmless trip to the convenience store, Subaru Natsuki finds himself attacked by a bunch of thugs. He is saved by the beautiful Satella, who is looking for a stolen artifact that belongs to her. In exchange for her kindness, Subaru offers to help her. But every time he protects her life, Subaru dies and reawakens, returning to the very moment he meets Satella.
Re:ZERO Starting Life in Another Worldhasa unique time-loop premisewhere the protagonist sacrifices everything again and again to save those he bonds with. Emilia, or Satella, is a half-elf and Rem is a maid in service.
While Subaru’s primary love interest is Emilia, she doesn’t really reciprocate his feelings and bonds with Rem because of her quiet dedication and true heart. The series also has a poignant and philosophical edge to it, which is expressed through the complexity of its romantic arc.
Stream Re:ZERO Starting Life in Another World on Crunchyroll
19Menma, Jinta, & Anjou — Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (2011)
On a hot summer day, Jinta Yadomi encounters the ghost of her former childhood friend, Meiko “Menma” Honma, who died years ago. At first, he pays no heed to her, but when she reappears, it only rekindles bittersweet memories for Jinta.
He reconnects with his old group of childhood friends after years of being consumed in their respective lives. As they honor Menma’s memories, thefriends experience old and new feelingsthat begin to clash.
The story ofAnohana: The Flower We Saw That Daytenderly explores themes of love, loss and moving on. From Jinta’s confusion between choosing the past or present, to Menna’s afterlife perspective, the series portrays every character beautifully. What is most interesting is Anjou’s love for Jinta and how he suffers because he’s still mourning the loss of his first love, Menma.
Stream Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day on Crunchyroll
18Ren, Kyouko, & Shoutarou — Skip Beat! (2008)
Kyouko Mogami has her heart broken by Shoutarou “Shou” Fuwa, her childhood friend and crush-turned-popular idol, after she overhears him talking trash about her. She vows to take revenge and launches herself into the idol scene by undergoing a full transformation. But when the industry poses many challenges to her, she seeks comfort in the company of new people she meets.
Related:10 Anime Series That Are Highly Realistic
The love triangle inSkip Beat!is formed when we realize that Shou is simply stuck up because he’s struggling with his complex feelings for Kyouko. Meanwhile, Ren Tsuruga is a model in the entertainment industry, whose passion for his profession contrasts his lack of confidence when it comes to Kyouko because of their past. Watching their dynamic unfold against the backdrop of an ingeniously crafted narrative is simply fantastic.
Stream Skip Beat! on Crunchyroll
17Taichi, Chihaya, & Arata — Chihayafuru (2011)
In her quest to become the best karuta player in all of Japan, Chihaya Ayase finds herself on a path of obtaining unmatched memory and agility skills. She also has her focus divided between her supportive childhood friend Taichi and former rival-turned-ally and transfer student Arata. With their help, Chihaya forms a karuta club and aims to win the national championship.
The heartfelt anime shows how passion for a shared cause can eventually blossom into something more. Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata are three kindred spirits. And while Taichi has always had a special place for Chihaya in his heart, his bond with Arata deepens as they train relentlessly, and his love for a poetry-based competitive card game grows. The triangle gets messy, but keeps you invested in the evolving relationships between the three.
Stream Chihayafuru on Crunchyroll
16Zero, Yuuki, & Kaname — Vampire Knight (2008)
The free-spirited Yuuki Cross was just a little girl when she found herself in the face of death before being saved by Kaname Kuran, a Pureblood vampire who then took her in. Ten years later, she is the leader of a disciplinary committee at the Cross Academy, responsible for taking the Day Class.
In contrast, Kaname takes the Night Class, which housesgorgeous vampire students. Their paths often cross with Zero, who is a vampire himself but harbors utter hatred for his kind and believes there can never be peace between vampires and humans.
Vampire Knightis an intriguing anime series that forges a complicated web of alliances and rivalries to elevate itself from standard shojo tropes. Zero, Yuuki and Kaname each grapple with loneliness and their sad pasts. It doesn’t help that Yuuki is caught in a crossfire between the guy who rescued her and the one who was there for her throughout her childhood. More than a simple love or bloodlust, theirs is reflection on the heart’s complicated desires.
Stream Vampire Knight on Hulu
15Futaba, Kou, & Yuri — Blue Spring Ride (2014)
Futaba Yoshioka is nothing like your girl-next-door. Ever since she was in middle school, she’s dismissed the idea of approaching boys by behaving weirdly. She’s determined to maintain the same reputation in high school, but without the embarrassing moments and clumsiness.
All that changes when she hears that her former crush, Kou Tanaka, is returning to school after disappearing for a while. Kou, too, has transformed into someone else.
Based on the manga of the same name created by Io Sakisaka,Blue Spring Ridethrives on its characters, their quirks, and their journey of self-acceptance. When Futaba finally feels confident enough to confront her feelings, she realizes that her best friend Yuri is also fond of Kou. As seasons change, so do relationships. And the anime beautifully captures the fleeting nature of childhood crushes against the backdrop of an idyllic setting.
Stream Blue Spring Ride on Crunchyroll
14Atem, Yuugi, & Anzu — Yu-Gi-Oh! (1998)
As a fantasy comedy,Yu-Gi-Oh!has garnered massive praise for its characters, action, puzzles, and rewatch value. It follows Yuugi Mutou, a modern-day high school student who is often bullied for being frail and weak. With Anzu Mazaki defending him at all times, his only solace was the Millennium Puzzle. One day, Yuugi solves the puzzle and awakens the spirit of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, Atem, who finds a host in Yuugi.
While the major focus of the series lies on Yami Yuugi and the darkness he bestows upon his kind host, the love triangle only remains a subplot. Yet, it adds layers on the symbolic bond between Yuugi and Atem, which evolves episode after episode. They look similar, but they are two different manifestations, and Anzu’s role as the sole link between their past and presentsustains us through several plot twists.
13Harima, Tenma, & Karasuma — School Rumble (2004)
A high school romance that will fill you with nostalgia for the good old days,School Rumblefollows Kenji Harima, a delinquent who has nursed a secret love for the carefree Tenma Tsukamoto since primary school. But his gruff exterior and jaded reputation only seems to repel her.
When straight-laced Ouji Karasuma enters the picture, Harima is smitten by his charm but is too scared to confess. Both Tenma and Harima channel their unrequited feelings toward something more productive.
Related:20 Funny Anime Series for When You Need a Good Laugh
The anime finds humor and heart in the absurd antics that young love can induce during a person’s formative years. However, within the lighthearted and lively misunderstandings is the ultimate message about discovering oneself and growing into someone mature. The journey of this quirky trio, paired with the equally messy supporting characters, makesSchool Rumbleextremely entertaining.
Stream School Rumble on Crunchyroll
12Guts, Casca, & Griffith — Berserk (2016)
Despitebeing rated R for its depiction of fierce combatand postwar turbulence,Berserkfinds an emotional arc that moves the audience. The plot of the anime sees Guts, an orphaned outcast destined to be hunted by demons and beasts across treacherous lands as he vows to exact revenge upon Griffith, the best friend who betrayed him. After taking up Dragonslayer, a mighty blade, he forges a bond with Casca.
Casca is an enigmatic and resolute swordswoman who harbored feelings for Griffith for the longest time, only to be dismissed by his desire for great power. Through the enduring friendship of Guts and Casca, we get a glimpse into two souls sharing the deepest, most devastating wounds and scars caused by the same person. Ultimately,Berserkfinds some emotion, conflict, and empathy through this dark love triangle.
Stream Berserk on Crunchyroll
11Hak Son, Yona, & Su-Wo — Yona of the Dawn (2014)
Princess Yona of Kouka lives a life of privilege, sheltered from all harm, until her kingdom and birthright is stolen from her by the hands of her beloved childhood friend and potential husband, Su-Wo. After he kills Yona’s father and seizes control, she is forced to flee for her life with her bodyguard Hak Son. Living in the wild, Yona is determined to become powerful enough to fight Su-Wo and take back what is hers.
Yona of the Dawnweaves an epic tale ofromance and action and adventure, which unfolds through the eyes of its beautiful characters. While Yona was blinded by her love for Su-Wo, Hak Son watched his own complex feelings for her go unresolved. But because the fates of Hak, Yona and Su-Wo are so intertwined, the political intrigue, violence, and chaos of war, shapes a nuanced and thought-provoking love triangle.
