Love between two people is complicated enough without adding a third person into the mix. However, that’s exactly what makes anime love 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. That said, the best love triangles in anime not only play the classic will-they-won’t-they trope for 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 best love triangles and the anime series that feature them.
‘Re:Zero’ (2018)
Emilia, Rem, & Subaru
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 World has a unique time-loop premise where 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, philosophical edge, expressed through the complexity of its romantic arc.
‘Golden Time’ (2013)
Kouko, Banri, & Nana
In Golden Time, Banri Tada suffers from amnesia, and all his memories about his childhood and hometown fade away. Determined to have a fresh start, he begins his first year of college and prepares himself for the new world, where he’ll make new friends and have fresh experiences. He befriends one of his classmates, warm and kind-hearted Kouko Kaga. But before the friendship can turn into something more, Nana, a former childhood friend, barges in.
Among the best romantic comedy anime series out there, Golden Time tells an introspective and heartfelt story of youth and relationships through a well-crafted love triangle. The sincerity in the moments they share and their capacity for personal growth have an enduring impact on viewers.
‘Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day’ (2011)
Menma, Jinta, & Anjou
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 by their respective lives. As they honor Menma’s memories, the friends experience old and new feelings that begin to clash.
The story of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day tenderly 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.
‘Skip Beat!’ (2008)
Ren, Kyouko, & Shoutarou
Kyouko Mogami has her heart broken by Shoutarou “Shou” Fuwa, her childhood friend and crush-turned-popular idol, after overhearing him trash-talk 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.
The love triangle in Skip 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 with his lack of confidence around Kyouko because of their past. Watching their dynamic unfold against the backdrop of an ingeniously crafted narrative is simply fantastic.
‘Chihayafuru’ (2011)
Taichi, Chihaya, & Arata
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 her 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 Chihayafuru 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.
‘Vampire Knight’ (2008)
Zero, Yuuki, & Kaname
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 houses gorgeous vampire students. Their paths often cross with Zero, a vampire himself who harbors utter hatred for his kind and believes there can never be peace between vampires and humans.
Vampire Knight is 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 a reflection of the heart’s complicated desires.
‘Blue Spring Ride’ (2014)
Futaba, Kou, & Yuri
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 Ride thrives 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.
‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ (1998)
Atem, Yuugi, & Anzu
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 series’ main focus is on Yami Yugi and the darkness he bestows upon his kind host, the love triangle remains only a subplot. Yet, it adds layers to 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 present sustains us through several plot twists.
‘School Rumble’ (2004)
Harima, Tenma, & Karasuma
A high school romance that will fill you with nostalgia for the good old days, School Rumble follows 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 seem 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.
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, lively misunderstandings lies the ultimate message about discovering oneself and growing into a mature person. The journey of this quirky trio, paired with the equally messy supporting characters, makes School Rumble extremely entertaining.
‘Berserk’ (2016)
Guts, Casca, & Griffith
Despite being rated R for its depiction of fierce combat and postwar turbulence, Berserk finds 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, his 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 glimpse two souls sharing the deepest, most devastating wounds and scars inflicted by the same person. Ultimately, Berserk finds some emotion, conflict, and empathy through this dark love triangle.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
