Watching characters transition from bitter rivals to romantic partners in anime often comes as a surprise. Although, it feels a little bit odd sometimes thinking about it but the dynamic between these couples shows that beneath initial animosity and conflict, there can be a way for love to blossom.

From battles against supernatural forces to personal struggles, these couples demonstrate the power of connection and the beauty of love in the face of adversity. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most memorable enemies to lovers turned couples in anime. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

10. Chitoge Kirisaki & Raku Ichijou – Nisekoi

In a high school romance anime set-up, Chitoge Kirisaki and Raku Ichijou are initially forced into a fake relationship in order to prevent a feud between their respective yakuza families but eventually, they end up developing feelings for one another.

Despite their initial animosity, Raku and Chitoge come to realize that they actually have a lot in common. Even though they didn’t get along at all in the beginning and hated each other’s guts, the pair do end up becoming a real couple by the end of the series.

9. Casca & Guts – Berserk

Being a member of the Band of the Hawk, Casca didn’t trust Guts during their first meeting as she did not just resent him cause Guts was a danger to her savior Griffith but she was also jealous of the friendship and the strong bond the two shared.

As the two fight together, they begin to respect each other and the more Casca came to know Guts, the more she became attracted to him. Their relationship went through various phases of camaraderie and rivalry, eventually settling out as enemies to lovers.

8. Tomoe Yukishiro & Kenshin Himura – Rurouni Kenshin

“Love changes you in ways you can’t even imagine” – the relationship between Tomoe and Kenshin gives off a similar vibe. Kenshin’s first love, Yukishiro Tomoe is the reason why he became more compassionate, leading a life devoid of violence and bloodshed.

At first, Tomoe and Kenshin are forced to hide and pretend to be a married couple, but they ultimately fall in love with each other despite Tomoe’s initial intentions for revenge. Sadly, their romance is short-lived as Tomoe’s unforeseen death separates them apart.

7. Annie Leonhart & Armin Arlert – Attack On Titan

Annie and Armin don’t have an extensively highlighted relationship in the early parts of the story however, as the series ends near a romantic angle begins to develop between them. But before it all happened, the two of them didn’t start on the same page.

The initial interactions of the pair were more adversarial due to their roles on opposite sides still, Armin had a secret crush on her. His feelings were reciprocated by Annie once she witnessed Armin’s empathetic nature and his desire to understand the motives of the Titan shifters.

6. Kanade Tachibana & Yuzuru Otonashi – Angel Beats

Yuzuru Otonashi and Kanade Tachibana’s initial interactions are marked by confusion and misunderstanding, as Yuzuru believes her to be an antagonist and enigmatic figure within the afterlife world. As Yuzuru gets to know her, he realizes she isn’t a monster.

He discovers that she is not the enemy he initially believed her to be. Despite fighting each other and being on opposite sides through the early phases, they clear up their differences and become genuine lovers, albeit for a short time.

5. Villetta Nu & Kaname Ohgi – Code Geass

The love story between Kaname Ohgi and Villetta Nu can be called an “accidental situationship” as they start off as mortal enemies in the series. Their paths cross when Villetta is taken in by Kaname’s group after suffering from amnesia caused by an accident.

Despite their vastly different political stances, and Villetta’s unapologetic bigotry, the two eventually begin to recognize their shared humanity and end up falling in love. Their relationship is ultimately put to the test, but they get through it and end up marrying each other with a baby onboard.

4. Temari & Shikamaru Nara – Naruto

The Village Hidden in the Sand and Leaves weren’t on good terms like the way it’s in recent times and it became quite clear during the Chunin Exams. When Temari visited Konoha for the first time, she was just another enemy opponent for Shikamaru.

However, upon frequent interactions between the two, the alliance blossomed into more than just political meetings. Over time, they develop a mutual understanding and respect for each other’s abilities and personalities, making them one of the most popular couples in the series.

3. Shouko Nishimiya & Shoya Ishida – A Silent Voice

When Shouko first came as a transfer student in the same elementary school as Shoya, he and his friends used to bully her for being deaf. Though Shouko tried to build a friendly relationship, her efforts failed, and the two parted ways not long after.

Years later, the pair once again confront each other and this time it was Shoya who tried to make it up to Shouko for his past mistakes. After seeing how hard he is trying to make amends, Shouko begins to develop a more healthy and positive relationship with his past bully.

2. Bulma & Vegeta – Dragon Ball

While on one hand there’s a perfectly suited couple like Goku and Chi-Chi in “Dragon Ball”, there’s an unlikely pair like Vegeta and Bulma on the other. Vegeta was initially introduced as a ruthless Saiyan prince who despised the human race, including the lovely Bulma.

Thanks to the early conflicts caused by Vegeta on Earth, Bulma didn’t like him at all but once he stopped being so villainous, she was able to see the good in him. It took a couple of years for the pair to live together and better their relationship with their children, Trunks and Bulla.

1. Levy McGarden & Gajeel Redfox – Fairy Tail

As a member of Fairy Tail’s enemy guild, Gajeel outright attacked Levy and her guildmates during their first encounter. But, soon after his joining as a Fairy Tail member, Levy learns to forgive him which made it clear that they’re going to be romantic lovers sooner or later.

As Gajeel spent more time with Levy, he started to show a more compassionate and protective side. The two grew closer together and shared heartfelt moments, eventually becoming one of the best enemies to lovers turned couples in anime.

Which one of the following enemies to lovers turned couples in anime is your favorite? Feel free to comment down your thoughts and make sure to recommend some other couples like the ones listed above, also don’t forget to share this article with your fellow otaku friends.

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