5 Greatest Anime Rival Team-Ups (That Aren’t From Naruto or Dragon Ball)

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Anime rivalries are often fascinating because the characters are competitive, yet still capable of working together when facing a shared threat. The most compelling rivalries blend intense competition with a hidden respect – these characters might clash or even fight, but will help each other out when necessary.

Some of the most exciting partnerships in anime are just as captivating as intense rival battles. Seeing characters who once clashed finally work together can actually be more rewarding than another fight. While series like Dragon Ball and Naruto are famous for this, many other anime also deliver truly memorable and satisfying team-ups that fans won’t soon forget.

5) Asta & Yuno vs Licht

Black Clover

In Black Clover, Asta and Yuno begin their adventures with a significant difference in strength, but Asta quickly closes the gap. This makes their eventual combined attack against Licht particularly rewarding to watch. Unlike some other rivalries in anime, Asta and Yuno have a positive and supportive relationship, which allows them to fight effectively as a team. Their collaboration in the series’ 100th episode is a standout battle, featuring impressive animation and music. It’s considered one of the best fights in Black Clover and a great example of rivals uniting for a common goal. What makes the fight even more compelling is that, despite their efforts, they don’t ultimately succeed.

4) Natsu & Gajeel vs. Laxus

Fairy Tail

I remember watching Natsu and Gajeel’s relationship unfold in Fairy Tail. They definitely started as enemies, but their rivalry slowly became more playful. Their fight with Laxus really showed how well they could work together – it was a fantastic, energetic battle! The way they combined their attacks was so well-animated and the voice acting and music made it even better. They really pushed each other and even with that, beating Laxus was a tough fight. It was exactly the kind of teamwork you hope to see between rivals, and it’s a moment that always stuck with me.

3) Deku & Bakugo vs. Nine

My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising

Deku and Bakugo have become one of the most famous rivalries in recent anime history, and they’ve teamed up successfully a few times in My Hero Academia. But their strongest collaboration happens in the movie My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising. After initially losing to the villain Nine, Deku and Bakugo give it their all in a rematch, determined to stop him from stealing Katsuma’s unique Quirk. The fight is incredibly difficult, and they only win when Deku shares the power of One for All. The resulting battle is visually stunning, comparable to classic rival fights in series like Naruto and Dragon Ball. It’s a satisfying moment that shows how much Deku and Bakugo have come to understand each other, and it even offers a brief, exciting look at what Bakugo would be like with the One for All power. Though Bakugo doesn’t permanently gain the ability, it’s a fun ‘what if?’ scenario.

2) Atsushi & Akutagawa vs. Fitzgerald

Bungo Stray Dogs

Okay, seriously, Atsushi and Akutagawa teaming up against Fitzgerald is just amazing anime. What I loved about that fight in Bungo Stray Dogs is how it wasn’t just cool action and beautiful animation – the writing was fantastic too! Their whole rivalry really drove the conflict, and they were so disgusted by Fitzgerald implying they were similar. But honestly, he ended up being right! Watching them fight him showed how alike they actually are, and how perfectly their abilities work together. Even with both of them going all out, Fitzgerald was a huge challenge. It wasn’t a simple fight, it had so many layers, and that’s what made it so incredibly satisfying to watch.

1) Naruto & Sasuke vs. Momoshiki

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

It’s no surprise Naruto and Sasuke appear on this list, especially considering fights from Naruto and Dragon Ball weren’t included. One of their most memorable collaborations actually happens in Boruto, where they team up to defeat the villain Momoshiki. The fight features stunning animation and expertly choreographed action, highlighting how much these characters have grown since the original Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden series. It’s incredibly satisfying to see them fighting together again after all these years, and fascinating to witness how their powers and teamwork have developed as adults. This battle is truly epic and stands out as one of the coolest moments in Boruto.

What’s your favorite pairing of anime rivals? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-19 06:10