10 of the Best Anime Duos and Trios
Relationships are often central to many of the best anime stories. They provide support, security, and stability for the main characters, thereby exerting a positive influence.
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Each of the duos and trios on this list is made up of characters who sharpen one another, helping one another grow, mature, learn, and reach their potential.
The characters on this list are extremely loyal to one another. Some are romantic, while others are simply close and dependable friends.
The duos and trios below are not in any particular order, and the list is subjective.
Here are 10 of the best anime duos and trios:
10 of the Best Anime Duos and Trios
10. Emma, Ray, and Norman
Emma, Ray, and Norman are the intelligent sibling protagonists in The Promised Neverland. When they discover that they—along with their other siblings—are in grave danger, they team up to find a solution.
Each approaches the situation differently—Emma is driven by compassion and love, refusing to leave anyone behind. Ray is more pragmatic and willing to make difficult sacrifices, even at the cost of his reputation. Norman serves as the strategist who balances both perspectives and tries not to let emotion compromise their plans.
They may have different perspectives—which cause tension—but they remain dedicated to the same goal: saving lives. Their dynamic highlights themes of selflessness, sacrifice, and the struggle between doing what is right and what is practical.
9. Lutz & Myne
Lutz and Myne from Ascendance of a Bookworm are business partners and best friends. Myne is extremely creative and comes up with many business ideas, but she’s frail and can’t accomplish them alone. Luckily, she has Lutz, who may not come up with business ideas but is very physically capable. He takes her ideas and brings them to life.
They work tirelessly, even when things go wrong. The two of them become reliable business partners and invert the economics of their world. Their loyalty, perseverance, and endearing personalities are highlights of their dynamic.
8. Bam, Khun, and Rak
Bam, Khun, and Rak from Tower of God are a highly underrated trio. The three meet during a tower challenge in which the players must form groups of three.
Bam is a relatively harmless young man who seems out of his league, and Khun is an intelligent thinker determined to form alliances, not kill. The two form an alliance, but they need a third, which is where Rak comes in.
Rak is a vicious, determined hunter who nicknames Bam and Khun black turtle and blue turtle, respectively. He initially wants to hunt and defeat Bam, who has a powerful weapon, and doesn’t want to ally. However, Khun outmaneuvers him and brings him into the team.
Over time, the blue turtle/black turtle nickname becomes heartwarming as the three become solid allies—and friends.
7. Chisato and Takina
Chisato and Takina from Lycoris Recoil are close friends and reliable allies. When they first met, Takina had been reassigned from her dream job at DA to work with Chisato.
Takina had one goal: to go back to her job at DA. She’s mission-focused and serious, viewing killing as an essential part of her job. Chisato, in contrast, is very lighthearted and enthusiastic. Although she’s also a Lycoris, she refuses to kill, determined to protect human life above all else. The two are polar opposites, especially when it comes to killing, which sometimes causes tension.
However, this makes for an interesting dynamic. The two grow into reliable partners and close friends, and Takina realizes that there’s more to life than working at DA.
6. Loid, Yor, and Anya
Loid, Yor, and Anya are three of the main characters in Spy x Family. On the surface, they seem like a normal family—Loid is a psychiatrist, Yor appears to work an ordinary office job, and Anya goes to an elite private school.
But, they each have a secret: Loid is a spy, Anya is a telepath, and Yor is an assassin. This leads to a humorous dynamic, especially since Anya can read their minds and therefore knows many of their secrets.
As a fan of spy cartoons, she loves to “help” her parents when they are in trouble, and somehow, neither of them realizes this.
Even though Loid and Yor formed a marriage of convenience, and Loid adopted Anya solely for the mission, both adults care deeply for Anya, giving her the family she’s always needed.
5. Okabe & Mayuri
Okabe, Mayuri, and Daru from Steins;Gate are the first three members of the Future Gadget Lab. Although the three of them spend a lot of time together, Mayuri and Okabe’s friendship is uniquely close, making them a very notable duo.
Mayuri and Okabe have been friends since childhood, and they are emotionally bonded. They support and encourage each other and refuse to leave each other behind. Mayuri is sweet and has a childlike innocence, but she also senses when something is off, even when the others don’t.
Her warnings are easy for others to ignore, but her wisdom and caution are profound. Okabe has experienced immense trauma and wants to protect Mayuri from harm. Mayuri grounds Okabe and is a reliable support, and protecting her is Okabe’s main drive in the anime.
4. Naho, Suwa, and Kakeru
Naho, Suwa, and Kakeru are three of the key characters in Orange. In the photo above, they are the three characters on the right*. These three stand out as a trio not just because of their love triangle, but because Naho and Suwa are Kakeru’s closest friends. Kakeru struggles deeply with personal trials, and Naho and Suwa do all they can to help him move forward and find joy in life.
When Kakeru begins dating someone else, Naho steps back out of respect for his girlfriend, even when it’s painful. Kakeru and Suwa encourage each other to pursue Naho, even though that means sacrificing their own happiness.
Their bond is emotionally layered and transcends time itself.
*Azu & Taka are also present in the photo. Although they, along with Hagita, who is absent here, are also a part of Naho’s friend group, I chose not to highlight them because Naho, Suwa, and Kakeru are a bit closer to each other than the rest.
This write-up is based more on the manga than the anime, but the anime follows a relatively similar story.
3. Kiki, Zen, and Mitsuhide
Kiki, Zen, and Mitsuhide are three key characters in Snow White with the Red Hair. Zen is the prince of Clarines, and Mitsuhide and Kiki are his aides.
Kiki is serious and reliable, Mitsuhide is undeniably loyal and has a big heart, and Zen cares about people despite their status. Kiki and Mitsuhide balance Zen’s more impulsive tendencies, reminding him of important truths when needed.
They are more than bodyguards; they are two of the biggest supporters of his relationship with Shirayuki, a commoner, and don’t hesitate to put themselves at risk for him. They make such a great trio because their relationship is not merely a master/servant relationship; it’s founded on friendship, respect, and deep, unwavering loyalty.
2. Hak and Yona
Hak and Yona, the sole romantic duo on this list, are the two protagonists of Yona of the Dawn.
Hak is an incredibly skilled fighter and Yona’s fiercely loyal bodyguard. He is willing to risk his life for her and remains loyal despite immense personal risk. Yona is a princess, and at the beginning, she is very immature and arrogant. She depends on Hak for safety, friendship, and comfort, and he serves as the only anchor between her past as a princess and present as a runaway.
Over time, their mutual journey helps her grow into a strong, capable leader.
1. Frieren, Fern, and Stark
Frieren, Fern, and Stark, three of the main characters in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, make a fantastic trio.
They are vastly different: Frieren the elf is one of the most powerful mages and is over 1,000 years old, yet she can be surprisingly childish. Fern, a human, is a young adult. She grounds Frieren and helps her to focus on the present. Stark, another human, is a skilled fighter with no magical ability at all, and despite his fear, consistently pushes forward with courage.
The three make a formidable team, and they help Frieren to value human relationships and understand that time does truly pass, even if she doesn’t feel it as directly as humans do.
Who are your favorite anime duos or trios? Let us know if we missed any great ones.
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Cover Photo: Photos from this post cited in their captions.
