When it comes to unrequited love in anime, few things are as heartbreaking as the friendzone. Many anime characters have experienced the pain of being friendzoned, including protagonists and side characters alike. While some of these characters have found a way to move on, others have remained trapped in their romantic limbo. Here are some of the most poignant examples of friendzone stories in anime history.
6. Boa Hancock – One Piece
Monkey D. Luffy, the protagonist of One Piece, is not one to care about romantic relationships, and he considers everyone a friend, including Boa Hancock. However, this does not stop Boa from falling in love with Luffy. Despite openly expressing her feelings to him, Luffy does not notice or reciprocate her romantic interest. Nevertheless, Boa remains determined to win his affections.
5. Nanami Aoyama – The Pet Girl of Sakura Hall
Nanami Aoyama has never hidden her feelings from her friend Sorata Kanda. However, it became clear from the beginning that Sorata would not return her feelings. Nanami falls in love with Sorata, who has shown that he can depend on others. Nanami, who is known for being serious and good-hearted, always pushes herself to the limit. Unfortunately, the arrival of Mashiro Shiina would cause Sorata to fall for her, leaving Nanami heartbroken and forced to accept being friendzoned.
4. Rem – Re:Zero
Rem is a fan favorite character from Re:Zero, but she unfortunately also becomes a victim of friendzone in the series. She is deeply in love with Subaru Natsuki, the protagonist, but he is in love with another. Rem remains loyal to Subaru, even sacrificing herself for him, but never expresses her love to him knowing that it would be rejected.
3. Hiroto Suwa – Orange
Hiroto Suwa experiences one of the most painful forms of friendzone when he time-travels back to the past, and confesses his love to Naho Takamiya, only to be rejected. In the future, Naho marries Hiroto and they have a child, but in the past, she still loves Kakeru, their friend who commits suicide. Hiroto must sacrifice his own feelings and step back, allowing Naho and Kakeru to become a couple, resulting in him being friendzoned.
2. Tsubaki Sawabe – Your Lie in April
Tsubaki Sawabe carries her feelings for her childhood friend, Kousei Arima, but she is never noticed by him. Tsubaki tries to motivate Kousei after his mother’s death and constantly supports him through all his hardships, but Kousei never reciprocates her feelings. Instead, he falls in love with Kaori Miyazono, leaving Tsubaki heartbroken and friendzoned.
1. Naruto Uzumaki – Naruto
Naruto Uzumaki is one of the most famous characters in anime history, but he is also a victim of the friendzone. From the beginning, he has had strong feelings for Sakura Haruno, but she is in love with Sasuke Uchiha, their teammate. Even after Sasuke leaves their village, Sakura’s feelings do not change. Naruto eventually confesses his feelings to her, but she rejects him as she still has feelings for Sasuke. Naruto eventually marries Hinata.
One of the lessons we can learn from these friendzone stories is that matters of the heart can be complicated, and rejection can be painful. Nevertheless, some characters remain determined to move forward and cherish the friendship they have with someone they love. Others, while put in an unenviable situation, choose to accept it, and continue to support the person who friendzoned them.
