The best anime main characterFor example, Luffy, Haruka Sakura, and Light Yagami, don't have official love interests, and certainly don't need one. If anime fans are anything like me, they love finding new characters to pair up with, as it's always one of my favorite parts of starting a series. However, there are a handful of main characters in anime (and other Western shows) who really don't need a love interest.
One of the reasons anime is so popular is the countless couples created by fandoms.Some are mainstream, some are not, but most have large communities on social media, complete with fanart, fanfiction, cosplay, and more. Some popular anime couples include Naruto x Hinata (Naruto), Yor x Loid (Spy x Family), Eren x Mikasa (Attack on Titan), Howl x Sophie (Howl's Moving Castle), and Izuku x Ochaco (My Hero Academia).
However, despite the endless list of popular ships on Wattpad and Ao3, Some anime characters, especially main characters, don't need to have romances.. Not only do some characters not have official love interests, but their plots forbid them from having one. On the other hand, some main characters have hidden love interests, but due to their journey of self-discovery, their relationship should not be developed further until they have completed it. I am a big fan of pairings, but there are some main characters in anime, such as Luffy, who would only be worse off if they had a love interest.
Many ships are not Canon, but that doesn't make them any less attractive
Most of my favorite couples aren't canon, but their fanart on social media is unparalleled.
Whether it's movies, American TV shows, or anime, my brain loves to find the cutest characters to pair up, even if they're not canon in the actual source material. In fact, some of my favorite couples aren't super canon at all. For example, when I started watching One Piece, I immediately paired Nami and UsoppTheir chemistry as best friends, especially in the pre-time-shift era, made for some wholesome, chaotic, and hilarious moments together.
Furthermore, one of my favorite moments in One Piece that made me pair Nami and Usopp was when he created the Clima-Tact for her after she expressed concern about their skills compared to the other crew members. Another favorite pairing of mine is Kyoka Jirou x Denki Kamanari from My Hero Academia. My favorite moment of Jirou x Kamanari was when he encouraged her to take charge of the UA festival. Lastly, Meruem x Komugi from Hunter x Hunter will forever have a special place in my heart, especially their exchange in episode 135.
Some main characters simply shouldn't have love interests.
Not all ships are necessary
While not anime-related, one of my first realizations that not all characters should be paired with someone was the Disney+ series Loki. As a huge Loki fan, the titular anti-hero had to go through a lot of self-improvement/character building before finding love. I was super excited about the Loki series, thinking it would explore his Frost Giant background and delve into his trauma over the years, especially with Thanos. However, instead of focusing on the main character, the story shifts to the love story between him and Sylvie.
However, each of these characters has a dream, a driving force behind every decision they make, and it must take precedence over any romantic relationships.
Back to anime, three main characters in particular exemplify the need for some characters who don't have love interests (at least for the time being): Haruka Sakura from Wind Breaker, Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece, and Light Yagami from Death Note. It's no surprise that each of these iconic main characters has a hidden love interest or at least an extremely popular crush. However, each of these characters has a dream, a driving force behind every decision they make that must take precedence over any romantic relationships.
The Art of Character Arcs (Feat. The Bechdel Test)
A romantic relationship can actually be detrimental to a character's journey of self-discovery.
I've been studying film for years. From character design, to film analysis, to screenwriting, to teaching a high school film analysis course, I've tried it all. One of the main pitfalls I see in character development is need for a love interest. I'm as big a fan of romance as any anime fan. However, if a love story is introduced too early in a character's storyline, it can completely ruin any development they've gone through.
I only recently discovered that Luffy x Nami is a pretty popular pairing among One Piece fans. However, like his friend Zoro, Luffy has only one goal: to become the Pirate King. While I believe Luffy and Nami would make a cute couple, their relationship shouldn’t be explored in a romantic way until Luffy has accomplished his goal. Becoming Pirate King is no easy feat, as One Piece fans have seen over the 1000+ episodes of the series.
Even in the case of My Hero Academia, while the romantic relationship between Izuku and Ochako is heavily teased throughout the series, neither character acts on it (at least until the penultimate chapter of the series, as of this writing). This is because these two high school students are busy saving the world and fighting insurmountable odds, especially in Deku's case. Taking the time to pursue a relationship would take away from the reality and focus on their struggles.
While it is possible to pursue a dream and a relationship at the same time, as seen in countless anime protagonists, Luffy's case is not so simple. Pursuing One Piece is dangerous and requires total obsession. The Straw Hat captain has proven that he will not be satisfied until he achieves his goal, proving that it would be nearly impossible to build a lasting relationship at this point in his character development.
Furthermore, as seen with Light Yagami in Death Note, protagonists in Shōnen anime rarely abandon their calling, and are often better off remaining devoted to a single mission at hand. While Light may find Misa Amane attractive in a conventional way, his obsession with becoming the “god of the new world” has led him to He only sees her as a stepping stone to his goal.
Finally, Haruka Sakura, the protagonist of Crunchyroll's latest crime anime Wind Breaker, has a hidden love interest in the first few episodes: a friendly bartender he saves from a rival gang. While the two make an intriguing couple, I can only hope that the series keeps the two as friends for the time being as Sakura figures out her role in Furin High School, struggles with criticism, and dreams of thriving among the strongest of the strongest.
Finally, aside from the male protagonists of Shōnen anime, strong female characters in all types of media are in dire need of a break from love interests. The situation is so bad that a test was developed and widely discussed in the early 2000s: Bechdel test. This test determines whether the work has at least two female characters who talk about topics other than men or love.
Some of the best anime protagonists are beloved because their stories are inspiring. Characters like Luffy, Haruka, and Light prove that it is possible to achieve one's dreams (or at least try hard, in Light's case). While it is entirely possible to pursue a romantic relationship and one's passion at the same time, anime like One Piece, Death Note, and Wind Breaker are prime examples of some of the best anime main character There is no romance and most importantly there is no need for it.