30 Best Anime About Friendship Everyone Needs to Watch
In this article, we will be highlighting some of the best anime about friendship that everyone needs to watch. From classic series to newer releases, these anime will show you the power of friendship and how it can change lives. So grab a friend, or watch alone and get ready to be touched by the power of friendship.
Anime is known for its diverse range of stories and themes, one of which is friendship. Whether it’s about a group of friends overcoming obstacles together or the bond between two unlikely companions, anime has a way of capturing the essence of true friendship in a way that is both heartwarming and inspiring.
Discover below a selection of anime featuring some of the most memorable friendships.
Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends
Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends, also known as Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, is anime based on a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Yomi Hirasaka. The story follows a high school student named Kodaka Hasegawa, who is new to his school and has trouble making friends. He eventually meets a girl named Yozora Mikazuki, who is also struggling to make friends. Together, they decide to start a club called the “Neighbors Club” in order to make friends and learn social skills.
Throughout the anime, the main characters, Kodaka and Yozora, along with the other members of the Neighbors Club, learn about the importance of friendship and how to build and maintain healthy relationships. They also confront their own personal issues and insecurities and learn to accept and support each other despite their flaws. The series explores themes such as loneliness, isolation, and the challenges of fitting in. It’s a very relatable anime for those who have trouble making friends and it makes you feel that you are not alone.
One Week Friends
One Week Friends is a Japanese anime and manga series written and illustrated by Matcha Hazuki. The story follows a high school student named Yuuki Hase, who is determined to become friends with a girl named Kaori Fujimiya. Kaori has a strange condition where she loses all memories of her friends every Monday. Despite this, Yuuki is determined to become friends with Kaori and make her memories last at least one week.
Throughout the anime, Yuuki and Kaori’s friendship slowly develops as they spend more time together. As Yuuki helps Kaori to overcome her condition, Kaori learns to open up and trust him. They also meet other characters who have a different perspectives on friendship and how to cope with the feeling of being alone.
Pandora Hearts
Pandora Hearts is a Japanese fantasy anime and manga series written and illustrated by Jun Mochizuki. The story follows a young boy named Oz Vessalius, who is thrown into the prison-like realm of the Abyss after being falsely accused of a crime. While in the Abyss, he meets a mysterious girl named Alice and a group of individuals known as “Chain” who are able to wield special powers. Together, they set out on a journey to uncover the truth behind Oz’s imprisonment and the secrets of the Abyss.
Throughout the anime, Oz and Alice’s friendship is a central theme. As Oz learns about the truth of his past and the true nature of the Abyss, he also learns about the true meaning of friendship and trust. Oz also forms other friendships with characters such as Gilbert, who becomes his loyal valet and protector and Break, who becomes his mentor and friend. These friendships play a critical role in helping Oz to understand the truth about himself and his role in the world.
Honey and Clover
Honey and Clover is a Japanese anime manga series written and illustrated by Chica Umino. The story follows a group of art school students and their experiences with love, friendship, and growing up. The main characters include Takemoto, a hardworking and determined art student; Morita, a laid-back and carefree senior; and Mayama, a talented but conflicted senior. The series also follows the relationship between Takemoto and Hagumi, a shy and talented freshman who becomes close friends with the group.
Throughout the anime, the friendships between the main characters are central to the story. They support each other through their struggles with love, career, and personal growth. The anime explores themes such as the complexities of romantic relationships, the uncertainty of the future, and the importance of staying true to oneself. It’s a realistic and relatable anime that will make you think about the nature of friendship, love, and the passage of time.
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is a Japanese anime television series produced by A-1 Pictures. The story follows a group of six childhood friends who have grown apart after the death of one of their own, Menma. Years later, the main character Jinta, who has withdrawn from society, starts seeing Menma’s ghost and is convinced that she has a wish that he must fulfill in order to move on. He then reunites with the rest of the group to help Menma’s ghost fulfill her wish.
Throughout the anime, the friendships between the main characters are central to the story. The group’s dynamic is complicated by their grief over Menma’s death and their guilt over how they treated her while she was alive. As they work together to help Menma’s ghost, they also work through their unresolved feelings and learn to forgive each other and themselves.
A Lull in the Sea
A Lull in the Sea, also known as Nagi no Asukara, is a Japanese anime television series produced by P.A. Works. The story is set in a world where humans live in towns above the sea and sea people live in villages below the sea. The main characters are a group of friends, half of whom are sea people and half of whom are land people, who attend the same school together. The series explores the conflicts and challenges that arise from the differences between the two cultures, as well as the friendships and romantic relationships that develop between the characters.
It’s a thought-provoking anime that will make you reflect on the nature of friendship and how we can bridge the gap between different cultures and perspectives.
Naruto
Naruto is a Japanese anime and manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The story is set in a world where countries are protected by ninja warriors. The main character, Naruto Uzumaki, is a young ninja who seeks recognition from his peers and dreams of becoming the leader of his village. The series follows his journey as he trains and grows stronger, and also develops friendships and rivalries with other characters in the village.
Naruto forms close bonds with his teammates Sasuke and Sakura, as well as with other characters like Kakashi, his sensei, and Iruka, his caretaker. These friendships play a critical role in helping Naruto to become a better ninja and a better person.
Oremonogatari
Ore Monogatari!! is a shoujo romantic comedy anime and manga series written and illustrated by Kazune Kawahara. The story follows the life of Takeo Gōda, a high school student who is often mistaken for a delinquent due to his intimidating appearance, but is actually a kind-hearted and caring person. Takeo’s best friend is Sunakawa Makoto, known as “Suna,” a popular and attractive student who is admired by many girls. The story mainly focuses on Takeo’s relationship with Rinko Yamato, a girl who falls in love with him, and how their love story develops, with the support and friendship of Suna.
Throughout the anime, the friendship between Takeo and Suna is a central theme. They have been friends since childhood and have a strong bond of trust and loyalty. Suna is always there to support and advise Takeo, and their friendship is a source of strength and inspiration for Takeo.
Grand Blue
Grand Blue is a Japanese anime and manga series written and illustrated by Kenji Inoue and Kimitake Yoshioka. The story follows Iori Kitahara, a college student who moves to the coastal city of Izu to attend college, and his experiences with the members of the diving club, “Grand Blue.” The series is a mix of comedy and slice of life, and it centers around the friendships and hijinks of the club’s members and the protagonist, as they experience the college life, diving, and all the other things that comes along with it.
Throughout the anime, the friendships between the main characters are central to the story. Iori forms close bonds with his fellow club members, such as Chisa, Tomo, and Kotobuki, and they support each other through their adventures and misadventures. The anime explores themes such as the excitement of college life, the joy of friendship, and the beauty of the ocean and diving.
Iroduku: The World in Colors
Iroduku: The World in Colors, also known as “Iroduku Sekai no Ashita kara” is a Japanese anime series produced by P.A. Works. The story is set in a fantasy world where magic is used to manipulate memories and emotions. The main character, Hitomi Tsukishiro, is a girl who has lost her ability to see colors and her passion for art. She is sent to the past, where she meets her grandmother and her friends, who are all able to wield magic. Together, they help Hitomi to regain her ability to see colors and to find her passion for art again.
Throughout the anime, the friendships between the main characters are central to the story. Hitomi forms close bonds with her grandmother and her friends, as they support each other through their struggles with magic, memories and emotions.
Bakuman
Bakuman is a Japanese anime and manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The story follows two high school students, Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi, as they set out to become successful manga artists. They work together to create a manga series and submit it to a publisher, while also facing competition and challenges along the way. The anime also explores their friendships and relationships with other characters in the manga industry.
Throughout the anime, the friendship and partnership between Moritaka and Akito is a central theme. They support each other through their struggles with creative differences, deadlines, and rejections. They also form other friendships with characters such as Eiji and Kaya, who also work in the manga industry and help them to develop their skills and gain success.
Rainbow Days
Rainbow Days is a Japanese shōjo anime and manga series written and illustrated by Minami Mizuno. The story follows a group of four high school friends, Natsuki, Tomoya, Keiichi, and Tsuyoshi, as they navigate their way through love and friendship. Each of them has their own unique personality and they are trying to find their place in the world, as well as dealing with their own personal problems. The manga centers around the romantic relationships and the friendships of these four friends, as they experience the ups and downs of teenage life.
Throughout the anime, the friendships between the main characters are central to the story. They support each other through their romantic struggles, personal issues and the process of growing up. The anime explores themes such as the complexity of teenage love, the importance of communication and understanding in friendship and the joys and struggles of growing up. It’s a light-hearted and funny anime that will make you laugh, cry and relate to the struggles of teenage life. It’s a heartwarming anime that shows the beauty of friendship, how it can be complicated and how it can change over time.
Inazuma 11
Inazuma Eleven is a Japanese manga and anime series about soccer, created by Level-5. The story follows a group of high school students who form a soccer team in order to compete in a national tournament and ultimately become the best soccer team in Japan. The main character, Endou Mamoru, is a determined and passionate goalkeeper who is determined to lead his team to victory. Throughout the series, the team faces many challenges and rival teams, but through teamwork and friendship, they are able to overcome them.
The team members support each other and work together to improve their skills and strategies, as well as to overcome personal obstacles. The anime explores themes such as the power of teamwork, the importance of friendship and perseverance, and the joy of competition.
Yuru Camp
Yuru Camp, also known as “Laid-Back Camp” is a Japanese manga and anime series about camping and outdoor activities. The story follows a group of high school girls who enjoy camping, and their experiences as they explore the great outdoors, discover new places and make new friends. The main character, Nadeshiko Kagamihara, is a girl who is new to camping and is looking for a way to connect with nature and meet new people. Along the way, she meets Rin, a skilled camper and the two of them form a strong friendship as they explore the outdoors together.
Nadeshiko and Rin, as well as the other girls, support each other through their struggles and challenges as they learn new skills and discover new places. The anime explores themes such as the beauty of nature, the joy of outdoor activities, and the importance of friendship and teamwork.
Bungo Stray Dogs
Bungo Stray Dogs is a Japanese manga and anime series that combines elements of mystery and the supernatural. The story is set in a world where certain people possess supernatural abilities called “abilities.” The main character, Atsushi Nakajima, is a young man who has the ability to turn into a white tiger and is taken in by a group of detectives known as the “Armed Detective Agency.” They are a group of people with supernatural abilities who use their powers to solve cases that the police can’t.
Atsushi forms close bonds with the members of the Agency, such as Dazai and Akiko, as they support each other through their cases and personal struggles.
One Piece
One Piece is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Eiichiro Oda. The story follows a young pirate named Monkey D. Luffy and his diverse crew of Pirates, named the Straw Hat Pirates as they travel the Grand Line in search of the world’s ultimate treasure known as “One Piece” and to become the Pirate King. Along the way, they encounter and fight against other pirates, bounty hunters, revolutionary armies, and various other threats.
Luffy forms close bonds with each member of his crew, such as Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky, and Brook, as they support each other through their adventures and personal struggles.
KonoSuba: God’s Blessing On This Wonderful World!
KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! is a Japanese light novel and anime series that blends elements of fantasy and comedy. The story follows Kazuma Satō, a shut-in who is transported to a fantasy world after his death, and his party of misfits, including the goddess Aqua, the crusader Kazuma, the mage Megumin, and the thief Darkness, as they go on adventures and try to save the world while also dealing with their own personal issues.
Kazuma forms close bonds with each member of his party, as they support each other through their adventures and personal struggles. It’s a comedy and fantasy anime that will make you laugh while also having a strong message of friendship and the power of teamwork.
Handa-kun
Handa-kun is a Japanese manga and anime series that is a prequel to the series “Barakamon” created by Satsuki Yoshino. The series follows the high school life of Seishuu Handa, an artist who is also a calligrapher and how he deals with his classmates and friends. The story mainly centers around his relationships with his classmates and how he interacts with them, while also showing his struggles as an artist.
Handa forms close bonds with his classmates, such as the class rep Tamao Suzumi, the delinquent Naru Kotoishi, and the student council president Junichi Aizawa. They support each other through their struggles and personal issues. The anime explores themes such as the power of friendship, the importance of trust and loyalty, and the pursuit of one’s passion. It’s a comedy and slice of life anime that will make you laugh and relate to the struggles of teenage life. It’s a heartwarming anime that shows the beauty of friendship, how it can form in unexpected places and how it can make the experience of high school more enjoyable.
A Place Further Than The Universe
A Place Further Than The Universe is a Japanese anime series produced by Madhouse. The story follows four high school girls, Mari Tamaki, Shirase Kobuchizawa, Hinata Miyake, and Yuzuki Shiraishi, as they set out on an adventure to Antarctica in search of Shirase’s mother who went missing there. Along the way, they face many challenges and obstacles, but through their friendship and determination, they are able to overcome them.
The girls support each other through their struggles and personal issues, as they work together to achieve their goal of finding Shirase’s mother. The anime explores themes such as the power of friendship, the importance of determination and perseverance, and the beauty of the unknown. It’s a coming-of-age and adventure anime that will make you reflect on the importance of following your dreams, the beauty of friendship and how it can help you to achieve your goals.
Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is a Japanese anime series created by Shinichirō Watanabe. The story is set in the year 2071, where humanity has colonized several of the planets and moons in the Solar System, and follows the lives of a bounty hunter crew traveling on their spaceship, the Bebop. The main character, Spike Spiegel, is a skilled bounty hunter and martial artist who is joined by his partner, Jet Black, and a diverse cast of characters as they chase criminals and bounties while also dealing with their own personal issues.
Spike forms close bonds with Jet and the other members of the Bebop crew, such as Faye Valentine, Edward Wong and Ein, as they support each other through their adventures and personal struggles. The anime explores themes such as the pursuit of freedom, the importance of trust and loyalty, and the cost of living in a dangerous and unpredictable world. It’s a blend of sci-fi and noir anime that will keep you on the edge of your seat while also having a strong message of friendship and the importance of having a crew to rely on in a dangerous and unpredictable world.
From the New World
From the New World, also known as “Shinsekai yori” is a Japanese anime series produced by A-1 Pictures. The story is set in a future where humanity has developed psychic abilities and follows a group of friends, Saki Watanabe, Satoru Asahina, Maria Akizuki, and Mamoru Itō, as they navigate through the challenges of growing up and living in a society where their powers are both a blessing and a curse. They also uncover the dark secrets of their world and their powers, as they grow and learn about their own abilities and the true nature of their society.
Saki and her friends support each other through their struggles and personal issues, as they work together to uncover the secrets of their world and their powers. The anime explores themes such as the power of friendship, the importance of trust and loyalty, and the cost of living in a society where one’s abilities are both a blessing and a curse. It’s a coming of age and psychological anime that will make you reflect on the importance of trust, loyalty, and the power of friendship in the face of adversity.
ORESUKI Are you the only one who loves me?
ORESUKI: Are You the Only One Who Loves Me? is a Japanese light novel and anime series that combines elements of comedy and romance. The story follows Jōjirō Arima, a high school student who is asked out by a girl he likes, but finds out that she only wants to use him to make her ex-boyfriend jealous. He then makes a plan to make her fall in love with him for real, but things don’t go as planned and he ends up getting involved in a love triangle.
Jōjirō forms close bonds with his classmates, such as Sun-chan, Hose and Asumi, as they support each other through their romantic struggles and personal issues.
Natsume’s Book of Friends
Natsume’s Book of Friends, also known as “Natsume Yujin-cho” is a Japanese anime and manga series created by Yuki Midorikawa. The story follows Natsume Takashi, a teenage boy who can see spirits and has inherited a book from his grandmother, Reiko, that contains the names of spirits she defeated and enslaved. Natsume embarks on a journey to free the spirits by returning their names to them, he also makes new friends in both the human and spirit world.
Natsume forms close bonds with both human and spirit friends, such as his bodyguard Nyanko-sensei, his friends Touko, Shigeru and more, as they support each other through their struggles and personal issues. It’s a supernatural and slice-of-life anime that will make you appreciate the beauty of friendship and its importance of it, in navigating through the unknown and the supernatural.
Kiznaiver
Kiznaiver is a Japanese anime series produced by Trigger. The story is set in the futuristic city of Sugomori, where a group of high school students are chosen to participate in an experimental program called the “Kizna System.” The system connects them through physical and emotional pain, forcing them to share one another’s pain and emotions, in an effort to promote understanding and empathy among people.
The group of high school students form close bonds as they support each other through their struggles and personal issues, as they learn to understand and empathize with one another. The anime explores themes such as the power of friendship, the importance of trust and loyalty, and the complexities of human emotions. It’s a sci-fi and drama anime that will make you reflect on the importance of understanding and empathy in forming strong friendships, and how it can help you to navigate through the complexities of human emotions. It’s a thought-provoking anime that shows how friendship can be the foundation of a strong and supportive group and how it can help you to overcome the challenges of human emotions.
Code Geass
Code Geass is a Japanese anime series created by Sunrise. The story is set in an alternate universe where the Holy Britannian Empire has conquered Japan, renaming it as Area 11 and oppressing its people. The main character, Lelouch Lamperouge, is a Britannian prince who obtains a power known as “Geass” which allows him to give commands to others. He uses this power to lead a rebellion against the empire and to also gain his revenge for the death of his mother and the crippling of his sister.
Lelouch forms close bonds with his allies, such as C.C, Suzaku and Kallen, as they support each other through their struggles and personal issues. It’s an action-packed and political anime that will keep you on the edge of your seat while also having a strong message of friendship and the importance of having allies to rely on in a dangerous and unpredictable world. It also deals with the complexity of morality, the cost of power and the true nature of friendship and betrayal.
Orange
Orange is a Japanese anime series produced by Telecom Animation Film. The story follows Naho Takamiya, a high school student who receives a letter from her future self, asking her to change the past to prevent a tragedy from happening. The letter also includes the names of her friends and a warning that one of them will die. Naho and her friends, Kakeru Naruse, Suwa Hiroto, Takako Chino, and Azusa Murasaka, work together to change the future and prevent the tragedy from happening, while also dealing with their own personal issues.
Naho and her friends support each other through their struggles and personal issues, as they work together to change the future and prevent the tragedy from happening. The anime explores themes such as the power of friendship, the importance of trust and loyalty, and the complexities of teenage love and the importance of communication. It’s a drama and coming-of-age anime that will make you reflect on the importance of communication and the power of friendship in navigating through the complexities of teenage love and the importance of taking actions to change the course of the future.
A Silent Voice
A Silent Voice, also known as “Koe no Katachi” is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Yoshitoki Ōima. The story follows Shōya Ishida, a teenage boy who was once a bully and relentlessly harassed a young girl named Shōko Nishimiya for her hearing impairment. Years later, as he struggles with guilt and loneliness, he sets out to make amends with her, and through that process, forms new friendships and learns about the importance of empathy and understanding.
Shōya forms close bonds with his classmates, such as Shōko, Tomohiro Nagatsuka, and Miyoko Sahara, as they support each other through their struggles and personal issues. The anime explores themes such as the power of friendship, the importance of empathy and understanding, and the complexities of teenage relationships.
Kokoro Connect
Kokoro Connect is a Japanese anime and light novel series created by Sadanatsu Anda. The story follows five high school friends, Taichi Yaegashi, Iori Nagase, Himeko Inaba, Yui Kiriyama, and Yoshifumi Aoki, who are members of the cultural club. They begin to experience strange and supernatural events that force them to confront their deepest secrets and hidden feelings. The group is put to the test, as they must come to terms with their true selves and learn how to support each other through their struggles and personal issues.
The group forms close bonds as they support each other through their struggles and personal issues, as they learn to understand and accept each other’s true selves. It’s a drama and supernatural anime that will make you reflect on the importance of communication, acceptance, and the power of friendship in navigating through the complexities of teenage relationships and the importance of facing one’s true self.
You and Me
Kimi to Boku, also known as “You and Me” is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Kiichi Hotta. The story follows a group of four close friends, Yūta Asaba, Shun Matsuoka, Kaname Tsukahara, and Chizuru Tachibana, as they navigate through high school and their teenage years. The group has known each other since they were kids and their strong bond of friendship is tested as they deal with the ups and downs of growing up and the challenges of teenage relationships.
The group forms close bonds as they support each other through their struggles and personal issues, as they learn to understand and accept each other’s true selves.
Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100 is a Japanese manga and anime series created by ONE. The story follows Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama, a high school student who is a powerful psychic, but wants to live a normal life and suppress his abilities. He works as an assistant to a con-man psychic, Arataka Reigen, and tries to navigate through high school while keeping his powers in check. But as more powerful psychics appear and threaten the people around him, Mob must learn to control and harness his powers to protect his friends and loved ones.
Mob forms close bonds with his classmates, such as Ritsu, Teru and Dimple, as they support each other through their struggles and personal issues. The anime explores themes such as the power of friendship, the importance of trust and loyalty, and the cost of power and the importance of self-control. It’s an action-packed, supernatural and coming-of-age anime that will make you reflect on the importance of self-control, the power of friendship and the importance of trust and loyalty in navigating through the complexities of teenage relationships and the importance of facing one’s true self.
