Shopping Guide
Best friends. Siblings. Partners. The connection between two people that grows from getting through hard times really makes for a compelling story. And there’s a lot of anime that do it really well. Let’s go over some of our top buddy anime!
We’re kicking off this list with one of our favorite anime series of all time: Hagane no Renkinjutsushi or Fullmetal Alchemist. Created by Hiromu Arakawa, the show follows the Elric brothers Edward and Alphonse on their quest to return to their original human forms. Viewers get the choice of watching the first anime adaptation Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) or Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009). They each handle the story a bit differently with Brotherhood being more faithful to the manga, but both still showcase the strength of the Elric brothers’ bond.
Yomi no Tsugai (Daemons of the Shadow Realm) is Arakawa’s current ongoing series with another pair of siblings: twins Yuru and Asa who are born with a prophecy tied to their powerful abilities to control supernatural beings called tsugai. But without spoiling anything since the anime just started recently, this story handles the sibling dynamic a bit differently compared to Arakawa’s previous work.
Tiger and Bunny pairs two clashing personalities in classic buddy genre form. Longtime superhero Kotetsu T. Kaburagi reluctantly takes on rookie Barnaby Brooks Jr. as his partner and the two are forced to work together to fight crime. And in a world where heroes are sponsored by corporations and ranked on their performance, these two constantly butt heads with their different viewpoints. Fans of superhero movies and action-packed anime will enjoy the fresh spin the show puts on the superhero journey.
From legendary Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe comes Carole & Tuesday, a sci-fi musical drama set in Mars. The story follows two musicians from different backgrounds who decide to pursue their dreams together. Like with Watanabe’s other works, Carole & Tuesday blends beautiful animation with a soundtrack that works really well with the story.
Buddy Daddies is a 12-episode original anime series about Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa, a pair of assassins whose mission unconventionally leads them to caring for four-year-old Miri. Between the struggles of parenting and the dangers of their jobs, Kazuki and Rei have to work together to raise Miri and to protect the found family they’ve formed together.
If cute characters and tons of action are more your speed, Lycoris Recoil has you covered. Serious Takina Inoue ends up working alongside the cheerful Chisato Nishikigi at Cafe LycoReco where they’re part of an undercover organization tasked to keep Japan safe. Think of a grump-meets-sunshine pairing who get involved in tons of gunfight scenes throughout the show.
Angels and sisters Panty and Stocking are kicked out of Heaven and end up hunting ghosts on Earth in Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. Taking inspiration from Western adult animated shows, the series has been rather divisive among anime fans with its adult sense of humor. However, if you enjoyed director Hiroyuki Imaishi’s other works like Gurren Lagan and Kill la Kill, Panty & Stocking’s unique animation style and collection of characters might be for you.
Finally, let’s finish off with one more new series from this year: Marriagetoxin. Another assassin-focused action title, this one follows Hikaru Gero as he tries to save his sister from being forced to marry and continue their family line. He enlists the help of con artist Mei Kinosaki to help him find a wife. Only a few episodes have been released so far, and we’re looking forward to the rest of the season to see where this action-romcom takes us.
With all kinds of characters and genres in anime, there are so many varied dynamics among buddy pairs. And they all work hard to get through all kinds of challenges together. Drop a comment on our socials with your favorite anime duo!
Written by Alon Bramble for TOM News
