They bicker, they blush, and they almost confess—but they never do. With Valentine's Day coming, here are five anime couples who seriously need to start dating!
Love is in the air—and for many anime fans, shipping is half the fun. Some pairings have undeniable chemistry but never get their chance to find love together. Others seem so close to making it there, yet for some reason, still end up stuck in that frustrating “will they/won't they” phase.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s the perfect time to shine a spotlight on these pairs. Here are five anime couples who really need to start dating already.
Jinshi and Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries)
Jinshi and Maomao’s relationship is the very definition of a slow burn—so slow it might make even the most patient fans groan in frustration. Jinshi, the absurdly handsome and high-ranking eunuch, is used to people falling over themselves to please him. Yet, the one person who wants absolutely nothing to do with him is Maomao, a sharp-witted apothecary with a knack for solving mysteries.
From the moment they meet, Jinshi finds himself intrigued by her intelligence and sharp tongue. But Maomao? She shudders at his attention, avoids his gaze, and treats him like an annoyance rather than a revered figure. The more she resists, the more Jinshi seems to enjoy provoking her, much like a human determined to win over a particularly aloof cat. He hovers around her, finds excuses to pester—or rather, work with—her, and seems to take delight in her deadpan reactions and exasperated sighs.
Yet, beneath all the teasing and excruciatingly slow progression, there's an underlying respect and growing understanding. Jinshi trusts Maomao’s judgment, relying on her to uncover court intrigues, and despite her grumbling, she never outright refuses his requests. At times, there are glimpses—fleeting but unmistakable—of something deeper. Jinshi’s frustration when Maomao remains oblivious to his affections, Maomao’s rare moments of genuine concern for him, and the subtle shift in their dynamic all suggest that this isn’t just a game for him.
But no matter how much Jinshi flirts or tries to close the distance, Maomao remains firm. The difference in their social standing looms over them, and she is painfully aware of how unrealistic any attachment between them would be. So, how long will this game of cat-and-human continue? And just how much longer will anime fans have to wait before Maomao finally acknowledges the very obvious feelings lingering between them?
Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Roy and Liza have a kind of bond that doesn't need words to be felt, though it would really help if they just talked about their feelings for once. They’ve been through war, loss, and enough near-death experiences to last a lifetime, but nothing ties them together quite like the secret they share: the alchemy transmutation circle tattooed on Riza’s back.
Their dynamic is subtle, and they show their emotions through unspoken gestures—Riza watches Roy’s back and keeps him in check, to the point where she’d be willing to take him out if he gets out of control.
Roy, on the other hand, usually keeps his emotions in check. However, the minute Riza’s in danger, all hell breaks loose. In fact, when Envy wounds her, something inside him snaps. Gone is the cool, calculated Colonel. All that’s left is raw fury, his gloves sparking flame after flame as he reduces Envy to a charred, writhing mess. He doesn’t stop, nor does he hesitate, because in that moment, all that matters is making them pay. It takes Riza stepping in to bring him back, reminding him of who he is before he loses himself entirely.
After losing his eyesight in Brotherhood’s finale, Riza becomes Roy’s eyes, helping him aim his Flame Alchemy. They’re eternally devoted to each other, but their relationship remains just shy of explicit romance.
Loid and Yor Forger (SpyxFamily)
I know what you're thinking: these two are a married couple already! Shouldn’t they be excluded from the list? Well, think about it: have they kissed? Have they hugged? Have they even held hands out of pure love for one another?
Loid and Yor Forger’s relationship is forged from a marriage of convenience, both playing their roles in the family as parents to Anya, but not as husband and wife. On the surface, they seem like the perfect couple—Loid is the responsible and charming "psychiatrist" and Yor is the sweet yet slightly clumsy "civil servant." In reality, he’s a spy, and she’s an assassin, but neither knows the other’s secret.
The attraction between them is unmistakable. Yor gets utterly flustered by any display of affection Loid gives her, and Loid remains clueless romantically, but clearly cares about her. This makes for plenty of awkward and comedic moments—perhaps the most memorable of these being Yor blurting out her drunk jealousy to Loid, before giving him a hilariously shaped bruise after accidentally hitting him.
Beyond the humour, their relationship thrives on genuine care. Loid may have created this family for a mission, but over time, he and Yor gradually put in more effort to make the family work. Loid constantly worries about Yor’s well-being and Yor constantly pushes herself to be a good wife and mother despite her insecurity.
Loid and Yor are the perfect mix of chaos and charm, making everyone hope that one day, their fake marriage won’t be fake at all anymore.
Ayase Momo and Okarun (Dandadan)
Sweet, young love—but the kind that’s 90% chaotic banter and 10% feelings threatening to break through. That’s the best way to sum up Momo and Okarun’s dynamic.
From the moment they meet, their dynamic is explosive (quite literally)—Okarun, the awkward, shy, but kindhearted nerd obsessed with the occult, and Momo, the confident, no-nonsense girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens. Their clashing beliefs lead to their first challenge together, but instead of staying at odds, they quickly become each other’s greatest allies.
Although they’re bickering most of the time, their feelings seem to develop over time. They’re constantly teasing each other, yet every time one of them gets too close to someone else, the other immediately starts sulking. Momo, for example, acts cool most of the time, but the second Okarun gets attention from another girl—like when Aira starts showing interest in him—she gets noticeably irritated, going from her usual confident self to glaring and pouting in the background.
Meanwhile, Okarun, despite all his nervousness, has his own jealous streak. When Momo gets too friendly with Jiji, his reaction is instant, his mood shifting as he struggles (and fails) to act like it doesn’t bother him. These little moments of possessiveness show just how much they care, even if they refuse to say it out loud. Watching Momo and Okarun stumble through their confusing, totally-not-romantic (but definitely romantic) feelings feels akin to reliving those awkward teenage years, when we couldn’t tell if we liked someone or just found them annoying.
Ash and Misty (Pokémon)
Probably one of the most popular (if not the most popular) ships of all time is Pokemon’s Ash and Misty. It’s another one of those stubborn, hot-headed pairings who constantly get into petty arguments, but display constant care and affection for each other.
Their first meeting is as chaotic as it gets—Ash “borrows” Misty’s bike to escape a flock of Spearows, only to destroy it, leading to Misty following him around for multiple episodes demanding repayment. At first, it seems like she’s just following him for the bike, but it quickly becomes clear that she enjoys being around him. Their early interactions are full of childish squabbles—Misty teasing Ash for being a rookie, Ash poking fun at her fear of Bug-types, but they’re also full of genuine moments of support, like when Misty encourages Ash before his Gym battles or helps him train.
Over time, their bond softens, with Misty turning into Ash’s most consistent supporter. In fact, in Pokémon: The Movie 2000, Misty risks her life diving into the ocean to save him. However, Ash remains as oblivious as ever, but he unconsciously trusts Misty in a way that seems different from others.
By the time Misty has to leave in Gotta Catch Ya Later!, their relationship has shifted from constant bickering to mutual trust and respect. Misty tried to play it cool, but her hesitation before walking away and Ash’s rare moment of quiet sadness shows how much they mean to each other. So, maybe, somewhere in an alternate universe, one of them could confess to each other? Please?
Whether they’re bickering like an old married couple or stubbornly avoiding their own feelings, these pairs have kept fans invested for a reason. Some might never make it official, but that doesn’t stop us from hoping. Which of these are your favourite pairings?
