I’m sure many of us have listed our favorite anime characters at some point. But what about favorite groups instead of individual characters? What I mean is favorite groups of characters in a specific series, as in favorite duos, trios, foursomes, etc,. I don’t think lists of favorite anime groups have been done much before, so I decided to give it a go…
Below is a list of my favorite groups of anime characters, with the largest group being eight characters, and then going down to two (I can’t think of any groups I like that number more than eight, but that could change one day).
The only rule I implemented for the list is that I’m not just picking a number of random characters I like in the series – I have to like them specifically as a group and they have to indeed be part of that group throughout most of the series. For example, if I picked the four Lucky Star girls as a favorite group (which I did), I couldn’t include Akira and make it five because she’s not usually with their group (I could, however, pick her and Shiraishi as a favorite duo).
Also, while making the list, I found many more groups of five or less that I like, but I limited myself to no more than a few each. Didn’t want to make the list too long.
So without further adieu…
Octet (8)
The Eight Chosen Children (Digimon Adventure): Despite being kids (in a so-called kids show), the original eight Chosen Children (Digi-Destined in the dub) are great characters. They all have their own good points in the team, as well as their own flaws and inner demons to conquer. Throughout the 50 episodes of the series, their relationships with each other, their digimon, and the team itself, is developed and solidified beautifully.
Septet (7)
The Straw Hats (One Piece): I know that currently there are nine (out of a supposed ten) Straw Hats, but since I’m behind on the series and am still getting to know Franky and Brook, I decided to go with just the original seven. And what can I say about them other than that they’re some of the most fun and lovable, and also the most dynamic and well-developed, characters. Not only are they appealing individually, but their strong bond of “nakama-hood” as a group, as well as their mutual loyalty and dislike for injustice, are endlessly touching. You just can’t help but want to cheer them on.
Sextet (6)
The Azumanga Daioh girls (Azumanga Daioh): These girls just crack me up no matter how many times I watch them. Their fun little personality quirks that often bounce off each other amuse me to no end. Characters like Osaka and Sakaki are some of the most unique I’ve seen in any anime comedy, but honestly none of these girls are easily forgettable.
Quintets (5)
Houkago Tea Time (K-ON!): Like the AzuDai girls, the K-ON! girls are funny, cute, and quirky. However, they can also churn out some great music.
Inu-Ikkou (Inuyasha): Inu-Ikkou refers to the five main protagonists in Inuyasha (Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Shippou, and Sango). I was a hardcore fan of the series for many years and I adored these guys like nothing else. Their development is strong and dynamic, and the relationships they have with each other are complex and constantly changing, sometimes humorous and sometimes dramatic. There’s just no other group like them.
The SOS Brigade (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya): And how could I forget my most favorite group? As a fan of the Haruhi novels as well as the anime, the SOS Brigade provides me with endless laughs as well as mysteries. The blend of their wild personalities and the complex, ambivalent relationships they have with each other just keeps me begging for more. I could go on and on about them, but I’ll leave that up to Ultimatemegax’s analysis.
Quartets (4)
The Lucky Star girls (Lucky Star): I suppose I just really like groups of cute, funny characters in slice-of-life situations, and the Lucky Star girls are some of the most entertaining. Their little antics won the hearts of many fans and launched a phenomena that influenced anime from then on.
Wolf’s Rain pack (Wolf’s Rain): Wolf’s Rain is one of my most favorite anime and I love the four main wolves. Their personalities may not be incredibly unique (except for their fairly realistic wolf-like nature), but they’re appealing nonetheless and work well in their group. They’re definitely not the same pack at the end of the series as they were at the beginning, and the journey they make getting there is amazing.
The Railgun girls (To Aru Kagaku no Railgun): The chemistry of these four is perfect. They each have their own distinct personalities and obstacles to overcome, but they’re also brave, caring, and their friendship is sincere.
Trios (3)
Tohru, Yuki, Kyo (Fruits Basket): The story of the relationships between these three is extremely warm and touching. The way Yuki and Kyo’s bitter feelings towards each other and themselves are gradually melted by Tohru’s genuine care and kindness is just the sweetest thing. As much as I love the Fruits Basket anime, I really should read the manga one day to get the full story.
The (original) Eva pilots (Evangelion): There’s no doubt that these three made their mark in anime history. Their characterization was perhaps ahead of its time, and even to this day they continue to be three of the deepest and most debatable characters.
Duos (2)
*I avoided duos of a romantic nature, meaning I only picked groups of two that I like not specifically as a couple but for other reasons. Favorite anime pairings will be for another time.*
Lelouch and C.C. (Code Geass): C.C. bestows Lelouch with an amazing power and he uses it to pursue a good cause, but not exactly in a good way. She silently derives entertainment from, but at the same time supports, him and his actions. This almost antagonistic duo is very unique and memorable, individually and as a team.
Noir (Noir): Noir is another favorite anime of mine, mostly for the two fascinating heroines. The distant and often cold, yet tight bond that these two develop, and how they uncover the truth about their checkered pasts together, is quite a suspenseful ride.
Erin and Lilan (Kemono no Souja Erin): Erin’s bond with Lilan is beautifully and thoroughly developed in the series and ends up being the instigator of the show’s major conflict. Erin’s taming of Lilan is very realistically portrayed and is sometimes cute, sometimes funny, and sometimes very dramatic. They’re one of the best portrayals of the bond between a human and an animal.
Sheryl and Ranka (Macross Frontier): These two goddesses of song go through a tough journey of love, success and failure, and finally redemption. Their voices and emotions are a big part of what made Macross F a hit with me.
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Care to share your favorite anime groups?
You are definetely missing out if you haven’t read the Fruits Basket manga! It covers so much more than the anime didn’t get to and really drives home those hard core emotions.
@ Christina
I read some of the manga once (years ago before the series finished) via scanlations on my computer, but I never finished (I think they’re still on my hard drive). I don’t know why, I just have little inclination to read the manga of anything but series I’m obsessed with, at least online. I think if someone handed me all the TokyoPop Fruits Basket volumes I might actually get through them.
Without thinking it over much, here are a few others I found memorable:
– Horo/Holo and Lawrence from Spice and Wolf
– Sunred and Vamp from Tentai Senshi Sunred
– Anita, Michelle and Maggie from ROD the TV (Read or Die)
– Gourry, Lina, Amelia and Zelgadis from Slayers
– The Gurren Brigade from Gurren Lagann, though the actual number of members is obviously tough to get a handle on :)
Plenty more where that came from, not sure what my favorites would be though.
@ Topspin
Horo and Lawrence almost made it onto my list, but I don’t think I like them quite as much as the others (they’ll probably be on my anime couples list if I ever make one). The Slayers foursome got really close, too. I loved them in the first three Slayers series…unfortunately Slayers Revolution left a bad taste in my mouth. I might have added them but I didn’t want to make the list any longer. Maybe one day I’ll make a complete one.
Alas, as a yaoi fan, most of my “groups” are groups of two – OTPs. ;)
If there’s any anime/manga story with a tremendous group dynamic – that I think would not have been the same story if their stories were told individually and not as a group – it would be Saiyuki. Not only do the four main characters have a deep and complicated relationship with each other in this lifetime, but they also knew each other in Heaven 500 years ago. And the events that led to them getting kicked out of Heaven 500 years ago are the basis for their relationships with each other in this lifetime. They’re tied together by destiny, as well as choice.
I feel you, Jan. The groups that immediately came to mind exist mostly in yaoi fanfiction, so I was like, “….Vlad and Danny? Allen and Tyki?!” -.-
All of the kids from Bokurano.
Straw Hat Crew
Miria and Isaac (Baccano!)
Lawrence and Horo (Spice and Wolf)
Saya and Haji (Blood+)
Watanuki, Doumeki, Himawari, Yuuko, and Mokona (xxxHolic)
Ginji and Ban (Get Backers)
Allen, Lavi, Yuu, and Lenalee (D.Gray-Man)
I’m also starting to fall in love with the wacky bunch from Arakawa Under the Bridge.
That’s all that comes to mind at the moment. I’ve watched way too much anime to really make a comprehensible list.
@ Jan and Saere
Heh, well if you like those characters as a romantic duo, that would be for a favorite pairings list. When it comes to the groups of two, I’m trying to differentiate between favorite couples and favorite duos in another sense besides romance. I’ve actually never made a favorite pairings list…I should one day.
Yay to SOS Brigade, Lucky Star, Wolf’s Rain, Eva, Fruits Basket, and Inuyasha ^^
Setpet –
Ouran host club – Ouran
the Higurashi kids – Higurashi
Dragons of Earth/Heaven – x/1999
Trio –
Team 8 – Naruto
Celty, Izaya and Mikado – Durarara!
Ash, Misty and Brock – Pokemon
Hokuto, Subaru and Seishirou – Tokyo Babylon
Duo (not ship) –
Watanuki and Yuuko – xxxHOLiC
Izaya and Shizuo – Durarara!
Sebastian and Ciel – Kuroshitsuji
Madara and Natsume – Natsume Yuujinchou
Can’t wait to see your OTP list ;D
The fact that you added the K-On girls would have made this whole post invalid, but you added InuYasha, so you’re good.
I can actually agree with almost all of these, except….
For trios, you’re missing the greatest one:
Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura.
i would vehemently disagree with grouping anyone in durarara, that defeats the purpose of the intricate relationships
in other news, sign me up for Gekko State
@ Myna
I was thinking Ouran, but I really need to watch that series again to confirm (it’s been like, four years). The Higurashi kids are interesting but a little too psychotic for me =P And if I were to pick a group from Pokemon, it would be Team Rocket over the twerp trio XD
@ Glo
I don’t think I know that trio you mentioned. Guess I haven’t seen that anime.
@ Robert
Speaking of Gekko State, Renton and Eureka will definitely be on my favorite couples list when/if I ever make one.
Aw, their epic psychoticness is what makes them awesome xDD
Oh god how did I forget TR? o_O
Somebody already mentioned the Paper Sisters.
As far as couples, how about Seiji and his right hand/Midori? :)
The Sanzo-Ikkou!
By far my favorite fearsome-foursome is the Sanzo Party of Saiyuki/Saiyuki Reload fame. Sanzo, Goku, Gojyo and Hakkai have such an awesome mix of personalities and neuroses that their antics are always fun to watch/read. The manga version of the story is much, much better than the anime, and the characters are much more intense and expressive in that medium.
Another awesome foursome is the crew of the Bebop! Jet, Spike, Faye and Ed are so interesting by themselves, but they really shine when they’re together. :)
And, of course, the Shinsengumi!
In just about any incarnation, I always love the Shinesengumi. Whether it’s Peacemaker Kurogane, Gintama, or the lonely wolf Saitou from RuroKen, my fondness for the doomed samurai battalion never seems to fade.
As for duos, I have to pick the pair that introduced me to anime and all the joys therein: Vash & Wolfwood. Spikey-head and the terrorist priest will always, always be my favorite mismatched pair of outlaws :)
I’ll also support the commenter who mentioned the members of team Gurren-Lagann :)
@ Caddy
The Bebop crew is great, as is the Vash and Wolfwood duo. Hooray for older anime! XD
I’m not a huge Gurren Lagann fan…but if I had to pick a group, it would be the original trio of Simon, Yoko, and Kamida.
What a fascinating idea. I approve the mentioning of the Azumanga girls:) I also love the One Piece crew too:) It’s just so great to see a series that do not introduce everyone at the same time and let you really get to know them a lot when it’s their turn to join the crew. I can’t even think of any other anime that does that to be honest…
To add to what people have already included:
– The quintet of Saint Seiya (Seiya, Shiryu, Jun, Hyoga, Ikki) – Lasting childhood memories seeing the five of them tearing their way through the sanctuary or Poseidon’s gang. I always want to have the cloths myself too!
– Gut’s entourage from Berserk (Guts, Caska, Schierke, Falnese, Serpico, Ishdro, Puck, Aravella [fairies count!]). You could argue for the band of the hawk group but that did not last so long… The group definitely also has a nice family feel to it too:)
– Planetes spece debris collection crew: They just feel so natural together with really cracking personality of their own
SO many other to mention (Haibane angels, GITS section nine, 5 Gunslinger Girls) but I will stop now for fear of rambling even further:)