Characters in anime end up developing great relationships that viewers get invested in over the course of their runtime. Friendships that compel both characters to get stronger are pretty common, with a master-student bond also being played to great effect over the course of several anime. However, one particular trope that has been played around to great effect is the idea of two major characters forming a rivalry that causes them to compete all the time relentlessly.

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More often than not, these rivalries are pretty mutual, with both characters being quite adamant when it comes to one-upping the other. However, there are hilarious instances of certain rivalries that are pretty one-sided, with a solitary person being the only one enforcing this notion of a rivalry between two characters, while the other couldn't care less. Here are some of the most hilarious examples of one-sided rivalries in anime that have become quite iconic in their own right.

8 Katsuki Bakugo & Shoto Todoroki (My Hero Academia)

Bakugo Howitzer Impact

Bakugo is a pretty entertaining character who evolves from his one-dimensional roots early on in My Hero Academia. However, his hot-headed personality still makes for a great watch, especially when he tries to make Todoroki his rival.

Instead, Todoroki is impressed by Midoriya's strength and declares him to be his unofficial rival. This irritates Bakugo to no end, especially given his antagonism toward Midoriya.

7 Kakashi Hatake & Might Guy (Naruto)

Kakashi and Might Guy in Naruto

Might Guy is one of the most competitive and entertaining characters in Naruto. His skills as a taijutsu master are unmatched, even if he has no ninjutsu or genjutsu skills.

Early on in his childhood, he developed a rivalry with Kakashi that the son of the White Fang couldn't really care about. This made it hilarious every single time Might Guy tried to enforce their rivalry only to get no response whatsoever.

6 Saitama & Speed-o'-Sound Sonic (One-Punch Man)

One-Punch-Man-Saitama-Speed-O-Sound-Sonic

One-Punch Man is a series full to the brim with relentless hilarity, so it was only a matter of time before the one-sided rivalry dynamic would rear its head at some point. This finally happens when Speed-o'-Sound Sonic confronts Saitama.

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Considering the bald hero to be nothing more than a nuisance, Sonic quickly realizes just how hopelessly outclassed he really is and proclaims Saitama to be his rival. Obviously enough, the protagonist doesn't really care about this rivalry and unwittingly hurts Sonic with his monstrous strength even when he doesn't intend to.

5 Yusuke Urameshi & Kazuma Kuwabara (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Yusuke Urameshi & Kazuma Kuwabara in Yu Yu Hakusho

Yu Yu Hakusho is a great manga penned by Yoshihiro Togashi, the man behind Hunter X Hunter. Yu Yu Hakusho takes a look at the life of the resurrected Spirit Detective Yusuke Urameshi and how his new duties lead to him engaging in a ton of battles over the course of the series.

His rivalry with Kuwabara is a source of humor throughout the series, with Yusuke winning most of their battles in high school with ease. Over time, Kuwabara and Yusuke become best friends and help each other tackle numerous threats in the series.

4 Endeavor & All Might (My Hero Academia)

Endeavor & All Might in My Hero Academia

Endeavor is currently the Number 1 hero, but there was a time when he used to constantly live in the shadow of All Might. This caused him to develop feelings of jealousy and resentment, ultimately leading to him declaring All Might as his rival.

Of course, All Might didn't really care about this dynamic, praising Endeavor for his efforts to get stronger. This didn't sit well with the fiery hero, who found any kind of praise from All Might to be condescending.

3 Goku & Vegeta (Dragon Ball)

Goku Vegeta Saiyan Saga

For what it's worth, Goku and Vegeta do acknowledge each other as rivals who help each other get stronger over the course of the series. However, Goku's nonchalant attitude about most things means that he does have a habit of unintentionally dismissing Vegeta at times.

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This leads to Vegeta overreacting in a hilarious manner whenever Goku performs these antics. Regardless, both these Saiyans have a ton of respect for each other and help each other get stronger by constantly sparring with each other over and over again.

2 Izuku Midoriya & Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia)

Bakugo and Midoriya in the midst of a fight

My Hero Academia is full to the brim with angsty teenagers who want to take out their frustration at things. Bakugo is the perfect example of this, and his dynamic with Midoriya makes it seem like he considers the inheritor of One for All to be his biggest rival.

However, Midoriya genuinely considers Bakugo to be his friend and never really gets antagonized by his bully no matter how much he's provoked. In a way, this irritates Bakugo even more and causes him to lash out and Midoriya in a hilarious fashion more often.

1 Naruto Uzumaki & Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)

naruto and sasuke

While this rivalry was acknowledged later down the line by Sasuke, there was a time when the genius Uchiha didn't really care about Naruto at all. For him, the Jinchuriki was nothing more than a nuisance who didn't really match up to his level at all.

This led to hilarious moments where Sasuke would constantly ignore the taunts of a raving Naruto, with the two accidentally sharing a kiss in one of the funnier moments of the show. Of course, Sasuke would see just how powerful Naruto becomes later down the line and decides to leave Konoha in a bid to become way stronger than he has ever been.

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