Friendship is occasionally complicated. Sometimes you fight about who ate most of the fries off a shared plates, and sometimes you argue over why you sacrificed your friends to become a king. Of course, in anime series where friends become enemies, the latter is probably more likely to become true. Of course, the joy is discovering whether the rift that split these friends is something they can overcome, making them compelling characters to watch interact.
Best Friends Become Enemies Anime
Code Geass
The main character Lelouch and Suzaku, his friend, have a complicated relationship. They met as children, and though Suzaku initially didn’t like him, they grew to be friends. This is mirrored throughout the rest of the series as they become on and off again friends throughout the rebellion. They are quite morally opposed, however. Lelouch is willing to do whatever it takes while Suzaku is one to always prefer a more peaceful solution to things.
Gungrave
Much of Gungrave has to do with the relationship in the past between two friends – Harry and Brandon. Eventually, a craving for power comes between these two and splits their friendship so irrevocably, one character comes back from the dead for vengeance. (Technically, he is brought back, yes, yes.)
Naruto
While there are many plots in Naruto, one of the major ones comes from the friendship of Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto continues to believe in his friend, even as he does terrible things while Sasuke is motivated by other feelings. His motivations make it so he has even tried to kill Naruto at several points.
Blade of Tempest
Yoshino and Mahiro are built to be at odds in this series. They are fundamentally different in every respect. Yoshino is cool and collected while Mahiro is hot-headed and stubborn. Adding to that, Yoshino was dating Mahiro’s beloved little sister who also happens to be dead for various reasons. They hide their relationship from Mahiro and that is something that will come to a boil.
Berserk
A more interesting case of bros becoming foes there never was in anime. Gutts, a lone mercenary by choice, was compelled to join a mercenary group solely by Griffith, the young but charismatic leader. They form a strong bond of brotherhood on the battlefield, but much of the series is about Gutts trying to find his own place in the world and Griffith doing anything for his ambitions. It creates a rift between them that literally plunges the world into hell.
91 Days
The bros becoming foes in this mafia series happens a bit in reverse. Angelo, desiring revenge, decides to befriend Nero. He is successful in this attempt so far that they are considered brothers, but his desire for vengeance is still strong and it leads to a pretty brutal clash.
Ga-rei: Zero
Kagura and Yomi were raised together by Yomi’s family. Though not related by blood, they became close as sisters. Furthermore, they both started working as skilled exorcists. However, throughout the series, one of the most interesting things to watch is the division that grows between these two once very close girls, and how that all comes to a head.
Devilman Crybaby
This series is heartbreaking by the end when it comes to the main character, his best friend, and his love. When they all collide, it creates one of the most brutal cases of this trope that has happened in recent years. Even if you find Devilman hard to get into, this is worth it.
If you have any more anime recommendations where friends become enemies, head on down to the comments section below.
