This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Eric McClure is an editing fellow at wikiHow where he has been editing, researching, and creating content since 2019. A former educator and poet, his work has appeared in Carcinogenic Poetry, Shot Glass Journal, Prairie Margins, and The Rusty Nail. His digital chapbook, The Internet, was also published in TL;DR Magazine. He was the winner of the Paul Carroll award for outstanding achievement in creative writing in 2014, and he was a featured reader at the Poetry Foundation’s Open Door Reading Series in 2015. Eric holds a BA in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and an MEd in secondary education from DePaul University.
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Everyone associates animation with childhood nostalgia and silly kid’s shows, but some of the greatest romances of all time have been captured by cartoon creators! In this article, we’re going to look at the most notable and interesting animated couples of all time. From the most moving and romantic couples to iconic anime pairs and more, we’ve got you covered.
Famous Cartoon Couples
Steps
The Most Romantic Couples
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Simba and Nala (The Lion King) We get to see these two go from unruly kids to power couple rulers of the Savannah. Between the heated reunion and one of the best love songs of all time, these two are just magic on screen.
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2Luz and Amity (The Owl House) The “enemy turned lover” trope is a classic, and this is a great example. These two end up bonding and growing together so deeply that both of their characters change dramatically. It’s a great on-screen example of how a healthy relationship should bring out the best in one another. It also helps that Luz and Amity are just absolutely adorable together.Advertisement
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3Hercules and Megara (Hercules) After being sent to spy on Hercules, Megara authentically falls for Hercules. Getting to see her admiration and love grow is just really special, and the culmination of their relationship, leading to Meg sacrificing herself to save Hercules, is just such a powerful moment.
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4Aang and Katara (The Last Airbender) From two goofy kids to a bastion of mutual respect and care, Aang and Katara (often referred to as “Kataang”) grow from close friends to one of the most intimately romantic married couples ever to appear in an animated show.
- Find out which Avatar character you are—take the quiz!
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5Popeye and Olive Oil (Popeye the Sailor) They’re not traditionally thought of as a very romantic pairing, but the fact that Popeye regularly comes to blows defending Olive Oil’s honor and Olive Oil always fawns over her man as he slams the spinach back
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6Hiccup and Astrid (How to Train Your Dragon) There’s something really cute and moving about a strong, powerful, and confident woman trying to always support her goofy, accident-prone man.
- Which How to Train Your Dragon dragon is right for you? Take our quiz to find out!
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7Bee and Deckard (Bee and PuppyCat) Bee and PuppyCat may not be as widely viewed as some of the other shows and movies on this list, but it’s got an incredibly moving and cute relationship at its core. Deckard has this massive crush on Bee, but Bee is so bad at picking up signals that she regularly misses what’s going on. The two of them just have this deeply adorable back-and-forth flirting game that leads to some really touching moments.
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8Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana (The Princess and the Frog) If you’re willing to turn into a frog to stay with your special someone, you’re in a very romantic relationship. The other really moving part of this couple is that they’re not perfect. Naveen can be egotistical, and Tiana is often aloof, but the two of them accept each other for their flaws.
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9Rapunzel and Flynn (Tangled) The way Rapunzel fawns over Flynn is just so cute, and their relationship really feels special considering how few people Rapunzel is able to truly confide in.
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10Carl and Ellie (Up) They aren’t on screen together for long (in fact, Ellie doesn’t even have a line of dialogue), but Carl and Ellie have one of the most moving and powerful relationship arcs in the history of film. Their love is so deep that Ellie’s death completely warps Carl to the core and turns him into a curmudgeon.
The Funniest Couples
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Marge and Homer (The Simpsons) Is there a single couple in the history of television who have elicited more laughs than Marge and Homer? They’re both such lovable dolts, and their antics are amplified by each other’s presence.
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2Jeff and Hayley (American Dad) They might seem like a bit of a curveball here, but Jeff’s laid-back stoner vibes and Hayley’s anti-establishment rage often conflict in some very funny ways. They both just sort of fail through life in totally different ways. It’s both hilarious and kind of super cute.
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3Celia and Mike (Monsters, Inc.) Mike Wazowski is kind of rough around the edges, but Celia Mae knows how to keep her “googly bear” from losing his cool. Their exceptionally unsmooth vibes lead to tons of laughs in the Monsters, Inc. films.
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4Woody and Bo Peep (Toy Story) There’s something very funny about the way Bo Peep swaps between being seductive and flirtatious, to reminding Woody he needs to stop being a misguided goober.
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5Mickey and Minnie Mouse Okay, the humor may not be the most elevated of all time, but how many children end up cackling like crazy every day because of something Mickey and Minnie get up to on screen?
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6Leela and Fry (Futurama) Fry is a lovable doofus from the past and Leela is a slick cyclops who can fight anybody. It’s basically one of those relationships where one person is completely terrible at everything and the other one always cleans up their mess. It’s also quite funny that it takes Leela like 10 seasons of Fry’s flirting to finally give him a shot.
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7Peggy and Hank (King of the Hill) Peggy and Hank are hilarious as the middle-aged couple at the center of King of the Hill. They both are so unaware of their own misunderstandings of the world that they complement each other’s confusion in a very sweet, odd way.
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8Starfire and Robin (Teen Titans) “Robstar” is one of those couples that’s funny in a really cute way. Starfire is an alien who regularly forgets how stuff works in the world, which is funny, but Robin never messes with her when she gets stuff wrong. They’re both hilarious and cute.
- Which Teen Titans Go! character are you? Take the quiz to find out!
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9Diane and Mr. Peanut Butter (BoJack Horseman) Diane is the “straight man” to Mr. Peanut Butter, and she does a phenomenal job of it. I(t’s clear the two of them aren’t destined for happily-ever-after at the beginning of the show, and watching that relationship goofily stumbles into disrepair.
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10Peter and Lois (Family Guy) From Lois’s hilarious, nasally accent to Peter’s nonstop need to intentionally not learn things, these two are probably up there in the “total laugh count” category.
The Healthiest Couples
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Bob and Linda (Bob’s Burgers) They both have their flaws, but nobody supports one another through their trials and tribulations the way the Belchers do. The collective respect, joy, and appreciation they have for one another make them one of the most enviable couples in the history of television.
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2Cosmo and Wanda (The Fairly OddParents) Cosmo and Wanda may not always have everything “together” so to speak, but they’ve got each other—and that’s more than enough. These two support one another through the weird, strange, and upsetting, and that makes the good times all the more enjoyable.
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3Elliot and Diane (Big Mouth) The Birch children are often grossed out at their parents’ open affection and intimacy, but is there a better example out there of a cartoon couple that showcases positive vulnerability? Elliot may be one of the most positive depictions of masculinity in modern cartoon history, and Diane’s “don’t mess with my family” vibes really make her the perfect warrior mom.[1]
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4Kim and Ron (Kim Possible) Ron Stoppable and Kim Possible may look like a classic odd couple where one partner is competent and powerful and the other one is a mischief-prone goof, but Kim never belittles Ron (even when it might be kind of warranted). It’s just mutual respect, through and through.
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5Shrek and Fiona (Shrek) Shrek often lets his anger get the best of him, but his love for Fiona is so deep that you can see him catch himself whenever he might be crossing the line. Add that to the fact that Fiona literally turns into an ogre to be with Shrek, and you’ve got one productive, moving relationship.
- Take our Shrek quiz to find out which character from the movie you are!
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6Steven and Connie (Steven Universe) They protect one another, they stand up for one another, and they support one another. Even when they disagree, they do it in such a respectful and vulnerable way that it’s hard to imagine either of them with anyone else.[2]
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7Mr.Incredible and Elastigirl (The Incredibles) The two parents of the Parr family do not always get it right. They often screw up and make mistakes, but that never stops them from finding a way to treat every situation as “us vs. the problem” instead of “me vs. you.” It’s just a great, honest depiction of what a real, healthy relationship between parents looks like.
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8Anna and Kristoff (Frozen) Anna initially makes some tragic mistakes as it pertains to her love life, but Kristoff never crosses the line or tries to push the boundary, despite the fact that Anna is supposed to marry someone else. It’s clear he really just wants her to be happy and safe, so when they do eventually end up together, it’s so much sweeter.
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9Tarzan and Jane (Tarzan) Jane never presses too hard, despite her clear interest in Tarzan, because Tarzan needs time to grow and become acquainted with who he is. It’s that patience and care for his well-being that really stand out. It’s a great reminder that if you really love someone, you have to give them the space they need to be themselves.
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10Princess Bubblegum and Marceline the Vampire (Adventure Time) One of them is a zombie vampire. The other one is literally made out of bubblegum. But somehow, they set their differences aside and find a way to treat one another with care, respect, and love.[3]
- Which Adventure Time character are you? Take the quiz!
The Weirdest Couples
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Roger and Jessica Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) It doesn’t get much more unexpected than an animated rabbit hooking up with a bombshell night lounge singer. They’re a funny pairing, and they’re memorable for their strange chemistry.
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2Rigby and Eileen (Regular Show) A mole girl and a raccoon are a strange pair for sure, but their personalities are also profoundly silly and fun. It’s also fun to see their relationship blossom from a one-sided crush to a powerful marriage.
- These two are a pretty fun costume option if you’re looking for a couple's costume!
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3Helga and Arnold (Hey Arnold!) Helga can’t help herself when it comes to messing with Arnold, but the two do eventually hook up and make a fun couple. They’re a little bit of a random pairing for a lot of reasons, but “unibrow and football head” is our favorite.
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4Beth and Jerry (Rick and Morty) Beth is the (maybe) cloned daughter of a mad scientist, and Jerry is a pitiful, unemployed house-dad who nobody respects. The power balance is palpable, and she reminds him of it quite frequently. Watching these two try to make it work is both hilarious and kind of sweet.
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5Johnny and Mavis (Hotel Transylvania) Sure, they’re different because she’s a goth and he’s a dweeb. Oh, and she’s also a vampire, and he’s a regular dude. Oh, and she’s 118 years old, and he’s 21. Yeah, they’re a weird pair.
- This is a really easy cosplay if you need a quick couple’s costume. Whoever is Mavis just needs to dress like a goth baddie, and whoever wants to be Johnny has to ruffle their hair up and throw on an ugly yellow shirt.
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6Joker and Harley Quinn (Batman: The Animated Series) It’s unfair to the world of Gotham that this much chaos and madness could manifest in a single relationship, but we will admit, they’re iconic!
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7Plankton and Karen (SpongeBob SquarePants) Plankton’s desire for fast-food/world domination is often at odds with Karen’s desire to just sort of hang out and watch a movie, which is especially funny because Karen is a robot who was designed and built by Plankton.
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8Eustace and Muriel (Courage the Cowardly Dog) Muriel is so sweet, and Eustace is such a pain in the butt. It’s a fun pairing for comedy’s sake, but you do have to wonder how the two of them managed to hook up in the first place.
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9Kif and Amy (Futurama) Amy is confident, cool, and sexy, while Kif is just…sort of a nervous wreck. He also happens to be a slimy alien, so there’s that, too. Despite their differences, they do ultimately seem to make a happy couple!
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10Rick and Unity (Rick and Morty) Unity is a trans-species hivemind virus that wants to assimilate entire civilizations, while Rick is just an old dude. They’re a funny pairing, and when they do connect, it makes for some of the most memorable episodes in the show.
The Most Dramatic Couples
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Batman and Catwoman (Batman: The Animated Series) Honestly, these two need to just sit down and hash it out. All of the late-night flirting and fighting is probably keeping the citizens of Gotham up at night.
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2Charlie and Vaggie (Hazbin Hotel) These two count as dramatic mainly because of the hilarious antics that surround their already-weird relationship. They are sweet, loving, and supportive, but there’s a lot of madness that seems to sneak its way into their relationships.
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3Wall-E & Eve (WALL-E) How much drama could possibly exist between two robots who can’t speak? It turns out, quite a lot. The entire plot of WALL-E actually kicks off due to a series of miscommunications and silly mishaps. They’re basically magnets for drama!
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4Mulan and Li Shang (Mulan) It’s hard to get more viscerally dramatic than finding out the best soldier under your command is actually a 10/10 cutie who will ultimately save the country from invaders.
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5Finn and Flame Princess (Adventure Time) The fact that Princess Flame accidentally burns Finn regularly is cause enough for some tension, but boy are these two over-the-top when they bicker. Their breakup is literally explosive! We think they were better off as friends, anyway.
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6Belle and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast) It’s hard to be more theatrical than holing yourself away in a castle and throwing elaborate dinners to impress a lady who is actively being held captive.
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7Bugs and Lola (Looney Tunes) It’s a fun kind of dramatic, but Bugs and Lola are still pretty tumultuous. Bugs just can’t help himself! The guy ends up in all kinds of wacky situations, and if he sees an opportunity for a gag, he takes it, which leads to plenty of unhappy reactions from Lola.
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8Jasmine and Aladdin (Aladdin) Pretending to be a prince is one thing, but to whisk a princess away on a magic carpet? How ostentatious can you get!?
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9Brittany and Kevin (Daria) They are not the smartest couple of all time, which is sort of their running gag on the show. This does lead to some funny friction between the two of them, though.
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10Sterling and Lana (Archer) Maybe the most chaotic and over-the-top animated couple of all time, Sterling and Lana have gone on violent rampages, fought over fake cancer medication, undermined one another professionally, and fallen in and out of love repeatedly. They’re good secret agents, but boy are they terrible at being normal in relationships.
The Best Anime Couples
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Inuyasha & Kagome (Inuyasha) Maybe the best hair couple in the entire article. They both just have such luxurious locks that they’re iconic on hair-related grounds alone.
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2Yor and Loid (Spy x Family) They start out as a fake married couple and slowly fall for each other over time. It’s a tale as old as time, but it really clicks here. They’re just adorable as they slowly come to realize that they actually are deeply in love.
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3Retsuko and Haida (Aggretsuko) No couple captures the “aw, shucks” innocence and intensity of a childhood crush the way Haida and Retsuko do. It also helps that they’re an anthropomorphic red panda and spotted hyena, which really amps up the cuteness.
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4Bulma and Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z) Vegeta is basically an unemployed assassin, and he somehow managed to lock down the hyper-intelligent daughter of a tech empire. Well done, Vegeta.
- Vegeta and Bulma’s child, Trunks, also scores pretty high on the anime couple list. Trunks and Mai make a really fun, romantic couple.
- Which Dragon Ball Z character are you? Take the quiz now!
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5Rick and Lisa (Robotech) Robotech is a pretty vintage anime compared to a lot of the others on this list, but the central romance of the show is just too storied and monumental to ignore. The journey these spicy military colleagues take to ultimately end up together is just so moving and powerful.
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6Obanai and Mitsuri (Demon Slayer) It’s hard to imagine there’d be a lot of romance to be had when you’re running around fighting demons, but Obanai and Mitsuri managed to find time. They’re a cute odd pair who constantly stand up for and protect each other, which makes you like them even more.
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7Sailor Moon & Tuxedo Black (Sailor Moon) Moon and Tuxedo Black are pretty great vehicles to explore the dynamics of a young relationship. It also helps that their connection produced one of the greatest memes in the history of the internet.[4]
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8Faye and Spike (Cowboy Bebop) They fight, they bicker, they don’t listen to one another, but that doesn’t stop them from being excellent bounty hunters who really do care for another.
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9Ymir and Historia (Attack on Titan) While there is still some debate among fans regarding just how physically intimate their relationship gets, there’s no doubt that they care deeply about one another. We’re throwing them on the list just for being one of the best depictions of an LGBTQ+ relationship in anime history.
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10Light and Misa (Death Note) I think we can all look back on this one and admit that Light Yagami 100% did not deserve Misa Amane. She was such a devoted sweetheart, and Light was…kind of just a jerk. Still, they’re an iconic anime couple who helped produce some of the few comedic moments in the show.
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2022/11/big-mouth-season-6-elliot-birch-cartoon-dads/672289/
- ↑ https://www.overlyanimated.com/2015/12/26/why-steven-and-connie-compose-televisions-greatest-love-story/
- ↑ https://www.cbr.com/cartoon-relationships-healthy-in-real-life/
- ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1240075-my-job-here-is-done-but-you-didnt-do-anything








