One cannot deny that dynamic duos are sometimes the greatest part of a manga. If you have yet to learn of any famous Japanese manga duos, don’t worry! Let me introduce you to these wonderful pairs that will instantly charm you!
10. Merman in My Tub (Itokichi, 2012 – 2020): Tatsumi and Wakasa
Everything starts when one day, as Tatsumi is heading home, he finds a young man washed up by the riverbank. Without thinking much, he decides to help him and take him home.
However, Tatsumi did not expect him to be a merman named, Wakasa, who readily makes himself at home. Though to be fair to the bright-eyed merman, Tatsumi does not seem to mind much. Not even as Wakasa’s friends start to drop by, and things get chaotically crowded.
Tatsumi and Wakasa are, in essence, a pair of accidental roommates that are a delight to follow. With Tatsumi being responsible and serious and Wakasa being excited and cheerful, they offer incredible charm together.
Because while Wakasa can be overly curious, it is always fun to see Tatsumi grant him whatever he wants and see the child-like excitement that Wakasa expresses each time. Overall, these two unlikely friends never let you get bored with their strange yet cool friendship.
You can find volume 1 of this manga on Amazon here: Merman in My Tub Vol. 1
Find other volumes in this series here: Merman in My Tub manga series
9. Tanaka-kun is Always Listless (Nozomi Uda, 2014 – 2019): Tanaka and Ohta
Tanaka has only one purpose in life, and that purpose is to do absolutely nothing. Tanaka-kun is Always Listless is a slice-of-life story that follows Tanaka through his everyday life with an unwavering lethargic attitude.
However, that does not mean he is helpless because his best friend Ohta, a reliable and good-natured guy, is always there for Tanaka when he needs him.
Tanaka and Ohta deserve praise because, despite being pretty tame, both boys create an incredibly fun story. Whether it is finishing the lunch that Tanaka was too lazy to eat or Ohta carrying Tanaka around whenever necessary, these boys manage to make the most simple things funny and entertaining. Moreover, the boys’ dedicated and non-judgemental friendship makes this story a delight to read.
If you can read Japanese, you can find the Japanese Edition of volume 1 on Amazon Japan here: 田中くんはいつもけだるげ 1巻 (Tanaka-kun is Always Listless Volume 1 – Japanese Edition)
If you prefer watching the anime, you can get it here: Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless Blu-ray
8. BL Fans LOVE My Brother?! (Mimu Oyamada, 2020): Kirika and Teruo
Kirika Amano is an ordinary college student that leads a pretty uneventful life, and her brother Teruo is a twenty-year-old who hasn’t left his house in nearly four years. And though Teruo rarely leaves his room, he does seem to be working on something.
Apparently, Teruo is making fan BL comics, and, to Kirika’s surprise, her brother seems to have a lot of fans. Nevertheless, even though she finds Teruo’s interests to be a bit weird, she decides to help him with his comics and, per his request, take on his internet persona to attend public events.
Kirika and Teruo might be very different when it comes to their personalities, but they sure make an awesome pair. With Teruo’s overdramatic and introverted personality plus Kirika’s calm and reasonable self, they carry the story with contagious charm as they work together to get through each situation that Teruo manages to put them in. Following this pair of siblings will undoubtedly give you hours of fun!
Check out this manga on Amazon here: BL Fans LOVE My Brother?!
7. My Neighbor Seki (Takuma Morishige, 2011 – 2018): Seki and Yokoi
Toshinari Seki is an incredibly creative boy who works hard in class but not in his studies. Instead, he puts all of his efforts into coming up with projects that range from fun simple games to elaborate schemes.
Something that, for the most part, goes unnoticed by everyone except his desk neighbor Rumi Yokoi. Despite trying her hardest to ignore Seki and his games, she finds it impossible. She cannot help but get distracted by all the chaos that takes place next to her.
Seki and Yokoi form one the most chaotic duos out there since there is never a dull moment between them. With Seki constantly exceeding expectations with his projects and Yokoi’s ever-so-present frustration that, to her dismay, is frequently replaced with interest, these two make an iconic pair. Especially when Yokoi gets as invested as Seki does to the point that she cannot help but get involved. Ultimately, these kids never fail to entertain as they get lost in small wonders and get into the occasional quarrel.
You can find the first volume of this manga here on Amazon: My Neighbor Seki 1
Other volumes in this series can be found here: My Neighbor Seki manga series
6. Your Name (Makoto Shinkai, 2016 – 2017): Mitsuha and Taki
Mitsuha Miyamizu is a typical high school girl living in a remote town in the mountains, where she spends her days attending school and helping out at the family shrine. Taki Tachibana is a boy living in Tokyo who lives a simple life going to school, working part-time, and hanging out with his friends. Nothing too extraordinary.
However, one day out of the blue, Taki and Mitsuha start to switch bodies and have to learn how to navigate these strange circumstances.
Taki and Mitsuha are an incredible duo throughout the story. They charm you as they navigate life through each other’s bodies. Little by little, you can see them get used to their situation. There’s truly nothing more fun than to watch these two fight and bicker uncontrollably while still being able to care for each other and those around them genuinely.
Check out volume 1 of Your Name on Amazon here: Your Name Vol 1
Other volumes are availalbe here: Your Name manga series
If you prefer to watch the anime, you can find that here: Your Name Blu-ray
5. The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting (Tsukiya, 2018 – 2020): Kirishima and Yaeka
Tōru Kirishima is the right-hand man of the Sakuragi crime family who, due to his violent and wild personality, is widely known as the “Demon of Sakuragi.”
Everything changes, however, when the head of the Sakuragi family decides to make Kirishima gain some discipline by making him the babysitter of his young daughter, Yaeka. Thus, the wholesome adventures of Yaeka and her deadly babysitter begin as Kirishima learns to control himself, and Yaeka starts to come out of her shell.
This unlikely friendship between Yaeka and her babysitter creates, without a doubt, an adorable and fun story that will make you smile. Especially as you slowly start to witness how the deadliest member of the Sakuragi family begins to soften to become a reliable figure in Yaeka’s life.
Moreover, this wholesome pair never disappoints as we can see how Kirishima does not think twice about using his threatening nature for Yaeka’s sake, only to be able to turn around and be the sweetest person in the world to her.
The first volume of this manga is on Amazon here: The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting Vol. 1
You can find other volumes of this manga here: The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting manga series
4. Lovely Complex (Aya Nakahara, 2001 – 2007): Otani and Koizumi
Also known as “Love Com,” this manga looks at Atsushi Ōtani, a cool and charismatic high school boy whose only “flaw” seems to be that he is short. Risa Koizumi is a fun and sweet girl who, similarly to Ōtani, seems only to be guilty of being taller than the average girl. And so, because of their contrast in height, they often get paired off and seen as the classroom’s “comedic duo.”
Nevertheless, even though they drive each other insane, they get stuck in summer school together, and Ōtani notices that Koizumi has a crush on one of their classmates. Ōtani also has his eyes on a girl in this class. He proposes that they team up to win over the hearts of their respective crushes. Then Koizumi can get a boyfriend that matches her stature, and Ōtani gets a girlfriend that matches his.
Ōtani and Koizumi are one of the funniest couples in the romantic comedy genre due to the chaotic energy they bring to the table, mainly because of their natural and animated dynamic throughout the story. Their constant fighting and making jokes at each other’s expense is a big part of what makes this pair so fun to follow, especially since it is obvious that it is never done with malice and is only meant to get a reaction from each other. So, if you like blunt and sarcastic duos, be sure to check out Lovely Complex…you won’t be disappointed!
Find the first volume of this manga here on Amazon: Love Com, Vol. 1
You can check out more volumes in this series here: Lovely Complese (Love Com) manga series
3. Tokyo Tarareba Girls (Akiko Higashimura, 2014 – 2017): Kaori and Koyuki
Tokyo Tarareba Girls follows Rinko Kamata and her best friends, Kaori Yamakawa and Koyuki Torii. They all begin to spiral when they realize they are already thirty and still single and stuck.
Something that worsens significantly when, in the middle of one of their girls’ night out, a young guy criticizes them for never taking action and just wondering, “What if?” This prompts them to go on a rampage of drunk despair and bad decisions.
Kaori and Koyuki are the greatest examples of loyalty. They are friends through and through. Even while their lives are quite messed up, and they make pretty bad decisions, that never stops them from being good friends.
Sometimes their actions might be somewhat misguided, but they always have good intentions. Like when they convince Rinko to put herself out there, and it backfires, they are prepared to take her in and share the pain. Because if they are going to laugh together, you bet they are going to cry together. After all, that is what friends are for!
Check out volume 1 on Amazon: Tokyo Tarareba Girls 1
You can find other volumes of this manga here: Tokyo Tarareba Girls manga series
2. Ouran High School Host Club (Bisco Hatori, 2003 – 2011): Hikaru and Kaoru
Haruhi Fujioka is a student attending the famous academy Ouran Academy High School. While looking for someplace to study one day, she breaks (accidentally) a vase belonging to the “Host Club,” a group of six filthy rich guys with too much time on their hands.
The vase is worth 8 million yen! To pay back her debt, Haruhi is forced to join their club, and her life suddenly takes a turn as she becomes friends with the guys in the club.
Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachin are twins and both members of the host club and classmates of Haruhi. And, while they have somewhat polished personas for the club to attract the ladies, in reality, these two are a pair of troublemakers.
Being at the forefront of mischief campaigns in the host club, these two are a force to be reckoned with. Moreover, Hikaru and Kaoru are a significant part of what gives this story its dynamic nature and charm. As the story grows, they grow together, and we see them realize and accept themselves both as twins and individuals.
The first volume of this amazing manga can be found on Amazon here: Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 1
You can also get a 18-volume club box set here: Ouran High School Host Club Box Set (Vol. 1-18)
If you want other volumes in this series, you can check them out here: Ouran High School Host Club manga series
For those who prefer anime, you can find the Blu-ray of this series here: Ouran High School Host Club: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]
1. A Man and His Cat (Umi Sakurai, 2018 – Present): Kanda and Fukumaru
Fukumaru has been in a pet shop ever since he was a kitten, and after being constantly scorned and rejected, he has practically lost all hope. That is until one day, an older gentleman by the name of Fuyuki Kanda, comes into the store and decides to take him home.
And thus, shocked and overwhelmed with happiness Fukumaru starts his new life with his new dad. This is a feel-good story about a man and his cat who finds comfort and love in each other that will tug at your heartstrings.
Fukumaru and Kanda are, simply put, the sweetest pair in existence. It is tremendously sweet to see how much Kanda and Fukumaru mean to each other and how quickly their worlds began to revolve around each other.
With Fukumaru being a little pest and Kanda never failing to see anything his kitty does as anything but adorable, it’s hard not to fall in love with these two. This pair shows the love a pet and their owner can have for each other and will surely become one of your favorites.
Check out volume 1 of this adorabe manga on Amazon here: A Man and His Cat 01
Find other volumes in this series here: A Man and His Cat manga series
