A love triangle is when one character has two potential love interests. What makes a love trinagle anime interesting? It gives the anime an interesting romantic twist and builds character development. Let’s discover the top 15 bitter sweet anime love triangles that will touch the tender hearts of its viewers! Which love triangle is your favorite?
1.Yuki Souma x Tohru Honda x Kyo Souma
The story unfurls when Tohru Honda seeks refuge in a tent inside Sohmas’ territory after recently losing her mother from a car accident. But she is not so easily discouraged because of her positivity and optimism. The Sohmas eventually discover her tent. They allow her to live with them for free in exchange for doing their household chores, and cooking. Tohru encounters her two lovers: Kyo Sohma and Yuki Sohma. Behind the existence of the Sohma family lies a secret about the legendary Chinese Zodiac. The hot headed Kyo is the cat, the sole animal that was deceived and excluded from the zodiac. Tohru always fantasized about being the cat from her mother’s story of the Chinese Zodiac. His nemesis Yuki Sohma is the rat. Yuki is idolized by the entire school as a prince for his beauty, and kindness. Watch Fruits Basket to learn more about the love triangle between Tohru and two fellow members of the zodiac: the cat and the rat!
- Anime Title: Fruits Basket
- Status: Currently Airing
2. Kairi Okayasu x Momo Adachi x Kazuya “Toji” Tojigamori
Momo Adachi’s bleached hair and tanned skin gives people the wrong impression of her. Sae Kashiwagi is the only girl that approaches and befriends Momo. Momo and Sae become best friends. But little did she know that her best friend was a double edge sword. Momo tries desperately to get Toji (the object of her affection) to trust her. But her scheming and manipulative best friend (Sae) tries to ruin the relationship between Toji and Momo. However, Momo is not completely alone. Momo is continuously supported by Kairi Okayasu. Kairi sees through Sae’s lies and tricks. He is not easily deceived by Sae. Momo is entrapped by her feelings for Kairi and Toji. Watch Peach Girl to find out who Momo eventually chooses!
- Anime title: Peach Girl
- Status: Completed
- Episodes: 26
3. Son Hak x Yona x Soo Won
Princess Yona, Son Hak, and Soo-Won grew up together as childhood friends. But on the celebration of Princess Yona’s 16th birthday, her father (the emperor) warns her that she must not love Soo-Won. The Soo-Won that she had pictured as a kind and gentle soul was just a mask. Beneath the mask, Soo-Won was hiding his intention to rip away everything that is precious to Princess Yona. On her fateful 16th birthday, Yona loses almost everything: her identity, wealth, and reputation as the princess of her Korean kingdom. Only Son Hak (her fiance and childhood friend) vows his faith and loyalty to Princess Yona as she is exiled from the kingdom by Soo-Won and his army. He risks his life to defend and protect the girl he grew up with. Watch Akatsuki no Yona to find out how this love triangle unravels!
- Anime Title: Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the Dawn)
- Status: Completed
- Episodes: 26
4. Kaname Kuran x Yuuki Cross x Zero Kiryuu
In Cross Academy there lies a secret: humans and vampires co-exist in separate classes. The day class humans have a black uniform. Vampires wear the white night class uniform. Yuuki Cross is the adopted daughter of Cross Academy’s chairman and knows this secret well. Yuuki and Zero Kiryuu fulfill their duties as the school’s guardians by establishing peace between the two races. In Cross Academy, vampires take blood tablets to stop their urge for blood. But the sweet smell of Yuuki’s blood lures the vampires’ attention. Yuuki Cross has a crush on one vampire in particular: the mature pure-blooded leader of the vampires from the Night Class (Kaname Kuran). Learn more about the love triangle between two races by watching Vampire Knight!
- Anime Titles: Vampire Knight
- Episodes: (26 episodes)
- Status: Completed
5. Naruto Uzumaki x Sakura Haruno x Sasuke Uchiha
Naruto Uzumaki’s ultimate dream is to become the Hokage (the title bestowed to the strongest ninja and leader) of the Hidden Leaf Village. Since birth, Naruto grew up without the warmth, care, and support of a family. But that doesn’t discourage him from achieving his dream! He is a mischievous kid and pulls pranks to get attention. He was originally treated as an outcast because of the beast inside him. But he slowly wins the trust, respect, acknowledgement, and friendship of the whole village. Naruto is enrolled in a ninja academy. He has a crush on his female classmate: Sakura Haruno. Sakura’s hair is the color of Japanese cherry blossoms. But Sakura is infatuated with Sasuke. Sasuke is a quiet introvert who shows talent in his ninja and combat skills. But as Sasuke goes rogue and leaves the village, will Naruto and Sakura get him back? Find out by following the Naruto series.
- Anime Title: Naruto (220 episodes)
- Naruto Shippuden (500 episodes)
- Status: Completed
6. Usagi Tsukino x Mamoru Chiba x Chibiusa Tsukino
Usagi Tsukino is no ordinary girl. She was originally from the Moon Kingdom. But the kingdom fell into ruins and chaos under the hands of dark invaders. Usagi is a clumsy and scatterbrained middle schooler. She falls off the stairs. She has a habit of waking up late for school, and getting poor academic grades. But Usagi’s encounter with Luna changes her life. After meeting Luna, she transforms into a magical girl to defend Earth from alien invaders. Her greatest strength is that she will sacrifice her life to protect and defend the people she cares about the most.Those people include her friends, Mamoru Chiba, and her family. Mamoru Chiba disguises himself as Tuxedo Mask to support Usagi in fighting crime. But ever since Chibiusa (their future daughter) appears, Usagi can’t shake off her worrisome feelings. She fears Chibiusa will take her partner (Mamoru) away from her. Watch Sailor Moon to find out more about this love triangle!
- Anime Title: Sailor Moon (Still has Movies coming out)
7. Usui Takumi x Misaki Ayuzawa x Hinata Shintani
Misaki Ayuzawa is the strict, tough, and hardworking female student council president of her high school. She secretly works part time in a maid cafe to pay off her father’s enormous debt. But eventually her secret is revealed. Usui Takumi pays a visit to the maid cafe and discovers her working there. Misaki asks Usui to not expose her secret part-time job.Japan forbids students from working part time jobs. Usui agrees to keep her identity as a secret.. Usui develops a fondness for Misaki and her hard work ethic. But Misaki sees him as a perverted alien. Later, Hinata Shintani appears as Usui’s greatest rival for Misaki’s affections. Who will Misaki choose in the end? Watch Kaichou wa Maid Sama to find out!
- Anime Title: Kaichou wa Maid Sama
- Status: Completed
- Episodes: 26
8. Ren Tsuruga x Kyouko Mogami x Shoutaro Fuwa
Kyouko Mogami once dedicated her whole life to her childhood friend: Shoutaro Fuwa (Shou). She once dreamed of becoming his future bride and wife. The two childhood friends leave their hometown to go to Tokyo hoping Shou becomes an aspiring model. She worked multiple jobs to fund the rent for his expensive apartment, However, as Shou became a hotshot model in the entertainment industry, a sudden betrayal awaits Kyouko. Kyouko vows to seek her revenge by entering the showbiz industry, and changing her appearance. She encounters a new love: Ren Tsuruga. Ren Tsuruga is the complete opposite of Sho). It isn’t so simple to forget the love she once felt towards her childhood friend. As the characters mature, the love triangle becomes more and more complicated. Watch Skip Beat to see Kyoko’s love triangle unfurl!
- Anime Title: Skip Beat
- Status: Completed
- Episodes: 26
9. Yoshioka Futaba x Kou Mabuchi x Yuuri Makita
Yoshioka Futaba was popular with all her male middle school classmates. That popularity was a double edge sword as it brought her jealousy and anger from the girls she attempted to befriend. In high school, she decides to change her image to stop attracting her male classmates’ attention, and gain female friends. She reunites with her crush: Kou Mabuchi. But his personality seems different from before. Her newly found best friend Yuuri also has a crush on Kou. The short-haired Yuuri is highly praised by her male classmates as a “cute” girl. Will Yoshioka pick romance over her friendship? Find out more by following the Ao Haru Ride (Blue Spring Ride) series!
- Anime Title: Ao Haru Ride (Blue Spring Ride)
- Status: Completed
- Episodes: 26
10. Kaori Miyazono x Kousei Arima x Tsubaki Sawabe
Kousei Arima’s childhood was spent enjoying the pleasures of music as a piano playing prodigy. But when his mother passed away from illness, he lost his musical talent, ability, and motivation to play piano. He meets Kaori Miyazono. She helps him find the strength and courage to play the piano again. Kaori’s golden hair and personality is like the dazzling sun. Kaori uses her cheerful and vibrant personality to convince Kousei to play music with her. Her violin playing is full of passion and excitement. Although her violin music doesn’t follow the original style, she strives to entertain her audience. Kaori poses as a love rival to Kousei’s short-haired childhood friend Tsubaki. Tsubaki slowly realizes that Kousei Arima is more than her unofficial sibling. How will this love triangle turn out? Find out by watching Your Lie In April!
- Anime Title: Your Lie in April
- Episodes: 22
- Status: completed
11. Meiko “Menma” Honma x Jinta Yadomi x Naruko Anjou
Naruko Anjou has a crush on Jinta Yadomi. But her love rival appears when Jinta stumbles across the ghost of a childhood friend: Menma. Menma’s body still remains the size of a child. Menma wishes to reunite the bonds of the people she used to play with. But her friends have gone separate ways to escape the painful memories of Menma’s death. This tearjerker anime focuses on restoring long forgotten friendships. The characters cling to the memories of the cheerful Menma from childhood. Watch Anohana to discover more secrets behind this tear jerking anime!
- Anime Title:(AnoHana: The Flower we Saw That Day)
- Status: Completed
- Episodes: 11
12. Kagome Higurashi x Inuyasha x Kikyo
Inuyasha’s love triangle is a romance that transcends time because it features the romance between a half demon (Inuyasha), an ancient priestess (Kikyo), and a modern day high schooler (Kagome Higurashi). Inuyasha was born from a Japanese human mother, and his father was a demon lord. On nights of the full moon, his human side manifests for an entire day. He faces a dilemma between choosing from Kikyo and Kagome. Kagome Higurashi is the reincarnation of Priestess Kikyo. She accidentally smashes the Shikon jewel into shards when she hits it with an arrow. The jewel shards are scattered across Japan. By carrying the Shikon jewel shards, Kagome gains the miraculous ability to travel to Inuyasha’s ancient time period, and back to modern day Tokyo. Kagome also inherited Kikyo’s ability to purify souls and objects . Kikyo was a good natured woman who nursed people back to health, and treated their wounds. Find out how Inuyasha handles his love triangle by checking out the Inuyasha series!
- Anime Title: Inuyasha (167 episodes)
- Inuyasha: Kanketsu-hen / Inuyasha: The Final Act (26 episodes)
- Status: Completed
13. Hikari Sakishima x Manaka Mukaido x Tsumugi Kihara
For generations, humans lived and played with the abundant sea creatures in the depths of the ocean. But some humans prefered life on the surface. They abandoned their underwater lifestyles and lost their “Ena” (a god given protection that allowed them to breathe underwater). But recently the sea has plunged into chaos. Manaka, Hikari, Chisaki, and Kaname head to the surface to attend school. Manak is a cheerful, optimistic and vibrant girl. Hikari is hotheaded and short tempered. But he cares for Manaka, and scolds her for her mistakes. Chisaki is mature and independent. She has a crush on Hikari but she is aware that his eyes only focus on Manaka. Kaname is level headed and likes Chisaki. But their classmates show their disdain for the people of the sea. Will they change their classmates’ minds about them? Nagi no Asukara is a romance, drama, and fantasy anime with multiple love triangles. Which option do you prefer?
- Anime Title: Nagi no Asukara (A Lull in the Sea)
- Status: Completed
- Episodes: 26
- Option A: Hikari Sakishima x Manaka Mukaido x Tsumugi Kihara
- Option B: Manaka Mukaido x Hikari Sakishima x Chisaki Hiradaira
- Option C: Manaka Mukaido x Hikari Sakishima x Miuna Shiodome
- Option D: Sayu Hisanuma x Kaname Isaki x Chisaki Hidaira
14. Yoshino Takigawa x Aika Fuwa x Mahiro Fuwa
Zetsuen no Tempest is a combination of psychology, drama, and mystery. Yoshino and Mahiro cling on to the fond and bittersweet memories of their favorite girl: Aika Fuwa.In life, Aika was a cold, calculative, and intelligent girl. But she was warm and caring to her loved ones. She would often quote from her favorite literature pieces. Yoshino was secretly dating Aika. Yet Mahiro (Aika’s blonde step brother) had a sister complex. Yoshino and Mahiro are determined to investigate the mystery behind Aika’s blood stained death. Was there a culprit behind a murder?
- Anime Title: Zetsuen no Tempest (Blast of Tempest)
- Status: Completed
- Episodes: 24
15. Kaga Kouko x Tada Banri x Nana Hayashida
College is a great opportunity to prepare for your future career and discover new romances along the way! Tada Banri is studying as a Japanese law student. He meets the classy, flashy, and fashionable Kaga Kouko. They both attend the same university despite studying in different classes. Banri’s loyalty and support wins the heart of Kaga Kouko. But a great challenge stands in the way of their romance. Tanda Banri suffers from amnesia and lost all traces of his memory. His past girlfriend Nana Hayashida (Linda) is the key to awakening memories of his past. Who will Tada Banri choose? Watch Golden Time to find out!
- Anime Title: Golden Time
- Status: Completed
- Episodes: 24
Runner Up #1 Kaga Kouko x Mitsuo Yanagisawa x Chinami Oka
Kaga Kouko originally was head over heels for the guy she grew up with: Mitsuo Yanagisawa. But Mitsuo sees her as the persistent and pushy girl who is always chasing after him. Mitsuo’s heart focuses only on Chinami Oka. Chinami is the new cheerful and sweet girl that he meets at his college. Watch Golden Time to see the development of this love triangle!
16. Seiji Hiwatari x Kirari Tsukishima x Hiroto Kazama
Kirari Tsukishima is a 14 year old gluttonous beauty whose mind always thinks about food. One day, she saves a stranded turtle that was lost in a tree. That turtle belonged to the gentle blonde male idol named Seiji Hiwatari. To thank her for saving his lost pet, Seiji gives her a ticket to his concert. Kirari is unaware that Seji is a member of the popular duo singing group SHIPS along with Hiroto Kazama. Hiroto tears her ticket claiming that she lives in a different world than Seiji. Seiji is a popular idol while Kirari is a typical middle school student. Kirari is determined to live in the same world as Seiji. She auditions for her idol debut, and her determination wins the support of Hiroto. Hiroto decides to help her win Seiji’s heart. But his constant support makes Kirari confused on who she really likes. Watch Kirarin Revolution to see the live triangle in action!
- Anime Title: Kirarin Revolution
- Status: Completed
- Episodes: 153