Les 10 meilleures rivalités manga

The 10 best manga rivalries

There are spectacular fights, impossible plot twists, transformations that turn an entire season on its head... but if there's one ingredient that makes a manga truly addictive , it's rivalry. A good rivalry isn't just "two characters beating each other up." It's a mirror: one reveals the other's weaknesses, pushes them to grow, forces them to choose who they want to become.

In both shōnen and seinen manga, rivalry creates constant tension: every encounter becomes a promise, every training session takes on meaning, every decision comes at a price. Sometimes it's a sharp friendship, sometimes it's pure hatred, sometimes it's a silent obsession. And the best part is that these rivalries also tell us about ourselves: our ambitions, our insecurities, our need for recognition, our fear of being "less."

Here are 10 of the most memorable manga rivalries : those that have built legends, changed characters, and etched entire pages into the memories of fans.

1) Naruto vs Sasuke (Naruto)

It's hard to get more iconic. Naruto and Sasuke represent the ultimate "emotional fracture" rivalry. It starts as a clash of egos (the underachiever versus the cold genius), but it quickly becomes a story of lack: lack of family, lack of guidance, lack of meaning.

What makes this rivalry so intense is that it's not linear. It progresses through admiration, jealousy, the need for recognition, and then complete incomprehension. Naruto wants to save Sasuke, not defeat him. Sasuke wants to prove to himself that he doesn't need anyone, especially not Naruto. As a result, every confrontation is as much a battle as a moral debate. Ultimately, they're fighting to define what it means to be strong.

Why we love it: because it's a rivalry that speaks of friendship, trauma, and how we can love and destroy each other at the same time.

2) Goku vs Vegeta (Dragon Ball)

The most “pure shōnen” rivalry: two warriors who only think about pushing their limits. Goku embodies the joy of combat and raw innocence, Vegeta pride, ego, and the pressure of being “the prince”.

What makes their rivalry so iconic is its evolution. At first, Vegeta is an enemy. Then, he becomes an ally. Then an eternal rival. And despite the arcs, despite the transformations, despite the cosmic threats, their dynamic remains unchanged: Vegeta wants to catch up to Goku, Goku just wants to be stronger… and in a way, Vegeta becomes even more human through his desire to win.

Why we love it: because it transforms an antagonist into an ultra-complex character, and because it symbolizes the quest for transcendence.


3) L vs Light Yagami (Death Note)

Here, muscles aren't necessary. It's a rivalry of intelligence, manipulation, and ideology. Light wants to "purify" the world; L wants to stop a murderer from playing God. The most fascinating thing is that the two respect each other as much as they hate each other.

Every exchange is a chess duel. A smile can be a trap. An innocuous phrase, a test. A pause, a threat. Rivalry isn't played out in bursts of energy, but in the details: a glance, a hypothesis, a strategy.

Why we love it: because the tension is constant and the moral struggle (justice vs justice) makes everything ambiguous.

4) Gon vs Hisoka (Hunter x Hunter)

This isn't a "classic" rivalry where both characters share the same goal. Here, Hisoka is... let's say... a "toxic fan." He sees potential in Gon that excites him, and he patiently waits for Gon to mature so he can challenge him at the top.

What makes this rivalry so unsettling and captivating is the tension of the promise. Hisoka is like a distant storm: you know it will return. Gon, on the other hand, is building himself up with the idea that one day he will have to be able to respond. This rivalry is less a war than an obsession.

Why we love it: because it creates crazy anticipation and reveals a darker side of shōnen: growing up also means attracting dangers.

5) Ichigo vs Grimmjow (Bleach)

Of all the rivalries in Bleach , Ichigo vs. Grimmjow is one of the most electrifying. Grimmjow isn't just an obstacle; he's a predator. He refuses compromise, despises weakness, and forces Ichigo to confront his own fear—the fear of losing control, of not being strong enough, of failing to protect.

This duel has something brutal and animalistic about it. Grimmjow wants to prove his superiority. Ichigo wants to survive and protect. You really feel the contrast between instinctive violence and heroism.

Why we love it: because it gives ultra-intense fights and forces Ichigo to mature quickly, very quickly.


6) Deku vs Bakugo (My Hero Academia)

Bakugo is a perfect rival because he is so deeply human: talented, aggressive, and insecure. Deku, on the other hand, starts out "without powers," but with immense willpower. Their rivalry is a mixture of unrequited admiration and fear of losing their place.

The most interesting thing is that Bakugo isn't a villain. He's simply trapped by his identity: "I'm the best." And Deku, as he grows, shatters this certainty. Their rivalry thus becomes a healing process, a way to understand each other and learn to respect one another.

Why we love it: because it shows rivalry as a complex emotion, not just an excuse for fights.

7) Eren vs Reiner (Attack on Titan)

Here, we're dealing with a tragic rivalry. Eren and Reiner aren't just opponents; they represent two sides of an absurd war. Reiner is consumed by guilt, Eren by rage and a sense of inevitability. Their relationship is shattered when the truth emerges: the world isn't simple, the enemy isn't a monster… and violence has a price.

Every confrontation is fraught with immense pain. It's no longer about "winning," it's about "enduring." And that's rare in manga.

Why we love it: because the rivalry becomes a critique of war and dehumanization.

8) Guts vs Griffith (Berserk)

Here, we touch upon the mythical. Guts and Griffith: it's a story of admiration that turns into a nightmare. Griffith is charismatic, ambitious, almost supernatural in the way he attracts others. Guts is a survivor, a body made for violence, a soul searching for a reason to live.

The rivalry stems from a bond: Guts is one of the few Griffith doesn't completely control. And when that bond breaks, everything explodes. The tragedy of this rivalry is that it's not just personal: it engulfs lives, a community, a world.

Why we love it: because it's a total rivalry, emotional, philosophical, and terribly human.


9) Thorfinn vs Askeladd (Vinland Saga)

A rivalry that begins as revenge. Thorfinn wants to kill Askeladd to avenge his father. But Askeladd is too intelligent, too cynical, too experienced. He lets Thorfinn "grow up" around him while manipulating him. And little by little, their relationship becomes a complex knot: hatred, dependence, forced learning.

The genius of it is that the rivalry changes its nature: it's no longer "I want to kill you," it's "who am I if I kill you?". Askeladd becomes an obstacle but also a structuring figure in Thorfinn's life.

Why we love it: because it's an adult rivalry, where violence is used to ask questions about the meaning of life.

10) Sanji vs Zoro (One Piece)

Yes, it's often comical. Yes, they bicker about everything. But the Sanji/Zoro rivalry is the perfect example of a rivalry that strengthens a team. They want to prove they're Luffy's "best right-hand man," but in crucial moments, they trust each other.

This duo works because they complement each other: Zoro is blunt, direct, and disciplined. Sanji is tactical, elegant, and emotional. Their rivalry creates a constant energy, a driving force within the crew. And it also provides what One Piece does best: a blend of heart and humor.

Why we love it: because it's the "brothers in arms" rivalry: there's some stinging, but there's respect.

Why manga rivalries work so well

Because they are a very simple and very powerful form of storytelling: an obstacle made real . Instead of a vague concept (“getting stronger”), you have a face, a voice, a presence. Your goal becomes concrete.

And above all, rivalry tells the story of a transformation. We never push ourselves as far as when faced with someone who reflects back to us what we have not yet resolved: our ego, our fear, our anger, our frustration, our need to be loved.

If you've made it this far, it means one thing: you too live for these thrilling duels . 😄
Tell us in the comments: which rivalry has left the biggest impression on you (or the one that made you shout in front of your screen)?

And if you think there's a must-see rivalry missing, let us know : we'd be happy to do a part 2 with the best suggestions from the community.

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