The best anime protagonists, such as Luffy, Haruka Sakura, and Light Yagami, don’t have a canon love interest, and definitely don’t need one. If my fellow anime fans are anything like me, they love finding new characters to ship, as it's always been one of my favorite parts of starting a series. However, there are few major characters in anime (and other Western shows) that actually don’t need a love interest.

One of the reasons anime is so popular is the Izuku x Ochaco (My Hero Academia).

However, despite the endless lists of famous ships on Wattpad and Ao3, some anime characters, especially protagonists, don’t need a love interest. Not only do certain characters not have a canon love interest, but their story arcs prohibit them from having one. On the other hand, some protagonists have an implied love interest, but due to their journey of self-discovery, should not develop their relationship further until they complete it. I am a huge fan of shipping, but there are certain anime protagonists, such as Luffy, who would only get worse if they had a love interest.

Many Ships Are Not Canon, But That Doesn't Make Them Less Compelling

Most of My Favorite Ships Aren’t Canon, but Their Fanart on Social Media is Unmatched

Whether a movie, an American TV series, or an anime, my brain enjoys finding the cutest characters to ship, even if it’s far from canon in the actual source material. In fact, some of my favorite ships aren’t super mainstream at all. For example, when I started watching One Piece, I immediately shipped Nami and Usopp. Their chemistry as best friends, especially in the pre-time skip era, made for some wholesome, chaotic, and hilarious moments together.

Furthermore, one of my favorite moments in One Piece that ultimately made me ship Nami and Usopp was when he created the Clima-Tact for her after she expressed concern regarding their skills compared to the other crewmates’. Another favorite ship of mine is Kyoka Jirou x Denki Kamanari from My Hero Academia. My favorite Jirou x Kamanari moment is when he encourages her to take charge of the UA festival. Finally, Meruem x Komugi from Hunter x Hunter will forever have a special place in my heart, especially their exchanges in episode 135.

Some Protagonists Simply Shouldn’t Have a Love Interest

Not All Ships Are Necessary

While not anime-related, one of my first realizations that not all characters should be shipped with someone was the Disney+ Loki series. As a huge Loki fan, the leading anti-hero had way too much self-improvement/character-building he needed to go through before finding love. I was massively excited about the Loki series, thinking it would explore his Frost Giant background and take a deep dive into his trauma over the years, particularly with Thanos. However, instead of focusing on the titular character, the narrative shifted to his and Sylvie’s love story.

Nevertheless, each of these characters has a dream, a driving force behind their every decision that must take precedence over any romantic relationship.

Shifting back to anime, three protagonists in particular exemplify the need to have some characters remain without a love interest (at least for the time being): Wind Breaker, Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece, and Light Yagami from Death Note. Unsurprisingly, each of these iconic protagonists has an implied love interest or at least an extremely prevalent fanship. Nevertheless, each of these characters has a dream, a driving force behind their every decision that must take precedence over any romantic relationship.

The Art of the Character Arc (Feat. The Bechdel Test)

A Romantic Involvement Can Actually Hurt a Character’s Journey of Self-Discovery

I’ve studied film for many years. From character design, to film analysis, to screenwriting, to teaching a film analysis course for high school, I've tried it all. One of the main pitfalls I see in character development is the need for a love interest. I am as big a fan of romance as any anime fan. However, if the love story is brought on too soon in a character’s arc, it can completely unravel any development they have undergone.

I only recently discovered that Luffy x Nami is a pretty prevalent ship in the One Piece fandom. However, like his friend, Zoro, Luffy has only one goal: becoming King of the Pirates. While I believe Luffy and Nami would make a cute couple, their relationship should not be explored romantically until Luffy accomplishes his goal. Becoming King of the Pirates is no easy feat, as One Piece fans have seen in the 1000+ episodes of the series.

Even in My Hero Academia's case, while a romantic attraction between Izuku and Ochako is heavily teased throughout the series, none of the characters has acted on it (at least until the penultimate chapter of the series, as of the time of writing). This is because these two high-schoolers have been busy saving the world and fighting against insurmountable odds, especially in Deku's case. Taking time to pursue a relationship would have subtracted realism and focus from their struggles.

While it is possible to pursue one’s dream and a relationship simultaneously, as seen with countless anime protagonists, Luffy’s case is not so simple. Pursuing the One Piece is dangerous and requires an all-consuming obsession. The Straw Hat’s captain has proven that he will not be satisfied until he achieves his goal, demonstrating that it would be nearly impossible to build a lasting relationship at this point in his character arc.

Furthermore, as seen with Light Yagami in Death Note, Shōnen anime protagonists rarely back down from their calling, and it is often better for them to remain dedicated to a singular task at hand. While Light may have found Misa Amane conventionally attractive, his obsession with becoming “god of the new world” caused him to view her as only a stepping stone towards his goal.

Finally, Haruka Sakura, the protagonist of Crunchyroll’s newest delinquent anime, Wind Breaker, gets an implied love interest within the first few episodes: the friendly barista he saves from a rival gang. While the two make an intriguing couple, I can only hope that the series keeps the two as friends for the time being as Sakura figures out his role in Furin High School, struggles with criticism, and dreams of thriving among the strongest of the strong.

Lastly, aside from the male protagonists of Shōnen anime, strong female characters in every type of media are in severe need of a break from love interests. The situation is so dire that a test was developed and widely discussed in the early 2000s: the Bechdel Test. This test determines whether or not a work features at least two female characters who have a conversation about something other than a man or love interest.

Some of the best anime protagonists are so popular because their stories are inspiring. Characters like Luffy, Haruka, and Light prove that it is possible to achieve one’s dreams (or at least try terrifyingly hard, in Light's case). While it is entirely possible to pursue a romantic relationship and one’s ion at the same time, anime such as One Piece, Death Note, and Wind Breaker are prime examples that some of anime's best protagonists don’t have a love interest and, most importantly, don't need one.