Some of the most beloved anime in history are structured around trios. This constitutes the main character being accompanied by two other characters with completely different dynamics. It creates an outlet for the creator to be more creative with the chemistry between characters.
These trios are not defined to a particular genre of anime either. They can be from a comedy anime or a serious psychological horror shounen, and still be perfectly effective. In the list below, let us look at some of the best trios of all time in anime history.
Best Anime Trios Of All Time
Pokémon (Jessie, James, and Meowth)
Probably the most iconic trio that comes to everyone’s mind when thinking about anime is Team Rocket from Pokémon. Jessie, James, and Meowth are absolute icons who are fulfilling everyone’s childhood by being the villains of the week.
This iconic trio originally joined as trainees in Team Rocket, but later became united as good friends. One special thing about this group is that Meowth can talk. Pokémon in the media don’t usually talk, but this one was special.
The trio appeared in an episodic manner, always plotting to steal Pokémon. But somehow ended up getting blown away into the sky by the show’s protagonists.
Naruto (Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura)
The only other trio to directly rival the trio from Pokémon has to be Team 7 from Naruto. These three characters are definitely some of the most iconic groups out of all the popular shounen anime.
Naruto is one of the most popular anime of all time. Created by Masashi Kishimoto, the series has been influential enough to inspire other popular shows and even its own sequel. We are introduced to the characters in this group very early on in the show.
It comprises Sasuke of the Uchiha clan, Sakura Haruno, the female link of the group, and Naruto Uzumaki, the protagonist. The whole anime revolves particularly around the characters and the dynamics between them. This is what makes Team 7 even more special and important for this list.
Samurai Champloo (Mugen, Jin, and Fuu)
Shinichiro Watanabe might be one of the greatest anime directors of all time. His best and most popular work is Cowboy Bebop, which chronicles a band of bounty hunters in a futuristic world.
But for our list, we are going to look at his other most popular work, which is Samurai Champloo. This is one gem of a show that perfectly blends hip hop aesthetics with samurai culture from Edo-era Japan.
The structure of the show is pretty simple and follows the popular trio, Mugen, Jin, and Fu. All of whom are looking for the samurai who smells of sunflowers.
Jujutsu Kaisen (Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara)
Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the many modern shounen anime that have become really popular in recent years. It is also a show that is structured around a trio, namely Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara. The funny part is that the archetypes of these characters might seem very familiar to Naruto’s Team 7.
This really shows how influential the trio from Naruto was. But that aside, Jujutsu Kaisen has its own merits that need to be addressed. The show is a supernatural action fantasy series set in a world where curses are out to kill humanity.
Just like Naruto, Yuji is someone who has sealed within himself one of the strongest curses in the world, Sukuna. The story revolves around our main characters having to deal with this problem and eventually face it in a bloody fight.
Gintama (Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura)
Gintama is one of the most hilarious anime ever created in the world, and that is totally not a biased opinion of the person writing this. The show takes the Japanese Edo period and chucks it into space with elements like Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Aliens have now invaded Earth and are common inhabitants. Technology has advanced far enough for humanity to create futuristic weaponry. Such as the Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon.
But all of that aside, this anime has one of the funniest trios in all of anime history. Kagura, who is a little alien girl, Shinpachi, who is stuck with the group, and the leader Gintoki. Together they form the Yorozuya, which translates to ‘odd jobs’, which is exactly what they do.
Hunter x Hunter (Gon, Killua, and Leorio)
This one may not be the kind of trio that sticks together throughout the show. But they are very good friends with each other, and have their own goals they need to focus on. Gon, Leorio, and Killua are the best three group of friends in the whole anime.
We know that Kurapika is also a part of the group, which kind of breaks the idea of a trio. But for a lot of the portion of the show, the sole trio consisted of the previously mentioned characters. While Kurapika stayed busy with his own goals.
If you haven’t checked out Hunter x Hunter yet, then you should definitely do so. The show is created by Yoshihiro Togashi, of the legendary Yu Yu Hakusho fame. We hope to see the story of this manga come to fruition someday.
Lupin the Third (Lupin, Goemon, and Daisuke)
Many of you reading this might be too young to know about this show. But Lupin the Third is one of the best pieces of Japanese anime media created back in the late 60s. The series was created by Monkey Punch, who was the pen name of the late manga artist, Kazuhiko Kato.
The show spins around the idea of the great thief, Arsène Lupin’s grandson, and his pals. For those unaware, Arsene Lupin was a fictional gentleman thief figure from the works of Maurice Leblanc.
In the anime, Lupin is accompanied by his group of friends, Daisuke Jigen and Goemon Ishikawa. Both equally proficient in their own skills, Daisuke is an incredible marksman, and Goemon is a master swordsman. Together, they make up one of the best trios from the late ’60s era anime.
Neon Genesis Evangelion (Shinji, Asuka, and Rei)
Created by one of the greatest minds in Japanese tokusatsu media, Hideaki Anno. Neon Genesis Evangelion is considered one of the most popular pieces of psychological anime ever created.
The show follows of trio of mech pilots who are high schoolers and have their own stories that the show focuses on. Shinji is the main protagonist of the show and is kind of the centerpiece of the group. Asuka Langley and Ayanami Rei are the other two characters who revolve around Shinji.
Neon Genesis Evangelion takes us on a trip, deconstructing the mecha anime genre on an emotional and psychological level. Unlike other shows, the mech pilots in this anime are not mentally stable. That’s what fuels viewers to stick with these characters’ stories.
Attack on Titan (Eren, Mikasa, and Armin)
Following up on Neon Genesis Evangelion with another distressing show, where the main characters are equally unstable. Attack on Titan is Hajime Isayama’s magnum opus. Originally called Shingeki no Kyojin, it reached unprecedented heights as soon as the manga was adapted into an anime.
The show follows the life of humanity inside walls that protect them from giant humanoid creatures known as Titans. Everything changes one day, when suddenly, a wall is broken and titans start rushing in, tearing humans apart.
All of that aside, the reason for putting this anime on the list is obviously because it has an iconic trio. Mikasa, Armin, and the protagonist, Eren, are childhood friends who grow up together to fight these titans.
Demon Slayer (Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke)
Demon Slayer is another modern anime that shot up in popularity as soon as the adaptation of the manga was released. Presently, it is breaking world records with the release of the Demon Slayer movie.
But that’s a different discussion; for now, we want to bring your attention to the main trio of the show. Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu make up the group of main characters whom fans love seeing in action.
Tanjiro is the main protagonist of the show, who is looking to cure her sister, Nezuko, who has been turned into a demon. Zenitsu, on the other hand, may sound annoying and cowardly, but he is an exceptionally fast swordsman. Inosuke is not a boar; he is the token comic relief of the group, but that’s what completes the amazing trio.
