Growth is at the heart of many anime stories. Whether it be in combat, sports, or a craft, there’s no shortage of anime characters who want nothing more than to be the best at what they do. And to do that, they often need a mentor.
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Mentors are highly skilled individuals, who are able to guide their chosen mentees in their quest for growth. The bond that emerges from these relationships is often a strong emotional core in a given story, and many such pairs have become beloved by anime fans. These are some of the most iconic of these pairs.
8Victor Nikiforov/Yuri Katsuki (Yuri On Ice)
Yuri on Iceis similar in many ways to other sports anime. Its protagonist Yuri Katsuki is a young figure skater who aims to one day be as good as his idol, Victor Nikiforov. This goal one day becomes a possibility when Victor himself decides to become his coach.
With the guidance of one of the best skaters in the world, Yuri’s abilities get better and better, but it’s the relationship between the two that is the real draw for some fans. In an unusual turn, Yuri and Victor end up being love interests, adding even more weight to their relationship.
7William Zeppeli/Jonathan Joestar (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure)
While all of the protagonists inJojo’s Bizarre Adventurehave supporting casts thathelp them grow, the first Jojo is the one who had the most traditional mentor. After his first fight with Dio, Jonathan meets William Zeppeli, who offers to teach him the way of hamon.
With Zeppeli’s tutelage, Jonathan quickly gains a strong grasp of hamon, and the two are united in their quest to stop Dio. Unfortunately, their relationship ends with Zeppeli’s death, but by passing his remaining hamon to Jonathan, he makes sure his student has the strength to finish what they started.
6Kyojuro Rengoku/Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer)
Unfortunately, these two never got that much time together before Rengoku’s untimely death. However, in that short time, the effect that Rengoku had on Tanjiro would last until the end ofDemon Slayer. He even later incorporates Rengoku’s sword guard into his own sword.
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Rengoku’s boundless optimism and breathtaking swordsmanship acted as a guiding force during the “mugen train” arc, and he is even shown to consider the main trio as his students via a dream. While Rengoku might be gone, Tanjiro iskeeping his flame burning.
5Izumi Curtis/Edward & Alphonse Elric (Full Metal Alchemist)
While this is technically not a pair, it’s a dynamic that deserves mention. Following the disappearance of their father and the death of their mother, the Elric brothers went under the tutelage of Izumi Curtis, a master of martial arts and alchemy.
Her training was as harsh and unforgiving as the woman herself, but she soon began to care for the brothers like her own sons. Evenwhen they’re olderand traveling the world, they return to her for advice and direction, respecting their master’s experience and knowledge.
4Might Guy/Rock Lee (Naruto)
Looking at the two of them, one might easily assume that they are father and son. Despite their lack of blood relation, this wouldn’t be too inaccurate a statement. With Rock being completely unable to use ninjutsu or genjutsu likeother ninja, Might Guy took it upon himself to make his student a master in taijutsu.
This means that rock’s martial arts excel far beyond his peers, and he is absolutely dedicated to his master as a result. So much so that even Rock’s son Metal has a huge amount of respect for Might Guy.
3Reigen Arataka/Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama (Mob Psycho 100)
This is easily the most unorthodox pair here, due largely to the fact that Reigen actually has no psychic powers, while his student Mob is anextremely powerful psychic. For much of their relationship, Reigen pretended to be a psychic, but this lie eventually dissolves without affecting their relationship too much.
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Instead of teaching him to be a better psychic, Reigen is more of a life coach for the emotionally stunted Mob. Despite his sleazy tendencies, Reigen cares deeply for Mob and is a vital part of directing him to find what path in life will make him the happiest.
2All Might/Izuku “Deku” Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
Originally born without a superpower (aka quirk) to call his own, Deku’s dreams of being a hero seemed over before they started. After he impressed his idol with a selfless act, however, All Might took Deku under his wing and gave himOne for All, one of the strongest quirks inMy Hero Academia.
Since then, All Might has been a surrogate father of sorts to Deku. He is the person Deku turns to when he’s struggling, and while their relationship is later revealed to be somewhat dangerous for Deku’s state of mind, they both still have the utmost love and respect for one another.
1Piccolo/Gohan (Dragon Ball)
After the threat of the Saiyans was first introduced into theDragon Ballseries, Gohan’s previously peaceful life was turned on its head. After Goku’s death, Piccolo took it upon himself to train Gohan for the fights that were to come.
Due to this, they’ve managed to retain a strong relationship throughout the series, with Gohan’s main outfit being inspired by Piccolo instead of Goku. Some fans even joke that Piccolo isGohan’s true father. The newest film,Dragon Ball Super Herofocuses on the pair and even shows Piccolo training Gohan’s daughter, Pan.
