Anime siblings who deserve better: 10 pairs of anime siblings who deserved better

Anime storytelling lies a poignant thread: the tales of anime siblings' bonds that resonate profoundly with audiences. The complexities and depths of these anime siblings who deserved better, are woven intricately into the fabric of anime's diverse storytelling.

From the tragic saga of the Uchiha brothers in Naruto to the heartrending journey of Seita and Setsuko in Grave of the Fireflies, these narratives of the anime siblings peel back the layers of familial connection amidst trials.

Here is a list of ten pairs of anime siblings who deserved better, each grappling with adversities deserving of a brighter fate. The stories of these anime siblings will continue to inspire empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the profound impact of family ties.

Disclaimer: This article includes the writer's opinion and is not ranked in any order.

Seita and Setsuko Yokokawa, Edward and Alphonse Elric, and 8 others are among pairs of anime siblings who deserved better

1) Meliodas and Zeldris (The Seven Deadly Sins)

Meliodas and Zeldris (image via A-1 Pictures)

Meliodas and Zeldris, sons of the Demon King, are torn apart by duty and love. Meliodas rebels against their father to be with the goddess Elizabeth, sparking a centuries-long conflict between demons and goddesses. Zeldris, loyal to their father and in love with Gelda, is forced to oppose Meliodas.

Their relationship, marked by love and duty, suffers under their father's manipulations and their roles in the conflict. Despite their bond, they are driven apart by familial expectations and their respective duties, deserving a world where they can freely support each other and live without their father's oppressive influence.

2) Natsu and Zeref Dragneel (Fairy Tail)

Natsu and Zeref Dragneel (Image via CloverWorks)

Natsu and Zeref Dragneel's relationship in Fairy Tail is marred by curses and tragic roles. Zeref, cursed with immortality and a deadly aura, inadvertently kills his brother Natsu. To revive him, Zeref becomes a dark wizard and resurrects Natsu as the demon E.N.D.

Unaware of his true nature, Natsu grows up in Fairy Tail, forming strong bonds. Their eventual confrontation is driven by Zeref's desire to end his curse and Natsu's quest for justice. Despite their bond, they are torn apart by fate. They deserved a life free from curses, where they could simply be brothers and enjoy a normal family life.

3) Yukio and Rin Okumura (Blue Exorcist)

Yukio and Rin Okumura (image via A-1 Pictures)

Rin and Yukio Okumura, burdened by their demonic heritage, deserve better than the turmoil they face. Rin, the son of Satan, struggles with his demonic powers and fear of losing control. Yukio, initially human, feels overshadowed and burdened with protecting Rin while grappling with his own insecurities.

They confront external threats from exorcists and demons, and internal conflicts of jealousy and fear. Yukio's later revelation of his own demonic heritage further strains their bond. They deserved a life where their relationship thrived without fear and responsibility, allowing them to support each other unconditionally as brothers.

4) Tatsumi and Kurome (Akame ga Kill!)

Tatsumi and Kurome (image via Square Enix)

Tatsumi and Kurome, once innocent kids, are torn apart by a corrupt world in Akame ga Kill! Orphaned and separated, Tatsumi joins Night Raid to fight against the corrupt empire, while Kurome becomes an assassin for the empire, enduring horrific experiments that scar her deeply. Their tragic confrontation pits Kurome’s loyalty and traumatic past against Tatsumi’s fight for justice.

Once close, these anime siblings become enemies due to the cruel world they inhabit. They deserved a life where they could have grown up together in peace and happiness, rather than being exploited and destroyed by a corrupt system.

5) Nunnally and Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass)

Lelouch vi Britannia and Nunnally (Image via Sunrise)

Nunnally and Lelouch vi Britannia are thrust into political turmoil in Code Geass. After their mother's assassination and Nunnally’s disability, Lelouch becomes the revolutionary Zero, vowing to create a peaceful world for her. Despite their bond, they are manipulated and separated by the Britannian Empire.

Lelouch's ultimate sacrifice to bring peace and Nunnally’s suffering highlight a tragic tale of love and sacrifice. Used as a political pawn and grieving her brother’s actions, Nunnally, and Lelouch, bearing the weight of revolution, deserved a life of peace, free from manipulation and cruelty.

6) Seita and Setsuko Yokokawa (Grave of the Fireflies)

Seita and Setsuko Yokokawa (Image via Studio Ghibli Shinchosha)

The real-life story of Seita and Setsuko Yokokawa in Grave of Fireflies depicts the suffering and loss of life amidst war. As war orphans during World War II, they starve due to lack of food and are abandoned in a society that has been ravaged by the war.

However, with time malnutrition defeats Setsuko, thus exposing the horrors that war has on children, in this case, Seita. This tragedy makes the fans believe that they are among anime siblings who deserve better.

This represents a sad ending to their story, meaning the youth cannot trust the adult world for proper protection.

7) Maki and Mai Zenin (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Maki and Mai Zenin when they were kids (Image via Mappa)

Trapped within the Zenin clan's toxic and patriarchal confines, the sisters Maki and Mai face a harrowing struggle against discrimination and suffocating expectations. Maki, lacking cursed energy, endures ostracism within the prestigious sorcerer family. Meanwhile, Mai, burdened with the clan's demands, harbors resentment towards Maki's defiance.

Their bond, strained by these pressures, culminates in a tragic showdown during a mission, where Mai sacrifices herself to empower Maki. Their story reflects a profound longing for freedom from oppressive clan dynamics, yearning for a life where sisterly love can flourish unencumbered by societal constraints making them one of the anime siblings who deserved better.

8) Edward and Alphonse Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Edward and Alphonse Elric (Image via Bones)

Driven by love for their mother, the Elric brothers, Edward and Alphonse, face profound pain and loss. Their attempt to resurrect her using alchemy results in catastrophe: Edward loses a limb, Alphonse his entire body.

Their quest for the Philosopher’s Stone exposes them to war, ethical dilemmas, and dark forces. Despite suffering and sacrifice, their brotherly bond remains unwavering.

9) Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)

Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha (Image via Pierrot)

Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha's tragic narrative unfolds amidst political manipulation and familial duty. Itachi, a prodigy of the Uchiha clan, is coerced into annihilating his kin to prevent civil strife, sparing only Sasuke. Ignorant of Itachi's true motives, Sasuke's life becomes consumed by vengeance. Upon learning the truth, he grapples with overwhelming guilt and sorrow.

The story of these anime siblings is of love and sacrifice, marred by solitude and suffering. Both brothers yearn for a peaceful resolution where they can coexist without the weight of their past, underscoring the profound tragedy of their bond.

10) Kohaku and Ruri (Dr. Stone)

Kohaku and Ruri (image via TMS Entertainment)

In Dr. Stone, Kohaku and Ruri endure the hardships of illness and societal expectations, testing their unbreakable bond. Ruri's chronic illness burdens their existence, but Kohaku's unwavering determination drives her to seek a cure, risking her life in perilous tasks like the Grand Bout.

With the aid of Senku, these anime siblings eventually find a remedy, showcasing the resilience of sibling love amidst adversity. Their struggle underscores the harsh realities of a society devoid of modern medicine, longing for a life where Ruri's health isn't a constant worry and where their bond can thrive unhindered by the specter of illness.

To Conclude

Anime siblings like Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha or Seita and Setsuko Yokokawa demonstrate profound love and sacrifice amidst harsh life circumstances, resonating deeply with fans who appreciate their bond in the anime universe.

These anime siblings, despite their hardships, have turned into enduring emblems of family bonds.

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