5 More Anime Ships That Never Happened - Even Though Fans Wish They Did

Sometimes, the most compelling relationships in anime are the ones that never get the chance to bloom. From unspoken admiration to emotional rivalries, these five pairs had chemistry that could have set their worlds on fire—if only the story had let them.

(By the way, if you missed our first article on this topic, you can find it here.)

1. Jean Kirstein and Mikasa Ackerman (Attack on Titan)

From the moment Jean first compliments Mikasa’s hair, his crush was obvious to everyone - except Mikasa herself. Jean admired her strength and grace, even sketching a girl who looked just like her before he ever met her. It’s one of those rare, subtle threads in Attack on Titan that survived through the chaos of war.

By the series’ end, Mikasa is seen living a quiet life with a husband and children. The scene strongly hints that her partner might be Jean, but the anime never confirms it outright. Maybe it’s meant to be ambiguous, or maybe it’s the show’s way of giving Jean a quiet, unspoken victory after years of heartbreak. Whatever the case, fans still debate it - and dream of the love story that might have been.

2. Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)

The bond between Naruto and Sasuke is one of the most emotionally charged relationships in anime history. Their rivalry, respect, and almost spiritual connection form the emotional core of Naruto. Time and again, Naruto risks everything to bring Sasuke back - not out of duty, but because he refuses to let go of someone he calls his friend, his brother… maybe even something deeper.

Of course, the story never takes that leap. Naruto marries Hinata, Sasuke ends up with Sakura, and their relationship remains defined by friendship and shared pain. But for fans, that intensity - the looks, the sacrifices, the battles - feels like the kind of love that transcends labels. Maybe it was never meant to “happen,” but the emotion behind it will always feel real.

3. Nami and Sanji (One Piece)

Sanji’s adoration for Nami is one of One Piece’s longest-running jokes, but there’s always been more to it than comic relief. His chivalry toward her isn’t just exaggerated politeness - there’s genuine affection behind those hearts in his eyes. And Nami, while often exasperated by his antics, shares enough tender moments with him to make the SaNami ship impossible to ignore.

Still, romance has never been Oda’s focus. Despite decades of adventures, Nami and Sanji’s relationship remains platonic - teasing, loyal, and complicated in its own way. Yet fans can’t help but wonder: if One Piece ever let love stories play out, wouldn’t these two be perfect opposites? The passionate cook and the clever navigator. It practically writes itself.

4. Levy McGarden and Gajeel Redfox (Fairy Tail)

Few relationships in Fairy Tail evolve as beautifully as Levy and Gajeel’s. From bitter enemies to inseparable allies, their story screams redemption and emotional growth. Gajeel’s protective instincts, Levy’s quiet admiration, and their shared moments of vulnerability create some of the series’ most heartfelt interactions.

And yet, the anime never shows us an outright confession or a definitive romantic payoff. We get plenty of hints - blushing, jealousy, stolen glances - but not a formal relationship. For fans, that open-endedness feels deliberate, as if Fairy Tail wanted to leave their story just shy of canon so we could keep dreaming about it ourselves.

5. Killua Zoldyck and Gon Freecss (Hunter × Hunter)

No matter how you interpret it, Killua and Gon share one of the most powerful bonds in shonen anime. Their friendship is raw, loyal, and transformative - each boy finding in the other what the world denied them: acceptance. Killua’s devotion to Gon goes beyond friendship tropes, while Gon’s trust in Killua borders on unconditional love.

Still, Yoshihiro Togashi keeps their relationship framed within the purity of friendship. It’s about growth, sacrifice, and learning what it means to care deeply for someone without expectation. That’s what makes this “ship that never happened” so enduring - because love doesn’t always have to be romantic to change someone forever.

Love That Never Set Sail

From Jean’s quiet longing to Sanji’s comedic devotion, these near-misses remind us that anime isn’t always about getting the relationship you want—it’s about the emotions that linger long after the credits roll. The glances, the sacrifices, the moments that make you whisper, “They could’ve been perfect.”

Because in every fandom, there’s a truth we all understand: sometimes the most unforgettable ships are the ones that never set sail.

But if you want to force closed doors open, then you don’t have to fret. FableVerse lets you live all of your fantasies and dream ships as if they were canon. Just select the Ship Fable you like, and start playing.