Advertisement
“Power of friendship.” Three words that can make an anime fan either cheer or cringe.
If you’ve watched anime for any length of time, you’ve definitely seen it in action: A hero is on the verge of defeat. The odds are impossible. But then—memories of their friends, a heartfelt speech, or a last-minute team-up surges in. Suddenly, they find the strength to win.
From Naruto’s bond with Sasuke, to Luffy’s loyalty to the Straw Hat crew, to Natsu literally shouting “Fire Dragon Roar!” powered by his friends in Fairy Tail—the trope is everywhere. And for many fans, it’s part of what makes anime special: emotionally rich, optimistic, and deeply human.
But in recent years, more critical voices have started asking:
Has the “power of friendship” become a crutch? Is it holding anime back from deeper, more grounded storytelling?
Why the “Power of Friendship” Worked So Well
In the earlier days of anime—especially in shonen—the “power of friendship” wasn’t just a narrative device. It was a philosophy.
Shows like Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! were built around characters finding strength not from within, but from the people around them. These stories weren’t just about fighting monsters—they were about loyalty, trust, sacrifice, and connection.
This trope:
-
Raised emotional stakes: When characters fight for each other, every battle means more.
-
Built community-driven narratives: Unlike Western solo-hero journeys, anime often centers groups.
-
Offered relatable inspiration: Many viewers, especially teens, connected with the idea that friends can pull you out of dark places.
It worked because it felt earned. Luffy doesn’t just say “I believe in my friends”—he goes to war for them.
Naruto doesn’t magically “friend” his enemies—he breaks himself to understand their pain.
When used with depth, the trope reinforced themes of empathy, found family, and shared strength.
When It Becomes Lazy Storytelling
Despite its powerful roots, the trope has also become one of anime’s most overused and least nuanced tools.
You’ve likely seen it:
-
The villain is invincible—until someone mentions “our bonds,” and suddenly he’s beatable.
-
A character is about to die—until a memory of their friends gives them a second wind.
-
There’s no logical explanation for the hero’s power spike—except vague emotional energy from “believing in others.”
This is where the trope falters. Rather than developing real stakes, strategy, or growth, writers sometimes rely on friendship as a shortcut to resolution. It becomes:
-
Predictable: You know the hero will survive because someone will say something heartfelt.
-
Unrealistic: Emotional strength is real—but it shouldn’t replace logic or consistent power systems.
-
Unearned: Some series introduce “friendship bonds” without taking the time to show why those relationships matter.
Fairy Tail is a major offender in this regard. Despite its great moments, it often uses friendship as an all-purpose cure: Natsu will suddenly overpower dragons, gods, or dimensions—just because someone cheered for him.
The Evolution of the Trope
Interestingly, some modern anime are redefining or even critiquing the power of friendship.
1. Attack on Titan
This series starts with bonds but gradually deconstructs them. Eren, Armin, and Mikasa’s friendship frays as ideology and war twist their paths. It asks: What if friendship isn’t enough? What if it breaks?
2. Jujutsu Kaisen
While Yuji values human connection, his power doesn’t rely solely on emotional highs. The series blends personal relationships with strict training, clear limitations, and high-stakes consequences.
3. Mob Psycho 100
Mob’s growth hinges on friendship—but not in a cheap, “love wins” way. His emotional development comes from self-awareness, community, and learning that he doesn’t have to be alone or invincible.
4. Code Geass
Lelouch has strong bonds, especially with Suzaku and Nunnally, but he ultimately sacrifices friendship for his vision of peace. This makes his relationships more tragic—and powerful.
These shows don’t discard the trope. Instead, they complicate it. They show that friendship can inspire, but also hurt. That it’s not a superpower—it’s a connection that demands work.
What Makes the Trope Work Today?
The “power of friendship” isn’t inherently bad. It just needs to be handled with care and emotional honesty. Here’s what makes it work in modern anime:
1. It’s Earned
A single bonding moment doesn’t justify world-shaking strength. Black Clover improves as Asta’s bonds are built through training, failures, and sacrifice—not empty speeches.
2. It Comes With Limits
Even friendship has boundaries. In Demon Slayer, Tanjiro’s relationships give him resolve—but they don’t save him from physical exhaustion or trauma.
3. It Inspires, Not Fixes
In My Hero Academia, Midoriya draws strength from All Might and his friends—but his real power comes from pushing past his own fears and training relentlessly. Support matters, but it’s not magic.
4. It Evolves With the Story
Friendship should challenge characters. Not all bonds survive. Tokyo Revengers does this well: loyalty is tested, twisted, and even betrayed.
Is It Holding Anime Back?
The answer is: It can—but it doesn’t have to.
When used lazily, the “power of friendship” is narrative glue, patching over plot holes or powering up heroes without real tension. In this form, yes—it limits anime’s potential to explore richer themes, darker realism, or psychological nuance.
But when used thoughtfully, it remains one of the most emotionally resonant storytelling tools anime has to offer. Friendship is human. It’s universal. And in a world where loneliness and disconnection are rising, stories that center love, loyalty, and community can be powerful—even essential.
The challenge for writers is to resist the shortcut and dig deeper. To show us why friendship matters—not just that it does.
Conclusion
The “power of friendship” is neither dead nor outdated. But it is evolving—and it needs to.
In a medium as rich and layered as anime, tropes must grow with the audience. Today’s viewers are smarter, more emotionally attuned, and more critical. We crave characters who fight not just because someone believes in them—but because they believe in something real.
So yes, friendship can still save the day—but it should earn that right. And when it does, there’s still nothing quite as moving as watching a hero rise—not for power, not for revenge, but for the people they love.