Top 20 Teen Couples in Animated Shows

Top 20 Teen Couples in Animated Shows

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our favorite cartoon pairings who happen to fall for each other during their teen years. TV series adapted from movies won’t be included so Hiccup and Astrid, cute as they may be, are non-eligible for this list.

#20: Casey Jones & April O'Neil
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2012-17)

This classic couple was aged down in the 2012 iteration of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, which gives their interactions quite a bit more juvenility. Casey becomes more rugged and immature on occasion, while April often attempts to be perfect to her detriment. With that said, the two definitely balance each other out and the way they care for each other is made clear as the series progresses. While the brief love triangle between the two plus Donnie made us unsure who April would choose in the end, Casey ultimately did feel like her better match.

#19: Beast Boy & Raven
“Teen Titans Go!” (2013-)

Oh, how we desperately wanted to see this outcome in ‘03. Although it took about a decade, we finally got there and Beast Boy and Raven have become an item. It’s a clear-cut case of opposites attract with Beast Boy’s outgoing and joshing nature nicely contrasting Raven’s more reserved demeanor. The turn of their relationship status was marked by a series of romantic attempts on Beast Boy’s part which, although somewhat misguided, certainly demonstrated his genuine intentions. While we do sometimes wish we could see a bit more gravitas in their relationship, they’re cute all the same.

#18: Jake Long & Rose
“American Dragon: Jake Long” (2005-07)

Although it only lasted for two seasons, the way “American Dragon” developed its romance is rather strong. Instead of drawing it out too long, Jake and Rose’s relationship blooms organically and it’s all the better for it. While Jake is smitten with her right off the bat, Rose takes a little longer to get to know Jake and eventually reciprocates his feelings. Her job as the Huntsgirl often kept her preoccupied but, in the end, it meant that she understood having a double life just as well as Jake which was one more thing that bonded them. It nearly killed us when she lost her memory for that little while.

#17: Nikki Wong & Jonesy Garcia
“6teen” (2004-10)

Calling all friends to lovers! If ever you’ve been in a big friend group and fallen for someone in it, you’ll probably relate to the complications these two face. From early on in the series, there’s some flirting between Nikki and Jonesy – and bickering, lots of bickering. After their first real date, however, Nikki realizes she doesn’t want to throw off the balance of their friend group by getting into a romantic relationship with a friend. They get into a relationship anyway but, on their three-month anniversary things come crashing down. It takes a little bit of being apart but the two do eventually get back together to the thrill of shippers everywhere.

#16: Gwen Tennyson & Kevin Levin
“Ben 10” franchise (2005-)

This is one of those couples you see coming from a mile away, mostly just because they’re the two people the protagonist spends most of their time with. While they initially met at eleven years old, their romance didn’t really bloom until later on in their teens. In the season finale of “Alien Force”, the two kissed on-screen for the first time and fans of the pairing rejoiced far and wide. Even with completely contrasting personalities, Gwen and Kevin work well together and it was a real treat to see their relationship progress the way it did. Above all, it’s those little moments that always get us.

#15: Adrien Agreste & Marinette Dupain-Cheng
“Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir” (2015-)

After a long and arduous five-season-long road, we’ve finally made it. Between secret identities and third-party love interests, it felt like Adrien and Marinette would never get together. We always thought they would find out about each other’s superhero aliases before sealing the deal but, in fact, the opposite happened. After the love-square shifted from Ladybug and Adrien to Marinette and Cat Noir, things took yet one more turn and Adrien and Marinette were the couple who started dating. While we expect some major drama for their relationship post season 5, it’s awesome to see them happy together.

#14: Adora & Catra
“She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” (2018-20)

From friends to enemies to lovers, these two have quite the relationship trajectory. Admittedly, we’re cheating just a bit with this one since three years are supposed to have passed from the beginning of the series to the end, when Adora and Catra finally get together. There are some discrepancies with the character ages but Adora has been confirmed to be sixteen or seventeen in season one, which puts her at around nineteen/twenty by the series finale. We’re hanging on to that nineTEEN and rolling with it, okay? Sue us. Either way, these two are great together and always have been. They needed to grow separately before being reunited, and we think that’s what made their relationship stronger in the end.

#13: Steven Universe & Connie Maheswaran
“Steven Universe” franchise (2013-20)

Is there a teen couple more wholesome than this one? Steven and Connie are long-time best friends, though we do see little glimmers of potential romantic feelings surface every now and again. Their real love for one another, platonic or otherwise, is made clear pretty early on in the initial series when the two fuse to form Stevonnie. This comes right after Steven says fusing is difficult – and that was between two gems, forget a half-gem and a human! The two don’t actually really start acting on their feelings until “Steven Universe Future”, and it’s not all smooth sailing either but, by the series finale, they’ve found their way to each other.

#12: Sokka & Suki
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08)

There are a few different relationships that transpire over the course of this show. As far as background relationships go, Sokka and Suki are everything! They have that history from the beginning of the series so it feels like major payoff when we get to see them reunite later on. It’s cliche, but Suki makes Sokka a better person after their first meeting. And, to be fair, Sokka’s a model student. By the end of the series when they officially couple up, they compliment each other really well with matching strengths and are constantly seen darting to each other’s aid.

#11: Claire Nuñez & James ‘Jim’ Lake Jr.
“Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia” (2016-18)

The life of a Trollhunter is anything but simple, especially when said hunter is also freaking out over kissing his crush in a high school production of "Romeo & Juliet." Be it Jim's responsibilities as a troll hunter or Claire's time as Morgana's fleshbag, these two have to work extra hard to be together. Injecting a degree of normalcy amid all the chaos that defines this universe, Jim and Claire share a pleasant rapport that comes across as comfortable and cozy. Jim and Claire are just one of those couples who cannot help but be adorable regardless of the situation.

#10: Zoey & Mike
“Total Drama” (2007-14)

Love is difficult enough without throwing a sadistic reality show host and multiple personalities into the mix. “Total Drama’s” couples tend to burn bright and quick, but Mike and Zoey are an exception. Introduced in “Revenge of the Island,” these contestants instantly hit it off and make for a cute pairing while nailing the feeling of teenagers falling in love for the first time. The couple is tested time and time again by Chris McLean's high-stakes games and Mike’s alternate personalities, which only make the moment these two finally overcome the odds all that more satisfying.

#9: Rayla & Callum
“The Dragon Prince” (2018-)

Originally drawn together out of necessity and duty, the human prince Callum and the elf assassin Rayla overcome a millennium of racial tension and the brink of all-out war en route to forming an enduring bond. Putting aside some initial mistrust, Callum and Rayla grow closer throughout their adventures in Xadia, as they learn more about each other and their respective cultures. After dropping hints in its sophomore year, "The Dragon Prince" uses Season 3 to explore Callum and Rayla as a romantic option, with the pairing more than living up to the build-up.

#8: Luz Noceda & Amity Blight
“The Owl House” (2020-23)

While these two start out as enemies – or perhaps less like enemies and more like Amity is mean to people and Luz can’t stand mean people – this dynamic doesn’t last very long. Early on in the series Amity is shown to be blushing up a storm and it isn’t long before Luz starts to look at her the same way. Their kiss will forever be iconic, not only for what it means for queer representation but also because seemingly half the final season’s budget went into its animation. It’s the perfect kiss scene for such an endearing couple; 10/10, no notes. Creator Dana Terrace must have a knack for creating those special moments because this one with Willow and Hunter also makes us swoon.

#7: Daphne Blake & Fred Jones
“Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” (2010-13)

After multiple decades of subtext, Daphne and Fred became a proper couple in a “Scooby-Doo” series in 2010. Opting for a mix of stand-alone episodes and serialized storytelling, “Mystery Incorporated” does a wonderful job of balancing humor, suspense, and character development, with Fred and Daphne’s relationship serving as the perfect example. Fred’s obliviousness to his own and Daphne's feelings serves as a constant source of comedy, but the show pays off their romantic tension in a big way. Heartbreak, drama, and a few momentous confessions; Daphne and Fred were truly worth the wait, even if no couple could possibly hold a candle to Scooby and Shaggy's chemistry.

#6: Candace Flynn & Jeremy Johnson
“Phineas and Ferb” (2007-)

A thin line separates obsession and love. When not trying to catch Phineas and Ferb being Phineas and Ferb, Candace is either thinking about Jeremy, talking about Jeremy, or trying to get close to Jeremy. All of her insecurity about him goes in vain because, as it turns out, he feels the same way. They’re beyond sweet together, with their distinct demeanors bringing out the best in each other. As “Phineas and Ferb” establishes these two as a couple quite early on, Candace and Jeremy mostly grow through their relationship rather than in pursuit of one. While many aspects of the show are heightened for comedic purposes, Candace and Jeremy’s romance is surprisingly grounded.

#5: Samantha ‘Sam’ Manson & Danny Fenton
“Danny Phantom” (2004-07)

Cliche as it may be to see two close friends go down the dating route, these couples tend to be especially memorable as both characters are primarily explored as individuals rather than simply love interests. Whether inadvertently creating superheroes, protecting from ghosts, or trying to change Casper High School for the better; Danny and Sam’s destinies are intertwined. While these teenagers are not made an official couple until “Danny Phantom’s” final episode, by that point, Danny and Sam know each other inside out, with the two proving time and time again the lengths they’re willing to go to for each other.

#4: Star Butterfly & Marco Diaz
“Star vs. the Forces of Evil” (2015-19)

These two waste little time in becoming best friends. Star pushes Marco to take risks, adding an element of danger to the teenager's life; meanwhile, Marco helps to ensure Star doesn't get in over-her-head too frequently. Even before becoming a romantic couple, Star and Marco are inseparable, as the teenagers grow and develop through their adventures and relationship. Star and Marco cherish each other so much, one of the reasons they take so long to start dating is out of fear that such a step would hurt their friendship.

#3: Katara & Aang
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08)

With Team Avatar spending every waking moment trying not to be killed by the Fire Nation, Aang and Katara have more pressing matters to worry about than love. Or, that should be the case, but the heart wants what the heart wants. While Aang falls quickly for the waterbender, Katara only officially reciprocates the Avatar’s interest in the final episode, although Nickelodeon does throw out the occasional dance as a teaser of things to come. Compared to Sokka and Suki’s more obvious attraction, Katara and Aang played the long game, as the teenagers bided their time until the dawn of an age that welcomed rather than destroyed love.

#2: Starfire & Robin
“Teen Titans” (2003-06)

One hails from an alien planet with widely different customs to Earth, while the other was mentored by Batman; suffice to say, Starfire and Robin have a hell of a time coming to grips with their emotions. An impromptu wedding or crash-landing on an alien planet is usually required for either of these teens to confront their feelings for one another, although these moments tend to be pretty special. "Trouble in Tokyo" finally made Starfire and Robin into an item, bringing closure to a storyline that saw two strangers become the closest of friends and eventually the most heroic of couples.

#1: Kimberly Ann ‘Kim’ Possible & Ronald ‘Ron’ Stoppable
“Kim Possible” (2002-07)

Kim and Ron are polar opposites, in the sense that they perfectly complement each other. For three seasons, these childhood friends repeatedly save the world, share many-a-meal at Bueno Nacho, and express their love and appreciation for each other before romance even comes into the picture. Once “So the Drama” made this pairing official, something incredible happened - “Kim Possible” came back for a final season and genuinely explored these two as a couple. Whether as a brave and heroic team, the most loyal of friends, or the coolest of couples, Kim and Ron are meant to be.

Which couple were you ecstatic to see get together? Let us know in the comments.