Top 10 Anime Hero & Villain Team-Up Scenes

“Tiger & Bunny” (2011) When the self-named crazy man is the only speaking sense, then you known something has gone terribly wrong. After being framed for a murder he didn’t commit, veteran hero Koketsu finds himself ostracised and ousted by his former comrades. Oddly enough, the one who chooses to believe in his innocence and support him in his hour need is professional cuckoo Yuri. Probably not Wild Tiger’s first choice for back-up, but then again, he’s not got much choice.

“Inuyashiki” (2017) Nobody likes Shishigami. He’s a self-absorbed, sociopathic killing machine who once slaughtered an entire family just because he thought it would be neat. He was the polar opposite of the titular old geezer who did what he could to bring others back from the brink of death. We never thought we’d see these two agree on something, but an incoming meteor has a funny way of changing people’s minds. In the ultimate display of heroics, the two cyborgs self-destruct, taking out the asteroid and protecting those they love in the process.

#8: Ash and Team Rocket

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“Pokemon: The Movie 2000” (1999) By this point we liked to think of Jessie, James and Meowth more as lovable distractions than fully-fledged villains. That being said, seeing them assist Ash still warrants a team-up that’s worthy of praise. As our Chosen One tries to make his way across a frozen landscape with the three legendary birds fighting overhead, Team Rocket try to help him along the way, getting him to his goal while avoiding the chaos. They even pull off an admittedly pointless but well-meaning sacrifice at the end.

“Gurren Lagann” (2007) Originally one of the series’ big bads, this high ranking-member of the Beastmen was all about keeping humanity under Lordgenome’s heel. Turns out a time-skip can change a thing or two, as Viral manages to swallow his own pride and prejudices in order to break out of prison and pilot the Gurren Lagann with Simon. Hard to believe he would go on to become a valued member of Team Dai-Gurren, but you know, Spiral Power and all that.

“Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack” (1988) Remember what we said about meteors bringing people together? After kicking Char and his Sazabi to the space-curb, Amuro finds himself having to deal with yet another problem. In all the chaos a lone meteorite is heading straight for the Earth. Even with the full power of the Nu Gundam Amuro finds himself pushing back Axis, that is until his enemies the Neo-Zeon troops lend a helping hand. Good to see that despite Amuro having killed many zeeks in his lifetime, they were able to put their difference aside for the greater good.

#5: Ed and Envy

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“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10) Putting differences aside is one thing, but deciding to work with the killer Homonculus that was literally about to swallow you is something else entirely. Caught inside of Gluttony’s endless stomach, Ed is forced to ask Envy for assistance in order to escape. Nobody is happy about it, but in order to avoid being stranded inside the belly of the beast for eternity, the duo manage to open a passage to the Gate of Truth, and in doing so manage to free themselves. Needless to say their alliance ended shortly afterwards.

“Fate/Zero” (2012-13) We all know that the so called King of Heroes is the pinnacle of arrogance and self-delusion, regarding Saber as nothing more than another woman he can use and discard at his pleasure. That being said, he certainly makes a useful ally when you’re having to deal with a giant tentacle monster. As Berserker attempts to interrupt Sabers attack on Casters monster, Gilgamesh does the unthinkable and intercepts. This in turn allows Saber to put an end to the monster by unleashing Excalibur.