The final episode of Ranking of Kings was released on March 25th, 2022, and no one could have seen Daida and Miranjo becoming betrothed. This is particularly shocking as she is a woman who used Daida and brought his kingdom near to ruin.

It is often in anime that former rivals become friends. Sometimes the reasons are the circumstances of the situation, other times a character seeks redemption when they see the error of their ways. Regardless of the reasons, characters who previously found themselves as their worst enemies often become each other's most valued friends.

Serpico (Berserk)

Serpico in the Berserk manga.

Initially, Serpico wasn't quite as antagonistic toward Guts as Farnese was, but he did do whatever he felt necessary to protect Farnese. However, as Farnese becomes a true member of the group, Serpico begins to too.

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Despite every reason to hate Farnese, Serpico is tremendously loyal to her. The same persists as he sees what kind of man Guts really is. Guts often fights gruesomely tight battles and is usually the only brawn for these fights. However, Serpico became a friend who he could lean on from time to time to get the job done. If these two had not become friends, both of them would have died ages ago. In many ways, Serpico contrasts with Griffith, and this time, Guts won't be betrayed.

Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia)

Katsuki Bokugo grins while in a fight in My Hero Academia

Bakugo long held a burning hatred toward Midoriya and always refused to be anything less than him. At times, it may be arguable whether they were friends earlier in the series, but only recently has Bakugo laid out his heart and apologized to Midoriya for all the wrong he has done.

Bakugo and Midoriya's relationship throughout My Hero Academia is one that continues to excite. As the manga draws closer to its conclusion, readers get to see a new relationship bloom between these characters different from the previous one. Now true friends, and no longer bitter rivals. Midoriya has always striven to be the hero, to save others no matter the cost. But when he was worn thin, it was Bakugo who drew him out of the darkness.

Piccolo (Dragon Ball Z)

Picoolo looking serious in Dragon Ball Z.

One of the most iconic characters in the Dragon Ball universe, Piccolo was once one of Goku's greatest foes. In fact, he was born for the sole purpose to kill Goku to avenge his father's death. It's rather poetic that Piccolo, the son of King Piccolo, sacrifices himself for his father's mortal enemy's son, Gohan.

Related: Top 10 Best Friendships In Dragon Ball

Piccolo served as a primary character in the series and played a large role as a mentor that has been overly important in the series, allowing Goku to rest easy in the afterlife as he leaves his friend to train his sons. Goku may have brought the fusion technique to Earth, but it's really Piccolo who drives Goten and Trunks forward to master it.

Farnese (Berserk)

Lady Farnese in the Berserk manga.

At first, Farnese was a religious fanatic who stopped at nothing to try and ruin Guts. Ultimately, events unfolded around her and she saw that maybe Guts wasn't in the wrong. She developed into a new person even learning magic, which she formally saw as heretical.

Her role as caretaker of Casca was incredibly important to Guts, creating a bond between the three of them. Farnese's initial appearance is as a selfish woman but this changes drastically with the time she spends with Guts and the others. When visiting her family to get a ship, she agrees to stay with them and marry Roderick despite it being what she truly wanted.

Hiei (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Hiei looking angry in Yu Yu Hakusho

Hiei first appears as Yusuke's toughest battle yet and immediately makes Yusuke his objective to surpass from thereon out. They are made allies simply through circumstance, but as they fight side by side they end up becoming close friends.

Hiei easily could have been written off at the end of his arc, but the potential for his character was seen and he has become the most useful supportive character in Yu Yu Hakusho. Hiei has saved the others numerous times and has even been willing to sacrifice the usage of his arm to secure victory. Hiei's support in the series is vital and while his ambitions sometimes seem questionable he always chooses the right decision.

Laxus Dreyar (Fairy Tail)

Laxus Dreyar frowning in Fairy Tail

The character journey of Laxus is the most intriguing of Natsu's previous enemies. Laxus is a man who almost seemed to be the ideal Fairy Tail wizard. However, his ambition for power and leadership was too overwhelming and pushed him to the point where he was willing to sacrifice all of Magnolia.

Related: 10 Disney Villains That Would Make Excellent Friends

Laxus underwent a journey via exile where he eventually transformed into a much kinder man. He became a wizard who was willing to sacrifice himself for his friends at any cost. His character has long since been well-loved by fans and it is a common belief that he will eventually be the next Guild Master of Fairy Tail. His character initially represented a man who didn't deserve to be in a magic guild to a man who represented what a Guild Master should be.

Gaara (Naruto)

Gaara glaring angrily in the Naruto anime

Naruto has been known to change his enemies to his side through his words and strength. Gaara was really the first person Naruto truly connected with (except maybe Sasuke) by seeing the similar pains of loneliness and rejection.

Naruto became Gaara's first friend, creating a loveable friendship. Gaara was unrestrained evil before, a sense of suspense could be felt every time he appeared on the pages or screen. But once he became an ally, there is a sense of reassurance and awe when he appears. Gaara continued to serve as a motivation for Naruto, seeing as he was able to overcome the oppression he received from his village and become its leader--the Kazekage.

Suzaku Kururugi (Code Geass)

Suzaku looking determined

Suzaku and Lelouch share one of the most interesting dynamics in anime and have both hated each other and shared an incredible friendship. The two of them both reach dark places to finally become allies one last time and it's through this that they are able to achieve the miracle of world peace.

It's said often in Code Geass that when Lelouch and Suzaku team up, they can do anything. However, due to separate ideals throughout most of the series, it almost seems impossible for them to end up as allies for good. Lelouch's ideals are "ends justify the means," whereas Suzaku uses the system and tries to change things from within without bloodshed. In the end, however, their ideals shift and they are able to save the world together. Suzaku serves as the most important character to Lelouch by the end of the series and carries on his will, becoming a hero and a true knight for justice.

Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z)

Vegeta looking mad in Dragon Ball Z

The rivalry between Goku and Vegeta was often one-sided, with Goku seeing Vegeta as a friend and ally, and Vegeta seeing Goku as a rival and a threat. However, in the final arc of Dragon Ball Z, there is an acknowledgment from Vegeta that tosses aside his bitterness and hatred toward Goku.

Vegeta as a friend has been able to stand as a hero, so to speak, for Earth when Goku cannot. While strength is often a driving force for saiyans, Vegeta seems to seek to protect others more than even Goku does. Vegeta has sought more than just strength and is often even more heroic than Goku is. Vegeta's ascendance to one of the "good guys" has made him a fan favorite and even the deuteragonist of Dragon Ball Super.

Takasugi Shinsuke (Gintama)

Takasugi scratching his cheek and smiling in Gintama

Takasugi and Gintoki's rivalry is one of legend and it's this character that always initially appeared to be the main antagonist of the series. However, as more is revealed about Takasugi his motives begin to make more sense. Ultimately he and Gintoki come to terms and fight as friends one last time in the final battle of the series.

Takasugi acts as a foil to Gintoki and had their roles been reversed, they may have acted similarly with the same conclusions. While Takasugi led a dark path, he eventually found his way back to the light. The story focuses far more on Takasugi near the end than other supportive characters as he becomes an ally and his character wraps up beautifully giving one of the greatest conclusions in anime.

Next: 10 Times Anime Villains Beat The Hero