It did not take long for T'Challa aka Black Panther to establish himself as one of the most beloved MCU heroes. And while his stern and serious demeanor can make it hard for some to connect with him, his love for his close friends is made very clear in his MCU appearances.
Along with family members like Shuri, T'Challa's friends have been very important throughout his journey. From the members of the Avengers he learns to trust to his allies in Wakanda, these are the people who will no doubt carrying on T'Challa's legacy in the MCU.
W'Kabi
Some friendships in the MCU can be meaningful and important even if they do not last. Such was the case with T'Challa and W'Kabi at the beginning of Black Panther. W'Kabi is there to support T'Challa becoming King of Wakanda and the two even meet up to discuss T'Challa's relationship woes.
However, when W'Kabi feels T'Challa fails him by letting Klaue get away, he decides to support Killmonger instead. In the end, W'Kabi seems to regret his actions and it would be interesting to see if he makes a return in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Bucky Barnes
There is not much love between T'Challa and Bucky when they first encounter each other. After Bucky is framed for killing King T'Chaka, T'Challa goes on a mission of vengeance for his father. Indeed, T'Challa and Bucky first meet in an intense fight as T'Challa tries to kill him.
However, when the truth is revealed, T'Challa tries his best to make up for his mistake. He takes Bucky to Wakanda in order to keep him safe and hopefully heal his mind. He even builds him a new vibranium arm. Thanks to T'Challa, Bucky is able to find redemption.
Natasha Romanoff
Natasha and T'Challa first meet in Captain America: Civil War for the signing of the Accords. They briefly bond over the fact that neither of them enjoys being in the spotlight while T'Challa expresses his respect for Natasha.
Following the death of T'Chaka, Natasha comforts T'Challa and eventually recruits him to fight on Iron Man's team against Captain America. While Natasha betrays T'Challa to let Captain America and Bucky get away, he welcomes her into Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War, proving there is no bad blood.
Steve Rogers
Despite also meeting on opposites sides of a battle, it is quite clear that T'Challa and Steve Rogers have a lot in common. Both are very honorable men who never hesitate to be on the frontlines. This much is clear when they charge into battle together in Avengers: Infinity War.
T'Challa seems to understand that Steve was just trying to save Bucky and welcomes him to Wakanda as well when he's on the run. He provides him with a new shield when in need and is the first hero through the portal in Avengers: Endgame to fight alongside Steve against Thanos.
Everett Ross
T'Challa meets Everett Ross in Captain America: Civil War as Ross works as a government agent overseeing the implementation of the Sokovia Accords. Once again, T'Challa finds himself butting heads with Ross only for them to become friends later on.
After Ross takes a bullet while protecting Nakia, T'Challa is willing to bring him to Wakanda to save his life. In return, Ross fights alongside T'Challa and the others once Killmonger takes over Wakanda. They form a fast bond and Ross is set to return as an ally of Wakanda in Black Panther 2.
M'Baku
It seems as though T'Challa has a habit of making friends out of former adversaries. M'Baku is introduced as the only warrior who stands opposed to T'Challa becoming King of Wakanda. They have a brutal battle in which T'Challa spares M'Baku's life and M'Baku keeps T'Challa alive when his body is found as a way to repay the debt.
They seem to maintain a prickly relationship as M'Baku still refuses to fight alongside T'Challa against Killmonger only to come to his aid after all. By the time they are seen again in Avengers: Infinity War, the two men greet each other as brothers.
Ayo
Though Ayo is not a huge character in the franchise thus far, she does have the distinction of being the first member of the Dora Milaje fans are introduced to. Immediately, she shows her fierce determination to protect her king by threatening Natasha.
She remains a loyal follower of T'Challa in Black Panther, even wanting to step in and save him when he fights Killmonger. She is a great example of how these warriors are protectors of their king, but she also seems to truly care about T'Challa.
Zuri
Zuri is one of the oldest members of T'Challa's inner circle in Wakanda, having serves his father as well. Zuri is there to crown T'Challa as the new king and it is obvious how proud of T'Challa he is. Zuri is also a wise advisor to T'Challa but confesses the dark past he shared with T'Chaka.
In the end, as a way of atoning for the mistakes he made in his past, Zuri sacrifices himself to save T'Challa from Killmonger.
Nakia
T'Challa and Nakia become a couple by the end of Black Panther. But with their romance put aside for much of the movie, the audience gets a chance to see how effective their relationship is just as friends.
When T'Chaka dies, Nakia does not hesitate to be right by T'Challa's side in the aftermath. However, she is also someone who isn't afraid to tell him what he needs to hear and inspires him to open Wakanda to the world and start helping people. Even without the romance, these two are clearly very important to each other.
Okoye
As the head of the Dora Milaje, Okoye is by T'Challa's side at almost all times. And though she is his sworn protector, she also has something of a big sister relationship with her king. She is able to tease him and call him out for his mistakes while he obviously values her council.
Though she is sworn to serve whoever is king of Wakanda, it is clear that Okoye has a special allegiance to T'Challa. Seeing the devastation on her face when he disappears following Thanos's snap shows how much she cares for him.