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SK8 the Infinity didn’t just give us cool skate scenes and chaotic races; it gave us characters with real chemistry. And for me, that’s especially true when it comes to Cherry and Joe. The show never spells anything out romantically between them, but there’s enough nuance in their dynamic to make you pause and go, “Hmm…”

5 Reasons I Ship Cherry and Joe a.k.a MatchaBlossom

Yip, that’s their ship name. I didn’t make it up, and I’m definitely not alone in shipping them. MatchaBlossom is honestly the cutest name. It’s a clever nod to their hair colours: green for Joe (like matcha tea) and pink for Cherry (as in cherry blossoms). Even better? Green and pink are opposites on the colour spectrum, meaning their hair colours literally contrast and complement each other, just like their personalities. It’s such a small detail, but it captures the essence of their dynamic perfectly.

1. The Banter is Top-Tier

Their constant bickering is wildly entertaining, often hilarious, occasionally petty, but always delivered with underlying affection. It’s hard not to grin when they trade snide remarks or roll their eyes at each other’s antics. The fact that they argue so much is actually proof of how comfortable they are with each other. It’s like watching an old married couple who can’t help but tease each other. It’s not just bickering, it’s the comfort with which they bicker. They know how to push each other’s buttons, but they also know when to pull back. That kind of dynamic usually stems from a deep emotional familiarity…or a long-term relationship. Or both. Some of my favourites are:

But it’s not just verbal banter. They bicker physically too, from Joe eating a tomato off Cherry’s plate during a business dinner, to Cherry driving Carla into Joe’s ankle, only for Joe to trip Cherry in retaliation. It’s completely unhinged… and completely them.

2. Protective Loyalty (Even If They Pretend Otherwise)

When things get serious, like when Adam threatens their friends or the chaos at “S” starts going too far, Cherry and Joe don’t hesitate. Sure, they mock each other constantly, but when it really counts, they’ve always got each other’s backs. One moment that really stands out to me is when Cherry gets injured by Adam. Joe doesn’t pause, doesn’t wait; he rushes straight to him, and as soon as a car is there, he cradles him with this unexpected tenderness that completely contrasts with their usual sarcastic dynamic. In that moment, Joe isn’t teasing or complaining. He’s just there, quietly devoted in a way that feels deeply personal. Honestly, it said so much about who Joe is under all that bravado. Later, Cherry sneaks out of the hospital (because, of course, he does) and turns up at Joe’s restaurant in a wheelchair, completely bandaged up. In Episode 11, he casually tells Joe, “Push me,” and Joe fires back with a dry remark about whether Cherry’s officially firing Carla. Then, without another word, he starts pushing him anyway. It’s small, but it’s these gestures, these quiet, steady actions, that show how much they really care. Their loyalty isn’t loud. It’s not performative. It’s built on an unspoken understanding. Beneath all the sarcasm and snark, there’s this solid, unwavering bond. Joe and Cherry don’t need to say, “I’ve got you,” because they show it, again and again, in the moments that matter most. For me, that kind of quiet, consistent support is even more powerful than any dramatic declaration.

3. They Couldn’t Be More Different—and That’s the Fun

Joe is all swagger, loud laughs, and flirting. Cherry is calm, sharp, and keeps his emotions on a tight leash. Total opposites. The anime consistently leans into the contrast between Joe’s raw, instinctive skating and Cherry’s precise, AI-enhanced technique. Joe says skating is all about feeling. Cherry says it’s about strategy. And yet, they work. Joe clearly enjoys messing with Cherry, and Cherry seems happy to put up with it more than he’d admit, plus gives back just as much as he is given. That kind of push-pull balance? It’s compelling. It makes me wonder what else might exist between the lines. Their contrasts don’t just make their friendship engaging; for me, it creates character chemistry, which I can also see as romantic tension.

4. Grown-Up Friendship That Feels Real

Cherry and Joe are older than the main teen cast, offering a refreshing view of adult friendship that isn’t sanitised or idealised. They’ve grown, changed, and even fallen out a little, but they’re still there for one another. They skated together in high school and have travelled together as adults. (Yes, Cherry and Joe have canonically been to LA and Paris together.) There’s something grounding about their presence in a show otherwise filled with teen drama. Their history adds texture. Their grudges have roots. And their laughter, like when they both lose it watching Adam wipe out in Episode 11, feels earned. Even their late-night talks at Joe’s restaurant carry a weight that’s rare in anime friendships. They fight, but they always return to each other. Their bond adds depth to SK8 the Infinity’s story about found family and personal growth, demonstrating that relationships evolve over time but remain just as important.

5. The Subtext Comes from Familiarity, Not Flirtation

It’s true that SK8 the Infinity doesn’t present Joe and Cherry in a romantic light canonically. Joe is actively flirtatious with women (and very proud of it), and Cherry often mocks him for exactly that, calling out his womanising habits and teasing him about his muscles. Their banter isn’t built on romantic tension, but on exasperation, history, and begrudging fondness. They’ve seen each other through different stages of life. They remember old tricks from the area where they first practised together. They call each other by their first names when no one else does. The way they argue, with deep familiarity, personalised insults, and zero hesitation, shows that they are closer than casual friends. It’s easy to imagine that kind of friction sparking romance.

So, why do I ship Joe and Cherry?

• Because they’re electric. Because they care. Because they challenge and complete each other.
• Because their love language is banter and backup.
• Because somewhere beneath all the teasing, there’s a story of two people who never left each other’s side, and maybe never want to.

In short, Cherry and Joe are the kind of duo that’s as ridiculous as they are reliable. They argue, they laugh, they fight side by side, and in a show full of youthful energy and dramatic flair, their grounded, fiery friendship stands out, and I wish they were more.

But here’s the thing: I don’t need them to be a couple to appreciate what they share.

What I love most is that their friendship already feels whole. In anime, it’s rare to see two adult men with such a strong emotional bond that’s not romantic. Cherry and Joe care about each other deeply, and that’s clear even when they’re yelling. Maybe especially then.

Still… if someone handed me fan art, an edit, or a fic of Matchablossom? I’d dive right in.

Do you ship MatchaBlossom too?

Got a favourite scene I didn’t mention? Let’s discuss it in the comments, or tag me if you have fan art, I’d love to see it!