The key to a good life.
Friendship is a conspiracy against reality. It’s a bond that defies the harshness of existence, weaving together strength, comfort, and joy in a way that feels almost supernatural. When I think of iconic friendships like Gon and Killua (Hunter x Hunter), Naruto and Sasuke (Naruto), or Mugen and Jin (Samurai Champloo), it’s clear that great friendships don’t just ease the pain of existence—they elevate it.
A good friendship, in my view, is like an electromagnetic wave. Electromagnetic waves are the fastest things we know, traveling without a medium because of the perfect interplay of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. These fields complement each other, moving perpendicularly in perfect harmony to push the wave forward at the speed of light.
Similarly, great friendships are built on balance: complementary forces that enhance each other. It’s not about two people being exactly alike, but about being similar enough to understand one another and different enough to complete each other. A good friend knows that the success of one means the success of both.
The Explorer and the Builder
One of my personal theories is that the ideal friendship consists of an explorer and a builder. The explorer ventures out into the world, collecting ideas, experiences, and resources. The builder takes those treasures and creates something extraordinary. Together, they push each other forward, crafting a dynamic partnership that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Think about it: tasks are so much easier with two people working together. Whether it’s in survival, business, or just life’s challenges, true friends sharpen each other like two blades honing one another to become sharper. Through mutual support, they amplify each other’s strengths and cover each other’s weaknesses.
Perhaps this dynamic was essential in the hunter-gatherer days when survival depended on collaboration. Friends forged a bond through shared challenges—sharpening each other’s skills, having each other’s backs on the hunt, and growing stronger through a healthy balance of rivalry and cooperation. This process, I believe, creates something divine: a friendship that molds both individuals into better, stronger versions of themselves.
Friendship Is Life’s Cornerstone
Ever since I was a child, I’ve valued friendship above all else. To me, it’s the most important thing in life. Losing a friend has always been more painful than any romantic breakup, and I’ve struggled to understand how some people can fail to recognize the magnitude of this bond. The most I’ve acted cruelly or violently in life were in defense of my friends, more so than even standing up for my own self.
Perhaps it’s the influence of anime or my own idealism, but I know I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today without friends who believed in me and pushed me forward. I can’t even imagine who I would be without them.
A Vision for Friendship
One of my biggest motivations in life is to achieve financial success—not for personal luxury, but so I can “buy” my self and my friends. By this, I mean giving them the financial freedom to work alongside me on something meaningful. I often fantasize about gathering all the brilliant minds I’ve connected with around the world—explorers and builders alike—and creating something magnificent together. Perhaps then, we could truly “change the world”.
The Saddest Thing
The saddest thing for any man, I believe, is to lack a true friend. Someone to call when you’re at your lowest, to share your deepest fears, and to celebrate your biggest wins with genuine joy. A true friend doesn’t compete out of jealousy but strives to keep up out of inspiration.
With a good friendship, you can be as fast as light, just like an electromagnetic wave. Together, you can overcome anything, push each other to greater heights, and transform the reality you conspire against.
Friendship isn’t just a bond—it’s a divine connection. It’s the energy that propels us forward, giving life its meaning and making us stronger than we could ever be alone.