If you’ve spent any time in the anime community over the last decade, you know Seven Deadly Sins (Nanatsu no Taizai) is a bit of a lightning rod. Some people love the high-octane battles and the Arthurian lore, while others can’t get past the occasionally questionable animation in later seasons. But there is one thing almost everyone agrees on: the relationship between Ban and Kid (referring to the fan-favorite Fox's Sin of Greed and the young, powerful King, often searched in relation to their "kid-like" dynamics or early character designs).
Ban is arguably the heart of the show. He’s immortal. He’s sarcastic. He’s deeply traumatized. When you pair him with King (Harlequin)—who literally looks like a kid for a significant portion of the series despite being a centuries-old Fairy King—you get a dynamic that carries the emotional weight of the entire story.
Honestly, the chemistry between the "Kid" of the group and the immortal thief is what makes the early arcs of the series so watchable. It isn't just about punching demons. It’s about two broken people trying to figure out what it means to be a friend when you’ve already lost everything.
The Rough Start for Ban and King
When King first shows up, he isn't looking for a reunion. He wants blood. He wants Ban dead.
It’s easy to forget that the Ban and Kid dynamic started with a literal spear through the chest. King blames Ban for the death of his sister, Elaine, and the destruction of the Fairy King's Forest. This sets up a classic trope, sure, but it’s executed with such raw bitterness that it feels different. King, in his "kid" form, represents a sort of arrested development. He failed his people, he failed his sister, and he’s projecting all that self-hatred onto Ban.
Ban just takes it.
That’s the thing about Ban that most casual viewers miss. He’s the Sin of Greed, but he’s the most selfless person in the lineup. He allows King to petrify him. He doesn't fight back with his full strength initially because he knows he deserves some level of punishment. He's a man who has lived too long and seen too much.
Why the "Kid" Aesthetic Matters for King
In Seven Deadly Sins, King’s appearance is a direct reflection of his inner state. When he feels insecure or lacks "will," he stays in that small, boyish form. It’s a clever bit of character design by Nakaba Suzuki. It highlights the power imbalance between him and the towering, muscular Ban.
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Yet, King is arguably more powerful in a raw, magical sense.
The interplay here is great. You have Ban, who looks like a predatory outlaw but has the soul of a grieving husband, and King, who looks like a defenseless child but carries the power to level a mountain range. Their relationship evolves from "I will kill you" to "I will die for you" in a way that feels earned because they both have to confront their failures regarding Elaine.
The Eternal Struggle for Elaine
You can’t talk about Ban and Kid-centric plotlines without mentioning the Fairy Forest. This is the catalyst for everything. Ban wanted the Fountain of Youth for selfish reasons—until he met Elaine.
Most shonen protagonists want to be the King of the Pirates or the Hokage. Ban just wants his girl back.
This motivation makes him relatable. It’s also what creates the friction with King. King sees Ban as the thief who stole his sister's life. Ban sees King as the brother who wasn't there when it mattered. It is a messy, realistic family feud played out on a supernatural scale.
Eventually, they find a middle ground.
During the Revival of the Commandments arc, we see this relationship solidify. Ban is trying to find a way to resurrect Elaine, and King is forced to acknowledge that Ban’s love is real. It’s not a "forgive and forget" situation. It’s a "we both loved her, so we’re stuck with each other" situation. That's a much more mature take on friendship than you usually see in series aimed at teens.
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Power Scaling and the Sacred Treasures
Ban’s weapon, the Holy Staff Courechouse, and King’s Spirit Spear Chastiefol are polar opposites.
- Chastiefol: Versatile, ranged, magical, and changes forms based on King's needs.
- Courechouse: Physical, fast, and designed to amplify Ban's "Snatch" ability to drain the strength of others.
The fight choreography when these two are on screen together is a highlight of the series. They cover each other's weaknesses. King provides the defense and long-range artillery; Ban provides the up-close distraction and the "tanking" capability since, well, he can’t die.
The Misunderstandings Around Ban's Greed
People often ask: "Why is Ban the Sin of Greed if he gives everything away?"
It’s a paradox. Ban’s "greed" is his refusal to let go of the things he loves. He is greedy for life—not his own, but Elaine's. He’s greedy for the bond he has with Meliodas.
In the later chapters of the manga (and the final seasons of the anime), Ban’s journey into Purgatory is the ultimate testament to this. He spends thousands of years—subjective time—in a hellscape just to find Meliodas's soul. That isn't the action of a greedy man. That’s the action of a man who values loyalty above his own sanity.
King undergoes a similar transformation. He finally grows his wings (and gets a much-needed height boost), symbolizing his transition from a "kid" who hides behind his pillow to a King who can protect his realm.
What the Fans Get Wrong
A lot of the discourse online focuses on who would win in a fight between the Sins. This is the wrong way to look at Ban and Kid (King).
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The series isn't a battle simulator. It’s a tragedy dressed up as an adventure. If you look at the "Ten Commandments" arc, the tension isn't about whether they can beat Galand or Melascula; it’s about whether Ban will betray the Sins to get Elaine back.
He almost does.
And King is the one who has to watch it happen. That tension is what drives the emotional stakes. When Ban chooses his friends over his own desires, it’s a massive character win because it proves he’s moved past the "Greed" that defined his youth.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Ban and the Fairy King, or if you're looking to start a collection, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch the "Signs of Holy War" Specials: These are often skipped but contain essential character beats for Ban and King that bridge the first and second seasons.
- Prioritize the Manga for the Final Arc: While the anime's animation quality dipped significantly in Imperial Wrath of the Gods, the manga artwork remains top-tier. The final battle involving Ban’s return from Purgatory is much more impactful on the page.
- Look for "Grand Cross" Lore: The mobile game Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross actually has some unique side stories and "what-if" scenarios that flesh out the relationship between Ban and the rest of the Sins.
- Focus on Figure Scalings: When buying merchandise, remember that King has several versions. If you want the "Kid" version, look for figures from the first two seasons. His "True King" form figures are much rarer and usually more expensive due to the complex wing designs.
The story of the Seven Deadly Sins is far from perfect, but the bond between the immortal man and the fairy who refused to grow up is the gold standard for anime friendships. It’s messy, it’s violent, and it’s deeply loyal.
Whether you're a long-time fan or just discovering the series on Netflix, pay attention to the quiet moments between these two. That’s where the real story is.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Read Chapter 191: This is a pivotal moment for Ban's character development that the anime didn't quite capture with the same intensity.
- Check out "Four Knights of the Apocalypse": This is the direct sequel series. It features the next generation, but the legacy of Ban and King looms large over the narrative, providing much-needed context on what happened after the main series ended.
- Analyze the "Gift" Ability: Research how Ban’s power shifts from "Snatch" to "Gift" later in the series. It is the ultimate mechanical representation of his character arc from Greed to Generosity.