The Friendship Between Hiccup and Toothless: Why it Still Resonates

More than a decade after ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ first soared onto screens, the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless remains one of the most beloved relationships in animated film history. Their bond goes far beyond boy-meets-dragon; it’s a beautifully told story of trust, acceptance, and growth that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.

At the heart of their friendship is mutual vulnerability. When Hiccup first encounters Toothless, the dragon is injured and frightened. Instead of finishing him off, as expected by Viking tradition, Hiccup shows compassion. This act of empathy sets the tone for everything that follows. Neither character speaks a common language, yet they learn to communicate through actions, gestures, and shared experience. That unspoken connection becomes the emotional core of the trilogy.

What makes their bond so enduring is its relatability. Hiccup is awkward, misunderstood, and pressured to conform to expectations he doesn’t fit. Toothless, though a fearsome Night Fury, is also an outsider. Together, they find a sense of belonging in each other. Their friendship isn’t perfect — there are moments of conflict, fear, and even separation — but it’s always grounded in loyalty and understanding.

Image Courtesy: Entertainment Weekly

The series also isn’t afraid to show the passage of time. As both characters grow and change, so does their relationship. The final film, The Hidden World, delivers a bittersweet but mature conclusion, where love means knowing when to let go — a theme rarely explored so sensitively in animated features.

In a world where friendships are often portrayed as surface-level or conflict-free, Hiccup and Toothless remind us that the strongest bonds are built on patience, respect, and shared struggle. It’s a timeless lesson, and one of the reasons their story continues to capture hearts around the world.

–Farheen Ali