History Main / BackToBackBadasses

** Similarly [[Characters/MarvelComicsPsylocke Psylocke]] and [[Characters/XMenTheOriginalTeam Archangel]] [[https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/010/707/984/large/meghan-hetrick-psylocke-archangel.jpg are known to do this]].

* [[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros The Mario Brothers.]] The M&L games have them almost back-to-back. Sometimes they end up just beating EACH OTHER up for unexplained reasons. But, they gang up on you in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros SSB]]'', don't they? [[http://lastscionz.deviantart.com/art/Enter-the-Mushroom-Kingdom-161439329 As illustrated]]...

** It happens again after [[TheyDo they officially]] become a BattleCouple, when they fight the Bakiraka in the sewers of Wyndam.

* ''Manga/OnePunchMan'' has a scene where Genos and Tatsumaki stand back-to-back work together to fight Black Sperm's trillions of cells.

* In a commercial for ''VideoGame/DungeonSiegeIII'', two ordinary guys pull swords out of nowhere and start fighting ugly humanoids. They briefly fight [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wjK_WAPiFw#t=0m55s back to back here.]]

** When they were fighting against a swarm of flying [[MechaMooks Gadget Drones]] and their [[DoppelgangerSpin illusionary copies]] in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikerS'', Nanoha and Fate peform this in mid-air while protected by Nanoha's DeflectorShields.

* ''Anime/RuneSoldierLouie'': Louie and Jeanie get [[http://www.kivmanga.com/Rune_Soldier_Louie_-_Req_by_Valdimir/017.022/3/ a color page image]], in the manga version, that shows them covering each other while they're surrounded by spirits.

* ComicBook/{{Superman}} and ComicBook/{{Batman}} [[https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-6f5bc809274cc40c02da3f7e727bb75c.webp gloriously do it]] in ''ComicBook/PublicEnemies''. Completed with CasualDangerDialogue.

* [[ComicBook/LukeCage Luke]] and [[ComicBook/IronFist Danny]] [[https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1?file=Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1_61.jpg show]] [[https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1?file=Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1_82.jpg us]] [[https://i.annihil.us/u/prod/marvel/i/mg/8/10/57d996e29e8e6/clean.jpg how]] [[https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1?file=Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1_95.jpg it's]] [[https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1?file=Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1_102.jpg done]].

** Spidey and his fellow street hero ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} can always [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUPRyyPpBf0Yrywrj-OW9c5HLCvr-hle67Dw&usqp=CAU pull this off]], even [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQgMkqUlV7Cmki4qPQzxo3DMbJpJIJdcno9w&usqp=CAU upside]] down.

** Shockingly Spidey and his ArchEnemy ComicBook/GreenGoblin [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREpO6cu2kgwT3xfMPRMefZVHDFkkqxF6_2IA&usqp=CAU do this]] in #850 of ''ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManNickSpencer'', [[TeethClenchedTeamwork Peter hates every second of it]].

** Superman and ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} have been doing this since the late Fifties. In ''ComicBook/WarWorld'' they take on alien conqueror Mongul and his humongous weapon-satellite. And in ''ComicBook/Supergirl1982'' # 21 both cousins do this when they fight Kryptonite-Man.

* In ''ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}}'', the Thunderbolts and Franchise/SpiderMan were together when a villain tried to [[BrainwashedAndCrazy take over]] their minds. Only Mach-1 and Spider-Man fought off the control, and had to fight as Back To Back Badasses. (A severe shock for Mach-1, who [[HeelFaceTurn found]] that after that, he could not frame Spider-Man for murder.)

** When they aren't at each other's throats, [[Characters/MarvelComicsCyclops Cyclops]] and ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} [[https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3f/b9/05/3fb905cdab9b5aa32cecb95c4b64ce1f.jpg pull this off spectacularly]].

** ComicBook/{{Deadpool}} and ComicBook/{{Cable}} do this frequently, often lampshaded.

* ''Fanfic/ShinjiAndWarhammer40K'' gives one of these scenes to Shinji's Space Marine and Chaos Space Marine companions, which is absolutely hilarious considering [[ArchEnemy their relationship with each other]].

** Also, in a [[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e37WXsPCAwo/V4QhTVtNXdI/AAAAAAAA1ts/a_uHtLdZREAb6rtep9nNqw--VWngsB24QCHM/s16000/0572-006.png straight example]], Luffy and [[spoiler: Ace]] in chapter 571.

** [[Characters/MarvelComicsGambit Gambit]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsRogue Rogue]] have been doing this since the 90s [[https://insidepulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Mr-Mrs-X-5-Gambit-Rogue.jpg to modern comics]]. They even do it in [[https://cdn.comicsverse.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/12/Screen-Shot-2018-12-11-at-6.23.28-PM.png their off-time]].

** Gohan and Videl [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREI8afeIl9cQGs11SbtehFBwGCkLJNLoCwjQ&usqp=CAU do this]] in ''Anime/DragonBallZWrathOfTheDragon'' as part of their Superhero BattleCouple routine. ''VideoGame/DragonBallFighterZ'' [[https://gfycat.com/selfreliantornatecowrie have them do this]] part of their combined attacks together.

** Gohan and Videl [[https://pinimg.icu/ipi/0x0/8dcd0/imagen-no-mostrada---visit-now-for-d-dragon-ball-Ef1afc4bb6fdf5e12c28debe1dcd24915.jpg do this]] in ''Anime/DragonBallZWrathOfTheDragon'' as part of their Superhero BattleCouple routine. ''VideoGame/DragonBallFighterZ'' [[https://gfycat.com/selfreliantornatecowrie have them do this]] part of their combined attacks together.

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* Wikus and Christopher fight like this briefly in ''Film/{{District 9}}.''

** ComicBook/IronMan and [[Characters/IronManHeroes War Machine]] in the climax of ''Film/IronMan2''. Originally, they planned on having one take the high ground while the other drew the approaching Hammer Drones in, but they got surrounded on open terrain while bickering about who did what, forcing them to abandon that plan and defend in place back-to-back.
** In one of the film's signatures shots, once all six arrive on the scene, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Hulk form ''back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back'' badasses in ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}''.
** In ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', the heroes form a defensive circle facing outward during the climatic battle with Ultron's army.

* Johns and Riddick (briefly) in ''Film/PitchBlack''.
** Kyra and Riddick in ''Film/TheChroniclesOfRiddick''.
** Subverted in ''Film/{{Riddick}}''. Two {{Bounty Hunter}}s do this when they realise Riddick in on the prowl. Until one of them realises no-one's behind him. He spins round in time to see his partner's corpse being dragged into the darkness. Played straight later with Riddick and Boss John.

* ''Fanfic/TheFirstSaniwa'': [[VideoGame/{{Onmyoji}} Kagura]] and [[VideoGame/ToukenRanbu Yasusada]] vs. Revisionists. They are outnumbered, lose the battle and are taken as captives.

* ''Anime/ScienceNinjaTeamGatchaman'': Constantly. Most of times it was [[TheHero Ken]] [[RedOniBlueOni and]] [[TheLancer Joe]] or Ken [[BattleCouple and]] [[TheChick Jun]] who did the back-to-back fight, but it any member of the team could ''and did'' find in a situation that demanded fighting back-to-back with a teammate.

* ''Manga/DeadmanWonderland'': Senji and Ganta. Literally the next page, Minatsuki comments on how badass they are. Senji and Ganta then [[HandshakeSubstitute proceed to brofist.]]
* One ''Manga/CaseClosed'' NonSerialMovie references Anne Bonney, who fought this way with her (female) partner so that they could literally watch each others' backs.

* In the American-produced second season of ''Anime/DuelMasters'', main character Shobu and [[TheRival dark rival]] Kokujo do this to fend off a pair of evil duelist twins. Keep in mind that they are [[SeriousBusiness playing a children's card game]].

* Being badass magical girls who can kick ass while wearing the frilliest of skirts, just about anyone from the ''Anime/PrettyCure'' franchise is shown to pull off moments like this, no matter how many are on each team!

* In ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'', to defeat the [[MonsterOfTheWeek dojo destroyer]], [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Ranma]] and [[{{Tsundere}} Akane]] stand back-to-back and link arms to knock the enemy out. Note that this is only in the {{anime}} version; the manga has [[JerkwithaHeartofGold Ranma]] take it down with one OffhandBackhand. Ukyo and Ryoga also get a moment of this in the {{O|riginalVideoAnimation}}VA version of the [[{{Kimodameshi}} Cave of Lost Love]] story, when the ghosts compare their teamwork and alliance of convenience to [[JerkwithaHeartofGold Ranma]] and [[{{Tsundere}} Akane's]] [[BelligerentSexualTension relationship]] and promptly decide that Ukyo and Ryoga are the only couple present -- ignoring their protests that they are not interested in each other that way at all.

** Liaoyun Huo and Sun Ce faced off an entire army back to back. [[spoiler:Or rather, Liaoyuan Huo and 'Sun Ce', a.k.a. Ling Cao.]]

* ''ComicBook/GIJoeARealAmericanHeroMarvel'': Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow on the cover of #96. Hell, Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow ''during'' the G.I. Joe story ''Hush Job''. Although subverted in that rather than actually ''engage'' their opponents whilst back to back, they simultaneously somersaulted over the heads of their opponents and then just blew them up with a demolition charge.

* ComicStrip/ModestyBlaise and Willie Garvin (outside of the [[Film/ModestyBlaise enjoyably awful 60s movie]]) are pretty much avatars of this particular trope.

** [[spoiler:Rey and Kylo Ren]] fight the Praetorian Guards this way in ''Film/TheLastJedi''. At one point [[spoiler:Rey ''literally'' grabs onto him and leans on his back for leverage]].
* Subverted (kind of) in the film ''Film/StuckOnYou''. Walt and Bob get into a bar fight and use this method to defeat a much larger group in a decidedly badass action scene. Of course, they're conjoined twins attached at the hip, so they were not truly back-to-back and weren't really given a choice about how to fight.

* ''Literature/SkylarkSeries'': While floating through the air with enemies inbound, Seaton and Margaret actually interconnect their belts to hold them together, along with interlocking their legs, ensuring that they can't be attacked and disabled from behind while they literally sweep the skies clear.

* In ''Literature/WatchersOfTheThrone'', Aleya and Valerian tend to fight this way whenever they're surrounded in battle, which is pretty much every time they are together in battle.
* In ''Literature/TheWitchlands'', Safi and Iseult are outnumbered pretty much all the time, so this happens on a regular basis.

* ''Series/BurnNotice'' has Michael and Fiona or Michael and Sam pulling these almost every other episode. Of course, we are talking about an ex-CIA operative, a former terrorist for the IRA, and an ex-Navy SEAL. It's kind of their hat.

** Chuck and Casey literally fight back to back when they're tied together in two chairs in the first season. Though that was more Casey fighting and occasionally flinging Chuck around to kick enemies in the face while Chuck screamed a lot.

** Topped in "Midway", when Ronon and Teal'c work together to take on an entire Wraith attack force. To say it's a slaughter is putting it mildly.

* In ''[[TabletopGame/IronKingdoms Warmachine]]'', the Great Bears of Gallowswood from [[GloriousMotherRussia Khador]] are a trio of survivors/good buddies who basically stick back to back to back and slam into the enemy like a wrecking ball of death.

* ''VideoGame/CaveStory'': During the BrutalBonusLevel, Quote and Curly are ''literally'' strapped to each other's backs (Curly has been [[WorfEffect beaten into submission so many times]] that she can't even walk by the end of the game.) When Quote fires his weapon, Curly fires hers simultaneously in the opposite direction.

* [[https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/789738371889751761/900242671C029E9BF8CA84DDFCFC1F41D5A80F6D/ Vergil and Dante]] pull this one in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening'', against a huge demon towards the end of the game. Dante tosses Vergil one of his guns, and they do a synchronized, flashy gun-spinning sequence ending with the two back to back, with Vergil holding his pistol sideways over Dante's forming a 90 degree angle and tossing off a one-liner as they blast the living hell out of the demon they're facing.

** In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots'', Raiden comes to help Snake in a seemingly impossible fight. And even though it's entirely a single player game, it turns to split screen. And it really feels like you are fighting together.

* In ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'', your childhood friend and [[TheRival longtime rival]], <INSERT NAME HERE>, challenges you several times throughout the story, usually beats each Gym before you can reach it, and basically gives the impression of staying one step ahead of you no matter how many times you beat him. But at the end of the main story, as you face down [[BigBad Galactic Commander Cyrus]] and his two main lieutenants, he decides it's time to put rivalry aside, and jumps in for a back-to-back [=2v2=] battle against Mars and Saturn.

* ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonVsAceAttorney'': The titular duo does a back-to-back [[MundaneMadeAwesome unnecessarily dramatic]] [[GivingSomeoneThePointerFinger point]] in the courtroom. Of course, this is more of a display of intellectual badassery, but it fits the spirit of the trope. Then again, [[VideoGame/ProfessorLayton one of them]] is an accomplished sword fighter/[[{{Macgyvering}} improv weapons maker]], and [[Franchise/AceAttorney the other one]] is a [[MadeOfIron super-resilient]] fighter [[VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3 who has tangled with The Hulk, among others]], so they're not exactly slacking with the physical badassery either.

* Despite ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' ''literally'' being back-to-back for a vast majority of the time, this trope isn't usually in effect due to the fact that, three games aside[[note]]''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime'', ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankAll4One'' and ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFullFrontalAssault''[[/note]], Clank plays the part of AwesomeBackpack and stays out of any ongoing fights. There ''is'' a subtle implication in the cover art for ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction Tools of Destruction]]'', where you can see Clank reacting to the appearance of a {{Space Pirate|s}} while Ratchet remains oblivious. This trope is played the straightest with the Clank Zapper in the second game; Clank remains an AwesomeBackpack, but now electrifies any enemies within range, and also has laser eyes aiming at anyone directly behind Rachet.

* [[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros The Mario Brothers.]] The M&L games have them almost literally back-to-back. Of course, sometimes they end up just beating EACH OTHER up for unexplained reasons. But, they gang up on you in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros SSB]]'', don't they? [[http://lastscionz.deviantart.com/art/Enter-the-Mushroom-Kingdom-161439329 As illustrated]]...

* Angela and Arata do this at one point in ''VisualNovel/PrincessWaltz''. Not only does this wind up looking totally awesome, but given the genre, this is also where Angela's respect for him jumps up considerably and provides the bridge to a possible relationship later. In short, this woman apparently finds being badass a turn on.

** Another example, though a little bizarre, thanks to the episodes MacGuffin, Arcee and Bulkhead are [[ChainedHeat literally stuck together]] back to back.

** Also done in ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' by the party in Moria, when they were surrounded by hordes of orc/goblin things... until [[spoiler:the Balrog showed up and scared them off]].

When two people (or more on the rare occasin) are completely surrounded, outnumbered and outgunned, by simply coming together and having their backs against each other, they are suddenly much more capable. Usually involves a lot of spinning and may lead to RadialAssKicking. The fully realized fight scene of this image is the BashBrothers. A warrior's most vulnerable area is his back, and by putting their backs together, two warriors can eliminate this disadvantage and turn it into an advantage.

* The ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'' fic ''Fanfic/KyonBigDamnHero'' features Kyon and [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien Yuki]] using this to dismantle a horde of {{Yakuza}} after being temporarily BroughtDownToNormal.

* The title character and his erstwhile ally JJ do this in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m-c2eOWAp8 second episode]] of the Ben [=McYellow=] Website/YouTube series. It's even in the thumbnail.

* ''Fanfic/JWITCHSeason1'' has this happen with the heroes during various fight scenes:

* ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'':

* Your party does this during the cutscene immediately preceding the first Rachni attack on Noveria in ''VideoGame/MassEffect1''. Another really subtle example is only obvious if you draw your weapons manually without any enemies in sight: the moment you do so, Shepard's squadmates on both flanks drawn their own weapons and simultaneously turn around to face in the directions Shepard is not watching.
** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', two entire species, the Turians and the Krogan, go Back To Back Badasses to push the Reapers back from the Turian homeworld in a spectacular showdown that becomes known as the [[CurbStompCushion Miracle at Palaven]].

* As revealed in the ''Literature/WarriorCats'' book ''Secrets of the Clans'', young warriors are taught this as a tactic.

* This occurs in ''Anime/InuYasha the Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler''. The titular Inuyasha and his brother Sesshoumaru dramatically face off against an overwhelming enemy back to back. [[spoiler: For about 3 seconds and a half, then Sesshomaru just plays it dirty and use the path [=InuYasha=] just opened to leave him surrounded.]]