History Main / RespectedByTheRespected

* Towards the end of ''Literature/WatershipDown'', [[BigBad General Woundwort]] goes up against [[TheBigGuy Bigwig]], who pulls off a "YouShallNotPass" because "My Chief Rabbit has ordered me to hold you here." This is a major OhCrap moment for Woundwort... and yet this says more about him than about Bigwig's Chief Rabbit because Woundwort lacks the imagination to realise that there might be more to who's in charge of a warren than [[AssKickingEqualsAuthority mere physical prowess]]; Bigwig could handily mop the floor with Hazel in a straight-up fight, but Hazel won his (initially somewhat grudging) respect with his [[GuileHero charisma and quick thinking]].

* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', when Tsunade introduces Naruto to the Great Toad Sage Fukasaku, she addresses Fukasaku with the extremely respectful "-sama" honorific, a show of courtesy she shows to hardly anyone. Despite normally being somewhat tolerant of Naruto's less than respectful behavior toward her, Tsunade tells him to mind his manners around Fukasaku.

* ComicBook/ThePunisher is an interesting example. While he's far from well liked by the Superhero community, in fact both [[AllLovingHero Spider-Man and Captain America]] actually ''hate'' him. He is well respected by certain well respected individuals.

** During the ComicBook/WarOfTheRealms, The Goddess and Queen of Asgard Feyja directly told Frank that Captain America didn't like Frank, but he did respect him. After a brief talk between Feyja and Castle about [[IDidWhatIHadToDo making hard choices and doing what needs to be done]], she said that she know knew why others feared him, but she also said he now has her and all of Asgards respect. After said war Frank has seemly gained the respect of the [[OurElvesAreDifferent Light Elves of Alfheim]], likely after arming them with guns and leading them (Queen included) into battle. In ComicBook/Thor2020, Queen Aelsa (Queen of the Light Elves) was actually hoping that Frank would be the one to represent Midgard/Earth in their after war celebration.

---> '''Thor''': I am Thor Odinson, heir to the lord of Asgard, and this man is my most trusted counsel.
* Franchise/{{Superman}} is almost always this trope and it never comes across as anything but deserved. From normal people to gods and cosmic entities, everybody respects Superman. [[VillainRespect Even his enemies.]] As TheParagon of the DCU, ''the'' NiceGuy, HumbleHero, AllLovingHero, IncorruptiblePurePureness whose always telling people YouAreNotAlone, YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre and always helping AFriendInNeed and when people try to tell how great he is he always says ThinkNothingOfIt or ItsWhatIDo which makes him even more amazing given that he's a PhysicalGod that has fought off super-villains, monsters, demons, and actual gods to protect the world and has been a champion in cosmic wars against evil just to protect everybody. Hal as the specter summed him up perfectly during JLA: Soul War.
--> He was born on another world and there were times, I admit, when I found him too good, too perfect, to be believed. And perhaps he was. Yet as I came to know him, as our bond deepened through the years, I saw that what made Superman great was his ability to both reflect and inspire the best and brightest in all of us. He gazed, with clear eyes, at all of my flaws and imperfections and accepted me. And somehow, that's helped me to accept myself. With his extraordinary powers, He could have set himself up as a god. And I suspect we would have gladly let him. But what he wanted most of all was to be human. Superman was possessed of a humility I found astonishing. He truly saw himself as an every-man. James Stewart in tights and a cape. He didn't believe that he was special. That he deserved special treatment. Maybe that was a psychological trick: A way of dealing with his true nature. Maybe the only way to function as a god, to carry out a god's responsibilities and remain sane, was to deny that he was one. To assume the modest persona of a Kansas farm-boy. But here's the paradox: He was a Kansas farm-boy AND a god. More than that: He was my friend.

* After coming in second place at the Indigo Conference and becoming an Elite Four trainee, Ash Ketchum in ''Fanfic/{{Traveler}}'' is greeted with outright awe by Tate and Liza and deep respect by Flannery. About the only gym leader who don't show him any respect is Clair.

* The first person to whom we see Harry Dresden, the protagonist of ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', show genuine deference is his mentor Ebenezar [=McCoy=]. Detective Murphy is downright ''shocked'' [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness to hear the habitually irreverent Harry call him "Sir."]] Much of this is because Ebenezar was a father-figure to him, but he is also one of the most powerful wizards around, becoming a member of the Senior Council the first time the readers are introduced to him.

[[folder:Live Action Television]]

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': While occurring throughout the game as players become stronger and more experienced, it truly came to a head in ''Legion''. Rather than just offhand recognition of the players achievements by [=NPCs=], players are outright saluted by and give orders to the likes of Lady Liadrin, Remulos, and Rexxar.

* In ''Manga/{{Gamma}}'', the world's current top superheroine, Puella Magi Mika, comes running when Yuri Kitajishi -- ostensibly a muggle--gives her a call, and she even salutes her--because Yuri is actually Lily Cure, the retired top superheroine of ''all times'' and Mika's former mentor. Later on, the alien hero Mighty Blow's strength is hinted at when the freaking zoo ''lions'' bow to him out of their own volition.
* Hayate Yagami from ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' is the single most powerful mage in the multiverse and a highly decorated military officer, yet she always defers to her former mentor and commanding officer [[NonActionGuy Genya Nakajima]] when they interact (despite the fact that she, a Lieutenant Colonel, has long since outranked him, a Major).
* In ''Manga/FairyTail'', the eponymous guild gets a request for help from Warrod, one of the top Wizard Saints and a founding member of the guild along with Makarov's father. Makarov, himself a Wizard Saint and the current Master of Fairy Tail, knows what an important and respected person Warrod is, and immediately realizes that failure is no option.

* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', when Tsunade introduces Naruto to the Great Toad Sage Fukasaku, she addresses Fukasaku with the extremely respectful "-sama" honorific, a show of courtesy she shows to hardly anyone. Despite normally being somewhat tolerant of Naruto's less than respectful behavior toward her, Tsunade tells him to mind his manners around Fukasaku.

* Franchise/{{Superman}} is almost always this trope and it never comes across as anything but deserved. From normal people to gods and cosmic entities, everybody respects Superman. [[VillainRespect Even his enemies.]] As TheParagon of the DCU, ''the'' NiceGuy, HumbleHero, AllLovingHero, IncorruptiblePurePureness whose always telling people YouAreNotAlone, YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre and always helping AFriendInNeed and when people try to tell how great he is he always says ThinkNothingOfIt or ItsWhatIDo which makes him even more amazing given that he's a PhysicalGod that has fought off super-villains, monsters, demons, and actual gods to protect the world and has been a champion in cosmic wars against evil just to protect everybody. Hal as the specter summed him up perfectly during JLA: Soul War.
--> He was born on another world and there were times, I admit, when I found him too good, too perfect, to be believed. And perhaps he was. Yet as I came to know him, as our bond deepened through the years, I saw that what made Superman great was his ability to both reflect and inspire the best and brightest in all of us. He gazed, with clear eyes, at all of my flaws and imperfections and accepted me. And somehow, that's helped me to accept myself. With his extraordinary powers, He could have set himself up as a god. And I suspect we would have gladly let him. But what he wanted most of all was to be human. Superman was possessed of a humility I found astonishing. He truly saw himself as an every-man. James Stewart in tights and a cape. He didn't believe that he was special. That he deserved special treatment. Maybe that was a psychological trick: A way of dealing with his true nature. Maybe the only way to function as a god, to carry out a god's responsibilities and remain sane, was to deny that he was one. To assume the modest persona of a Kansas farm-boy. But here's the paradox: He was a Kansas farm-boy AND a god. More than that: He was my friend.
* Played for CringeComedy in ''ComicBook/Hitman1993'' when Tommy ends up facing most of the Justice League who want him off the station right now because he's well, a hitman. Then Superman shows up and warmly greets him (in an earlier issue, Tommy had ended up giving Superman a pep talk, leaving Superman unaware of Tommy's profession).

* Much like Superman above, ComicBook/CaptainAmerica is frequently seen this way in Creator/MarvelComics. Cap himself sees {{ComicBook/Daredevil}} in the same light (as seen on the latter's page quote).

--> '''Thor''': I am Thor Odinson, heir to the lord of Asgard, and this man is my most trusted counsel.
* ComicBook/ThePunisher is an interesting example. While he's far from well liked by the Superhero community, in fact both [[AllLovingHero Spider-Man and Captain America]] actually ''hate'' him. He is well respected by certain well respected individuals.
** The most obvious example is Nick Fury, the director of ComicBook/SHIELD. He even said that while he can't approve of what Frank Castle does, he ''can'' respect it. He even respects and trusts Frank to act as his potential successor as the ''Man on the Wall'', the One Man AncientOrderOfProtectors for humanity and Earth.
** Thor, Prince of Asgard and GodOfThunder, has actually expressed his respect to Frank in person. He did this while every other member of the Avengers were trying to arrest him, Thor instead used this opportunity to talk to Frank face to face.
** During the ComicBook/WarOfTheRealms, The Goddess and Queen of Asgard Feyja directly told Frank that Captain America didn't like Frank, but he did respect him. After a brief talk between Feyja and Castle about [[IDidWhatIHadToDo making hard choices and doing what needs to be done]], she said that she know knew why others feared him, but she also said he now has her and all of Asgards respect. After said war Frank has seemly gained the respect of the [[OurElvesAreDifferent Light Elves of Alfheim]], likely after arming them with guns and leading them (Queen included) into battle. In ComicBook/Thor2020, Queen Aelsa (Queen of the Light Elves) was actually hoping that Frank would be the one to represent Midgard/Earth in their after war celebration.

* The [[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Lord Inquisitor]] himself drops to one knee almost immediately when he meets Flemeth in ''[[Fanfic/TwiceUponAnAge All This Sh*t is Twice as Weird]]''. [[spoiler:ItMakesSenseInContext, because the Lord Inquisitor is a Dalish elf, and Flemeth is the host body of the elven goddess Mythal.]]

* In a CutSong from ''Film/LittleShopOfHorrors'' called "I'm Bad", Audrey II boasts that the Film/BrideOfFrankenstein calls him "Mr. Audrey Sir".

* In ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', Bang Shishigami is ([[TheFool perhaps]] [[LargeHam rightly]]) treated as a joke by every other character... except for Hakumen (who is a legendary hero from the past... future... [[GroundhogDayLoop it's complicated]]), who has nothing but praise for Bang's idealism and heroic spirit.
** In ''VideoGame/BlazBlueCrossTagBattle'', Hakumen and Nine the Phantom are dismissive of most characters but they seem to like [[WebAnimation/{{RWBY}} Weiss Schnee]], giving advice and encouragement to the rookie Huntress with something to prove. Hakumen also respects [[VideoGame/{{Persona 4}} Yu Narukami]] for his idealism and protectiveness towards others.
* After the [[spoiler:five-year]] TimeSkip in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'', all of your now-former students still refer to [[PlayerCharacter Byleth]] (a common-born mercenary who got lucky to score a teaching job at a MilitaryAcademy) as Professor/Sensei -- even those who have become generals, kings, and emperors in the meantime. Shortly before [[WhamEpisode the mission in the Holy Tomb]], one monastery NPC warns you that if you get on your students' bad sides, they could easily ruin your career, before adding that the students clearly respect you too much to do that.

* ''VideoGame/DoomEternal'': Even the Doom Slayer himself kneels in respect to King Novik.
* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': While occurring throughout the game as players become stronger and more experienced, it truly came to a head in ''Legion''. Rather than just offhand recognition of the players achievements by [=NPCs=], players are outright saluted by and give orders to the likes of Lady Liadrin, Remulos, and Rexxar

** During ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManJMichaelStraczynski, when Peter was slowly dying and the heroes were desperately looking for a way to save him, King T'Challa, the ComicBook/BlackPanther, brought him to Wakanda to see what could be done. They couldn't find anything, so T'Challa's last resort was to allow Peter to consume the Heart-Shaped_Herb. T'Challa considered Peter worthy of it, and described him as a "Warrior with the Soul of a King".

When writers want to hint at the true extent of a recently-introduced character's power or influence [[ShowDontTell without going into detail about it]], they instead have already-established and respected characters address them in a deferential manner. After all, if a well-known badass treats this person with the utmost respect, so should everyone else if they know what's good for them. Done too blatantly, however, it may come across as CharacterShilling.

* Much like Superman above, ComicBook/CaptainAmerica is frequently seen this way in Creator/MarvelComics. Taken UpToEleven by Cap himself, who sees {{ComicBook/Daredevil}} in the same light (as seen on the latter's page quote).

* After the [[spoiler:five-year]] TimeSkip in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'', all of your now-former students still refer to [[PlayerCharacter Byleth]] as Professor/Sensei -- even those who have become generals, kings, and emperors in the meantime. Shortly before [[WhamEpisode the mission in the Holy Tomb]], one monastery NPC warns you that if you get on your students' bad sides, they could easily ruin your career, before adding that the students clearly respect you too much to do that.

** During the WarOfTheRealms, The Goddess and Queen of Asgard Feyja directly told Frank that Captain America didn't like Frank, but he did respect him. After a brief talk between Feyja and Castle about [[IDidWhatIHadToDo making hard choices and doing what needs to be done]], she said that she know knew why others feared him, but she also said he now has her and all of Asgards respect. After said war Frank has seemly gained the respect of the [[OurElvesAreDifferent Light Elves of Alfheim]], likely after arming them with guns and leading them (Queen included) into battle. In ComicBook/Thor2020, Queen Aelsa (Queen of the Light Elves) was actually hoping that Frank would be the one to represent Midgard/Earth in their after war celebration.

** If being respected by a LivingLegend and an actual King wasn't enough, Spider-Man is respected by even ComicBook/TheMightyThor himself. During the ComicBook/WarOfTheRealms, Thor had Spider-Man join the League of Realms tp represent Midgard/Earth, when Spidey questioned him about it, Thor happily described Spider-Man as he most Midgardian person that he knew. Thor even said that this was the highest complement he can give to someone. Thor would express his respects years earlier in ComicBook/EndsOfTheEarth. When the UN dismiss Spider-Man's warnings about Octavius, Thor steps in to make them listen.

** If being respected by a LivingLegend and actual King wasn't enough, Spider-Man is respected by ComicBook/TheMightyThor himself. During the ComicBook/WarOfTheRealms, Thor had Spider-Man join the League of Realms tp represent Midgard/Earth, when Spidey questioned him about it, Thor happily described Spider-Man as he most Midgardian person that he knew. Thor even said that this was the highest complement he can give to someone. Thor would express his respects years earlier in ComicBook/EndsOfTheEarth. When the UN dismiss Spider-Man's warnings about Octavius, Thor steps in to make them listen.

** During ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManJMichaelStraczynski, when Peter was slowly dying and the heroes were desperately looking for a way to save him, King T'Challa, the ComicBook/BlackPanther, brought him to Wakanda to see what could be done. They couldn't find anything, so T'Challa's alowed Peter to consume the Heart-Shaped_Herb. T'Challa considered Peter worthy of it, and described him as a "Warrior with the Soul of a King".

** Cap mostly sees ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' this way as well, but he needs more experience, and to mature a bit, as well as becoming more of a team player.

-->'''Shepard:''' Not supposed to call me [commander] anymore, James.
-->'''Vega:''' Not supposed to salute you, either.

* In ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'', the present events in the series showed Kyojuro was very respected by his Hashira colleagues, after [[spoiler:his death]] other Hashira expressed how much of an exemplary Hashira he was, the special oneshot chapter made by Gotouge after the series ended, detailing the days short before Kyojuro became Hashira by killing a Lower-2, showed the Hashira at the time didn’t think much of him when Kyojuro was just a Hashira candidate, he had to build up the reputation he has in the main story.

* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' is almost always this trope and it never comes across as anything but deserved. From normal people to gods and cosmic entities, everybody respects Superman. [[VillainRespect Even his enemies.]] As TheParagon of the DCU, ''the'' NiceGuy, HumbleHero, AllLovingHero, IncorruptiblePurePureness whose always telling people YouAreNotAlone, YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre and always helping AFriendInNeed and when people try to tell how great he is he always says ThinkNothingOfIt or ItsWhatIDo which makes him even more amazing given that he's a PhysicalGod that has fought off super-villains, monsters, demons, and actual gods to protect the world and has been a champion in cosmic wars against evil just to protect everybody. Hal as the specter summed him up perfectly during JLA: Soul War.

* In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'''s tutorial, James Vega breaks regs by saluting Shepard and addressing him/her by rank as a show of respect, despite Shepard currently being suspended awaiting CourtMartial and thus rating neither rank nor salute. This is {{lampshaded}} by Shepard.

* In ''Franchise/{{Blazblue}}'', Bang Shishigami is ([[TheFool perhaps]] [[LargeHam rightly]]) treated as a joke by every other character... except for Hakumen (who is a legendary hero from the past... future... [[GroundhogDayLoop it's complicated]]), who has nothing but praise for Bang's idealism and heroic spirit.
** In ''VideoGame/BlazblueCrossTagBattle'', Hakumen and Nine the Phantom are dismissive of most characters but they seem to like [[WebAnimation/{{RWBY}} Weiss Schnee]], giving advice and encouragement to the rookie Huntress with something to prove. Hakumen also respects [[VideoGame/{{Persona 4}} Yu Narukami]] for his idealism and protectiveness towards others.

* The first person to whom we see Harry Dresden, the protagonist of ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', show genuine deference is his mentor, Ebenezar [=McCoy=]. Detective Murphy is downright ''shocked'' [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness to hear the habitually irreverent Harry call him "Sir."]] Much of this is because Ebenezar was a father-figure to him, but he is also one of the most powerful wizards around, becoming a member of the Senior Council the first time the readers are introduced to him.

* Towards the end of ''Literature/WatershipDown'', [[BigBad General Woundwort]] goes up against [[TheBigGuy Bigwig]], who pulls off a "NoneShallPass" because "My Chief Rabbit has ordered me to hold you here." This is a major OhCrap moment for Woundwort... and yet this says more about him than about Bigwig's Chief Rabbit because Woundwort lacks the imagination to realise that there might be more to who's in charge of a warren than [[AssKickingEqualsAuthority mere physical prowess]]; Bigwig could handily mop the floor with Hazel in a straight-up fight, but Hazel won his (initially somewhat grudging) respect with his [[GuileHero charisma and quick thinking]].

--> '''Death:''' Shut up, Dean.
--> '''Dean:''' Yessir.

* After the [[spoiler:five-year]] TimeSkip in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'', all of your now-former students still refer to [[PlayerCharacter Byleth]] as Professor/Sensei -- even those who have become generals, kings, and emperors in the meantime.

When writers want to hint at the true extent of a recently-introduced character's power or influence [[ShowDontTell without going into detail about it]], they instead have already-established and respected characters address them in a deferential manner. After all, if a well-known badass treats this person with utmost respect, so should everyone else if they know what's good for them. Done too blatantly, however, it may come across as CharacterShilling.

Does not include regimented forms of address, such as when speaking to someone higher in the [[UsefulNotes/CommonRanks chain of command]]: a badass private may refer to a general as "sir", but that doesn't automatically mean the latter is a FourStarBadass. VillainCred is a subtrope limited to {{Villains}}. Compare also TheKnightsWhoSaySquee, where younger heroes seek to emulate their older idols, WellDoneSonGuy or SoProudOfYou, where a character strives to be respected by the ones they respect. Compare/contrast TheDreaded (who is defined by the ''fear'' everyone else shows of them), DontCallMeSir (when the man who is being called "sir" wishes to be treated less professionally) and TheyCallMeMisterTibbs (when the man ''demands'' to be called "sir" as a show of respect).

* In ''Manga/{{Gamma}}'', the world's current top superheroine, Puella Magi Mika, comes running when Yuri Kitajishi--ostensibly a muggle--gives her a call, and she even salutes her--because Yuri is actually Lily Cure, the retired top superheroine of ''all times'' and Mika's former mentor. Later on, the alien hero Mighty Blow's strength is hinted at when the freaking zoo ''lions'' bow to him out of their own volition.

* In ''Fanfic/TheParselmouthOfGryffindor'', Hermione, by Dumbledore, Nicolas Flamel and many more.

* In ''Literature/HeLoverOfDeath'', Senka watches the [[IdleRich ineffectual dandy]] he robbed earlier casually grill the huge constable who is keeping the entire WretchedHive of Khitrovka in terror, and realizes just how deep in trouble he is when the constable displays nothing but head-bowing humility in front of him. The "dandy", of course, turns out to be the series' [[GreatDetective overarching protagonist]], Literature/ErastFandorin.

* Towards the end of ''Literature/WatershipDown'', [[BigBad General Woundwort]] goes up against [[TheBigGuy Bigwig]], who pulls off a "NoneShallPass" because "My Chief Rabbit has ordered me to hold you here." This is a major OhCrap moment for Woundwort... and yet this says more about him than about Bigwig's Chief Rabbit, because Woundwort lacks the imagination to realise that there might be more to who's in charge of a warren than [[AssKickingEqualsAuthority mere physical prowess]]; Bigwig could handily mop the floor with Hazel in a straight-up fight, but Hazel won his (initially somewhat grudging) respect with his [[GuileHero charisma and quick thinking]].

* Master Chief, the protagonist of the ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' series, is addressed as "sir" by other marines--which wouldn't raise any eyebrows, since they're in the military... except [[FridgeBrilliance Master Chief Petty Officer is a non-commissioned rank]], and noncoms are ''never'' addressed as 'sir', unless the speaker does so to show a special form of respect, which Master Chief deserves and then some.

* In ''Discworld/{{Jingo}}'', a general of the Klatchian Army is surrounded by [[BloodKnight D'regs]] and asks Carrot, who's leading them, [[WhyIsntItAttacking why they haven't already attacked]]. Carrot explains that he asked them not to attack because Commander Vimes wouldn't like it. The general promptly surrenders, telling an aide who questions him that "This man can make water run uphill, and ''he'' has a commander!"