History Main / YouGotSpunk

!This trope is [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=16808773900.35525900 under discussion]] in the Administrivia/TropeRepairShop.

[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/00000_000001_copie_21_87.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:I like a babe who plays rough!]]

->''"A ''little'' fight in you. I like that."''
-->-- '''The Joker''', ''Film/TheDarkKnight''

In fiction, most villains are used to dealing with the DamselInDistress. They scream, they're easily subdued by grasping their StandardFemaleGrabArea, they're generally easy to dominate. This can get rather dull if it goes on for long enough.

As a result, the villain tends to be pleasantly surprised when he captures an ActionGirl and she puts up a fight. Oh, he'll still hold her hostage. He'll still kill her when the time comes. But when she [[SpitefulSpit spits in his face]], [[GroinAttack kicks him in the crotch]], and insults him with a witty rejoinder, he can't help but shake his head (perhaps smirking as he does so) and say, "[[SympathyForTheHero I'll give you this]]. You got spunk."

That last word tends to vary, since "spunk" is [[HaveAGayOldTime nowadays]] used as slang for semen, and unless the line is a build-up for a cheesy joke ("And you're about to have even more in you! Hoy-oh!") the double-meaning is just distracting. "Moxie" is a good substitute, as are "fight" and "spirit". This is meant to be a compliment, because hey, we all "love a woman with spirit," but it usually comes off as a condescending StockPhrase.

This is no longer strictly a man-to-woman trope. Man-to-man examples are not uncommon, where they can either be examples of HoYay or genuine respect. It has a much darker and creepier connotation when used in the middle of [[SexualHarassmentAndRapeTropes a rape scene]]. It may also be used in less extreme situations by someone who's not a villain, merely a grump, in which case they'll make it a backhanded compliment by adding "I hate spunk." Not that real villains can't hate spunk, too.

For the non-villainous version, please see "ILoveYouBecauseICantControlYou". "You got spunk" is more "''I '''will''' love you because it is hard to control you''", and unsurprisingly, has the [[UnfortunateImplications less pleasant implications]]. Compare WillNotBeAVictim (for the ActionGirl's perspective) and IHaveYouNowMyPretty (for the villain's perspective). Often paired with a VillainousCrush. Compare AmazonChaser for when "spunk" is an attractive quality in a girlfriend. Also compare DefiantCaptive. Contrast NoGuyWantsAnAmazon and NoGuyWantsToBeChased for when it is a deterrent. When meant sincerely and in non-rapey terms, it overlaps with SympathyForTheHero. See also YouGotGuts.

----
!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* In ''LightNovel/ExpectingToFallIntoRuinIAimToBecomeABlacksmith'', the protagonist Kururi is host to [[PrinceCharmless the obnoxious]] foreign Prince Love who visits his feudal domain. When said prince throws a tantrum due to Kururi responding to his rudeness in kind and insisting on [[MaliciousMisnaming calling him Prince Lamb]], he breaks their table, including Kururi’s coffee mug, which his wife had made for him, prompting her to charge into the room and jump-kick Prince Love unconscious. After a while of pampering the prince as an apology, he cites this, demanding to take her home with him, likely thinking her a mere maid. Before Kururi gets a chance to respond beyond thinking the two share tastes, Prince Rhasa knocks him [[HereWeGoAgain unconscious (again)]], after having lectured Kururi over the previous incident.
* When Rei first comes to Mamiya's village in ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'', he witnesses the Fang clan of bandits executing a young boy from the village and Mamiya stoically overseeing the retrieval of the body. Rei remarks that he's impressed to see such a cold-hearted woman and that it is appropriate for her to be in charge of the village in such harsh times. [[SubvertedTrope Then he's told]] that the boy was actually her little brother and that she's really devastated. Seeing her tears reminds Rei of his own losses and restores his empathy for others, so then he becomes [[StayInTheKitchen overly protective of her]], insisting that she should re-embrace her womanhood.
* At some point late in the ''Manga/{{Gravitation}}'' manga, Mr. K says to YaoiFangirl Rage as they have each other at gunpoint: "Heh. I like your spirit... '''spattered across the pavement!'''" His wife stops him from hurting anybody by hurting him. She's that kind of woman.
* ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'':
** Shmion to Rika: "Oh you still got some strength left? Well, it would be no fun if you didn't!"
** Oryou also has this view of Keiichi when he threatens her.
* Shikamaru in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' when commenting on Temari: "I forgot: this girl is a spunky one. I ''hate'' spunky."
* The {{Hentai}} series ''Spunky Knight'' manages to use ''both'' definitions of spunky for its main character.
* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'': Ranma and Akane already fights a lot for their first meeting. She asks [[GenderBender female Ranma]] for a short sparring when she learns he's a martial artist too. Then she tries to crush him with a stone lantern when she [[NakedFirstImpression first sees his male form in the bath]]. Then she knocks him out with a table when he comments that his female body looks better then Akane's. Finally she slaps him hard when he, as a naked female this time, enters the bathroom [[NakedFirstImpression to see Akane's naked body again]]. Ranma's father says Akane has spunk.
* In ''Anime/SDGundamForce'', One of the Lacroa Triplets tries to barter with Talgeese by threatening to destroy the MacGuffin if he doesn't stop his attack on the Gundam Force. Talgeese remarks, "You know what, kid? You've got spunk. And it just so happens that I absolutely ''loathe spunk!''"
* ''Manga/SeraphOfTheEnd'': Ferid is delighted by how Yuu goes into demon mode on him. He later approaches Yuu and blushes saying "Wow! Haven't you grown into the cute one! Your demon is on the verge of rampage yet you still have [[WhatBeautifulEyes such clear and beautiful eyes]]. No wonder you are the extra special guinea pig." He then lifts Yuu's face by his chin and gets close saying "Perhaps before I heal you I'll take a little sip of your blood." Yuu asks if there's something in it for him if he allows Ferid to suck his blood. Ferid says he got the curse suppresent from Guren and it's the same one he takes. Yuu then demands Ferid tells him everything he knows and tries to regain control of the situation by grabbing the hand Ferid has the cure in. Ferid smiles when Yuu fights back, covers Yuu's mouth with his hand, says "Oh, you are cute" and bites him while gripping his shoulder and hand. He then "cures" Yuu of his advancing demon curse while holding him close and leaning his head on Yuu's shoulder.
* ''Manga/{{Yuureitou}}'': Marube likes how Tetsuo tries to fight back against his seductions and he looks forward to break his will.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* Said by Zeus to the ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk before [[CurbstompBattle beating him senseless]].
* Said word for word by Jade of Twilight in ''ComicBook/MyLittlePonyMicroSeries'' Issue #1. Of course followed quickly with "I hate spunk."
* An early issue of ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'' had a bizarrely-worded example, when Tails is knocked out of the sky by Robotnik in an enormous two-legged mech, and Posey, a possum girl that Tails liked, stands up to him. Either the writer (Scott Shaw!), [[AccidentalInnuendo didn't know what he was implying]] or [[{{Double Entendre}} knew exactly what he was doing.]]
-->'''Posey:''' I know all about you, Dr. Robotnik... and I'm not scared of you! Now leave us alone!\\
'''Robotnik:''' Oh, you have spunk, eh? Do you know what spunk is? ...It's the gooey, possum-colored stuff that's going to be stuck to the bottom of my giant robot toes! Bwahahahaha!
* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'': Queen Atomia takes a liking to little Suzy in ''ComicBook/TheLegendOfWonderWoman'' when the kid mouths off and calls her a mean old lady even though Atomia could kill her. This quickly vanishes as Atomia's plans fall apart and Suzy proves to be a hindrance.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': {{Exaggerated}} by [[Characters/AbraxasHrodvitnonTitansAndOtherCreatures MaNi/Elder Brother]] towards Monster X. [=MaNi=] specifically relishes in seeing the [[TwoBeingsOneBody Vivienne Graham half of Monster X]] go into a rage state, and he ''especially'' enjoys butchering Vivienne and enraging/maddening her into trying to butcher him back.
* The ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse''/''WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss'' crossover fic, ''Fanfic/ALoudAmongDemons'', has Striker give one of these to Lincoln Loud shortly before fleeing the harvest moon festival
--> '''Striker''': You know something boy? You did the one thing not many have done. You went and surprised me. This! (he shows his wound that Lincoln inflicted) This is what is what I meant before, remember? Someone gives you shit, you make sure how that's a fucking mistake! And those eyes! Those are the kind of eyes you should be havin' if ya serious about surviving Hell! Guess I really did underestimate you, boy. But Don't go thinkin' it'll become a habit!
* ''Fanfic/OldWest'': In both of his encounters with [[DeterminedHomesteader Grace Glossy]], [[PsychoForHire Henry]] exhibits lecherous liking of her partly due to her defiance. When he [[spoiler:reveals her where [[BigBad Dufayel]] is keeping her son]], he says that he's doing that because he has always liked her spunk.
-->'''Grace''': [[GetOut I want you out.]]\\
'''Henry''': Ooh, this one's got bite. I like her.
* From the ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' / ''WebAnimation/DCSuperHeroGirls'' crossover ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13596129/4/SHG-Spider-Man SHG: Spider-Man]]'': When Queen Hippolyta and the Amazons arrive to bring the wayward Diana home, Spider-Man decides to stand up to her and refuses to back down, despite all of the other Amazons present threatening to attack him for disrespecting their queen, because their interference is preventing them from being heroes and saving the people currently in danger. Hippolyta is honestly impressed with Spider-Man's BrassBalls and decides to allow Diana the chance to prove herself as a hero (though she inwardly muses that if Spider-Man talks to her like that again, she will not be so lenient).
* ''Fanfic/AWolfAmongstLions'': Ramsay considers Arya unusually appealing compared to other girls he's put up with, considering the fact that she actively puts up a fight and shoots {{Death Glare}}s at him, refuses to plead for mercy, and refuses to scream, and takes his time enjoying himself by tormenting and torturing her and threatening to rape her.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
* In [[Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney's]] ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'', a centaur tells a captured Megara, "I like 'em fiery."
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967'', Shere Khan says to Mowgli, "You have spirit for one so small."
* In ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheReturnOfJafar'', Jafar tells a captured Jasmine who's face he has grabbed: "Mmmm such spirit." In response Jasmine tries to bite him.
-->'''Jafar''': Perhaps after a few days in chains, you'll be more kindly disposed toward me. Especially ''if you want your father to remain healthy''!
* Disney's ''WesternAnimation/TarzanII'' has Zugor parody the TropeNamer quote. "Kid, you got pluck. I hate pluck."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* ''Film/TheDarkKnight''
** ComicBook/TheJoker. "A little fight in ya... I like that." (Followed by "[[HeyYouHaymaker Then you're gonna love me]].")
** A bit of a variation occurs with [[http://leahy.senate.gov/biography/ U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy]] who stands up to him: "You know, you remind me of my father. I ''hated'' my father!"
* In ''Film/BatmanBegins'', a young Bruce Wayne was told this by mob boss Falcone.
* Happens near the end of ''Film/LeprechaunBack2ThaHood''; while trapped in an elevator with the Leprechaun the FinalGirl smashes him with a dislodged light fixture and proceeds to electrocute him with one of the cables. Afterward the Leprechaun, pretty much unfazed, states "I like her" while she flees the scene.
* Though not specifically voiced, the villain in ''Film/LiveFreeOrDieHard'' is obviously impressed by Lucy when she uses the phone call to her father to calmly inform him how many men he has left to kill.
* ''Film/Daredevil2003'': Bullseye finds Elektra physically attractive, but her prowess and desire to murder him only turn him on more, which is [[AbhorrentAdmirer not]] what she wanted. [[spoiler:It isn't enough to not kill her, but enough to give her her last kiss and think back on her fondly as if he were reminiscing a romantic relationship.]]
* ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade'':
--> Tomb Robber: "You got heart, kid, but that belongs to me!"
* In ''Film/StuartLittle 2'':
-->'''Snowbell:''' ''(to Stuart)'' You've got guts, kid! Guts, and... and ''spunk''! Not to mention moxy! You got guts, spunk and moxy!
* ''Film/EverAfter'': Le Peu, as he tells Danielle more than once, likes a girl with spirit.
* In ''Film/TheSting'' Kid Twist is interviewing people to be in on the con that they are pulling when the guy he talking to is one that he saw get beat up by a cop for keeping his mouth shut. Twist asks him if he got the banged-up nose from the cop, when he says yes, Twist says, "You got Moxie, Kid" and hires him.
* In ''Film/TheShawshankRedemption'' , the leader of the "sisters" (homosexual prison gang) is encouraged by the spurn resistance of Andy Dufresne, the protagonist : "Hard to get, I like that"
* In ''Film/BlackSwan'', this is the reason why Natalie Portman's character is given the lead role in ''Swan Lake''.
* Played for laughs in ''Film/JohnnyDangerously'', where the eponymous character is humorously direct with it.
-->'''Lil''': You realize your last name is an adverb?
-->'''Johnny''': You got spunk, kid, I like that. [''points to her breasts''] You've got those. I like those.
* In ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'', Jane walks up to Loki and flat-out slaps him. He smiles in response.
--> '''Jane:''' That was for [[Film/TheAvengers2012 New York]].
--> '''Loki:''' I like her.
* In the ''Film/WalkingWithDinosaurs'' film, Scowler says something like this during his argument with Patchi.
-->'''Scowler:''' You stole my herd, you stole my girl, and now you're gonna get it. You crossed the line.\\
'''Patchi:''' YOU crossed the line when you nearly got everyone killed!\\
'''Scowler:''' Tough words for a little guy. Let's see if you can back 'em up!
* ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'': Comicbook/LexLuthor to Comicbook/LoisLane.
--> '''Lex''': Well, you're fiesty!... Unfortunately [[ImpliedDeathThreat that will blow away... like sand in the desert]].
* ''Film/HawkTheSlayer''. When a slaver backchats him, Voltan says he likes a man with spirit, then [[TongueTrauma has his tongue cut out.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* ''Literature/TheAssassinsOfTamurin'': Lale gets a response of this nature when someone tries to rob her at knife point. He's so amused, he practically jokes he would like to rape her after all, as she originally thought. The results are not pretty... for him.
* A minor RunningGag in ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' involves generically villainous thugs claiming to like "a girl with spirit", with footnotes informing us that these men will very shortly prove to be mistaken.
* Happens in ''Literature/TheGoodGuy'' by Creator/DeanKoontz when the hitman, Krait, [[spoiler:kidnaps Tim's mother, who spites him, hides her fear and despair as best she can, and generally does everything in her power to foil her captor's plan. Krait is very amused by this.]]
* The ''Literature/DarkestPowers'' trilogy
** A werewolf says this to Chloe when she asks about his leg, which she stabbed with a switchblade a few days earlier.
-->'''Liam:''' Don't worry. I forgive you for the leg. I like a little spirit in my fillies. Makes them more fun to break.
** And reiterates, when she tries to block him from finding (and killing) her [[LoveInterest friend]] [[HugeGuyTinyGirl Derek]], who is currently completely defenseless.
-->'''Liam:''' You ''do'' have spunk. We're gonna have fun, just as soon as I take care of your boyfriend.
* Mariel of ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'': The title character is cornered by three searats and kicks one in the throat, killing him. The others don't use the exact usual words of this trope, but they come close. "A warrior maid, eh?"
* In the second ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'' book, Polyphemus says this to Clarisse, before trying to force her to marry him.
* ''Literature/ShardsOfHonor'': Ges Vorryter mentioned that women with spirit (meaning Cordelia) should be more fun to break. Fortunately for her, [[OffWithHisHead he never got to test that]].
* The goblin kings of the ''Literature/HollowKingdomTrilogy'' admire a [[AbductionIsLove kidnapped bride]] who utterly detests them and tries her best to escape, because it shows that she has the strength of spirit to carry a strong king for the next generation.
** In the first book, Kate manages to one-up them all by outwitting Marak repeatedly, agreeing to marry him ''on her own terms'' (a previously unheard-of occurrence), and then getting past the heavy enchantments to keep the King's Wife bound to the kingdom in the second half. Marak is of course delighted, and not just because [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther she did the last to rescue him]].
* Averted in Literature/BelisariusSeries. Venandekatra the Vile was too cowardly to like spunk. He had no idea that Shakuntala would have killed him if he had been allowed to try to rape her.
* In ''Literature/WarriorCats: Into The Wild'', after Yellowfang insult's Firepaw's kittypet blood, Firepaw snaps at her and says that she just finds being helped humiliating, and calls her a spiteful old bone bag. Yellowfang chokes a bit, worrying Firepaw... but she was actually laughing and says she likes his bravery. Firepaw had no reply.
* ''Literature/TheHungerGames'': When volunteering for her sister at the reaping, Haymitch announces drunkenly that he likes how Katniss has got lots of spunk.
* In ''Literature/TheNowhereGirls'', Eric sexually harasses Rosina in the school cafeteria, and she rudely tells him to go away. Eric says, "You've got spunk, I'll give you that. And I like a challenge."
* In Creator/IsaacAsimov's science fiction novel ''Literature/TheStarsLikeDust'' a princess named Artemisia[[note]] technically the daughter of a man with the hereditary title of "Director" but he's the futuristic equivalent to a king[[/note]] is faced with an ArrangedMarriage to a much older man (which she very much does ''not'' want to go through with). She tells her horrified father that when she met the man she pushed him away and knocked him to the ground, but the would-be groom merely replied "Ha! A spirited wench! I like her all the better for that!" Artemisia explicitly notes this is "straight out of a video" and it only solidifies her determination to never marry the guy.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/{{Angel}}''. Angelus re Winifred Burkle in "[[Recap/AngelS04E13Calvary Calvary]]".
-->'''Angelus''': Ooh, she really has put on spunk, hasn't she, Wes? Not the same, shy, bitchcow we pulled out of Pylea.
-->'''Winifred''': There's only one bitch here, and I'm looking at him.
* ''Series/TheBoys2019''. Stormfront uses the line straight when Starlight confronts her in "We Gotta Go Now". She then adds chillingly, "You're going to be a big help to me."
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'':
-->'''Ken:''' That... was not permitted.\\
'''Buffy:''' Yeah, but it was ''fun''.\\
'''Ken:''' You've got guts. [[{{Narm}} I'd like to slice you open and play with them]].
** Also:
--->'''Glory:''' ''(grinning)'' Ooh, I like her. She's sassy! ''(pauses, tone turns serious)'' And I'll kill her.
** Maggie Walsh's response to Buffy telling her off in "[[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS4E7TheInitiative The Initiative]]" is "I like her".
** Similarly, the Mayor's assessment of Buffy, albeit made in the middle of his crashing Scoobie HQ and threatening everyone.
-->'''Mayor''': ''[to Giles]'' Oh, that's one spunky little girl you've raised. ''[beat]'' I'm gonna ''eat'' her.
* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
** Done without a great deal of subtlety in "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship". Solomon, who's already kicked about five dogs in the space of one episode, takes Queen Nefertiti of Egypt hostage (go with it) and mentions that he likes his "cargo" to have spirit. It makes breaking them that much more fun. Naturally, he pays for this.
-->'''Doctor:''' Don't mess with Egyptian queens, Solomon. I hope you've learned that now.
** It was done earlier in a slightly less sinister way. When Nefertiti is arguing with Riddell, a big game hunter from the early 1900s (keep going with it.) Since he has time-appropriate views on gender, during an argument, he threatens to put her over his knee and spank her. When she retorts that she'll snap his neck if he tries, he responds, with a lot of admiration, that Ancient Egyptian women were firecrackers.
* In the ''Series/FawltyTowers'' episode "[[Recap/FawltyTowersS1E2TheBuilders The Builders]]", the incompetent builder O'Reilly speaks of Sybil Fawlty, "I love a woman with spirit! I do! I do!" She beats the shit out of him.
* {{Bandito}} leader Don Diego says that he admires Namoi's spirit after she slaps him in the face during his IHaveYouNowMyPretty scene in the ''Series/FrontierCircus'' episode "Naomi Champagne".
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'':
** In "[[Recap/GameOfThronesS1E10FireAndBlood Fire and Blood]]", Jaime approves of Catelyn trying to bash his skull in.
** Two in "[[Recap/GameOfThronesS5E6UnbowedUnbentUnbroken Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken]]":
*** Bronn condescendingly praises Tyene Sand with the words "You fight pretty good for a little girl", and is visibly amused by her enraged reaction, which forces the guards to keep the two apart when she tries to attack him again.
*** The slaver captain says, "Got a lot of fight in you" after hitting Jorah a few times. Like the Bronn example, it's meant to be condescending.
** In "[[Recap/GameOfThronesS6E1TheRedWoman The Red Woman]]", Khal Moro re: Dany, before he finds out she's a former khaleesi.
* In the ''Series/HereComeTheBrides'' episode "Candy and the Kid," Candy is kidnapped by an outlaw who wants to [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe marry her]]. When Candy tells him "Richard, we're not married. And we never will be. So you just stop talking nonsense," he says, "You know, you're feisty. I like that in a woman. To a point."
* The most famous usage is arguably Creator/EdAsner in the pilot for ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', when his character, Series/LouGrant, gives Mary the aforementioned compliment, only to follow it up by saying, "I ''hate'' spunk." This exchange was also used when Asner appeared on ''Series/TheColbertReport''.
* ''Series/PushingDaisies'': Aunt Lily absolutely abhors the shady and manipulative Dwight Dixon. Dixon, on the other hand, is fairly amused by her hostility and refers to her as "my spicy cocktail."
* Played straight by the script and yet subverted by the performance in ''Series/RobinHood'': Kate has been captured (again) and is flailing about in front of Prince John who comments that she's "fiesty". However, Prince John was played by Creator/TobyStephens, and therefore he comes across as bored rather than impressed at Kate's "spunk".
* ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' ("[[Recap/StarTrekEnterpriseS4E4Borderland Borderland]]"). T'Pol and other crew members are captured by Orion slave traders, one of whom is played by enormous wrestler Paul "Big Show" Wight.
-->'''Orion Slaver:''' ''(with his hand around T'Pol's neck)'' You've got spirit. I might just keep you for myself.\\
''(T'Pol delivers a well-aimed kick to a [[GroinAttack sensitive area]])''\\
'''T'Pol:''' I'm not for sale. ''(she's beamed away)''
* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': [[Characters/SupernaturalDemons Azazel]] says this almost word-for-word to Mary when he first meets her in "In the Beginning".
* ''Series/TheWestWing'': Senator Lloyd Russell is attempting to soothe his just-fired adviser, Mandy Hampton. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it doesn't help:
-->'''Russell''': You’ll bounce back. You’ve got spunk.\\
'''Mandy''': I could kill you with my shoe!
** Several episodes later Sam uses a similar line after Mandy floats the idea of her taking on a moderate Republican as an extra client.
--->'''Sam:''' I admire your pluck.\\
'''Mandy:''' I'm sorry, what part of me do you admire?\\
'''Sam:''' Your pluck, your gumption.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
* Possibly Lampshaded in ''Film/TeamAmericaWorldPolice'', where, after Gary Johnston stands up to a terrorist, the terrorist responds, "I like you. You have balls. I like balls."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/DinosaurKing'': Dr. Z says this to the heroes Max and Rex after they wreck his Alpha Bots.
* Cave Johnson compliments Chell this way in ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'', saying that she has grit, but "[her] hustle could use some work, though."
* Volgin from ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' says about the captured EVA: "She's got spunk."
* There's also a woman-to-man example in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid 1'' from Wolf to Snake:
-->'''Wolf:''' Would you like to die now? Or after your female friend?\\
'''Snake:''' ''(resisting)'' I'll die after I kill you.\\
'''Wolf:''' Is that right? At least you've got spirit.
* ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'': "I tell ya, Kairi, you got a lot of ''guts'' jumping straight into the darkness like that."
* The opening sequence to ''VideoGame/TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland'' contains a classic example:
--> [=LeChuck=] "Guybrush Threepwood, I don't know how you escaped my Carnival of the Damned, but you won't escape the taste of my blade!"
--> ''([=LeChuck=]'s sword is shot out of his hand. Cut to Elaine, performing a SmokingBarrelBlowout.
--> [=LeChuck=] (Clearly impressed and intrigued): "Ooh! The lass has spirit!"
* In ''VideoGame/TalesOfMonkeyIsland Chapter 1: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal'', after Guybrush completes the three pirate newsmaking tasks, Davey Nipperkin becomes impressed and says:
-->'''Davey Nipperkin:''' You know, Threepwood, you've got spunk. Pirate spunk.\\
'''Guybrush:''' [[{{Squick}} Ew.]]
* ''VisualNovel/TogainuNoChi'': Shiki becomes interested in Akira when he doesn't run, scream, or beg for his life like other participants. [[spoiler: On his route, this doesn't end well for Akira.]]
* ''VideoGame/WingCommander III'': At the end of a mission briefing, after [[PlayerCharacter Blair]] enthusistically says to consider an enemy transport convoy destroyed and leaves to go to his fighter, [[TheCaptain Captain Eisen]] comments to [[CommunicationsOfficer "Radio" Rollins]] "God I love that boy's spunk!" The sound clip is also used for the sound test, when configuring the original DOS version of the game for digital sound.
* In ''VideoGame/LollipopChainsaw'', right before Juliet faces rock 'n' roll zombie Lewis Legend:
-->'''Lewis:''' Ah, cocky little whore. I like that.
* In Episode Three of the second season of ''Videogame/TheWalkingDead'', Clementine can tell Carver that she wishes that Kenny had killed him in the previous episode. Carver responds with this trope, noting that in his eyes, her resourcefulness and ruthlessness [[NotSoDifferentRemark makes her just like him]].
* In one of their pre-battle banters from ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'', Shao Kahn gives this "compliment" to Cassie Cage.
-->'''Shao Kahn:''' [[RoyalHarem You will join my concubines.]]\\
'''Cassie:''' One: EWW! Two: PISS OFF!\\
'''Shao Kahn:''' I like females with fire.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Webcomics]]
* In [[http://concessioncomic.com/index.php?pid=20090616 this]] episode of ''Webcomic/{{Concession}}'', Joel compliments Millicent this way after she slashes at him with a knife while he intimidates her: "I love a woman who puts up a fight."
* Though an outright example hasn't occurred in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' (yet), [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080509 this fashion spread with accompanying speech bubbles]] shows that the Foglios are well aware of this trope and perfectly willing to inflict it on their paper dolls.
** A {{Mind Rape}}y variant shows up in [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20100702 vol. 10]]
-->''"[[EvilLaugh AHAHAHAHAHA!!]] Oh, I do so ''love'' a defiant subject! What ''fun!''"''
* ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'': Riboflavin [[https://bobadventures.thecomicseries.com/comics/402 says this to Molly]] when she threatens his {{BFG}}-toting {{mooks}} with her petite little claws.
* ''Webcomic/JoyToTheWorld'': Joy herself is a spunky little girl who doesn't really conform to her role in life and is constantly fighting with everything [[http://www.joyslittleworld.com/joy-to-the-world/01-thug-life/ taking no for an answer isn't always her thing]].
* ''Webcomic/Reunion2021'': In Episode 16, one of the thugs who assaulted Rhea comments that she's a "tough cookie" when she tries to stand up against him.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'': [[Characters/AmphibiaNewtopia Andrias]] admits this to the heroes during their first fight against his robot army. He even was impressed by Anne's magical feat, but asserts that he could not let her live.
* One rhino in ''WesternAnimation/{{Babar}}'' had "You got spunk...I hate spunk!" as his CatchPhrase.
* On ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'', the villain tells Zatanna, while holding her at knife point, "You are most ''engaging'', my dear -- beautiful, impetuous... I could be persuaded to spare you if ''properly implored''..." ''CRUNCH'' Cut to Zatanna's heel crushing his foot.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman'', "Two of a Kind": ComicBook/TheJoker brings Dr. Harleen "Harley" Quinzel back to his lair, were she proposes writing a tell-all book. He responds, "You've got moxy! I feed moxy to the hyenas." He sics the hyenas on her, only to have her yell "SIT!", causing them to... well, sit.
* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'': When Captain Nemesis arrives to kidnap Julie, she (futilely) whacks him in the head with her tennis racket.
-->'''Captain Nemesis:''' That's good. Fight back. I like that.
* In Disney's ''WesternAnimation/ChipNDaleRescueRangers'', a gangster mouse says this followed by "I hate spunk."
* ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'':
** In the MirrorUniverse episode "Operation: POOL", Negative Number 3 says this to Number 4 in her WeCanRuleTogether speech: "Listen up, shorty! I don't like you, but you've got spunk, so I'm gonna make you an offer you'd be stupid to refuse!"
** A similar offer for the same reason was made by Stickybeard towards Numbuh 5 the first time they met. Although she turned the offer down, he did seem to consider her a WorthyOpponent in future episodes.
* ''WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck'': Taurus Bulba mentions how full of "spirit" Gosalyn is both times he captures her.
** A bit of a running gag: In her first appearance in the pilot episode, Gosalyn chafes at being called a troublemaker: "I'm not a troublemaker, I'm just spirited!" Later when Darkwing saved her from Bulba's henchmen and brought her to his secret headquarters, he commented kindly on how "spirited" she was, which helped set up the father/daughter dynamic between the two of them.
** Negaduck does the same thing in the episode "Darkwing Doubloon", only to say "I hate that!" afterward (the second time, the Liquidator says it).
* Appears to be common for the dragon hunters of ''[[WesternAnimation/DragonsRidersOfBerk Dragons: Race to the Edge]]''. When Ryker first meets Astrid in "Night of the Hunters," he tells her, "Oh, feisty one, aren't you? I like her spirit." One of the {{Mooks}} who kidnaps Ruffnut in "Edge of Disaster" also says, "Feisty, isn't she? I like it."
* ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'': This is invoked by Eddy in the episode "They Call Him Mr. Ed" and by [[spoiler:his brother]] in TheMovie.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}''
** Hudson, who was voiced by Asner, said the "I hate spunk" version once, as well. Asner said that while auditioning for the show, he knew he had the part as soon as he saw that the description included "Hates spunk."
** During a battle in Paris, Thailog grabs Angela by the back of her belt while commenting, "Well, aren't you spunky?"
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' episode "The Earth Queen," Korra and Asami find themselves surrounded by a gang of rough, muscular, tattooed bikers trying to steal a sack of gold they've been tasked with delivering to the queen. When they refuse to hand it over, the leader comments, "We love gals with spirit."
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLifeAsATeenageRobot'': In the episode "Puppet Bride" Little Acorn says about Jenny after falling in love with her and she attacks him "A women with spirit! I like that!"
* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'':
** In the first season finale "Young Blood, Old Souls", Emperor Belos compliments Luz when she manages to crack his mask.
** During "Them's the Breaks, Kid", Terra is impressed by Raine and Eda attacking her, and though she refuses to give out any ribbons because they went against her challenge, she intervenes to make sure Eda isn't expelled.
* Angelica from ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'' was told she had spunk from a mafia-esque restaurant owner.
-->'''Angelica:''' I got spunk? [[IsItSomethingYouEat Is that good?]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In "Bart the Murderer," Bart falls into the lair of the local mafia and talks back to them when they grab hold of him, eliciting this comment. From there, they warm to him quickly and wind up hiring him to do odd jobs.
* Lobo does this to Lois Lane in ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries''--since he's NighInvulnerable, he in fact ''encourages'' her to slap him. Superman obliges with a MegatonPunch on her behalf.
* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': [[Characters/TeenTitans2003Enemies Adonis]] purrs at a pinned Raven, "You're feisty." She is not amused.
* ''WesternAnimation/TotallySpies'' The video game-themed villain, Lady Dragon, says, "You girls have spunk. [[ShoutOut I hate spunk]]!"
* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}''
** Arguably seen in the first episode of ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'', where Rhinox finds Dinobot to have "ball bearings of chrome steel."
** A more definitive example in "[=TransWarped=]" of ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'', as Megatron fights Optimus. "You have persistence, Autobot. I hate persistence."
[[/folder]]
----
->''"Then you're gonna love me."''
-->-- '''Batman''', ''Film/TheDarkKnight''

* Averted in Literature/BelisariusSeries. Venandekatra the Vile was to cowardly to like spunk. He had no idea that Shakuntala would have killed him if he had been allowed to try to rape her.

* In Creator/IsaacAsimov's science fiction novel ''Literature/TheStarsLikeDust'' a princess named Artemisia[[note]] technically the daughter of a man with the hereditary title of "Director" but he's the futuristic equivalent to a king[[/note]] is faced with an ArrangedMarriage to a much older man (which she very much does ''not'' want to go through with). She tells her horrified father that she when she met the man she pushed him away and knocked him to the ground, but the would-be groom merely replied "Ha! A spirited wench! I like her all the better for that!" Artemisia explicitly notes this is "straight out of a video" and it only solidifies her determination to never marry the guy.

----

-> "A ''little'' fight in you. I like that."

-->-- '''ComicBook/TheJoker''' in ''Film/TheDarkKnight''

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* [[http://concessioncomic.com/index.php?pid=20090616 This]] episode of ''Webcomic/{{Concession}}''.
* Though an outright example hasn't occurred in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' (yet) [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080509 this fashion spread with accompanying speech bubbles]] shows that the Foglios are well aware of this trope and perfectly willing to inflict it on their paper dolls.

-->"[[EvilLaugh AHAHAHAHAHA!!]] Oh, I do so ''love'' a defiant subject! What ''fun!''"
* ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'' Riboflavin [[https://bobadventures.thecomicseries.com/comics/402 says this to Molly]] when she threatens his {{BFG}}-toting {{mooks}} with her petite little claws.
* ''Webcomic/JoyToTheWorld'' Joy herself is a spunky little girl who doesn't really conform to her role in life and is constantly fighting with everything [[http://www.joyslittleworld.com/joy-to-the-world/01-thug-life/ taking no for an answer isn't always her thing]].

This is no longer strictly a man-to-woman trope. Man-to-man examples are not uncommon, where they can either be examples of HoYay or genuine respect. It has a much darker and creepier connotation when used in the middle of [[SexualHarassmentAndRapeTropes a rape scene]]. It may also be used in less extreme situations by someone who's not a villain, merely a GrumpyBear, in which case they'll make it a backhanded compliment by adding "I hate spunk." Not that real villains can't hate spunk, too.

'''Sam:''' Your pluck, you gumption.

* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': {{Exaggerated}} by [[Characters/AbraxasHrodvitnonTitansAndOtherCreatures MaNi/Elder Brother]] towards Monster X in this ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'' Franchise/MonsterVerse fanfiction. [=MaNi=] specifically relishes in seeing the [[TwoBeingsOneBody Vivienne Graham half of Monster X]] go into a rage state, and he ''especially'' enjoys butchering Vivienne and enraging/maddening her into trying to butcher him back.
* the ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse''/''WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss'' crossover fic, ''Fanfic/ALoudAmongDemons'', has Striker give one of these to Lincoln Loud shortly before fleeing the harvest moon festival

* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13596129/4/SHG-Spider-Man SHG: Spider-Man]]'': When Queen Hippolyta and the Amazons arrive to bring the wayward Diana home, Spider-Man decides to stand up to her and refuses to back down, despite all of the other Amazons present threatening to attack him for disrespecting their queen, because their interference is preventing them from being heroes and saving the people currently in danger. Hippolyta is honestly impressed with Spider-Man's BrassBalls and decides to allow Diana the chance to prove herself as a hero (though she inwardly muses that if Spider-Man talks to her like that again, she will not be so lenient).
* ''Fanfic/AWolfAmongstLions'': In this ''Literature/ASOngOfIceAndFire'' fanfiction, Ramsey considers Arya unusually appealing compared to other girls he's put up with, considering the fact that she actively puts up a fight and shoots death glares at him, refuses to plead for mercy, and refuses to scream, and takes his time enjoying himself by tormenting and torturing her and threatening to rape her.

* Shikamaru in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' when commenting on Temari: "I forgot: this girl is a spunky one. I ''hate'' spunky."

* At some point late in the ''Manga/{{Gravitation}}'' manga, Mr. K says to YaoiFangirl Rage as they have each other at gunpoint: "Heh. I like your spirit... '''spattered across the pavement!'''" His wife stops him from hurting anybody by hurting him. She's that kind of woman.

* ''Manga/SeraphOfTheEnd'': Ferid is delighted by how Yuu goes into demon mode on him. He later approaches Yuu and blushes saying "Wow! Haven't you grown into the cute one! Your demon is on the verge of rampage yet you still have [[WhatBeautifulEyes such clear and beautiful eyes]]. No wonder you are the extra special guinea pig." He then lifts Yuu's face by his chin and gets close saying "Perhaps before I heal you I'll take a little sip of your blood." Yuu asks if there's something in it for him if he allows Ferid to suck his blood. Ferid says he got the curse suppresent from Guren and it's the same one he takes. Yuu then demands Ferid tells him everything he knows and tries to regain control of the situation by grabbing the hand Ferid has the cure in. Ferid smiles when Yuu fights back, covers Yuu's mouth with his hand, says "Oh, you are cute" and bites him while gripping his shoulder and hand. He then "cures" Yuu of his advancing demon curse while holding him close and leaning his head on Yuu's shoulder.
* In ''Anime/SDGundamForce'', One of the Lacroa Triplets tries to barter with Talgeese by threatening to destroy the MacGuffin if he doesn't stop his attack on the Gundam Force. Talgeese remarks, "You know what, kid? You've got spunk. And it just so happens that I absolutely ''loathe spunk!''"
* When Rei first comes to Mamiya's village in ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'', he witnesses the Fang clan of bandits executing a young boy from the village and Mamiya stoically overseeing the retrieval of the body. Rei remarks that he's impressed to see such a cold-hearted woman and that it is appropriate for her to be in charge of the village in such harsh times. [[SubvertedTrope Then he's told]] that the boy was actually her little brother and that she's really devastated. Seeing her tears reminds Rei of his own losses and restores his empathy for others, so then he becomes [[StayInTheKitchen overly protective of her]], insisting that she should re-embrace her womanhood.
* In ''LightNovel/ExpectingToFallIntoRuinIAimToBecomeABlacksmith'', the protagonist Kururi is host to [[PrinceCharmless the obnoxious]] foreign Prince Love who visits his feudal domain. When said prince throws a tantrum due to Kururi responding to his rudeness in kind and insisting on [[MaliciousMisnaming calling him Prince Lamb]], he breaks their table, including Kururi’s coffee mug, which his wife had made for him, prompting her to charge into the room and jump-kick Prince Love unconscious. After a while of pampering the prince as an apology, he cites this, demanding to take her home with him, likely thinking her a mere maid. Before Kururi gets a chance to respond beyond thinking the two share tastes, Prince Rhasa knocks him [[HereWeGoAgain unconscious (again)]], after having lectured Kururi over the previous incident.

* Said by Zeus to the Hulk before [[CurbstompBattle beating him senseless]]

-->'''Posey:''' I know all about you, Dr. Robotnik... and I'm not scared of you! Now leave us alone!
-->'''Robotnik:''' Oh, you have spunk, eh? Do you know what spunk is? ...It's the gooey, possum-colored stuff that's going to be stuck to the bottom of my giant robot toes! Bwahahahaha!

* When Queen Hippolyta and the Amazons arrive to bring the wayward Diana home in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13596129/4/SHG-Spider-Man SHG: Spider-Man]]'', Spider-Man decides to stand up to her and refuses to back down, despite all of the other Amazons present threatening to attack him for disrespecting their queen, because their interference is preventing them from being heroes and saving the people currently in danger. Hippolyta is honestly impressed with Spider-Man's BrassBalls and decides to allow Diana the chance to prove herself as a hero (though she inwardly muses that if Spider-Man talks to her like that again, she will not be so lenient).

* the ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse''/''WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss'' crossover fic, ''Fanfic/ALoudAmongDemons'', has Striker give one of these to Lincoln Loud shortly before fleeing the harvest moon festival
--> '''Striker''': You know something boy? You did the one thing not many have done. You went and surprised me. This! (he shows his wound that Lincoln inflicted) This is what is what I meant before, remember? Someone gives you shit, you make sure how that's a fucking mistake! And those eyes! Those are the kind of eyes you should be havin' if ya serious about surviving Hell! Guess I really did underestimate you, boy. But Don't go thinkin' it'll become a habit!

* ''Webcomic/JoyToTheWorld'' Joy herself is a spunky little girl who doesn't really conform to her role in life and is constantly fighting with everything [[http://www.joyslittleworld.com/joy-to-the-world/01-thug-life/ taking no for an answer isn't always her thing]]

This is no longer strictly a man-to-woman trope. Man-to-man examples are not uncommon, where they can either be examples of HoYay or genuine respect. It has a much darker and creepier connotation when used in the middle of [[SexualHarassmentAndRapeTropes a rape scene]]. It may also be used in less extreme situations by someone who's not a villain, merely a GrumpyBear, in which case they'll make it a backhanded compliment by adding "[[ItsXIHateX I hate spunk.]]" Not that real villains can't hate spunk, too.

* One rhino in ''WesternAnimation/{{Babar}}'' had "You got spunk...[[ItsXIHateX I hate spunk!]]" as his CatchPhrase.

** Negaduck does the same thing in the episode "Darkwing Doubloon", only to say "[[ItsXIHateX I hate that!]]" afterward (the second time, the Liquidator says it).

* the ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse''/''WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss'' crossover fic, ''Fanfic/HellsLoud'', has Striker give one of these to Lincoln Loud shortly before fleeing the harvest moon festival

* FoeYay[=/=]HoYay example in chapter 46 of ''Manga/SeraphOfTheEnd''. Ferid is delighted by how Yuu goes into demon mode on him. He later approaches Yuu and blushes saying "Wow! Haven't you grown into the cute one! Your demon is on the verge of rampage yet you still have [[WhatBeautifulEyes such clear and beautiful eyes]]. No wonder you are the extra special guinea pig." He then lifts Yuu's face by his chin and gets close saying "Perhaps before I heal you I'll take a little sip of your blood." Yuu asks if there's something in it for him if he allows Ferid to suck his blood. Ferid says he got the curse suppresent from Guren and it's the same one he takes. Yuu then demands Ferid tells him everything he knows and tries to regain control of the situation by grabbing the hand Ferid has the cure in. Ferid smiles when Yuu fights back, covers Yuu's mouth with his hand, says "Oh, you are cute" and bites him while gripping his shoulder and hand. He then "cures" Yuu of his advancing demon curse while holding him close and leaning his head on Yuu's shoulder.

That last word tends to vary, since "spunk" is [[HaveAGayOldTime nowadays]] used as slang for... a certain substance, and unless the line is a build-up for a cheesy joke ("And you're about to have even more in you! Hoy-oh!") the double-meaning is just distracting. "Moxie" is a good substitute, as are "fight" and "spirit". This is meant to be a compliment, because hey, we all "love a woman with spirit," but it usually comes off as a condescending StockPhrase.

[[folder: Comic Books]]

* The most famous usage is arguably Creator/EdAsner in the pilot for ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', when his character, Series/LouGrant, gives Mary the aforementioned compliment, only to follow it up by saying, "I ''hate'' spunk." This exchange was also used when Asner appeared on ''Series/TheColbertReport''.
* ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' ("[[Recap/StarTrekEnterpriseS4E4Borderland Borderland]]"). T'Pol and other crew members are captured by Orion slave traders, one of whom is played by enormous wrestler Paul "Big Show" Wight.
-->'''Orion Slaver:''' ''(with his hand around T'Pol's neck)'' You've got spirit. I might just keep you for myself.\\
''(T'Pol delivers a well-aimed kick to a [[GroinAttack sensitive area]])''\\
'''T'Pol:''' I'm not for sale. ''(she's beamed away)''

* ''Series/{{Angel}}''. Angelus re Winifred Burkle in "[[Recap/AngelS04E13Calvary Calvary]]".
-->'''Angelus''': Ooh, she really has put on spunk, hasn't she, Wes? Not the same, shy, bitchcow we pulled out of Pylea.
-->'''Winifred''': There's only one bitch here, and I'm looking at him.

* ''Series/PushingDaisies'': Aunt Lily absolutely abhors the shady and manipulative Dwight Dixon. Dixon, on the other hand, is fairly amused by her hostility and refers to her as "my spicy cocktail."

* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
** Done without a great deal of subtlety in "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship". Solomon, who's already kicked about five dogs in the space of one episode, takes Queen Nefertiti of Egypt hostage (go with it) and mentions that he likes his "cargo" to have spirit. It makes breaking them that much more fun. Naturally, he pays for this.
-->'''Doctor:''' Don't mess with Egyptian queens, Solomon. I hope you've learned that now.
** It was done earlier in a slightly less sinister way. When Nefertiti is arguing with Riddell, a big game hunter from the early 1900s (keep going with it.) Since he has time-appropriate views on gender, during an argument, he threatens to put her over his knee and spank her. When she retorts that she'll snap his neck if he tries, he responds, with a lot of admiration, that Ancient Egyptian women were firecrackers.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones''. Bronn condescendingly praises Tyene Sand with the words "You fight pretty good for a little girl", and is visibly amused by her enraged reaction, which forces the guards to keep the two apart when she tries to attack him again.
* {{Bandito}} leader Don Diego says that he admires Namoi's spirit after she slaps him in the face during his IHaveYouNowMyPretty scene in the ''Series/FrontierCircus'' episode "Naomi Champagne".
* In the ''Series/HereComeTheBrides'' episode "Candy and the Kid," Candy is kidnapped by an outlaw who wants to [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe marry her]]. When Candy tells him "Richard, we're not married. And we never will be. So you just stop talking nonsense," he says, "You know, you're feisty. I like that in a woman. To a point."
* ''Series/TheBoys2019''. Stormfront uses the line straight when Starlight confronts her in "We Gotta Go Now". She then adds chillingly, "You're going to be a big help to me."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
* Possibly Lampshaded in ''Film/TeamAmericaWorldPolice'', where, after Gary Johnston stands up to a terrorist, the terrorist responds, "I like you. You have balls. I like balls."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}''
** Hudson, who was voiced by Asner, said the "I hate spunk" version once, as well. Asner said that while auditioning for the show, he knew he had the part as soon as he saw that the description included "Hates spunk."
** During a battle in Paris, Thailog grabs Angela by the back of her belt while commenting, "Well, aren't you spunky?"

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': Adonis purrs at a pinned Raven, "You're feisty." She is not amused.

* ''WesternAnimation/TotallySpies'' The video game-themed villain, Lady Dragon, says, "You girls have spunk. [[ShoutOut I hate spunk]]!"
* ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'':
** In the MirrorUniverse episode "Operation: POOL", Negative Number 3 says this to Number 4 in her WeCanRuleTogether speech: "Listen up, shorty! I don't like you, but you've got spunk, so I'm gonna make you an offer you'd be stupid to refuse!"
** A similar offer for the same reason was made by Stickybeard towards Numbuh 5 the first time they met. Although she turned the offer down, he did seem to consider her a WorthyOpponent in future episodes.
* Lobo does this to Lois Lane in ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries''--since he's NighInvulnerable, he in fact ''encourages'' her to slap him. Superman obliges with a MegatonPunch on her behalf.
* In Disney's ''WesternAnimation/ChipNDaleRescueRangers'', a gangster mouse says this followed by "I hate spunk."
* ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman'', "Two of a Kind": ComicBook/TheJoker brings Dr. Harleen "Harley" Quinzel back to his lair, were she proposes writing a tell-all book. He responds, "You've got moxy! I feed moxy to the hyenas." He sics the hyenas on her, only to have her yell "SIT!", causing them to... well, sit.
* On ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'', the villain tells Zatanna, while holding her at knife point, "You are most ''engaging'', my dear -- beautiful, impetuous... I could be persuaded to spare you if ''properly implored''..." ''CRUNCH'' Cut to Zatanna's heel crushing his foot.
* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'': When Captain Nemesis arrives to kidnap Julie, she (futilely) whacks him in the head with her tennis racket.
-->'''Captain Nemesis:''' That's good. Fight back. I like that.
* Angelica from ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'' was told she had spunk from a mafia-esque restaurant owner.
-->'''Angelica:''' I got spunk? [[IsItSomethingYouEat Is that good?]]
* ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'': This is invoked by Eddy in the episode "They Call Him Mr. Ed" and by [[spoiler:his brother]] in TheMovie.
* One rhino in ''WesternAnimation/{{Babar}}'' had "You got spunk...[[ItsXIHateX I hate spunk!]]" as his CatchPhrase.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLifeAsATeenageRobot'': In the episode "Puppet Bride" Little Acorn says about Jenny after falling in love with her and she attacks him "A women with spirit! I like that!"
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' episode "The Earth Queen," Korra and Asami find themselves surrounded by a gang of rough, muscular, tattooed bikers trying to steal a sack of gold they've been tasked with delivering to the queen. When they refuse to hand it over, the leader comments, "We love gals with spirit."
* Appears to be common for the dragon hunters of ''[[WesternAnimation/DragonsRidersOfBerk Dragons: Race to the Edge]]''. When Ryker first meets Astrid in "Night of the Hunters," he tells her, "Oh, feisty one, aren't you? I like her spirit." One of the {{Mooks}} who kidnaps Ruffnut in "Edge of Disaster" also says, "Feisty, isn't she? I like it."