History TheRival / AnimeAndManga

** Char Aznable from ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'' was so [[EnsembleDarkhorse popular]] and influential that any rival in the Gundam franchise is an [[CharClone Expy]] of him.

** In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam00'' Graham Aker is the rival to Setsuna F. Seiei. Interesting in that Graham is at first a typical mecha pilot, but it's in Season 2, after we've met him, that he becomes the traditional CharClone. When the movie comes around [[spoiler: Graham has come to understand Setsuna's perspective and prays for his recovery so they can [[RivalsTeamUp both fight the oncoming alien threat.]]]]

** Seto Kaiba from ''Manga/YuGiOh'' and ''[[Anime/YuGiOh Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters]]'' practically defines the Rival in this franchise. He refuses to let [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou anyone but himself defeat Atem]].

** Suzaku Kururugi. It's little more complicated than the norm though. Suzaku plays {{friendly enem|y}}ies with Lelouch, due to their friendship but drastically opposed viewpoints. [[spoiler: Though Lelouch is initially not aware, and feels quite betrayed when he finds out, he sort of understands Suzaku's views and situation, going so far as to save him twice, despite it. Up until the second season, where things get... generally more violent, and their respective actions, much less forgivable.]]

* ''Manga/DeathNote'': Light and L are classic examples, foils with similar traits, differing ideals and near-opposite appearances to offset their near-identical approaches to problems. They suffer from a serious case of RivalsTeamUp under odd circumstances as well, though it both was and wasn't true teamwork.
* Half the cast of the ''Franchise/DragonBall'' franchise has had this relationship with Goku at one point or another, Vegeta being the most prominent example in ''Anime/DragonBallZ'', with Yamcha being the first in the original ''Manga/DragonBall''.
** Vegeta is notable for [[UrExample setting the template for cocky and smug rival characters in fiction]], but Vegeta himself is something of an UnbuiltTrope. For all his bluster, Vegeta is almost ''always'' on the backfoot in his rivalry with Goku. His drive to push himself to surpass Goku is double edged sword, as he often subjects himself to TrainingFromHell and doesn't let his body properly rest, thus stunting his gains compared to Goku's more BoringButPractical training methods. His inability to catch up to Goku only fuels [[InferioritySuperiorityComplex his own feelings of inferiority]], and at times is presented as being almost childlike levels of patheticness. It reaches its boiling point in what fans have dubbed "Vegeta's [[HollywoodMidLifeCrisis mid-life crisis]]", where he pulls a FaceHeelTurn in the name of gaining more power, committing several heinous acts in the process. [[spoiler:Which only hammers in how idiotic it was in hindsight when he finds out Goku was ''holding back'' in their battle and had achieved ''another'' tier of Super Saiyan beyond 2.]] It ultimately isn't until Vegeta himself finally starts taking strides to improve himself and learning from those more powerful than him does he start to get more on equal grounds with Goku, [[spoiler: and [[Anime/DragonBallSuperSuperHero finally manages to beat him fair and square for once,]] [[ThrowTheDogABone with no strings attached.]]]]

* ''Anime/HelloSandybell'': Alec and Sandybell have differing outlooks on life, and because of that, Alec wants to get one above her at their newspaper job even if it means using dirty tricks.

* ''Manga/{{Lady}}'': Vivian Spencer is this to Lynn Russell, as they're both skilled equestrians that have eyes for Edward Brighton. She is always haughty to Lynn and belittles her every chance she gets. [[spoiler: Mary knows that Vivian is the likeliest to get the Lady's Crest, so she sets her up against Lynn. When Vivian falls off her horse and it's revealed the reins were cut, Lynn is blamed and disqualified (when it was actually Mary who did it). Edward and Arthur put two and two together and tell Vivian that Lynn is innocent. Vivian feels stupid for letting Mary use her, and tells the Principal that Lynn deserves to compete in the tournament. He allows it.]]

* ''Anime/{{S cry ed}}'' is largely built around the rivalry between [[RedOniBlueOni brash, free-spirited Kazuma and stoic, duty-obsessed Ryuhou]]. In other series it's usually ThePowerOfLove that can never be extinguished and can overcome any obstacle; in ''s-CRY-ed'' it's Power of Hot-Blooded Macho Rivalry instead. It's a notable example for just how much effort is put into developing their rivalry: at first it's simply because Kazyma and Ryuhou piss each other off, but gradually, even as their viewpoints and personalities change and develop their rivalry simply intensifies over time rather then ever really reconciling, and the series ends on their climactic final battle. Amusingly, in one episode a character with the ability to [[RealityWarper write a script that everyone must then follow as long as they're in it]] attempts to have the two reconcile in a friendly sparring match, his story ending in them becoming friends after working through their rivalry. It completely backfires, as Kazuma hates Ryuhou ''so'' much that just "fighting until they turn into friends" ISN'T enough for him, and it breaks the script and reality re-asserts itself.

* ''LightNovel/FallingInLoveWithTheVillainess'': Captain Frederic serves as this to Rion, being one of the few people in the world who can curbstomp Rion, and the guy Rion hopes to grow strong enough to beat one day.

* Interestingly enough, in ''LightNovel/ThePetGirlOfSakurasou'', out of the two girls in Sorata's LoveTriangle, [[BigBrotherAttraction his little sister Yuuko]] doesn't see Mashiro as a rival, but rather [[IdiotSavant someone who just needs to be looked after]]. However, she points at Nanami right after getting on the train, stating that because she's a perfectly normal girl, she would be a romantic threat. Then the train closes its doors and leaves before Yuuko is finished saying what she was going to say.

* Andy from ''Anime/CowboyBebop''. He wasn't so much Spike's 'rival' as '[[MirrorCharacter someone who resembled him far too much]]' and just happened to be chasing the same bounty.

* In ''LightNovel/HighschoolDXD'', the most obvious rivalry out there is between Issei Hyoudou and Vali Lucifer. They stand opposite each other in so many ways:

* ''LightNovel/InvadersOfTheRokujyouma'': Both Theiamillis and Yurika have rivals. Theiamillis has Clan, a princess from a rival family, while Yurika has Maki, the DarkMagicalGirl to Yurika's MagicalGirl.

** ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'' has Agito vs. Reinforce Zwei until the former is adopted by the Yagami family and they have developed a friendly SiblingRivalry. Also downplayed with the unspoken rivalry between Nanoha and Teana -- despite them starting off teacher and student, respectively, they quietly compete over who is the best sharpshooter of their generation (Nanoha is only three years older), if the mock battles in ''[=ViVid=]'' are any indication. Also, over being the [[TriangRelations bigger influence on Subaru]].

* ''LightNovel/ImInLoveWithTheVillainess'':

* ''LightNovel/ArifuretaFromCommonplaceToWorldsStrongest'': Kaori initially believes that she's Yue's rival for Hajime's affection. Some time later, she realises that she's actually ''Shea's'' rival for the position of second lover.

** [[TheMeanBrit England]] and [[ChivalrousPervert France]], with their long history of wars. Even in the present, they are something of [[SitcomArchnemesis Sitcom Archnemeses]] and prone to VolleyingInsults and GoodOldFisticuffs, though their relationship also shows hints of VitriolicBestBuds.

* ''Manga/{{Touch}}'' has Akio Nitta to Kazuya Uesugi and later Tatsuya Uesugi, Isumi Nishimura to Nitta (one-sided) and Takeshi Yoshida to Tatsuya Uesugi, also one-sided.

** Sasuke floats in and out of this role. [[WordOfGod Kishimoto]] actually stated he read up on the archetype in various manga when making him. Sasuke's entire creation was based on the fact that Kishimoto's editor said that Naruto needed a rival. Guess the fangirls should be grateful for this trope.

* TheRival/{{Pokemon}}

* In ''Manga/KitsuneNoYomeiri'' Kanon the {{Tanuki}} considers herself to be [[{{Kitsune}} Kyouka's]] rival and tries to defeat her in everything possible whenever they meet but always fails.

* Akira to Hikaru in ''Manga/HikaruNoGo'': The series premise makes turning ''evil'' and/or the need for a rescue, embarassing or otherwise, highly unlikely. Mass quantities of FoeYay are used, seemingly to make up for it.

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** In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam00'' Graham Aker is the rival to Setsuna F. Seiei. Interesting in that Graham is at first a typical mecha pilot, but it's in season two, after we've met him, that he becomes the traditional CharClone. When the movie comes around [[spoiler: Graham has come to understand Setsuna's perspective and prays for his recovery so they can [[RivalsTeamUp both fight the oncoming alien threat.]]]]

** Koutarou has two rivals - Vandarion and Elexis.

* ''Manga/{{Kingdom}}'' has two other young commanders - Mouten and Ouhon - competing with [[TheHero Shin]] for achievements and promotions in the Qin military. However, the former is such a nice, friendly guy who helps Shin out that he doesn't really seem like one. The latter is a more typical rival who comes from nobility, complete with [[WellDoneSonGuy complex relationship]] with his family, who looks down on the protagonist for his humble origins.

** ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'' has Agito vs. Reinforce Zwei until the former is adopted by the Yagami family and they have developed a friendly SiblingRivalry. Also downplayed with the unspoken rivalry between Nanoha and Teana--despite them starting off teacher and student, respectively, they quietly compete over who is the best sharpshooter of their generation (Nanoha is only three years older), if the mock battles in ''[=ViVid=]'' are any indication. Also, over being the [[TriangRelations bigger influence on Subaru]].

** ''Anime/MazingerZ'': Boss was TheRival from TheHero Kouji Kabuto. He was jealousy of Kouji because he was a better bike rider AND Sayaka had a crush on Kouji. The first thing he did when they met was picking a fight with him. However, as the plot and CharacterDevelopment marched on, he slowly grew to respect him, and they eventually became friends (Boss ''still'' tried to compete with Kouji for Sayaka's heart, though). Also, in many ''Videogame/SuperRobotWars'' games Kouji is rivals with Asuka Langley Soryu. The two of them always but heads. It is amusing, since she would be more liable to antagonize Tetsuya (both of them are two prideful {{Ace Pilot}}s -{{Broken Ace}}s, actually- can not stand losing).
** ''Anime/GreatMazinger'': Again Boss became TheRival of TheHero -in this instance, Tetsuya Tsurugi- in the sequel. Boss could NOT stand Tetsuya, neither his arrogance (''pretended'' arrogance, in fact; but Boss did not know that) nor Jun was infatuated with him. On the other hand, Tetsuya found Boss annoying, and he certainly did not care for Boss stalking Jun and showering her with unwanted attention. Tetsuya's true rival was Kouji, and when Kouji returned to the series, they got a very heated relationship. Kouji wanted to be friends or at least partners, but Tetsuya got ''very'' jealous and paranoid. He was an orphan kid with a huge InferioritySuperiorityComplex, plenty abandonment issues and no self-esteem whatsoever, and he regarded Kouji like a threat would steal his father from him, take away his reason to exist, and replace him. Geez, he even accused Jun from wanting replacing him with Kouji (in spite of Jun barely knew Kouji and she had spent the whole series trying Tetsuya noticed her). He was ALWAYS arguing, bickering and fighting with Kouji, wether they were discussing tactics or battling the enemy.

** ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' introduces Jack Atlas as a rival to Yusei, and another {{Expy}} of Kaiba down to the white BadassLongcoat. He later undergoes CharacterDevelopment and come Season Two he's [[FriendlyRivalry part]] of the FiveManBand that makes up the heroes.

* ''LightNovel/ImInLoveWithTheVillainess'': Claire was ''supposed'' to be this, competing with Rei for the affections of one of the three princes and intended "capture targets." Instead, she's the target of Rei's affections.