History WorthyOpponent / AnimeAndManga

** After getting his ass kicked by him, [[BigBad Dio Brando]] eventually came to see Jonathan Joestar as a worthy adversary. Jonathan is notably the only person Dio ever shows any real respect for.
*** He also seems to see Jotaro Kujo as this. However, unlike Jonathan, who Dio sees as this out of respect, he sees Jotaro as this out of ''fear''.

** In ''Manga/BattleTendency'', [[NobleDemon Wamuu]] is the only one of the [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Pillar Men]] who has any semblance of a code of honor when it comes to combat, and the only one to end up sharing mutual respect with [[TheHero Joseph Joestar]]. Additionally, after [[spoiler:Caesar Zeppeli]] gives Wamuu one of the toughest fights of his immortal life, he promises to remember [[spoiler:his]] name forever, and honors [[spoiler:his]] memory by ''not'' interfering with [[spoiler:the protective bubble in which Caesar put the antidote Joseph needed]].
** Also from Part 2 is Wamuu's comrade, Esidisi. In the end, Joseph respects him because he's willing to not only sacrifice himself, but tarnish his name by resorting to the most degrading, dishonourable tactics in order to help out his friends.
** During his time as one of DIO's [[BrainwashedAndCrazy brainwashed slaves]], Jean-Pierre Polnareff is acknowledged as one by Muhammad Avdol, leading him to be spared and end up joining the Crusaders.
** N'Doul from ''Manga/StardustCrusaders'' is seen as this by [[TheHero Jotaro Kujo]] after he managed to knock off Jotaro's hat, something not even the ''underwater currents'' were able to do. This can also be seen in Jotaro's choice to bury N'Doul after his death.
** Also from Part 3 is Mariah, who seems to see Joseph as this.
** Also from Part 3 is Daniel J. D'Arby, who's acknowledged as this by both Jotaro and Avdol. Avdol states that while D'Arby may be no fighter, he's a man a strength who's gambling skills are way out of Avdol's league. Meanwhile, Jotaro claims that D'Arby was too skilled a gambler for him to cheat with Star Platinum, and he praises D'Arby for being brave enough to take on the entire group by himself. When Terence T. D'Arby, Daniel's brother, faces them later and mocks Daniel for being a cheat, Jotaro and Joseph respond by beating him with cheating, capping it off with Jotaro telling him that Daniel would have easily seen through it.
** Ghiaccio from ''Manga/VentoAureo'' comes to see Mista as this over the course of their battle, after seeing just how much punishment Mista is willing to take to win.
** Also from Part 5 is [[spoiler:Diavolo, who sees Risotto Nero as this after he [[NearVillainVictory actually comes close]] to defeating Diavolo]].
** Enrico Pucci from ''Manga/StoneOcean'' sees [[TheHero Jolyne Cujoh]] as this, believing her to be an even bigger threat than [[TheDreaded Jotaro]].
** Also from Part 6 is Rikiel, who acknowledges Jolyne as this [[GracefulLoser after she beats him]].

** Also from Part 3 is Daniel J. D'Arby, who's acknowledged as this by both Jotaro and Avdol. Avdol states that while D'Arby may be no fighter, he's a man a strength who's gambling skills a way out of Avdol's league. Meanwhile, Jotaro claims that D'Arby was too skilled a gambler for him to cheat with Star Platinum, and he praises D'Arby for being brave enough to take on the entire group by himself. When Terence T. D'Arby, Daniel's brother, faces them later and mocks Daniel for being a cheat, Jotaro and Joseph respond by beating him with cheating, capping it off with Jotaro telling him that Daniel would have easily seen through it.

** In ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureBattleTendency Battle Tendency]]'' Wamuu is the only one of his group who has any semblance of a code of honor when it comes to combat and the only one to end up sharing mutual respect with [[TheHero Joseph Joestar]]. Additionally, after [[spoiler:Caesar Zeppeli]] gives Wham one of the toughest fights of his immortal life, he promises to remember [[spoiler:his]] name forever, and honors [[spoiler:his]] memory by ''not'' interfering with [[spoiler:the protective bubble in which Caesar put the antidote Joseph needed]].
** Played with where Wamuu's comrade, Esidisi, is concerned - in the end, Joseph respects him because he's willing to not only sacrifice himself, but tarnish his name by resorting to the most degrading, dishonourable tactics in order to help out his friends.
** After getting his ass kicked by Jonathan Joestar in ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventurePhantomBlood Phantom Blood]]'', Dio Brando eventually came to see Jonathan as a worthy adversary. Jonathan is notably the only person Dio ever shows any real respect.
** In ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders Stardust Crusaders]]'', Jotaro acknowledges Daniel D'arby as one after bluffing him into a VillainousBreakdown. Jotaro claims that D'arby was too skilled a gambler for him to cheat with Star Platinum, and he praises D'arby for being brave enough to take on the entire group by himself. When Daniel's brother faces them later and mocks Daniel for being a cheat, Jotaro and Joseph respond by beating him with cheating, capping it off with Jotaro telling him that Daniel would have easily seen through it.

* Father Anderson and Alucard in ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'' (at least, in the manga and recent OVA). In one sequence from the manga, Alucard watches admiringly as Anderson [[spoiler: slices his way through an army of mooks Alucard summoned in order to have a final showdown with Alucard]]. And then, when Anderson invokes a DeadlyUpgrade, Alucard shows genuine shock, then regret and even despair as Anderson turns himself into a mindless monster [[spoiler:and in doing so loses his final chance to defeat Alucard; he becomes HeWhoFightsMonsters in a world where only humans can defeat monsters like Alucard]]. However, it's also shown that Alucard does still hold a great deal of respect and understanding for Anderson after he [[spoiler:reverts back to his human form and dies peacefully]]. Alucard even gives him a genuine smile and quiet "Amen" after the priest's passing, something that he hasn't done for any other opponent in the series.

* In ''Anime/DragonBallZ'', before Goku obliterates Kid Buu with the [[CombinedEnergyAttack Spirit Bomb]], he comments that the fight with him was so good and intense that he wishes he wasn't evil. He wishes that, maybe in another life, they'd get to do this again. Interestingly, his wish came true, as Buu was reincarnated into a human boy named Uub, and in the 28th Tenka'ichi Budokai, he loved the fight so much that he left his family, friends, and [[TheRival the most persistent rival of the series, Vegeta]] (who truly ''is'' a worthy opponent looking at [[CantCatchUp what happened to the rest of Goku's rivals]] [[WeAreTeamCannonFodder in the series]]) to help him master his abilities and fight him again. In ''Anime/DragonBallGT'', this took ''ten years''.

** Mihawk to Zoro. In fact, Mihawk sees Zoro so much as his Worthy Opponent that not only does he decide to spare Zoro's life after their first battle, he also [[spoiler: '''trains Zoro during the timeskip!''']]

* Kisame towards Might Guy and, in turn, Guy to Kakashi in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''. Guy has trouble remembering who Kisame is, and Kakashi would rather not deal with Guy's idea of a rivalry.

** Mifune and Hanzo were this as well.

* [[spoiler:Reiner Braun and Annie Leonhart]] towards Eren Yeager (and the other Trainees, to a lesser degree) in ''Manga/AttackOnTitan''. This results in them beginning to [[BecomingTheMask genuinely respect]] him regardless of circumstances requiring them to be enemies. That he turns out to be a LivingMacGuffin doesn't hurt things, leading them to attempt to capture rather than kill him. [[BlackAndWhiteInsanity Eren]] [[ItsPersonal does]] [[IllKillYou not]] [[BerserkButton reciprocate]].

* Several villains hold [[TheHero Izuku Midoriya]] of ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' as this, among them Gentle Criminal and ''Hero Killer'' Stain, due to his motivations and morals. On a competition level, a number of prospective heroes view each other as worthy opponents with Bakugou in particular holding this view of Izuku and Uraraka.

* Several villains hold Izuku Midoirya of ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' as this, among them Gentle Criminal and ''The Hero Killer'' Stain due to his motivations and morals. On a competition level, a number of prospective heroes view each other as worthy opponents with Bakugou in particular holding this view of Izuku and Uraraka.

** Applies best to Vegeta, who's Goku's rival/''Lancer''. He hates Goku with a passion through most of the series and spends half that time trying to kill the latest ''BigBad'' so he can finally get his fight with Goku. First, he learns to respect Goku, then, he learns to understand Goku's motivations. Finally, ultimately, he makes his peace, recognizes that Goku is simply the better warrior, and, if you don't count ''Dragon Ball GT'', may even have found peace in his life.

* Several villains hold Izuku Midoirya of ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' as this, among them the Gentle and ''The Hero Killer'' Stain due to his motivations and morals. On a competition level, a number of prospective heroes view each other as worthy opponents with Bakugou in particular holding this view of Izuku and Uraraka.

* In the ''Manga/PokemonSpecial'' manga, Bruno is the only Elite Four member who ''isn't'' evil, he just wants a worthy opponent to [[BloodKnight fight with]]. He finds one in Red.
** It's confirmed midway through the Hoenn arc that he mentored Brawly as well. From one badass to another, it seems...

* ''{{Anime/Pokemon}}'' anime:
** Part of the Team Rocket trio's obsession for capturing Ash's Pikachu; After he bested them in their first face-off, the trio came to the conclusion he had exceptional power and sought after him. Nearly any time another rival squares off with Pikachu, the trio root for him and sometimes even rescue him from other villains. In contrast, Ash and his gang usually see the trio as little more than nuisances, though a side effect of their brief promotion to dangerous, larger scale villains in the ''Best Wishes'' series had the heroes admitting they had become this.
** All of the rivals eventually play it straight as well. Paul was a major exception, as he refused to understand and respect Ash's training methods, but after their battle at the Sinnoh League he came around and admitted that Ash was a great trainer. Alain is also a case of this turned UpToEleven, as he had no interest in participating in the Kalos League up until his second battle with Ash. ''After'' said battle gave him a fun time, he collects the eight badges over the course of ''seven'' episodes and spends the entire League Curb-stomping all his opponents while impatiently waiting for his battle with Ash. When said battle comes, he outright admits battling Ash feels fun and makes him lose track of time.

** Katakuri comes to see Luffy as one after Luffy not only holds his own in their duel (despite being badly wounded before it), but [[spoiler:shows that he doesn't care about Katakuri's hidden deformities (which Katakuri got bullied and mocked by his own siblings for), only his skill as a warrior]]. Katakuri is so impressed that he wounds himself to make the duel more evenly matched (sibling interference had lead to Luffy catching a similar wound, which also meant they had to remove the interference before continuing) and tells Luffy straight up that he's earned his respect. Luffy feels the same way.

** Katakuri comes to see Luffy as one after Luffy not only holds his own in their duel (despite being badly wounded before it), but [[spoiler:shows that he doesn't care about Katakuri's hidden deformities (which Katakuri got bullied and mocked by his own siblings for), only his skill as a warrior]]. Katakuri is so impressed that he wounds himself to make the duel more evenly matched and tells Luffy straight up that he's earned his respect. Luffy feels the same way.

* Rou Barabba Dom in ''Anime/TheIrresponsibleCaptainTylor'' acts this part; his problem is that Tylor doesn't seem to be quite as worthy as Dom thinks he is.

* In ''Webcomic/OnePunchMan'', Boros earns Saitama's respect by being the first opponent he has faced to ever survive one of his punches. Saitama becomes this to Boros as well: Boros is a GalacticConqueror who defeated all that opposed him and hasn't had any strong opponents in at the very least two decades, and probably much longer. Like Saitama, this has caused him to experience endless boredom and lose his passion for battling. When he faces Saitama, he gradually uses more and more of his full power until he uses his final form, which has amazing power but shortens his lifespan. This proves to be completely innefectual as well, but Boros refuses to give up, claiming Saitama makes him want to go all out. After literally pulling himself back together, declares that he WILL defeat Saitama before using his strongest final attack. [[spoiler:Unfortunately, Saitama is still underwhelmed by the battle. While he is glad that he got to use more than just his standard punches and even tries to give Boros a respectful passing by lying and saying it was a fun match, a dying Boros comments that he knows Saitama was holding back and was nowhere near his full strength, and he never had a chance at winning. Saitama doesn't respond, but the look on his face just screams his sadness and disappointment that, ''yet again'', his hopes for a good fight have been dashed by his overwhelming strength. In the anime adaptation, Saitama is even more dissapointed when his next opponent fails to survive one of his standard punches.]]

* Guts from ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' and [[EvilCounterpart Nosferatu Zodd]] are this to each other, with a slight touch of FriendlyEnemy, at least on Zodd's part. This is most likely because Zodd is the only notable long-running apostle in the series that has yet to do anything Guts would consider a truly [[ItsPersonal personal attack]], and most of Zodd's motivation for fighting Guts is simply because he [[BloodKnight likes to fight]], and Guts gives as good as he gets. Zodd doesn't seem to be that high up on Guts shit-list either, as Guts was willing to enter an EnemyMine situation at one point. Their interactions have mainly been straight up fights, and circumstantial at that, not personal or attempts at [[MindRape psychological torture and taunting]], like many, many other apostles have tried and failed. It probably helps that [[spoiler:Zodd didn't participate in the Eclipse, finding the ceremony decadent and dull.]] Zodd even compliments Guts on occasion, praising his sword and technique. Zodd even compared Guts' abilities to the Skull Knight and seriously considered finding and fighting him, right before [[spoiler:he got drafted by [[BigBad Griffith]]]]. And being compared to the [[spoiler:nemesis of the [[TheDreaded "God of the Battlefield"]]]], by the man himself, that is high praise indeed. Lampshaded by the psychic Sonia at one point, where she predicts that Zodd must choose to either fight or [[EnemyMine cooperate]] with "the one he admires". In the same fight, Zodd actually stops the apostles with him from attacking/killing a heavily injured and exhausted Guts, claiming they are there as warriors, and stating to Guts that their fight is on hold for now. Zodd takes [[TheOnlyOneAllowedtoDefeatYou extreme rivalry/bloodknight tendencies]] damn seriously.

* In ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'', apparently [[StalkerWithACrush Gauron]] feels something of this sort towards Sousuke. It's one-sided, though - Sousuke [[WhyWontYouDie really, really hates him]]. The first time they meet, Gauron even wanted to take Sousuke in. However, Sousuke refused. As an ally or as an enemy, Gauron has a great appreciation for Sousuke's [[TheStoic stoic-ness]] and skill. His affection and obsession, however, may have actually deepened ''because'' they [[FoeYay became enemies]]...
* ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'':

* ''Manga/{{Vagabond}}'' has MiyamotoMusashi, who has this dynamic with various other characters even before they fight; in fact, in his first major fight, he survives because Yoshioka Denshichirou wants him to become this. (Unfortunately for Denshichirou, [[spoiler:Musashi makes far better use of the year between their duels and ends up defeating him easily]].) In'ei trains him specifically because he's the one for Inshun (no one else can threaten Inshun's life), but Musashi's two most clear Worthy Opponents seem to be Yagyuu Hyougonosuke and Sasaki Kojirou.

** Senor Pink and Franky begin to see each other as this during their second fight.

* Nanoha and Fate quickly become Worthy Opponents of each other in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'', complete with adorable, pre-teen FoeYay and [[DefeatMeansFriendship inevitable]] HeelFaceTurn. In [[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs the second season]], Fate and Signum pair off similarly, maintaining a friendly rivalry even after the ''second'' inevitable HeelFaceTurn (never mind that Fate's JustAKid when they meet and Signum is ReallySevenHundredYearsOld, respect is respect). Nanoha and Vita, on the other hand, are more like [[TheRival rivals]] due to the latter's attitude.

** Subverted in ''Anime/VividStrike''. Carrie wanted to be viewed as such by Rinne, saying that she hoped to give her a good match. Not only does Rinne [[CurbStompBattle wipe the floor with her]]. she doesn't even refer to her by name afterwards (instead opting to call her by her ranking). Poor Carrie is driven to tears.

* [[{{Badass}} Guts]] from ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' and [[EvilCounterpart Nosferatu Zodd]] are this to each other, with a slight touch of FriendlyEnemy, at least on Zodd's part. This is most likely because Zodd is the only notable long-running apostle in the series that has yet to do anything Guts would consider a truly [[ItsPersonal personal attack]], and most of Zodd's motivation for fighting Guts is simply because he [[BloodKnight likes to fight]], and Guts gives as good as he gets. Zodd doesn't seem to be that high up on Guts shit-list either, as Guts was willing to enter an EnemyMine situation at one point. Their interactions have mainly been straight up fights, and circumstantial at that, not personal or attempts at [[MindRape psychological torture and taunting]], like many, many other apostles have tried and failed. It probably helps that [[spoiler:Zodd didn't participate in the Eclipse, finding the ceremony decadent and dull.]] Zodd even compliments Guts on occasion, praising his sword and technique. Zodd even compared Guts' abilities to the Skull Knight and seriously considered finding and fighting him, right before [[spoiler:he got drafted by [[BigBad Griffith]]]]. And being compared to the [[spoiler:nemesis of the [[TheDreaded "God of the Battlefield"]]]], by the man himself, that is high praise indeed. Lampshaded by the psychic Sonia at one point, where she predicts that Zodd must choose to either fight or [[EnemyMine cooperate]] with "the one he admires". In the same fight, Zodd actually stops the apostles with him from attacking/killing a heavily injured and exhausted Guts, claiming they are there as warriors, and stating to Guts that their fight is on hold for now. Zodd takes [[TheOnlyOneAllowedtoDefeatYou extreme rivalry/bloodknight tendencies]] damn seriously.

** Kirito tends to treat his opponents like this in [[spoiler: Alfheim Online]], earning him the respect of the Salamanders: In his first [[CurbStompBattle fight]] he lets the PK group leader Kagemune go, who later repays the favor by backing up Kirito's [[spoiler: [[BackupBluff EPIC bluff]] to General Eugene]]. In the underground passage, after [[CurbStompBattle absolutely]] [[{{Badass}} thrashing]] the Salamander force, he immediately compliments the survivor on giving him a good fight, noting that the Salamanders' strategy was excellent and he'd have quickly lost if he'd been alone. He then strikes a deal with the survivor to give back all the gear and money he looted off the other Salamanders in exchange for information. Having heard that Kirito had previously spared Kagemune, the survivor agrees. Finally, Kirito's duel with General Eugene [[spoiler: where he reinvents his Dual Blade style in ALO through sheer determination and muscle memory]] is ''so'' spectacular that '''everyone''' (Leafa, Alicia, Sakuya, the Cait Sith delegation, the Sylph delegation, ''and'' the Salamander army) gives him a standing ovation. Eugene is so impressed that he not only [[spoiler: calls off the attack on the treaty meeting, but later [[DefeatMeansFriendship joins Kirito and the other SAO players]] in clearing the recreated Aincrad... and brings his army with him]].

* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'':
** Wham is the only one of his group who has any semblance of a code of honor when it comes to combat and the only one to end up sharing mutual respect with [[TheHero Joseph Joestar]]. Additionally, after [[spoiler:Caesar Zeppeli]] gives Wham one of the toughest fights of his immortal life, he promises to remember [[spoiler:his]] name forever, and honors [[spoiler:his]] memory by ''not'' interfering with [[spoiler:the protective bubble in which Caesar put the antidote Joseph needed]].
** Played with where Wham's comrade, AC/DC, is concerned - in the end, Joseph respects him because he's willing to not only sacrifice himself, but tarnish his name by resorting to the most degrading, dishonourable tactics in order to help out his friends.
** After getting his ass kicked by Jonathan Joestar in Part I, Dio Brando eventually came to see Jonathan as a worthy adversary. Jonathan is notably the only person Dio ever shows any real respect.
** In Part III, Jotaro acknowledges Daniel D'arby as one after bluffing him into a VillainousBreakdown. Jotaro claims that D'arby was too skilled a gambler for him to cheat with Star Platinum, and he praises D'arby for being brave enough to take on the entire group by himself. When Daniel's brother faces them later and mocks Daniel for being a cheat, Jotaro and Joseph respond by beating him with cheating, capping it off with Jotaro telling him that Daniel would have easily seen through it.