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| 3 | %% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order. Thanks! |
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| 7 | %% Image kept on page per Image Pickin' threads: |
| 8 | %% https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=16747967240.45670000 |
| 9 | %% https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1501479271048288000 |
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| 12 | [[quoteright:350:[[Film/KungFuHustle https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kung_fu_hustle_4.png]]]] |
| 13 | [[caption-width-right:350:And then their third guy comes out for Back-to-Back-to-Back.]] |
| 14 | |
| 15 | ->'''Kodlak:''' Would you raise your shield in his/her defense?\ |
| 16 | '''Farkas:''' I would stand at his/her back, so that the world might never overtake us. |
| 17 | -->-- ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' |
| 18 | |
| 19 | When two people (or more on the rare occasion) are completely surrounded, outnumbered and outgunned, by simply coming together and having their backs against each other, they are suddenly much more capable. Usually involves a lot of spinning and may lead to RadialAssKicking. The fully realized fight scene of this image is the BashBrothers. A warrior's most vulnerable area is his back, and by putting their backs together, two warriors can eliminate this disadvantage and turn it into an advantage. |
| 20 | |
| 21 | TheRival will [[RivalsTeamUp do this instantly with the hero]] should any third party interfere, because naturally [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou they are the only one who should be allowed to fight the hero.]] It also underlines the respect and trust they each, despite their banter, have for the other. [[BattleCouple Battle Couples]] and their non-romantic counterparts, FireForgedFriends also love this {{trope}}. Occasionally this backfires on one character, when the other proves not so trustworthy, but not often. May result in an OffhandBackhand by one character to protect another. |
| 22 | |
| 23 | Obviously invokes the ConservationOfNinjutsu. Contrast BadassBack. Geometrical opposite of MexicanStandoff. May overlap with BackToBackPoster and BadassMindsThinkAlike. |
| 24 | |
| 25 | This is TruthInTelevision. The method allows the two fighters to split their opponents between them, and keeps anyone from literally stabbing either person InTheBack. Military historian Mike Loades speculates that medieval knights fought on foot in this manner, and at the present, Special Forces operatives storming buildings clear out rooms this way. |
| 26 | |
| 27 | ---- |
| 28 | !!Examples: |
| 29 | |
| 30 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 31 | |
| 32 | [[folder:Advertising]] |
| 33 | * In a commercial for ''VideoGame/DungeonSiegeIII'', two ordinary guys pull swords out of nowhere and start fighting ugly humanoids. They briefly fight back to back. |
| 34 | [[/folder]] |
| 35 | |
| 36 | [[folder:Anime & Manga]] |
| 37 | * ''Manga/The100GirlfriendsWhoReallyReallyReallyReallyReallyLoveYou'': Nano and Mimimi do this in Chapter 43, when they are fighting off [[ItMakesSenseInContext Hahari's tentacle hair]]. |
| 38 | * ''Manga/{{Appleseed}}: Ex Machina'' has one of this right at the beginning [[spoiler: with Deunan being surrounded by a bunch of cyborgs as [[TheCavalry Briareios]] comes to the rescue, does a fairly UnorthodoxReload ejecting magazines out of his arms, then the two of them proceed to shoot up the cyborgs, "to ask them", with Deunan showcasing her incredible mobility]]. |
| 39 | * ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': While it only happens twice briefly during a fight, Guts and Casca go back to back while facing off against one hundred enemy mercenaries. |
| 40 | ** It happens again after [[RelationshipUpgrade they officially]] become a BattleCouple, when they fight the Bakiraka in the sewers of Wyndam. |
| 41 | * Mr. Chang and Revy do this in ''Manga/BlackLagoon'' using their GunKata techniques. |
| 42 | * ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': |
| 43 | ** Inverted in anime Episode 14 ''"Back to Back, a Fight to the Death!"'' Ichigo forcibly gets newfound rival Ishida to do this to stave off a legion of Hollows while at the same time trying to [[NotSoDifferentRemark convince him that they are similar.]] |
| 44 | ** The {{anime}} season "The New Captain Shusuke Amagai". |
| 45 | *** The opening title includes Ichigo and Captain Amagai back to back. |
| 46 | *** In Episode 186 Rukia and Rangiku Matsumoto (who had been fighting moments earlier) end up back to back facing off against an attack by ninja {{mooks}}. |
| 47 | ** Toshiro and Rangiku at the beginning of Episode 222. |
| 48 | ** Referenced in the Zanpakuto tales filler arc, with Kuchiki Byakuya and Senbonzakura. |
| 49 | --->'''Senbonzakura''' Master, I will watch your back.\ |
| 50 | '''Byakuya''' That's not necessary. |
| 51 | ** Anime Episode #319. While fighting against the Reigei guarding the Senkaimon gate, Ichigo and Rukia briefly stand back to back facing them. |
| 52 | * ''Manga/CageOfEden'': Protagonist Akira and [[spoiler:his best-friend-turned-insane-murderer]] Kouhei do this immediately after fighting when surrounded by dinosaurs at an underground lake. |
| 53 | * In the final episode of ''Manga/ACertainScientificRailgun'', Kuroko and Kougou fought MAR back to back. |
| 54 | * A flashback in ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' shows Spike Spiegel and his arch-nemesis Vicious performing this trick in the past when they were hitmen partners working for the Syndicate. |
| 55 | * ''Manga/DeadmanWonderland'': Senji and Ganta. The next page, Minatsuki comments on how badass they are. Senji and Ganta then [[HandshakeSubstitute proceed to brofist.]] |
| 56 | * One ''Manga/CaseClosed'' NonSerialMovie references Anne Bonney, who fought this way with her (female) partner so that they could watch each others' backs. |
| 57 | * ''Anime/DigimonFrontier'': The Royal Knights do this on their debut. The Digidestined run around them to try to catch them off guard while the two knights stand calmly together, casually taking them down when the digidestined attack. |
| 58 | * ''Franchise/DragonBall'': |
| 59 | ** [[http://community.fortunecity.ws/lavendar/hellraiser/638/Group/Group07.jpg Goku and Vegeta]] can always pull this off, taken [[ExaggeratedTrope Up to Eleven]] [[https://d.newsweek.com/en/full/1206366/dragon-ball-super-broly-goku-vegeta.jpg?w=1600&h=1600&q=88&f=44c705b1d6c073a8a2da2e5d7da779dd during their combined attack]] in ''Anime/DragonBallSuperBroly''. |
| 60 | %%** In the anime of the Namek saga, [[https://pm1.narvii.com/5905/34721283b524f2ca8518872538578eadc60fc575_hq.jpg Goku and Frieza do this]] in the middle of their fight with each other. |
| 61 | ** Gohan and Videl [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREI8afeIl9cQGs11SbtehFBwGCkLJNLoCwjQ&usqp=CAU do this]] in ''Anime/DragonBallZWrathOfTheDragon'' as part of their Superhero BattleCouple routine. In ''VideoGame/DragonBallFighterZ'' [[https://64.media.tumblr.com/38a48db7384e503316f471273066aafc/tumblr_inline_pm43pajwZn1qbjpiv_640.gif they do it as part of their combined attacks together]]. |
| 62 | ** In ''Anime/DragonBallSuper'', Gohan and Piccolo [[https://media.comicbook.com/2019/01/dragon-ball-piccolo-gohan-comic-book-art-1152749-1280x0.jpeg do this]] in the Universal Tournament. |
| 63 | ** Android 17 and 18 [[https://www.seekpng.com/png/detail/187-1876954_dbz-androids-android-18-dragon-ball-z-goku.png commonly do this]] as part of their CombinedEnergyAttack. |
| 64 | * In the American-produced second season of ''Anime/DuelMasters'', main character Shobu and [[TheRival dark rival]] Kokujo do this to fend off a pair of evil duelist twins. They are [[SeriousBusiness playing a children's card game]]. |
| 65 | * A staple of fight scenes in ''Anime/{{Endride}}'', the chiefest example being Emilio and Shun, who almost always fight in tandem. |
| 66 | * Kenshiro and Rei do this in ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'' when they fight the Fang Clan and later during the Cassandra arc. Also Bat and Ein during the Tentei arc, and Ken and Shachi during the Shura arc. |
| 67 | * Col. Mustang and Lt. Hawkeye pull this for a second in Episode 57 of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist: Brotherhood''. |
| 68 | ** In the first anime, Mustang, Hawkeye, and Armstrong pull off a back-to-back-to-back version against a group of chimeras. When the rest of Mustang's [[TrueCompanions crew]] shows up, [[OffscreenMomentOfAwesome all of the chimeras are dead and none of the three have so much as a scratch on them]]. |
| 69 | * In ''Manga/{{Gintama}}'', [[strike: Zura]] Katsura and Gintoki are shown doing this in what appears to be a LastStand against the Amanto aliens in a flashback. They do it again in the Benizakura Arc, when they are fighting against [[spoiler: space pirates hired by Takasugi]]. |
| 70 | ** Gintoki and Hijikata give us an example that manage to be both comedic and Badass. [[ChainedHeat Handcuffed together]], they end up in a room full of criminals, and curb stomp them with perfectly synchronized actions, despite how much they claim to [[SitcomArchNemesis hate each other]]. |
| 71 | ** Later during the four deva arcs, Gintoki and Jirocho fight back to back during a EnemyMine situation against dozens of elite assassins. |
| 72 | * ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders'': |
| 73 | ** Polnareff and Kakyoin when they are surrounded by beggars while doing revenge speeches, an awesome music plays and turning the tables on Geil. There's no denying it's a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome. |
| 74 | ** Polnareff and Iggy are quite an odd example, as they're only fighting one enemy (albeit an invisible insta-killing one) and one of them is a dog. |
| 75 | * Yuuichi and Mai with swords while fighting demons in ''VisualNovel/{{Kanon}}'', although Mai was about a thousand times more [[BadassAdorable badass]] than Yuuichi was. |
| 76 | * ''Anime/LupinIIIEpisode0FirstContact'': Jigen and Goemon when they're attacked by Galvez's men. |
| 77 | * ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'': |
| 78 | ** When they were fighting against a swarm of flying [[MechaMooks Gadget Drones]] and their [[DoppelgangerSpin illusionary copies]] in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'', Nanoha and Fate peform this in mid-air while protected by Nanoha's DeflectorShields. |
| 79 | ** Megane and Quint where shown doing this in the flashback to when their squad was wiped out. |
| 80 | ** [[MarionetteMaster Corona]] and [[MightyGlacier Victoria]] position themselves like this in Chapter 50 of ''Manga/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaVivid'' when they find themselves fighting against an army of [[spoiler:Fabia's [[OurDemonsAreDifferent demon]]]] {{Mooks}}. |
| 81 | * In the GrandFinale of ''Anime/MacrossFrontier'', [[spoiler:Brera and Alto]] do this in their space-plane robots against the [[spoiler:Galaxy task force defending the suborned Vajra queen]]. |
| 82 | ** This itself is a ShoutOut to the final major battle in the original ''Anime/SuperDimensionFortressMacross'' [[spoiler: where the newly married Max and Millia Jenius (the show's two big aces) did the same during a charge into the heart of the enemy formation]]. |
| 83 | * During a surprise nighttime training exercise in ''Manga/MaidenRose'', Taki and Klaus end up the only students still not defeated. The moment they decide to take on all the attackers together they pull out their knives and stand back-to-back, laying the foundation for their future BattleCouple status. |
| 84 | * ''Manga/MoriartyThePatriot'': Sherlock and William have a moment with their backs to each other in a fight together against all comers. |
| 85 | * ''Anime/MyOtome'': |
| 86 | ** Subverted: Shizuru and Natsuki do this during the attack on Garderobe in episode 17, but since they have no chance of winning without their Robes anyway, Shizuru allows herself to be captured so Natsuki can run away. |
| 87 | ** Played straight in the finale with Shizuru and Haruka, who engage in a BodyCountCompetition to see who can destroy more Slaves. |
| 88 | * In ''Anime/MazingerZ'' Kouji and Boss often did this when they were fighting [[{{Mooks}} Iron Masks]]; Kouji and ''[[Anime/GreatMazinger Tetsuya]]'' also did some fewer times. It looked more impressive than the former instance because Tetsuya is a bigger Badass than Boss, because both youths were riding their respective HumongousMecha when it happened, and because [[spoiler:they are BashBrothers]]. |
| 89 | * ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'': The Virgo mobile dolls in use use the groups-of-three variation a lot. It's justified, however -- while one Virgo alone has enough planetary defensors to only generate a shield in front of them, a squad of three have enough to generate a shield around the squad -- and by keeping their backs to one another, it allows the squad to fire in any direction. |
| 90 | * ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': |
| 91 | ** Neji and Hinata do this during the [[WarArc Fourth Shinobi War Arc]]. It's funny because they're the two primary characters who specialize in ''being able to see behind themselves,'' but it's also awesome and heartwarming because it really shows how far they've come since the Chunin Exams in Part I. |
| 92 | ** Naruto and Bee become this in the later chapters. And we get a redux of Guy and Kakashi during the Tobi Battle and during the early parts of the war. |
| 93 | * Asuna and Setsuna from ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' fight off Chigusa's minions in this fashion while Negi runs ahead to take on the BigBad. When more minions try to stop Negi, Kaede, Mana, and Ku Fei show up, and Ku and Mana fight stock baddies in the same back-to-back fashion while Kaede goes one on one with [[HeelFaceTurn Kotaru]] [[BeastMan Inugami]]. |
| 94 | ** Later, the previously mentioned [[TheRival Kotaro]] does this with [[TheHero Negi]]. |
| 95 | * ''Anime/{{Noir}}'': |
| 96 | ** Near the end, [[spoiler:Kirika and Chloe use their signature weapons to take on a score of fighters thus in a jaw-dropping display of badass]]. |
| 97 | ** Kirika and Mirielle also do this [[spoiler:in the final episode]]. |
| 98 | * ''Manga/OnePiece'': |
| 99 | ** A unique [[https://66.media.tumblr.com/3fcef66780b784e9ad0dcae7e09fa163/tumblr_olua5pOtIg1v3mno9o1_1280.png Chained Together-Back to Back Badass]] variation with Luffy and Zoro in Movie 1. |
| 100 | ** Another odd example happens during Zoro and Ryuuma's duel. The two swordsmen each pull out moves that end up missing and they suddenly find themselves standing back to back. After a moment's awkward pause, they go right back to fighting each other. |
| 101 | ** Even stranger is Luffy and [[spoiler:Buggy]] in Impel Down. Followed by the somewhat more conventional Luffy and [[spoiler:Mr. 2 Bon Clay]]. |
| 102 | ** Also, in a [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxOrwjdgRpCvpqUCgF5iiknah2KnPLq0KmBQ&usqp=CAU straight example]], Luffy and [[spoiler: Ace]] in chapter 571. |
| 103 | ** The rare occassions Zoro and Sanji work together instead of fighting, [[TeethClenchedTeamwork their teamwork]] turns them into a nigh unstoppable force. Case-in-point: the Davy Back Fight. |
| 104 | --->'''Zoro:''' Hey, cook. We'll work together for 10 seconds.\ |
| 105 | '''Sanji:''' I can deal with that much. |
| 106 | *** The anime of the Alabasta arc has Zoro and Sanji (much to their dislike) [[https://i.pinimg.com/originals/aa/1f/2d/aa1f2d195324bfce732ea161e9bb3b01.png play this straight]]. |
| 107 | ** In a cover page, we have Whitebeard and Roger standing back to back. [[spoiler: What makes it particularly sad is that both of them are dead.]] |
| 108 | ** Usopp, Nami, and Brook pull this off pretty nicely in a three way version when they're fighting off the palace guards on Fishman Island. |
| 109 | * ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'': |
| 110 | ** Jesse and James' signature pose whenever they're reciting Team Rocket's motto, complete with their very own {{leitmotif}}. |
| 111 | ** Diantha and Steven Stone, Champions of Kalos and Hoenn respectively, get into this pose during the Flare arc finale. |
| 112 | * Being badass magical girls who can kick ass while wearing the frilliest of skirts, anyone from the ''Anime/PrettyCure'' franchise is shown to pull off moments like this, no matter how many are on each team! |
| 113 | * The last episode of ''Anime/PsychoPass'' has Akane and Kogami do this, with a gun and Dominator, respectively. |
| 114 | * In ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'', to defeat the [[MonsterOfTheWeek dojo destroyer]], [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Ranma]] and [[{{Tsundere}} Akane]] stand back-to-back and link arms to knock the enemy out. This is only in the {{anime}} version; the manga has [[JerkwithaHeartofGold Ranma]] take it down with one OffhandBackhand. Ukyo and Ryoga also get a moment of this in the {{O|riginalVideoAnimation}}VA version of the [[{{Kimodameshi}} Cave of Lost Love]] story, when the ghosts compare their teamwork and alliance of convenience to [[JerkwithaHeartofGold Ranma]] and [[{{Tsundere}} Akane's]] [[BelligerentSexualTension relationship]] and promptly decide that Ukyo and Ryoga are the only couple present -- ignoring their protests that they are not interested in each other that way at all. |
| 115 | * ''Manga/Reborn2004'': Tsuna and Byakuran in The Curse of the Rainbow arc. |
| 116 | * In ''Anime/RODTheTV'', Anita and Yomiko get back to back when fighting [[{{Invisibility}} MirorMan]]. Anita still hated Yomiko at this moment, but considered this situation to be a EnemyMine. |
| 117 | * ''Anime/RuneSoldierLouie'': Louie and Jeanie get [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150510111410/http://www.kivmanga.com/Rune_Soldier_Louie_-_Req_by_Valdimir/017.022/3/ a color page image]], in the manga version, that shows them covering each other while they're surrounded by spirits. |
| 118 | * ''Franchise/SailorMoon'': Uranus and Neptune. The other girls also do it sometimes, but it rarely works as well as for the above two. |
| 119 | * In the two-part ''Anime/SamuraiChamploo'' episode, "Elegy of Entrapment (Verse 1 and 2)", both Jin and Mugen fight a blind jumonji-yari expert with their backs against each other at one point. However, she holds back and lets Mugen kill her, since she lost her reason for living. |
| 120 | ** Likewise, in Mugen and Jin's first fight, Mugen does a flip over Jin's back that temporarily puts them back-to-back. |
| 121 | * In ''Manga/SamuraiDeeperKyo'', [[spoiler: half-brothers and]] rivals Shinrei and Hotaru do this in a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome, each striking out with his strongest technique to defeat a room full of giant automatons. |
| 122 | * ''Anime/ScienceNinjaTeamGatchaman'': Constantly. Most of times it was [[TheHero Ken]] [[RedOniBlueOni and]] [[TheLancer Joe]] or [[BattleCouple Ken and Jun]] who did the back-to-back fight, but it any member of the team could ''and did'' find in a situation that demanded fighting back-to-back with a teammate. |
| 123 | * In the final episode of the second season of ''Manga/SoulEater'' [[TheHero Maka]] and [[WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds Crona]] do this when fighting the golem. |
| 124 | * Vash the Stampede and Wolfwood in ''Manga/{{Trigun}}'', notably in the manga where it doesn't only happen twice, but they flawlessly switch places in the blink of an eye both times to combat the opposite opponent(s) when seen fit. |
| 125 | * Fai and Kurogane get a lot of these moments in the first half of ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'', especially in the anime. [[BattleCouple After]] [[IHateYouVampireDad Tokyo]], [[BreakTheCutie though]], [[HeterosexualLifePartners everything]] [[TheNicknamer changed]]. |
| 126 | * ''Anime/VariableGeo'': Yuka and [[ChildhoodFriends her best friend]]/[[FriendlyRivalry rival]], Satomi, are depicted this way on the cover of the ''[[http://gallery.minitokyo.net/view/download/251688 Complete Visual Collection]]'' artbook for the OVA. |
| 127 | * Ditto for rivals Sho and Kenzan in another 2-on-2 duel in ''Anime/YuGiOhGX''. |
| 128 | ** They're not rivals, but Kenzan and O'Brien do stand back to back against a horde of oncoming duel zombies. |
| 129 | * In ''Anime/YuGiOhCapsuleMonsters'', Joey and Tristan move behind Yugi in Episode 3 as they attack Neo Aqua Madoor while Yugi fights La Jinn. |
| 130 | * Hiei and Kurama do this in the episode-length ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'' "[[ShortFilm movie]]." ''In midair''. |
| 131 | [[/folder]] |
| 132 | |
| 133 | [[folder:Comic Books]] |
| 134 | * Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}} and Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}} [[https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-6f5bc809274cc40c02da3f7e727bb75c.webp gloriously do it]] in ''ComicBook/PublicEnemies''. Completed with CasualDangerDialogue. |
| 135 | ** As do Batman and [[Characters/BatmanJasonTodd Jason Todd as Red Hood]] in ''Under the Hood'', prompted by a case of SaveTheVillain. |
| 136 | *** This gets a CallBack in ''Batman and Robin'' 25, this time with Dick Grayson as Batman and Jason. |
| 137 | ** For all that their skill level is wildly different, [[PluckyGirl Stephanie Brown]] and Cassandra Cain resort to this a number of times, including the issue where Cass gives her ComicBook/{{Batgirl}} costume to Steph. |
| 138 | ** During the ''ComicBook/RedRobin''/''ComicBook/Batgirl2009'' crossover Tim and Steph end up fighting ninjas with their backs to each other, which just shows how well they still work together as they did this often back in ''ComicBook/Robin1993'' as Robin and Spoiler. |
| 139 | ** The Bat family does a circular version of this in the climax of Batman Inc, with both Batmen and both Robins standing back to back against a group of assailants. |
| 140 | ** ''ComicBook/BatmanUrbanLegends'': After Tim frees Bernard he expects him to run, but Bernard instead joins the fight standing at his back revealing he's been taking lessons since he was attacked by Darla in high school. |
| 141 | * In ''ComicBook/AllRoads'', the graphic novel prequel to ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', Benny and his Great Khan mercenaries pull this against a rampaging Fiend warband, standing in a circular firing line against waves of drugged-up melee fighters. |
| 142 | * ''ComicBook/GIJoeARealAmericanHeroMarvel'': Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow on the cover of #96. Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow ''during'' the G.I. Joe story ''Hush Job''. Although subverted in that rather than actually ''engage'' their opponents whilst back to back, they simultaneously somersaulted over the heads of their opponents and then just blew them up with a demolition charge. |
| 143 | * ''ComicBook/JLAAvengers'': Superman and Thor ([[LetsYouAndHimFight when not fighting each other]]) take all comers. |
| 144 | * [[Characters/LukeCage Luke]] and [[Characters/IronFist Danny]] [[https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1?file=Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1_61.jpg show]] [[https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1?file=Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1_82.jpg us]] [[https://i.annihil.us/u/prod/marvel/i/mg/8/10/57d996e29e8e6/clean.jpg how]] [[https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1?file=Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1_95.jpg it's]] [[https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1?file=Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist_Vol_1_102.jpg done]]. |
| 145 | * ''ComicBook/{{Pathfinder|DynamiteComics}}'': On Creator/StjepanSejic's cover for ''Origins'', Kyra and Seelah are depicted standing back to back with their swords raised. This exact pose doesn't occur in the story, but they do fight together against [[spoiler:a chupacabra infestation]]. |
| 146 | * ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': |
| 147 | ** [[Characters/MarvelComicsPeterParker Spider-Man]] and his fellow street hero [[Characters/MarvelComicsMattMurdock Daredevil]] can always [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUPRyyPpBf0Yrywrj-OW9c5HLCvr-hle67Dw&usqp=CAU pull this off]], even [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQgMkqUlV7Cmki4qPQzxo3DMbJpJIJdcno9w&usqp=CAU upside]] down. |
| 148 | ** After ComicBook/{{Venom}}’s mellowing out and joining Spidey against a common foe [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSKZ4CduMdqZc5JMVJHYSzG2e3UPQTrFPosqw&usqp=CAU they start doing this]] [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqgMFnJBQpLcS-2abMKc2w86f0Y4SwOk44Pw&usqp=CAU fantastically]]. |
| 149 | ** While being a BattleCouple in ''ComicBook/SpiderIsland'', Spidey and Mary Jane [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxPwkF4rqkkV1n3-TbGu73WvVVSPFgm0zRtw&usqp=CAU do this]] regularly. |
| 150 | ** [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1dveb7UrztWUxIF6R6p7I2n9JpHp7zUhD2g&usqp=CAU Spidey and Black Cat]] or surprisingly [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ2GzDUDUZCcCATzPb8IvTg2uGoXgFO986lkA&usqp=CAU Black Cat and Mary Jane]] as seen in ''Dark Web''. |
| 151 | ** One of the undeniably cooler moments in ''ComicBook/DeadNoMoreTheCloneConspiracy'' has Peter and a resurrected Gwen [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRSDCZtnS9puvmwkKA4nNTTkPH_lf9CMYiYEQ&usqp=CAU do this]], including a sweet [[https://insidepulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Amazing-Spider-Man-The-Clone-Conspiracy-1-Dead-No-More-Marvel-Now-Spoilers-preview-2.jpg combined drop kick]] on Lizard. |
| 152 | ** Shockingly Spidey and his ArchEnemy [[Characters/MarvelComicsNormanOsborn Green Goblin]] [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREpO6cu2kgwT3xfMPRMefZVHDFkkqxF6_2IA&usqp=CAU do this]] in #850 of ''ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderMan2018'', [[TeethClenchedTeamwork Peter hates every second of it]]. |
| 153 | * ''ComicBook/StarWarsKanan'': Caleb Dume and Depa Billaba briefly fight back to back to defend themselves against [[spoiler:their clone battalion after Order 66 is issued]], before Billaba orders her padawan to run before any possible escape is cut off. |
| 154 | * ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'': |
| 155 | ** Superman and Characters/{{Supergirl|TheCharacter}} have been doing this since the late Fifties. In ''ComicBook/WarWorld'' they take on alien conqueror Mongul and his humongous weapon-satellite. And in ''ComicBook/Supergirl1982'' # 21 both cousins do this when they fight Kryptonite-Man. |
| 156 | ** In ''ComicBook/{{Bizarrogirl}}'' storyline, [[Characters/SupermanBizarro Bizarro]] tries to invoke this when he decides to make Bizarrogirl to back him up when fighting the godship. |
| 157 | ** In ''ComicBook/TheSupergirlFromKrypton2004'', Wonder Woman and Big Barda fight side by side against Darkseid's Female Furies. |
| 158 | --->'''Big Barda:''' ''"They'll go for positions, Diana. Try and separate us."''\ |
| 159 | '''Wonder Woman:''' ''"Let them try..."'' |
| 160 | * ''ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}}'': the Thunderbolts and [[Characters/MarvelComicsPeterParker Spider-Man]] were together when a villain tried to [[BrainwashedAndCrazy take over]] their minds. Only Mach-1 and Spider-Man fought off the control, and had to fight as Back To Back Badasses. (A severe shock for Mach-1, who [[HeelFaceTurn found]] that after that, he could not frame Spider-Man for murder.) |
| 161 | * ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'': |
| 162 | ** ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMarvel'': In the Generation 2 comics, Megatron and Optimus have [[http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/0/00/Megatrong2idiot.jpg an awesome scene]]. |
| 163 | ** In ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'', Whirl and Cyclonus (who hate each other) end up in this formation against [[spoiler:a gigantic army of Legislator robots]]. |
| 164 | * In ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'', Rorschach and Nite Owl. |
| 165 | * ''Franchise/WonderWoman'': |
| 166 | ** [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Vol 1]]: When Queen Clea orders [[Characters/WonderWomanAllies Steve Trevor]] killed for entertainment by giving him a sword to fight three giant boars and then having her archers perched around the edge of the arena should he manage to survive Di jumps in and blocks the arrows aimed at his back while he lifts the boar he'd managed to kill to block the first volley aimed at his front before they fight the Atlanteans themselves. |
| 167 | ** ''ComicBook/WonderWomanBlackAndGold'': While Diana is reminiscing about Steve and their love for each other at his memorial a flashback shows them fighting a bunch of armed guards back to back. |
| 168 | * ''ComicBook/XMen'': |
| 169 | ** When they aren't at each other's throats, [[Characters/MarvelComicsCyclops Cyclops]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsLogan Wolverine]] [[https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3f/b9/05/3fb905cdab9b5aa32cecb95c4b64ce1f.jpg pull this off spectacularly]]. |
| 170 | ** [[Characters/MarvelComicsJeanGrey Jean Grey]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]] can [[https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/cmx-images-prod/Item/456267/456267._SX1600_QL80_TTD_.jpg also pull this off]]. |
| 171 | ** Excellent three-way version with [[https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c3/fe/72/c3fe7239d7cbd6e098ce51da2c094169.jpg Colossus, Wolverine, and Nightcrawler]]. |
| 172 | ** [[Characters/MarvelComicsGambit Gambit]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsRogue Rogue]] have been doing [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREUFa7WnqwitT8n3Pxm8mI59qcOXxMQJbuEQ&usqp=CAU this]] since the 90s [[https://insidepulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Mr-Mrs-X-5-Gambit-Rogue.jpg to modern comics]]. They even do it in [[https://cdn.comicsverse.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/12/Screen-Shot-2018-12-11-at-6.23.28-PM.png their off-time]]. |
| 173 | ** Similarly [[Characters/MarvelComicsPsylocke Psylocke]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsAngel Archangel]] [[https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/010/707/984/large/meghan-hetrick-psylocke-archangel.jpg are known to do this]]. |
| 174 | ** [[Characters/MarvelComicsDeadpool Deadpool]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsCable Cable]] do this frequently, often lampshaded. |
| 175 | * ''ComicBook/Zatanna2010'': |
| 176 | ** Issue #2 starts with Zatanna, Vixen and Black Canary fighting back-to-back against a group of werehyenas. |
| 177 | ** Issue #6 has Zatanna and Zachary blasting away at Mammon's minions while they stand back-to-back. |
| 178 | [[/folder]] |
| 179 | |
| 180 | [[folder:Comic Strips]] |
| 181 | * ComicStrip/ModestyBlaise and Willie Garvin (outside of the [[Film/ModestyBlaise enjoyably awful 60s movie]]) are avatars of this particular trope. |
| 182 | [[/folder]] |
| 183 | |
| 184 | [[folder:Fan Works]] |
| 185 | * Hilariously kind-of parodied or subverted in ''Theatre/AVeryPotterMusical'' with Quirrell and Voldemort. |
| 186 | * In the ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'' fic ''Fanfic/QueenOfAllOni'', Uncle and Tohru do this. |
| 187 | * ''Fanfic/ShinjiAndWarhammer40k'' gives one of these scenes to Shinji's Space Marine and Chaos Space Marine companions, which is absolutely hilarious considering [[ArchEnemy their relationship with each other]]. |
| 188 | * ''Fanfic/SOE2LoneHeirOfKrypton'': ''[[ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} Asuka]]'' and ''[[ComicBook/WonderGirl Rei]]'' do this a few times in the story when they team up. Once when fighting off Brainiac. And again when facing down Parasite. |
| 189 | * In ''Fanfic/MurderersRow'' during one of the riots, Donut and [[spoiler: O'Malley]] do this. |
| 190 | * In the ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' fic ''Fanfic/{{Forward}}'', River and Jayne go back-to-back to fight off a squad of mercenaries trying to board a train car. |
| 191 | * ''Fanfic/TheFirstSaniwa'': [[VideoGame/Onmyoji2016 Kagura]] and [[VideoGame/ToukenRanbu Yasusada]] vs. Revisionists. They are outnumbered, lose the battle and are taken as captives. |
| 192 | * The ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'' fic ''Fanfic/KyonBigDamnHero'' features Kyon and [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien Yuki]] using this to dismantle a horde of {{Yakuza}} after being temporarily BroughtDownToNormal. |
| 193 | * Driad and Luigi [[spoiler: when fighting Dimentio and his 999 copies]] in Part 2 of ''Fanfic/ClashOfTheElements'' |
| 194 | * Happens repeatedly in ''Fanfic/TheImmortalGame''. The crowner is the [[FinalBattle Battle of the Everfree]], where Twilight does this with each of her friends in turn, moving from one to another as needs be. |
| 195 | * In ''Fanfic/AGrowingAffection'', Naruto and Hinata develop an advanced version of the Protection of the 8 Trigrams 64 Palms, where they stand back to back, Naruto covering Hinata's blind spot and providing the chakra for the technique. |
| 196 | * ''[[Fanfic/TheDarkLordsOfNerima The Dark Lords Ascendant]]'' has this with [[Anime/SailorMoon Sailor Saturn]] and [[Manga/RanmaOneHalf Ryouga]] after they're [[EnemyMine ambushed during a fight with each other]]. |
| 197 | * ''Fanfic/StrikeWitchesQuest'' did this at least once in the world-building documents with the Japanese and American navies -- ''[[EnemyMine at The Battle of Pearl Harbor]]'' no less. |
| 198 | * Ever since Sam became WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom's partner in the ''Fanfic/FacingTheFutureSeries'', they've done this a lot. |
| 199 | * Despite not trusting each other, Lightstorm and Tuxedo Mask sometimes do this in the middle of fights in ''Sailor Moon: Legends of Lightstorm''. This does not deter Lightstorm from bugging his apartment to find out if he's an enemy. |
| 200 | * [[Film/PacificRim Gipsy Danger]] does a side-by-side variation of this with [[spoiler: Franchise/{{Godzilla}}]] during the battle in Hong Kong in ''Fanfic/KingOfTheMonsters''. |
| 201 | * ''Fanfic/TheSecondTry'': During the SEELE's attack, Shinji and Asuka did this when they were fought the army (Asuka charged the enemy as Shinji stood behind her, protecting her back). When the Mass-Production [=EVAs=] attacked them, [[spoiler:Touji]] joined them. |
| 202 | * [[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Cullen]] and Victoria do this at the ball in ''[[Fanfic/TwiceUponAnAge All This Sh*t is Twice as Weird]].'' While Mahanon and a few of the other fighters take on the major battle in the courtyard, these two stay behind and guard the door so their enemies can't get back inside and resume attacking the ballroom. |
| 203 | * In the sequel to the ''40k'' fan fiction ''Fanfic/SecretWar'', Secret War: Upon Blood Sands the main character Attelus Kaltos and Kalakor, a Space Marine of the Raven Guard, do this. But it's more [[CombatPragmatist Attelus using Kalakor's Powered Armor as cover than anything else.]] |
| 204 | * ''Fanfic/ForumOfThrones'' has Jaron and Ayden do this when they hold off the city guard during the ambush in Tanner's Alley. |
| 205 | * ''Fanfic/MyHeroPlaythrough'': Cassandra and Mo-chan do this during the UA Entrance Exam, after Izuku inspires Cassandra to be more humble and heroic, and reminds her of her limits (not that see would say that). |
| 206 | * [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII Bethany and Varric]] do this a few times throughout the events of ''Fanfic/BeyondHeroes: Of Sunshine and Red Lyrium''. |
| 207 | * The ''Fanfic/JWITCHSeries'' has this happen with the heroes during various fight scenes: |
| 208 | ** Jackie and Will in "The Key", "Big Trouble, Bigger Jade" and "Samurai and Guardians". |
| 209 | ** Will does a three way version with Jackie and Tohru in "Tohru Who?". |
| 210 | ** Will with Jade while fighting the Sumo Khan in "Black Magic". |
| 211 | ** Jade and Irma as well as Jackie and Caleb when they first fight the Squidkhan in "Fright Night Fight". |
| 212 | ** Julian and Yan Lin during the fighting in Phobos' castle in "Twilight of Darkness". |
| 213 | * ''FanFic/SonicComicsRewriteOneChangeCanMeanANewChance'': Antoine and Colin do this in Chapter 66 when fighting off the robots that have invaded the play of Sonic and Sally's wedding. |
| 214 | [[/folder]] |
| 215 | |
| 216 | [[folder:Films -- Animation]] |
| 217 | * ''WesternAnimation/CatwomanHunted'': Catwoman and Batwoman get into this position right before fighting the Leviathan bosses. |
| 218 | * ''WesternAnimation/DCUniverseAnimatedOriginalMovies'': |
| 219 | ** Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}} and Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}} in ''WesternAnimation/SupermanBatmanPublicEnemies'' |
| 220 | ** ''WesternAnimation/SupermanBatmanApocalypse'': Characters/{{Wonder Woman|TheCharacter}} and Big Barda while fighting the Female Furies. |
| 221 | * This occurs in ''Anime/InuyashaTheMovieSwordsOfAnHonorableRuler''. The titular Inuyasha and his brother Sesshoumaru dramatically face off against an overwhelming enemy back to back. [[spoiler: For about 3 seconds and a half, then Sesshomaru just plays it dirty and use the path Inuyasha just opened to leave him surrounded.]] |
| 222 | * ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZimEnterTheFlorpus:'' Dib and [[spoiler:Membrane]], just before the final battle. And Dib couldn't be happier about it. |
| 223 | * In the 2007 ''WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}}'' movie, Leonardo and Raphael end up doing this whilst fighting the Stone Generals in the climax. |
| 224 | [[/folder]] |
| 225 | |
| 226 | [[folder:Films -- Live-Action]] |
| 227 | * In ''Film/{{Aliens}}'', the two smartgunners do this in the hive. |
| 228 | * Done in ''Film/TheArtOfWar'' with the protagonist and TheDragon who are trying to kill ''each other'', as they reload after simultaneously running out of ammunition. There seems little reason to do so except RuleOfCool. |
| 229 | * In the aptly-named ''Film/BackToBack'', ex-cop Malone and Yakuza man Koji team up to fight off a small horde of thugs. |
| 230 | * Subverted/Lampshaded in ''Film/{{Blankman}}''. Eager superhero wannabe Blankman (Damon Wayans) and his brother/reluctant sidekick Kevin/"Other Guy" (David Alan Grier) finally get on the same page regarding crime fighting, and have some generic henchmen to defeat. Blankman dramatically announces "Back to back!" They take up the standard pose, and Blankman is immediately subdued, complete with a girlish squeak, while Other Guy competently dispatches opponent after opponent. |
| 231 | * A few times in ''Film/TheBoondockSaints'', most notably when [[spoiler: the two of them fall through the ceiling tangled in rope]]. One might say this is an "inverted trope." |
| 232 | * Butch and the Sundance Kid from ''Film/ButchCassidyAndTheSundanceKid''. Throughout. |
| 233 | * ''Franchise/TheChroniclesOfRiddick'': |
| 234 | ** Johns and Riddick (briefly) in ''Film/PitchBlack''. |
| 235 | ** Kyra and Riddick in ''Film/TheChroniclesOfRiddick2004''. |
| 236 | ** Subverted in ''Film/{{Riddick}}''. Two {{Bounty Hunter}}s do this when they realise Riddick in on the prowl. Until one of them realises no-one's behind him. He spins round in time to see his partner's corpse being dragged into the darkness. Played straight later with Riddick and Boss John. |
| 237 | * In ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'', Batman and Selina do this when they're facing off against Bane's mooks on the roof. |
| 238 | * Wikus and Christopher fight like this briefly in ''Film/District9''. |
| 239 | * In the movie ''Film/DogSoldiers'', Spoon and Joe share a moment like this, keeping each other covered as they pepper the werewolves attacking the house with machine gun fire. |
| 240 | * Both times during the final battle in ''Film/Expend4bles'', which involve [[Creator/TonyJaa Decha]]. First with Christmas, then with Lash when she and him team up against TheDragon. |
| 241 | * Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes in ''Film/GIJoeRetaliation''. |
| 242 | * Done thrice in the ''Film/HarryPotter'' films: [[HeterosexualLifePartners Harry and Ron]] in ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'', Sirius and Harry in ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'', and [[BattleCouple Harry and Ginny]] (and later other wizards) in ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheHalfBloodPrince''. |
| 243 | ** Which is interesting, since spells are normally ranged weaponry and you can only block a certain range of things, so if your block fails or you know you don't have one that will work, you have to duck -- and if you dodge without really good communication skills, your partner is going to get it in the back. This is always true, but the variety of attack types in Harry Potter makes it an especially risky thing to do. |
| 244 | * Peter and Rufio, while crowing, in ''Film/{{Hook}}''. |
| 245 | * ''Film/KamenRiderTheFirst'': the Double Riders back-to-back before a face-off with a group of Shocker goons. |
| 246 | * Creator/JohnWoo's ''Film/{{The Killer|1989}}'' had the titular assassin and his maverick cop ally fighting back to back against an army of bad guys during the final shootout at the church. |
| 247 | * In ''Film/KungFuHustle'' Coolie almost gets overpowered by the Axe Gang until Doughnut and Tailor join him in combat. [[spoiler: Landlord and Landlady]] may also count. |
| 248 | * ''Film/TheLegendOfThe7GoldenVampires'': Hsi's twin brothers stick close to each other in battle, holding hands so that each can tell where the other is and so that they can stay back to back or side by side while killing opponents with the swords in their free hands. |
| 249 | * ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'': |
| 250 | ** Happens twice in ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing The Fellowship of the Ring]]'': |
| 251 | *** First, the Hobbits take this stance when they face the Nazgul at Weathertop till Sam tries to fight, and he's promptly shoved aside, as are Merry and Pippin. |
| 252 | *** Second, by the party in Moria, when they were surrounded by hordes of orc/goblin things... until [[spoiler:the Balrog showed up and scared them off]]. |
| 253 | ** ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers The Two Towers]]'': Gimli and Aragorn at the gate into Helm's Deep. For several minutes at least they hold off '''the entire Uruk-Hai army.''' |
| 254 | * ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'': |
| 255 | ** Iron Man and War Machine in the climax of ''Film/IronMan2''. Originally, they planned on having one take the high ground while the other drew the approaching Hammer Drones in, but they got surrounded on open terrain while bickering about who did what, forcing them to abandon that plan and defend in place back-to-back. |
| 256 | ** In one of the film's signatures shots, once all six arrive on the scene, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Hulk form ''back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back'' badasses in ''Film/TheAvengers2012''. |
| 257 | ** In ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', the heroes form a defensive circle facing outward during the climactic battle with Ultron's army. |
| 258 | ** In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', [[spoiler:during the final battle with Thanos' army]], [[BattleCouple Iron Man and Pepper Potts]] (armored) [[https://i.imgur.com/ZgTLdS4.gif do this in a short scene while flying in the air and shooting lasers]]. |
| 259 | * ''Film/TheMatrixRevolutions'': |
| 260 | ** A version of this occurs with Seraph, Trinity, and Morpheus going through the Merovingian's club toward his table, back to back, all three with a gun in each hand. They didn't actually do any fighting, but no one tried to stop them. |
| 261 | ** This also happens with fighting, in the "reality" of the movie, during the battle at the docking bay. After many Sentinels managed to break through the barrage of machine gun fire, the APU, (15 foot-tall mech suits armed with 30 mm cannons) users were forced to stop their barrage fire and defend themselves in all directions, with three of them going back to back on each other covering 120° in front of them (covering 360° this way). The scene also involved a dramatic camera movement showing them from above being surrounded by enemies. |
| 262 | * A three-badass gunfight in ''Film/MoonChild'', where a fight between Sho, Kei, and Son is interrupted by an external enemy. |
| 263 | * The ending of ''Film/MrAndMrsSmith2005'' is one extended back-to-back scene (and, at points, front-to-front). |
| 264 | * ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'', where most of the protagonists do this at some time during a fight scene. Most notably Will and Elizabeth during their [[MarriedAtSea wedding]] in the [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd third film]]. |
| 265 | * Also any fight scene without guns in the ''Film/RushHour'' films. |
| 266 | * In ''Film/{{Shane}}'', the homesteader and Shane get into a bar fight and wind up backing each other up. |
| 267 | * ''Franchise/StarWars'': |
| 268 | ** Utilised by Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi in ''Episode II: Film/AttackOfTheClones''. |
| 269 | ** Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan also employ this defense during ''Episode III: Film/RevengeOfTheSith''. |
| 270 | ** [[spoiler:Rey and Kylo Ren]] fight the Praetorian Guards this way in ''Film/TheLastJedi''. At one point [[spoiler:Rey grabs onto him and leans on his back for leverage]]. |
| 271 | * Subverted (kind of) in ''Film/StuckOnYou''. Walt and Bob get into a bar fight and use this method to defeat a much larger group in a decidedly badass action scene. They're conjoined twins attached at the hip, so they were not truly back-to-back and weren't really given a choice about how to fight. |
| 272 | * Creator/DenzelWashington and Creator/MarkWahlberg in the climactic fight in ''Film/TwoGuns''. |
| 273 | * ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Diana and Steve briefly fight with their backs to each other against some enemy soldiers after crossing no man's land. |
| 274 | * Jimmy and Victor in ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine''. Several times, and {{lampshade|Hanging}}d the first[[note]]in the opening credits[[/note]] and last[[note]]At Three Mile Island[[/note]] times, providing BookEnds to the film. It's particularly notable at the end where they did so as part of Victor's TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou moment and the two of them go back-to-back to fight [[UltimateLifeform Weapon XI]]. |
| 275 | * In one of the most memorable moments of ''Film/{{xXx Return of Xander Cage}}'', Adele and Serena are this in the most literal way imaginable during the final shootout, going GunsAkimbo on the mercs like they never did anything else in their lives. |
| 276 | [[/folder]] |
| 277 | |
| 278 | [[folder:Literature]] |
| 279 | * Best friends Ed Finch and Harry Card do this in ''Literature/{{Below}}'' when the quest fights a SpiderSwarm. |
| 280 | * Literature/TheBible: [[Literature/BookOfEcclesiastes Ecclesiastes 4:12]] New Living Translation: "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer." |
| 281 | * ''Literature/DawnOfWar'': |
| 282 | ** In C. S. Goto's ''Dawn of War: Ascension'', at the Blood Rites, aspirants form bands for this, but many are stabbed InTheBack by others whom they had trusted to guard their backs. |
| 283 | ** In Chris Roberson's novel ''Dawn of War II'', Aramus and Thaddeus at the end [[spoiler:just before TheCavalry arrives]]. |
| 284 | * In ''Bound in Blood'', the fifth novel in P.C. Hodgell's Literature/ChroniclesOfTheKencyrath series, Jame and Gran Cyd hold off a good number of assailants like this. A rare moment of teamwork for Jame, who's better known as a loner. |
| 285 | * [[Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian Conan]] does a one-man version: he can fight off any number of anything, provided he has his back to a wall so nothing can sneak up on him. |
| 286 | * Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' books features fighting back to back as a part of Ankh-Morpork pub brawls (which has become a team game rather like American football). For the most points, two people have to back up against one another, turn around, [[YouSquared look surprised at meeting an ally]], then proceed to attack an enemy behind their ally. This is known as a "Double Andrew." |
| 287 | * ''Literature/DoraWilkSeries'': Trumped in the fifth book with a ''quadruple'' version, as Dora, Miron, Joshua and As fight back-to-back-to-back-to-back against waves of enemies in the book's finale. |
| 288 | * ''Literature/DreamscapeVoyagerTrilogy'': The cover of ''Skies of the Empire'' depicts the scene where Cassidy and Zayne meet in battle to fight against a swarm of [[HarpingOnAboutHarpies harpies]]. |
| 289 | * In ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' novel ''Changes'', Sanya and [[spoiler: Murphy]] go back-to-back during the final battle with the Red Court of vampires. And by "the Red Court" we mean ''all of them.'' |
| 290 | ** During the same scene, Harry and Molly do this as well, using impressive spells to stall the Red Court army (Harry a gigantic field of ice, Molly her seizure-inducing light show) while Thomas and the two mentioned above slice up the stunned and baffled vampires. |
| 291 | ** Thomas and Lara Raith do this against the Ghouls in the Deeps. |
| 292 | * ''Franchise/{{Dune}}'' has this with the [[SuperSoldier Sardaukar]], who are trained to fight in groups of three in a formation so that none of them has their back to the enemy. So, it's Back to Back to ''Back'' Badasses. |
| 293 | * Twin brothers Boindil and Boendal from ''Literature/TheDwarves'' do this all the time. They usually run around back-to back in battle, enabling them to cut through groups of enemies. |
| 294 | * Arthur Miller, of all people, wrote a moment like this in ''Focus'', in which Mr. Newman and Abe fend off a bunch of para-Nazi thugs with baseball bats. |
| 295 | * ''Literature/ForestKingdom'': In the spinoff series ''Hawk & Fisher'', the titular BattleCouple frequently fight like this. This is especially helpful for Hawk as he lost an eye and needs Fisher to watch his blind side. |
| 296 | * In ''Assassin of Literature/{{Gor}}'', the climactic fight scene in the Stadium of Blades begins with Tarl facing down six of the enemy single-handed; then, as more enemies appear, the enigmatic gladiator Murmillius helps with this trope followed by Relius, Ho-Sorl, and Ho-Tu joining in, forming a pentagon of extreme badassery. |
| 297 | * In ''[[Literature/TheHungerGames Catching Fire]]'', Katniss, Peeta, and [[spoiler:Finnick]] during [[spoiler:the Quarter Quell]]. |
| 298 | * The ''Literature/InDeath'' series has Eve and Roarke doing this on at least two occasions. |
| 299 | * In R.A. Salvatore's [[Literature/TheLegendOfDrizzt Drizzt Do'Urden]] novels, this happens at least twice with Drizzt and TheRival Artemis Entreri. Being two of the finest swordsmen on the face of Toril, they handily kick ass doing it. |
| 300 | * In ''[[Literature/{{Lensman}} Galactic Patrol]]'', Kinnison and vanBuskirk are forced to drop into a Delgonian jungle when their power runs out, and have to fight their way out, back to back. |
| 301 | * Aragorn and Éomer against orc troops several times in Creator/JRRTolkien's ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''. |
| 302 | ** Related: This was originally a planned feature of the ''Return Of The King'' video game adaptation. |
| 303 | * In ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'', Annabeth and Percy do this against, amongst others, Ethan Nakamura. |
| 304 | * In ''Literature/PhoenixRising'' Tobimar does this with both Xavier and Kyri. |
| 305 | * Happens sometimes in ''Literature/{{Redwall}}''. One specific instance has a Salamandastron hare with a spear back up to a badger with a tree limb, completely invulnerable. The Guosim crank it [[ExaggeratedTrope Up to Eleven]] in ''Outcast'' with the Guosim Windmill, in which dozens of them form a circle which works in roughly the same way. |
| 306 | * ''Literature/SkylarkSeries'': While floating through the air with enemies inbound, Seaton and Margaret actually interconnect their belts to hold them together, along with interlocking their legs, ensuring that they can't be attacked and disabled from behind while they sweep the skies clear. |
| 307 | * ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' gives us this in ''Literature/AClashOfKings'', when Ser Mandon Moore and Ser Balon Swann fight off a dozen of spearmen this way on the Blackwater. |
| 308 | * ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' original novel ''Debtor's Planet'' by W. R. Thompson may be the only claim of a Klingon metaphor "to live back to back", meaning to double-up with a trusted partner on alert during a longer-lasting crisis. |
| 309 | * [[Franchise/StarWars Luke Skywalker]] and [[Franchise/StarWarsLegends Mara Jade]] had a "Back To Back Badasses" moment in ''[[Literature/HandOfThrawn Vision of the Future]]''. They were only surrounded by two droids, but the droids weren't [[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy the kind that sucked at shooting]]. |
| 310 | ** Three years later in ''[[Literature/OutboundFlight Survivor's Quest]]'', they were [[HappilyMarried married]] and went back-to-back while linking minds in order to strike at the exact same instant to cut [[WireDilemma both wires]] in an [[EvilElevator elevator of death]]. |
| 311 | *** Ben Skywalker, and [[DarkActionGirl Vestara Khai]], on the cover of ''[[Literature/FateOfTheJedi Fate of the Jedi: Ascension]]''. |
| 312 | ** Mace Windu and his Padawan Depa Billaba had a frequently used maneuver that involved this, with one going high and the other low. Even years after she had become a Master and gone off on her own, they were still able to work this in perfect harmony. |
| 313 | * Frequently used in ''Literature/TimeRiders'', particularly in ''Day of the Predator'', which takes a survival horror edge with the enemy being a pack of highly intelligent predatory dinosaurs. Justified, in that Becks is a robot and doesn't really have blind spots, so not having to worry about her back allows her better computation for what's in front of her. Also, in the finale of the book, she covers the backs Liam and the remaining castaways so they can reach the time portal in more of a 'Save yourself, I'll hold them back' gesture - Becks is not only physically tougher and faster than the children, but she also believes herself expendable. |
| 314 | * In ''[[Literature/RachelGriffin The Unexpected Enlightenment of Rachel Griffin]]'', [[TheAce Vladimir von Dread]] and a sidekick are seen going back to back while [[WizardDuel fighting]] the possessed students, the sidekick handling shields and counterspells, Vlad staying on the offensive and firing off spells through the gaps. |
| 315 | * Rose often with Dimitri in ''Literature/VampireAcademy''. They co-operate in battle scenes. For example in ''Spirit Bound'' they immediately go back-to-back to face the royal guard, and do a good job at taking them out. |
| 316 | * In William King's ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000: Literature/SpaceWolf'' novel ''Ragnar's Claw'', when Sven charges into a horde of tyrannids, Ragnar charges after, and they fight back to back. |
| 317 | ** In Lee Lightner's ''Sons of Fenris'', in the jungle, Nathaniel and Elijah use this tactic. |
| 318 | * In ''Literature/WarriorCats'', this is a standard battle tactic of all the Clans, especially when they are facing a foe with a numerical advantage. |
| 319 | * In Creator/GrahamMcNeill's Literature/{{Ultramarines}} novel ''Warriors of Ultramar'' a lowly defence trooper -- not even a member of the Imperial Guard -- with a chainsword does this with ''an Ultramarines Space Marine Captain'' against a horde of Tyranids. He does pretty well, considering. BadassNormal indeed. |
| 320 | * In ''Literature/WatchersOfTheThrone'', Aleya and Valerian tend to fight this way whenever they're surrounded in battle, which is every time they are together in battle. |
| 321 | * In ''Literature/TheWitchlands'', Safi and Iseult are outnumbered all the time, so this happens on a regular basis. |
| 322 | * ''Literature/WordsOfRadiance'' (second book of ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive''): Kaladin and Adolin while fighting [[spoiler: ''four'' Shardbearers in the arena]]. This noticeably marks the point where the prince's attitude towards Kaladin changes from "disdain" to "respect." |
| 323 | [[/folder]] |
| 324 | |
| 325 | [[folder:Live-Action TV]] |
| 326 | * In ''Series/{{Andromeda}}'', Dylan Hunt and Rommy made a career out of this. Harper and Tyr Anasazi did this, too, when fighting the Magog together, but they were overwhelmed. |
| 327 | * [[TheHero Angel]] and [[TheLancer Spike]] do this during ''Series/{{Angel}}'''s fifth season episode "The Girl In Question". Parodied, as they end up hitting each other. |
| 328 | * Batman and Robin. The [[Series/Batman1966 Adam West and Burt Ward version]] especially loved this trope. (To the point that this was referred to then used, though slightly subverted, in ''Blankman''.) |
| 329 | * Buffy and Dawn do this in the ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' Season 6 finale. |
| 330 | * ''Series/BurnNotice'' has Michael and Fiona or Michael and Sam pulling these almost every other episode. We are talking about an ex-CIA operative, a former terrorist for the IRA, and an ex-Navy SEAL. It's kind of their hat. |
| 331 | * In ''Series/ChinesePaladin'' [[ActionGirl Yue Ru]] and [[TheHero Xiao Yao]] do this so often they're mistaken for a BattleCouple. |
| 332 | * Done by Sarah and Bryce in ''{{Series/Chuck}}''. It's this sort of display of solidarity between them that makes Chuck uncomfortable. |
| 333 | ** Sarah and Chuck do the same thing (while handcuffed together) in Season 3. |
| 334 | ** Chuck and Casey fight back to back when they're tied together in two chairs in the first season. Though that was more Casey fighting and occasionally flinging Chuck around to kick enemies in the face while Chuck screamed a lot. |
| 335 | * ''Series/DoctorWho'': |
| 336 | ** Used and subverted in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E10TheDoctorDances "The Doctor Dances"]]. The Ninth Doctor and Captain Jack Harkness find themselves back-to-back in order to defend themselves from an onslaught of faux-zombies... armed with a banana, a sonic screwdriver and a sonic blaster running low on power. While both characters are decidedly badasses in their own right, the subversion was a welcome one — particularly for such a dark episode so far. |
| 337 | ** The Eleventh Doctor and River do this during [[Recap/DoctorWhoS32E2DayOfTheMoon "Day of the Moon"]]'s big fight scene. Of course, River's not sure how he and the sonic screwdriver are of much help while she's blasting aliens. |
| 338 | --->'''River:''' You've got a ''screwdriver!'' Go build a cabinet!\ |
| 339 | '''The Doctor:''' That's really rude!\ |
| 340 | '''River:''' Shut up and drive! |
| 341 | * ''Series/{{Farscape}}: The Peacekeeper Wars'' has an amusing variation on this near the beginning. When John and Aeryn are revived in mid-embrace to find themselves in the middle of a room full of strangers, they don't even bother turning around. They just aim their weapons past each other in a ''front-to-front'' badasses moment. |
| 342 | * In ''Series/GameOfThrones'', there is a three-way version with Jorah, Daario and Grey Worm in Yunkai. Jorah and Daario even get in a CombinationAttack on Daario's final enemy. It is ''awesome''. |
| 343 | * Iolaus and Hercules from ''Series/HerculesTheLegendaryJourneys'' often do this. They made a pact as children to die this way. |
| 344 | * In ''Series/KaizokuSentaiGokaiger'', [[TheHero Marvelous/Gokai Red]] and [[TheLancer Joe/Gokai Blue]] does this twice in Episode 12. First, in human form during a flashback to their first meeting when Marvelous save Joe's life. Second, during the present time while fighting Mooks in ranger form. |
| 345 | * ''Series/HighAndLow'' is an action series, so it way too many times to count. The first movie makes it interesting by having people from different teams have each-other's back and spout one-liners at each-other. |
| 346 | * In the original ''Series/KamenRider'' series anytime Riders 1 and 2 teamed up this would happen, whether it's [[http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5279/vlcsnap2011061122h37m40.png untransformed]] or [[http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1097/vlcsnap2011061121h12m55.png transformed]]. The rest of the series would do this in a similar fashion (e.g. [[Series/KamenRiderV3 V3 & Riderman]], [[Series/KamenRiderStronger Stronger & Tackle]], [[Series/KamenRiderKuuga Kuuga & Ichijou]], etc.), most of the time with some of the previous Riders returning, to the point it has escalated into a BadassCrew. |
| 347 | * Richard and Kahlan from ''Series/LegendOfTheSeeker'' have many of these. |
| 348 | * ''Series/LukeCage2016''. A useful trope with the title character as he's [[NighInvulnerability Nigh-Invulnerable]], so anyone fighting alongside Cage puts him facing the men with machine guns e.g [[https://youtu.be/6rJwiqbn--g?t=96 one of the best scenes]] in ''Series/TheDefenders2017'' |
| 349 | * Happens several times over the course of ''Series/MajisukaGakuen''; Atsuko and Minami, Yuko and Sado, Atsuko and Sado, Center and Nezumi. Sort of to be expected in a series that involves at east one fight per episode. |
| 350 | * Agents Don Eppes and Billy Cooper do this in the episode "Man Hunt" in ''{{Series/Numb3rs}}''. |
| 351 | * ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' does this a lot, usually during the traditional team-ups, in which the current Rangers will generally pair off with the Ranger of corresponding color from the previous season in the big final battle. |
| 352 | * Used by Turk and The Todd in a dream sequence on ''Series/{{Scrubs}}''. |
| 353 | * ''Series/StargateAtlantis'': |
| 354 | ** Ford and Ronon end up doing this briefly when they're surrounded in a Wraith hive ship before being overwhelmed. |
| 355 | ** In the alternate future where Sheppard disappeared, Ronon and [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Todd the Wraith]], of all people, did this in their last stand in one of [[BigBad Michael's]] labs. After they killed all the hybrids, they came within a hairsbreadth of killing each other. At the end, Ronon detonates a C4 planted on the computer core behind them, [[DoNotGoGentle killing them both and all of the hybrids.]] |
| 356 | --->'''Ronon:''' ''[sword at Todd's throat]'' Sorry, force of habit.\ |
| 357 | '''Todd:''' ''[knife pointing towards Ronon's heart]'' Indeed. |
| 358 | ** Topped in "Midway", when Ronon and Teal'c work together to take on a Wraith attack force. To say it's a slaughter is putting it mildly. |
| 359 | * ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'': During the huge Klingon raid on the station at the start of Season 4, Garak and Gul Dukat end up [[TeethClenchedTeamwork very reluctantly]] joining forces in one of these. SnarkToSnarkCombat [[CasualDangerDialogue while under fire]] ensues, which is both hilarious and rather badass. |
| 360 | * ''Series/Willow2022:'' Kit and Elora do this so they can keep watch on Airk and the Gales, but because both of them want to talk to Airk they keep having to awkwardly spin around so the other one can have their turn facing him. |
| 361 | [[/folder]] |
| 362 | |
| 363 | [[folder:Manhua]] |
| 364 | * ''Manhua/RavagesOfTime'': |
| 365 | ** Liaoyuan Huo and Lu Bu teamed up to kill Dong Zhuo, who was one step ahead and ambushed them with a izable force, plus two skilled assassins. By the time reinforcements arrive, all the ambushers are dead. |
| 366 | ** Liaoyun Huo and Sun Ce faced off an army back to back. [[spoiler:Or rather, Liaoyuan Huo and 'Sun Ce', a.k.a. Ling Cao.]] |
| 367 | ** Gan Ning and Huang Zhong against about 5 very pissed off elite generals of Sun clan. And Huang Zhong gets them both out of it with some helps from the sideline and the spirit of camaraderie. |
| 368 | [[/folder]] |
| 369 | |
| 370 | [[folder:Manhwa]] |
| 371 | * ''Manhwa/TheBreaker'': Chun Woo and Shiho in the Koa Tower fight. |
| 372 | * Xing and Tarras from ''Manhwa/WitchHunter'' pull this when they are surrounded by townsfolk being controlled by a Witch. |
| 373 | [[/folder]] |
| 374 | |
| 375 | [[folder:Music]] |
| 376 | * DJ Format, "3 Feet Deep": "Back to back in a pose similar to Jean-Claude" (Van Damme). |
| 377 | * The band, Underdog sings about this in their song, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Back to Back,"]] both metaphorically and literally. |
| 378 | * The former quote at the top of the page comes from a Music/PrettyMaids song, appropriately titled "Back to Back" (which has been covered by Music/{{Hammerfall}}). |
| 379 | [[/folder]] |
| 380 | |
| 381 | [[folder:Pinballs]] |
| 382 | * The backbox translite for Creator/SternPinball's ''[[Pinball/IronManStern Iron Man]]'' shows Iron Man and War Machine in this pose. |
| 383 | [[/folder]] |
| 384 | |
| 385 | [[folder:Professional Wrestling]] |
| 386 | * Former nemeses Wrestling/EddieKingston and [[Wrestling/LarrySweeney "Sweet N Sour" Larry Sweeney]] in the ring during the brawl at the start of the Torneo Cibernetico between Team Wrestling/{{CHIKARA}}[[note]]Kingston/Sweeney[=/=]Wrestling/{{UltraMantis Black}}[=/=]Wrestling/MikeQuackenbush[=/=]Wrestling/{{Jigsaw|Wrestling}}[=/=]Wrestling/{{Hallowicked}}[=/=]Wrestling/{{Icarus|Wrestling}}[=/=][[Wrestling/ShaneStorm STIGMA]][[/note]]-Wrestling/DieBruderschaftDesKreuzes[[note]]Ares[=/=]Wrestling/ClaudioCastagnoli[=/=]Wrestling/{{Tursas}}[=/=]Wrestling/PinkieSanchez[=/=]Tim Donst[=/=]Wrestling/SaraDelRey[=/=]Wrestling/DaizeeHaze[=/=][[Wrestling/HunterJohnston Delirious]][[/note]] at ''CHIKARA The Dark [=Ciberknetico=]'', October 23, 2010. |
| 387 | [[/folder]] |
| 388 | |
| 389 | [[folder:Tabletop Games]] |
| 390 | * In ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' there are is [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=78968 a pair of samurai brothers]] (click in the "Other variations" to see the other card) in the Kamigawa block, who when played at the same time gain bonuses to attack and defence because they are fighting back to back. |
| 391 | * In the Polish RPG ''TabletopGame/{{Neuroshima}}'', there is a system of friendship, with one of the highest levels being named "Let's stand back to back and pull out the guns". |
| 392 | * In the ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' backstory, before [[MessianicArchetype the Emperor]] and his [[TrulySingleParent "son"]] [[SatanicArchetype Horus]] [[CallingTheOldManOut had a falling out]] (resulting in a galaxy-wide civil war) they invoked this when ambushed at Reillis. |
| 393 | * In ''[[TabletopGame/IronKingdoms Warmachine]]'', the Great Bears of Gallowswood from [[GloriousMotherRussia Khador]] are a trio of survivors/good buddies who stick back to back to back and slam into the enemy like a wrecking ball of death. |
| 394 | [[/folder]] |
| 395 | |
| 396 | [[folder:Video Games]] |
| 397 | * In the second preview for ''VideoGame/AnotherCenturysEpisode: R'', there is one between the 3 ''[[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Zeta Gundam]]'' and ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'' mains, each with their counterparts: [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Kamille and Shinn]], [[LawOfChromaticSuperiority Quattro and Athrun]], and [[OlderAndWiser Amuro and Kira]]. And it was [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome awesome]]! |
| 398 | * At least once per mission in ''VideoGame/ArmyOfTwo'', Salem and Rios will go back-to-back when being attacked by waves of enemies. They also gain the advantages of BottomlessMagazines and BulletTime while doing this. |
| 399 | * The title screen of most versions of ''VideoGame/BadDudes'' (including the arcade and NES versions, but not the Japanese Famicom version) shows the dudes {{Fist Pump}}ing back-to-back. |
| 400 | * The titular duo of ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' are this by default, as Kazooie is almost always found in Banjo's backpack. |
| 401 | * ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamKnight'' introduces this as a game-play mechanic, with Batman doing it with: Nighting against Penguin's goons (and in the ''Season of Infamy'' DLC Iron Heights Prisoners), Robin against Harley's goons, and Catwoman against Riddler's robots. There's also a meter slowly filled by combat, once full you can do the "Dual Takedown" allowing you to instantly KO an opponent, and then switch characters. |
| 402 | ** It also features what is probably the most unusual type ever, with Batman (in the Batmobile's [[TankGoodness combat mode]]) doing it with [[spoiler:a giant plant]]. |
| 403 | * VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}} and Jeanne do this a total of three times throughout the game. Once during the introduction, as the plummet toward the ground surrounded by angels. Then again, the Epilogue chapter and in the ending cutscene. |
| 404 | * Bayonetta gets to do this with [[spoiler: her mother, Rosa]] in ''VideoGame/Bayonetta2''. |
| 405 | * ''VideoGame/CaveStory'': During the BrutalBonusLevel, Quote and Curly are strapped to each other's backs (Curly has been [[WorfEffect beaten into submission so many times]] that she can't even walk by the end of the game.) When Quote fires his weapon, Curly fires hers simultaneously in the opposite direction. |
| 406 | * In ''[[VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast]]'', Kyle Katarn and [[TheHero Luke Skywalker]], two powerful Jedi, are prepared to fight back-to-back against any more attacking dark Jedi. There are no more to kill, however. |
| 407 | * The Flexile Sentry in ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII'' is an interesting example because it is pair of creatures conjoined at the waist with the two torsos facing back to back and only one set of legs. |
| 408 | * [[https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/789738371889751761/900242671C029E9BF8CA84DDFCFC1F41D5A80F6D/ Vergil and Dante]] pull this one in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening'', against a huge demon towards the end of the game. Dante tosses Vergil one of his guns, and they do a synchronized, flashy gun-spinning sequence ending with the two back to back, with Vergil holding his pistol sideways over Dante's forming a 90 degree angle and tossing off a one-liner as they blast the demon they're facing. |
| 409 | ** Earlier in the game, [[https://tenor.com/view/lady-dante-dmc-devil-may-cry-gif-11687407 Lady and Dante]] get a Back To Back Badasses moment as well. They do it again during the ending and credits. |
| 410 | ** Three-way version with [[https://tenor.com/view/devil-may-cry-dmc-dmc4-dante-lady-gif-4747565 Dante, Trish, and Lady]] in the bonus ending of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4''. |
| 411 | ** [[spoiler: Dante and Vergil [[https://66.media.tumblr.com/bcf76bef598e267165ce2806a53f9079/tumblr_pr79ww4Tjw1r082vzo1_500.gif once again do this]] in the after-credits scene of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'' while fighting in {{Hell}}.]] |
| 412 | * Dylan and Regina, who had not previously been introduced to each other, end up accidentally backing into one another during the opening RaptorAttack siege in ''VideoGame/DinoCrisis2''. Continuing to fight that way allows them to be two out of only three operatives left standing by the time [[FromBadToWorse a T. rex shows up and chases away the raptor horde]]. |
| 413 | * In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', the Rogue class skill "Back-to-Back" allows the user to briefly perform Back To Back Badasses with any ally. Party members who have this skill can be tactically assigned to do this with specific companions. |
| 414 | * Similar to the ''Franchise/{{Dune}}'' example, in the few cutscenes that show multiple party members, the characters in ''VideoGame/{{Drakengard}}'' will fight in groups of two or three this way. |
| 415 | * The realtime intro of ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors 3'' has Guan Yu and Zhang Fei doing this while encircled by enemies before splitting off to fight said enemies. Bonus points for being customizable and allowing any two members of the cast to do so. |
| 416 | * ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors 8'' also has this in Shu's Hypothetical route during the Capture of Luoyang stage, where Zhang Bao comes to Guan Xing's aid to fight off a horde of {{mooks}}, before Jiang Wei and Ma Dai join in as well. |
| 417 | * ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'': |
| 418 | ** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'' invokes this trope at the start of disc three, when Beatrix and Steiner run out of Alexandria Castle to fight monsters attacking the town. The scene also becomes a [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome CMOA]] for Steiner as he confesses his [[ThePowerOfLove love for Beatrix]] and then [[SuperMode goes into Trance.]] |
| 419 | ** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'' invokes this twice: first, at the end of the opening FMV when Lightning and Caius are battling each other[[note]]The same moment shown in the game's first teaser trailer[[/note]], and later during a cutscene in the Void Beyond, after Serah fights Caius solo. |
| 420 | ** In ''VideoGame/MobiusFinalFantasy'', Wol and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud]] do this in their first meeting, grinning over their shoulders at each other. Then, when they get talking, it turns out that they can't stand each other. |
| 421 | ** In the ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIIRemake'' [[https://assets1.ignimgs.com/thumbs/userUploaded/2019/6/10/e32019-square-enix-final-fantasy-7-remake-screenshot-81-1560216716014.jpg?fit=bounds&width=1280 Cloud and Tifa]] pull this off wonderfully. |
| 422 | * ''Franchise/FireEmblem'': |
| 423 | ** Odd example here: In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade'', there are two characters, Dart (a Pirate/Berserker) and Geitz (a Warrior), who're like blood brothers, and also two of the strongest characters in the game. On the overworld map, if you place them adjacent to one another, their sprites are back-to-back. Whether or not this was intentional or pure coincidence isn't clear. |
| 424 | ** In the finale cutscene of Part 2 of ''VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn'', Ike and Gatrie, [[spoiler: while on a rescue mission rescuing Lucia]], strike this pose for a split second before the two resume their ass kicking of the [[{{Mooks}} Crimean Rebels]]. |
| 425 | * In the ''Game Of Thrones RPG'', the two main characters do this when a squad of guards enter the throne room during the final fight. |
| 426 | * In ''VideoGame/Halo3'', although the gameplay quickly degenerates into "run around and kill all the Flood you can see", the Master Chief and the Arbiter, quite possibly the two most badass characters in the universe, strike this pose after [[spoiler: killing the Prophet of Truth and the Gravemind's]] [[{{Series/Firefly}} sudden but inevitable betrayal]]. |
| 427 | ** Rather {{anticlima|x}}ctic when you consider the thing providing motivation for Chief and Arby making the pose [[EldritchAbomination (Gravemind menacingly surrounding you with dozens of house sized tentacles)]] promptly leaves with no explanation seconds after showing up, leaving them to fight another stream of basic Flood {{mooks}}. |
| 428 | * In ''VideoGame/JakIIRenegade'' and ''VideoGame/Jak3Wastelander'', [[AntiHero Jak]] does this with [[ActionGirl Ashelin]] and [[BadassNormal Sig]]. |
| 429 | * ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' uses this trope very often: |
| 430 | ** Sora & WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}, Sora & [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX Auron]], Sora & Axel, Sora & Riku, and there's also an example of a 3-way back to back with Sora, [[WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck Donald]], and WesternAnimation/{{Goofy}} in the cutscene before the 1000 Heartless battle. |
| 431 | ** A particularly epic example, mixed with ILikeThoseOdds, is done by [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud]] and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII Leon (Squall)]] as they take part in the Battle of 1000 Heartless in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'', with legendary banter preceding the ass-kicking of a swarm of Heartless. |
| 432 | --->'''Leon''': Think you can handle this many?\ |
| 433 | '''Cloud''': Well, might be tough if one more shows up.\ |
| 434 | '''Leon''': Then that'll be the one I take care of.\ |
| 435 | '''Cloud''': What, you're fighting, too? |
| 436 | ** Roxas and Riku also do it in the epilogue of ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts358DaysOver2 358/2 Days]]''. Most of the army of Heartless flees instantly |
| 437 | *** WesternAnimation/{{Mickey|Mouse}} has a literal back to back badasses attack dubbed Holy Burst, where he and another Keyblade user link arms back to back and spin firing Light blasts in all directions. He's done it with Riku, Aqua, and Ven, but notably not Sora (who he rarely if ever helps out directly). |
| 438 | ** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbuM89wfZeQ trailer]] for ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance'' has [[spoiler: Xehanort's Heartless and Xemnas]] doing this as well. |
| 439 | * Although it never actually happens, much of the promotional artwork for the fifth (and so far final) ''VideoGame/LegacyOfKain'' game, ''[[VideoGame/LegacyOfKainDefiance Defiance]]'', featured Kain and Raziel doing this. Also invoked, but again not actually shown, in ''VideoGame/{{Blood Omen 2|LegacyOfKain}}'' when Kain was remembering the backstory of the boss he had just defeated, his former [[TheDragon Dragon]], Magnus. |
| 440 | * This is how Lavitz is introduced in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon''. |
| 441 | * The ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaFourSwordsAdventures'' has a configuration where all the Links under your control stand back-to-back to each other. |
| 442 | * In ''VideoGame/LuminousArc2'', if Roland's paired up with [[spoiler:Fatima]], they go back-to-back [[spoiler:as they cast the powerful Frozen Void spell against [[BigBad Mage Queen Elicia]], which was augmented by the [[ThePowerOfLove Final Bond]] they have together]]. |
| 443 | * Done by Trish and Tron Bonne in the second episodic trailer for ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3'', then again by Zero and Chun-Li in the fourth trailer. |
| 444 | * Your party does this during the cutscene immediately preceding the first rachni attack on Noveria in ''VideoGame/MassEffect1''. Another really subtle example is only obvious if you draw your weapons manually without any enemies in sight: the moment you do so, Shepard's squadmates on both flanks drawn their own weapons and simultaneously turn around to face in the directions Shepard is not watching. |
| 445 | ** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', two entire species, the turians and the krogan, go Back To Back Badasses to push the Reapers back from the turian homeworld in a spectacular showdown that becomes known as the [[CurbStompCushion Miracle at Palaven]]. |
| 446 | * ''VideoGame/MegaManX8'' uses it with its team-up attacks. If you use it outside of a boss room, your two characters stand facing opposite directions blasting everything in sight. If you use it against a boss, they're instead standing side-to-side facing the boss. |
| 447 | * Solid Snake and Raiden do this towards the ending of ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'', with Snake initiating it and Raiden obliging. Carnage ensues. |
| 448 | ** In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots'', Raiden comes to help Snake in a seemingly impossible fight. Even though it's a single player game, it turns to split screen. And it really feels like you are fighting together. |
| 449 | *** Also [[spoiler:Meryl and Johnny Sasaki (Yes, the guy who used to spend the games with crippling diarrhea) doing this in the finale, in a sequence that looks almost like it was taken straight out of ''Mr. And Mrs. Smith''. ]] |
| 450 | *** Which isn't that far off base considering that they [[spoiler: proposed to each other in the very same scene.]] |
| 451 | * [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Samus]] and [[RememberTheNewGuy Anthony Higgs]] do this in one trailer for ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM''. |
| 452 | * In Sub-Zero's Arcade Ladder ending in ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat9 Mortal Kombat (2011)]]'', [[spoiler:Scorpion and Sub-Zero]] become Back To Back Badasses fighting both the [[ProfessionalKiller Lin Kuei]] and the [[BrotherhoodOfEvil Brotherhood of Shadow]] in an epic RoaringRampageOfRevenge after they find out that [[spoiler:both organizations, hand-in-hand, were responsible for their families' deaths]]. |
| 453 | * One of the special missions in ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonExplorers of Sky'' involves [[spoiler:Grovyle and Dusknoir [[EnemyMine working together]] to survive in the bleak future while the main characters are fixing time]]. The two can be seen in this pose in the mission's official artwork. |
| 454 | * Humorous variation in the first trailer for ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombiesGardenWarfare 2'', where Super Brainz and Kernel Corn, two enemies on opposing factions, fire back-to-back at respective enemy {{Mooks}}, both of them unbeknownst to the fact another enemy is standing right behind them. When they realize who's behind them, they simultaneously start firing at each other, returning to business as usual. |
| 455 | * In ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'', your childhood friend and [[TheRival longtime rival]], <INSERT NAME HERE>, challenges you several times throughout the story, usually beats each Gym before you can reach it, and gives the impression of staying one step ahead of you no matter how many times you beat him. But at the end of the main story, as you face down [[BigBad Galactic Commander Cyrus]] and his two main lieutenants, he decides it's time to put rivalry aside, and jumps in for a back-to-back [=2v2=] battle against Mars and Saturn. |
| 456 | ** It's worth mentioning that in every other case where you play [=2v2=], your 'partner' has but a single Pokémon to contribute - and if he goes down, you're left fighting [=1v2=]. TheRival, on the other hand, has a full set of 6 high-level 'mons, including a Munchlax - which only appears in honey trees with an encounter-rate of 0.2%! Damn you, Rival! |
| 457 | * Similarly, in ''VideoGame/PokemonHeartGoldAndSoulSilver'', during the post-game, you and your rival decide to team up to fight Lance and Clair ''for fun'', leading to this happening. Like the case in ''Diamond and Pearl'', your rival will use all his Pokémon so you don't end up hanging should his first one get knocked out. |
| 458 | * ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonVsAceAttorney'': The titular duo does a back-to-back [[MundaneMadeAwesome unnecessarily dramatic]] [[GivingSomeoneThePointerFinger point]] in the courtroom. This is more of a display of intellectual badassery, but it fits the spirit of the trope. Then again, [[VideoGame/ProfessorLayton one of them]] is an accomplished sword fighter/[[{{Macgyvering}} improv weapons maker]], and [[Franchise/AceAttorney the other one]] is a [[MadeOfIron super-resilient]] fighter [[VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3 who has tangled with The Hulk, among others]], so they're not exactly slacking with the physical badassery either. |
| 459 | * The opening sequence of ''[[VideoGame/ProjectXZone Project X Zone 2]]'' has Reiji and Xiaomu and Saya and Sheath do this while engaging in a MexicanStandoff. [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Chrom and Lucina]] also do this in the opening. |
| 460 | * ''VideoGame/PunishingGrayRaven'' has an awesome moment of this between [[spoiler:hero Lucia and rival/evil twin/other self Alpha]] against [[spoiler:the corrupted test subjects of Kurono at Fort Winter]] during the Wintry Shackles saga. |
| 461 | * Despite ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' being back-to-back for a vast majority of the time, this trope isn't usually in effect because, three games aside[[note]]''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime'', ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankAll4One'' and ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFullFrontalAssault''[[/note]], Clank plays the part of AwesomeBackpack and stays out of any ongoing fights. There ''is'' a subtle implication in the cover art for ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction Tools of Destruction]]'', where you can see Clank reacting to the appearance of a {{Space Pirate|s}} while Ratchet remains oblivious. This trope is played the straightest with the Clank Zapper in the second game; Clank remains an AwesomeBackpack, but now electrifies any enemies within range, and also has laser eyes aiming at anyone directly behind Rachet. |
| 462 | * ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'': |
| 463 | ** Leon and Luis in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'', notably the cabin scene were they are tied together. |
| 464 | ** Chris and Jill in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'' "[[https://mcdn.wallpapersafari.com/medium/5/62/qYjdoU.jpg The Lost in Nightmares]]" promo art. |
| 465 | ** VitriolicBestBuds Chris and Leon ''really'' should do this in games, but only [[https://youtu.be/KvMWEsejG2Q?t=190 do so]] briefly in ''Anime/ResidentEvilVendetta''. |
| 466 | ** Leon and Claire on [[https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/keyart_4th_leonclaire_1534761158-7dba.jpg?quality=90&strip=all both]] ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil2Remake'' [[https://d.newsweek.com/en/full/1303791/resident-evil-2-remake-bjdg.jpg?w=1600&h=1600&q=88&f=a618f2b68936c8652bac8beeff05e21c covers]] |
| 467 | * When facing down the World Salvation Committee in ''VideoGame/SandsOfDestruction'', Morte and Agan circle with their backs to each other. None of the other team members pair up with someone to watch their backs; presumably they do because they're familiar with each other's fighting styles due to having been in the Golden Lions together. |
| 468 | * In ''VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland'' Smirk brags about the time he and the Swordmaster fought back-to-back against overwhelming odds. |
| 469 | * Date Masamune and his right-hand man Kojuro from ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'' tend to do this a lot. This is because Masamune's blind in one eye, so it's Kojuro's job to take care of his blind spot. |
| 470 | * ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'': Sonic, Shadow, and Silver in [[http://web.archive.org/web/20120512095541/http://static.blogstorage.hi-pi.com/photos/nextgensonic360.blog.jeuxvideo.com/images/gd/1150618668/sonic-shadow-c-est-silver-ou-blase-c-est-blase-ok.jpg this promotional art]] for ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''. |
| 471 | * ''VideoGame/StrongBadsCoolGameForAttractivePeople'' has a GameWithinAGame known as ''Math Kickers featuring the [=AlgeBros=]''. The title characters, Dex and Ryu, spend the whole game back-to-back. Dex is able to defeat ninjas on his side, while Ryu can spawn additional ninjas on his side; if an equal number of ninjas are on both sides, they are all defeated. They finally part from one another to tackle stage bosses, which are just polynomial equations |
| 472 | * [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros The Mario Brothers.]] The M&L games have them almost back-to-back. Sometimes they end up just beating EACH OTHER up for unexplained reasons. But, they gang up on you in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros SSB]]'', don't they? [[http://lastscionz.deviantart.com/art/Enter-the-Mushroom-Kingdom-161439329 As illustrated]]... |
| 473 | * Meta Knight and Marth do this at one point in the Subspace Emissary part of ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' when surrounded by a horde of enemy [[{{Mooks}} Primids.]] |
| 474 | ** Similarly, Zero Suit Samus and Pikachu are assailed by two dark copies of Samus's Power Suit on a recently isolated platform. The scene ends with the dark suits facing the two, who have gotten into this kind of pose. |
| 475 | * In the opening video to ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'', Luke and Natalia do this while surrounded by a squad of [[spoiler:Kimlascan]] soldiers. |
| 476 | * ''VideoGame/TalesOfLegendia'' has a VictoryPose with Senel and Chloe where they end up back to back, shouting "We Never Lose!" |
| 477 | * This seems to be the preferred state of existence for Flynn and Yuri in ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia.'' They do it on the game cover, promotional artwork, the cover of ''First Strike'', standing up in-game, sitting down in-game... |
| 478 | * In ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'''s Mann vs. Machine promotional video, we have a circular back-to-back (a la ''[[Film/TheAvengers2012 Avengers]]'') between [[spoiler: the RED and BLU mercs]]. |
| 479 | ** In the comic [[http://www.teamfortress.com/tf02_unhappy_returns/ Unhappy Returns]], Saxton Hale is shown to have fought dangerous wildlife with his ImpliedLoveInterest Maggie, and they do this trope while facing off numerous panthers. Bonus points for being Australian, as all Australians in-universe are badasses due to [[TestosteronePoisoning Australium radiation]]. |
| 480 | * ''VideoGame/TearsToTiara2'' has Monomachus and Enneads in the opening movie surrounded and preparing to kick ass. |
| 481 | * Heihachi and Kazuya Mishima in the ''VideoGame/Tekken5'' intro movie, until Kazuya betrays Heihachi. |
| 482 | * ''VideoGame/UnchartedDrakesFortune'' has this when [[spoiler: Nate and Eddy are ambushed by the descendants and you have to fight them off together]]. |
| 483 | -->[[spoiler:'''Eddy:''' ''"Drake, if we don't make it out of this, I just want you to know, I hate your guts!"'']] |
| 484 | -->[[spoiler:'''Nate:''' ''"Likewise pal, NOW LET'S DO THIS!"'']] |
| 485 | * This one from ''VideoGame/WildArms5'' is of the LimitBreak variety: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phwEYh2Ous8&feature=related "Trigger Rondo!"]] |
| 486 | * Sufficiently skilled players that are platooned together in ''VideoGame/WorldOfTanks'' will sometimes do this when they enter the enemy cap circle. The reason is because they know that the enemy will respond, or lose to capping. But, if the enemy player so chooses, they just can just reset the capture progress until the match ends in a draw. Putting the weakest section of the tanks together so that the less vulnerable side and strong front are the only things available to shoot is the best way to ensure that even if the other guy gets a shot off, and resets, he will not get away unscathed. This was demonstrated by WebVideo/TheMightyJingles in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lWpX956yoY Random Acts of Violence #36]]. |
| 487 | [[/folder]] |
| 488 | |
| 489 | [[folder:Visual Novels]] |
| 490 | * The FinalBattle in ''VisualNovel/FateHollowAtaraxia'' ends in a massive battle between the protagonists and an unlimited number of shadow-wolf-things, swarming and blanketing the entire city. Assassin and Kuzuki Souichirou fights back-to-back at ground-level, surrounded by hundreds, and eventually thousands, of shadows. |
| 491 | * Angela and Arata do this at one point in ''VisualNovel/PrincessWaltz''. Not only does this wind up looking awesome, but given the genre, this is also where Angela's respect for him jumps up considerably and provides the bridge to a possible relationship later. In short, this woman apparently finds being badass a turn on. |
| 492 | [[/folder]] |
| 493 | |
| 494 | [[folder:Web Animation]] |
| 495 | * Occurs in the ''WebAnimation/CastleSeries'' as the team is escaping the RoomFullOfCrazy that is the Orb Room. |
| 496 | * Samus and Master Chief in ''WebAnimation/{{Haloid}}''. Though they're only back-to-back for a brief moment. |
| 497 | * ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'': |
| 498 | ** North and South do this when they're surrounded on the oilrig. |
| 499 | ** In the early seasons, Sarge and Caboose did this when fighting the Battle Creek Zealots. |
| 500 | ** Carolina and Maine do this during the battle on the freeway. Maine started it by intentionally taking a bullet to the chest for Carolina, and ''then'' joining the brawl. |
| 501 | ** In season 8, [[spoiler:[[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Carolina]], [[OnlySaneMan Wash]], [[TheNeidermeyer Sarge]], [[ProfessionalButtKisser Simmons]], [[ButtMonkey Grif]], [[AmbiguouslyGay Donut]], [[LovableSexManiac Tucker]], and [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass Caboose]] do this against an army of Tex drones]]. |
| 502 | [[/folder]] |
| 503 | |
| 504 | [[folder:Webcomics]] |
| 505 | %%* In ''Webcomic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja'', Dr. McNinja [[InvokedTrope invokes]] this trope [[http://drmcninja.com/archives/comic/17p77 here.]] |
| 506 | %%* Cyborg_572 and Sarge in Game 12 of ''Comic fur Werewolf'' had this [[spoiler: in their death scene picture]], and it was quite awesome. |
| 507 | * Hideki and Kazuhiro's dynamic action duo in ''Webcomic/FourCorners'', more specifically at [[http://fourcorners.smackjeeves.com/comics/1954559/ch1p15/ page 15.]] In addition the comic supplies back-to-back badassery with (slowly but surely) a pinch of [[BattleCouple more than just bromance.]] |
| 508 | * ''Webcomic/TheFourth'' brings us [[http://thefourthcomic.com/?comic=panel-2-that-is-the-lamest-thing-skarva-has-ever-heard this strip]] of Skärva and Derk preparing for a fight in this literal pose. Also doubles as a LetsGetDangerous moment. |
| 509 | * Gil and [[MagnificentBastard Tarvek]] in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' have been depicted in cover art as pulling this off. However, [[CoversAlwaysLie the volume ended before they even met]]. |
| 510 | ** Agatha and Gil have also done this when they were battling Slaver Wasps in Castle Wulfenbach. |
| 511 | ** A [[https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20070817 flashback of Carson's]] shows Bill and Barry Heterodyne in this position. |
| 512 | * ''Webcomic/OnePunchMan'' has a scene where Genos and Tatsumaki stand back-to-back work together to fight Black Sperm's trillions of cells. |
| 513 | * In ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'', during a fight with Sea-Trolls, Elan and Hinjo stand like this.[[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0506.html]] |
| 514 | ** And V and Durkon do it in the very next strip. |
| 515 | %%* [[http://www.i-mockery.com/pixelpals/default.php?issue=32 Lampshaded]] in ''Pixel Pals''. |
| 516 | %%* ''Webcomic/PlushAndBlood'': Fox and Gray do a little of this early in the first arc. |
| 517 | * ''Webcomic/SleeplessDomain'': The [[https://www.sleeplessdomain.com/comic/chapter-9-page-4 cover page]] of Chapter 9 shows main characters Undine and Heartful Punch standing back-to-back, both ready for battle, as [[MakingASplash water swirls around them]] courtesy of Undine. |
| 518 | * ''Webcomic/{{Unsounded}}'': Lemuel and Duane fight back to back, warrior and wright, at points in battle against the Foi-Hellick rebels. They are depicted standing as such in the middle of battle on the [[https://www.casualvillain.com/Unsounded/comic/ch14/ch14_01.html chapter 14 cover.]] |
| 519 | [[/folder]] |
| 520 | |
| 521 | [[folder:Web Videos]] |
| 522 | * Marth and Fox in ''WebVideo/ThereWillBeBrawl''. Made more awesome in that they had been on opposing sides of the law (Marth was a cop, Fox a criminal), and this had marked Marth's FaceHeelTurn. |
| 523 | [[/folder]] |
| 524 | |
| 525 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 526 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Arcane}}'': Vi goes back to back with Jinx against the Firelights and later with Jayce when they bust a Shimmer plant. |
| 527 | * ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': Main characters Zuko and Aang are about to face the potential threat of the firebending masters, and they don't know whether or not they will assist or attack them. They invoke this {{trope}} to be on the safe side. Turns out to be a good idea, since the masters are two great big dragons, although they do not attack. |
| 528 | ** Also inverted in an earlier episode, when Zuko and Jet are battling each other, they end up with their backs to each other, each turning and trying to get around the other's defense. |
| 529 | ** Played straight with Zuko and Katara in the gaang's training session right before the GrandFinale. |
| 530 | ** Zuko and Iroh also do it while preparing to [[strike: face off against]] [[Awesome/AvatarTheLastAirbender lay the smackdown on half a dozen seasoned earthbenders.]] |
| 531 | ** In "[[Recap/AvatarTheLastAirbenderTheBlueSpirit The Blue Spirit]]," Aang and the Blue Spirit have to fight back-to-back. |
| 532 | * ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'': In "Out Of The Past", Terry and Bruce, newly-rejuvenated by the Lazarus pit, take on [[spoiler:Ra's and]] Talia Al Ghul's mooks this way, all accompanied by the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' theme. |
| 533 | * In ''WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce'' anytime that Kevin and Ben's surrounded by a hoard of DN Aliens, or other multiple foes. |
| 534 | * Interesting variation in ''WesternAnimation/Castlevania2017'', Trevor stands back to back with Sypha to support her as she pushes back {{Dracula}}'s Dark Inferno back at him. |
| 535 | * ''WesternAnimation/CodeLyoko'''s Yumi and Ulrich do this trope often. |
| 536 | * ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'': In "Prisoners of Love," [[EnemyMine Danny and Skulker]] against Walker's prison guards. Also occurs briefly in "Pirate Radio," with Danny and Dash battling a group of... well, pirate ghosts. |
| 537 | * Jack and the Scotsman pull this one every time the Scotsman shows up on ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack''. Also the Spartan King. |
| 538 | * ''WesternAnimation/GeneratorRex'': Rex himself actually says this word-for-word and invokes this when he and his enemy Van Kleis are fighting sand monsters in the middle of a nanite-destroying zone. |
| 539 | -->'''Van Kleis:''' Before we are totally devoid of nanites we need to end this now, together!\ |
| 540 | '''Rex:''' Back to back!\ |
| 541 | '''Van Kleis:''' What!?\ |
| 542 | '''Rex:''' Haven't you ever read a comic book? Back to back! |
| 543 | * In the final episode of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited'', Lex Luthor and Batman wound up doing this together while fighting Darkseid's army. Earlier in the episode it was Batman's suggestion Lex be allowed to fight alongside them to defend against Darkseid. |
| 544 | ** This is a deeply awesome scene. Also points for: |
| 545 | --->[Batman runs out of batarangs.] |
| 546 | --->'''Luthor:''' [[GunsAkimbo Take my extra.]] |
| 547 | --->'''Batman:''' [[DoesntLikeGuns Not my style.]] |
| 548 | --->'''Luthor:''' Suit yourself. I'm planning to live through this. |
| 549 | * ''WesternAnimation/LegionOfSuperHeroes2006'' had Timber Wolf and Lightning Lad do this in the second episode against [[EvilutionaryBiologist Dr. Londo's]] robots and mutated animals. They ended up switching battle partners with Lightning Lad taking care of the robots and Timber Wolf dealing with the animals. |
| 550 | * Link and Zelda in the first episode of the obscure ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989'' cartoon. Although such a thing seemed implausible since they were tied together, which would normally weaken their fighting. |
| 551 | * Subverted in ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', as the protagonists are accosted by a small army of changelings. Twilight Sparkle and Applejack back up against each other and rear up, and it looks like they're about to kick some serious faerie butt [[spoiler: until "Twilight" changes back into a changeling]]. |
| 552 | -->'''Applejack:''' [[LampshadeHanging Okay, this is just gettin' weird!]] |
| 553 | * ''Franchise/StarWars'': |
| 554 | ** ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsCloneWars'': In "[[Recap/StarWarsCloneWarsS1E2Chapter2 Chapter 2]]", Shaak Ti briefly pulls this with one of [[MechaMooks Grievous' droids]]. An aversion, actually, since she promptly turns around and uses him (it?) as a human (droid?) shield... |
| 555 | ** ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'': In "[[Recap/StarWarsTheCloneWarsS2E5LandingAtPointRain Landing at Point Rain]]", Anakin and Ahsoka stand back-to-back to fend off the blasterfire from a pair of droidekas atop the fortress wall. |
| 556 | * ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'': In "Nobody's Fool", Leonardo and Michelangelo do this to face off against the [[WonderTwinPowers superpowered duo]] of Mr. Touch and Mr. Go. |
| 557 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Teen Titans|2003}}'': |
| 558 | ** Robin and [[spoiler:Slade]] against Trigon's demonic army. |
| 559 | ** Also seen with Robin and Red X against Professor Chang's goons. |
| 560 | ** The reason he doesn't do this with his actual ''friends'' is that only his enemies have similar enough fighting styles to make it work. |
| 561 | ** In "[[Recap/TeenTitansS4E2CyborgTheBarbarian Cyborg The Barbarian]]", Cyborg and ancient tribe leader Sarasim meeting for the first time has them fending off the monster horde side-by-side. |
| 562 | * In the ''WesternAnimation/Thundercats2011'' episode "Old Friends" Captains Grune and Panthro do this while quite unfazed by the long odds against them on a battlefield full of their [[{{Lizardfolk}} Lizard]] enemies |
| 563 | -->'''Grune:''' If y'wanna make it ta general, you'll have to do better than that.\ |
| 564 | '''Panthro:''' *laughs* I'm [[BodyCountCompetition eleven lizards ahead]] a' you Captain!\ |
| 565 | '''Grune:''' *swings his mace, hitting two Lizards, laughs* Make that nine! |
| 566 | * This happens in the two-part Season 2 finale of ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' with Optimus Prime and Megatron fighting back to back against Starscream's [[spoiler:clone army]]... until Megatron grabs Prime in his hands and starts using him as a shield. |
| 567 | * ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'': |
| 568 | ** Optimus and Ratchet against a whole army of zombie Decepticons. 3 guesses who won. |
| 569 | ** Another example, though a little bizarre, thanks to the episodes MacGuffin, Arcee and Bulkhead are [[ChainedHeat stuck together]] back to back. |
| 570 | ** [[ArchEnemy Breakdown and Bulkhead]] perform this after Bulkhead frees Breakdown from a human terrorist organization that intends to rip him apart and study Transformers. |
| 571 | ** And pulled for a fourth time, with Optimus and [[spoiler: Megatron]] while fighting [[spoiler: inside of Unicron]]. |
| 572 | * Subverted in ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros'' in the episode "Tag Sale -- You're It!" Dr. Orpheus tries to invoke this when the villains run amok at Dr. Venture's yard sale. Venture, however, wants no part of the chaos and goes inside his house. |
| 573 | * In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}'', Evangelyne and Remington (who were, up until that point, fighting each other -- mostly to a stalemate) pulled this off when they were surrounded by zombies. It was almost immediately subverted as they were quickly and easily overwhelmed and captured. |
| 574 | * Faragonda and Griffin in ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'' get such a moment when the Trix invade Alfea. |
| 575 | [[/folder]] |
| 576 | |
| 577 | [[folder:Real Life]] |
| 578 | * According to the photographer, [[https://jack-13.deviantart.com/art/I-Got-Your-Back-488139157 these two wolves]], after being startled by an engine backfiring nearby. |
| 579 | [[/folder]] |
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