Line #102 Main/RespectedByTheRespected


1	->''"When I come callin', the devil still answers with 'sir'."''
2	-->-- '''Wrestling/TheUndertaker'''
3
4	When writers want to hint at the true extent of a recently introduced character's power or influence [[ShowDontTell without going into detail about it]], they instead have already established and respected characters address them in a deferential manner. After all, if a well-known badass treats this person with the utmost respect, so should everyone else if they know what's good for them. Done too blatantly, however, it may come across as CharacterShilling.
5
6	Does not include regimented forms of address, such as when speaking to someone higher in the [[UsefulNotes/CommonRanks chain of command]]: a badass private may refer to a general as "sir", but that doesn't automatically mean the latter is a FourStarBadass. VillainCred is a subtrope limited to {{Villains}}. Compare also TheKnightsWhoSaySquee, where younger heroes seek to emulate their older idols, WellDoneSonGuy or SoProudOfYou, where a character strives to be respected by the ones they respect. Compare/contrast TheDreaded (who is defined by the ''fear'' everyone else shows of them), DontCallMeSir (when the man who is being called "sir" wishes to be treated less professionally), and TheyCallMeMisterTibbs (when the man ''demands'' to be called "sir" as a show of respect).
7
8	Compare HorrifyingTheHorror.
9	----
10	!!Examples
11
12	[[foldercontrol]]
13
14	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
15	* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}''
16	** After Chojiro Sasakibe, vice-captain to Head Captain Yamamoto, [[spoiler:is killed by the Vandenreich]], Byakuya Kuchiki, a highly skilled and respected captain who tends to be dismissive of most people, expresses respect for Chojiro's UndyingLoyalty to Yamamoto, particularly staying at his post and refusing to become a captain [[spoiler:despite being able to use Bankai]].
17	** When a member of the [[PraetorianGuard Zero Squad]] reveals that she set foot in [[MadScientist Mayuri Kurotsuchi's]] lab without permission, Mayuri simply takes it. Considering that he previously hadn't hesitated to unapologetically defend taking extreme measures without Yamamoto's position while also calling Yamamoto out on failing to deal with the Quincies, this goes to show that the Zero Squad are no ordinary captains.
18	* In ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'', the present events in the series showed Kyojuro was very respected by his Hashira colleagues, to the point that after [[spoiler:his death]] other Hashira expressed how much of an exemplary Hashira he was. The special oneshot chapter made by Gotouge after the series ended, detailing the days shortly before Kyojuro became a Hashira by killing a Lower-Two Kizuki, showed the Hashira at the time didn't think much of him when Kyojuro was just a Hashira candidate, so he had to build up the reputation he has in the main story.
19	* In ''Manga/FairyTail'', the eponymous guild gets a request for help from Warrod, one of the top Wizard Saints and a founding member of the guild along with Makarov's father. Makarov, himself a Wizard Saint and the current Master of Fairy Tail, knows what an important and respected person Warrod is, and immediately realizes that failure is no option.
20	* ''Manga/FoodWars'': Joichiro Saiba is very much this to everyone who knows him within the culinary world. These include Tootsuki Dean Senzaemon Nakiri (the head of a powerful and influential family), his granddaughter Erina (who at age 15 is already a prodigy chef), Erina's father Azami (who holds a lot of power and influence in the culinary world), and Gin Doujima (head chef of Totsuki Resort and a member of the board of directors).
21	* In ''Manga/{{Gamma}}'', the world's current top superheroine, Puella Magi Mika, comes running when Yuri Kitajishi -- ostensibly a muggle--gives her a call, and she even salutes her--because Yuri is actually Lily Cure, the retired top superheroine of ''all times'' and Mika's former mentor. Later on, the alien hero Mighty Blow's strength is hinted at when the freaking zoo ''lions'' bow to him out of their own volition.
22	* Hayate Yagami from ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' is the single most powerful mage in the multiverse and a highly decorated military officer, yet she always defers to her former mentor and commanding officer [[NonActionGuy Genya Nakajima]] when they interact (despite the fact that she, a Lieutenant Colonel, has long since outranked him, a Major).
23	* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', when Tsunade introduces Naruto to the Great Toad Sage Fukasaku, she addresses Fukasaku with the extremely respectful "-sama" honorific, a show of courtesy she shows to hardly anyone. Despite normally being somewhat tolerant of Naruto's less-than-respectful behavior toward her, Tsunade tells him to mind his manners around Fukasaku.
24	* ''Manga/OnePiece'': During the early stages of the Summit War of Marineford, Luffy walks up to Whitebeard, widely acknowledged to be the WorldsStrongestMan, and tells him to his face that [[ToBeAMaster he will become the Pirate King]]. Whitebeard is [[RefugeInAudacity mildly amused]] by his attitude and tells [[NumberTwo Marco]] to make sure Luffy doesn't get himself killed after watching him [[MegatonPunch knock down a giant]] while screaming at Ace that [[DeclarationOfProtection he intends to rescue him]] even if he dies. Though Whitebeard seems disappointed that Luffy [[LeeroyJenkins recklessly tries to fight the Admirals alone and nearly dies for it]], he changes his tune after Luffy [[spoiler:uses [[AwesomenessIsAForce Conqueror's Haki]]]]; at this point, he orders all of his allies to back up Luffy with everything they've got, before [[spoiler:ordering them to ensure both Luffy and Ace escape Marineford alive after the latter is released, fully expecting Luffy to become one of the flagbearers of the New Age]].
25	[[/folder]]
26
27	[[folder:Comic Books]]
28	* ComicBook/CaptainAmerica is frequently seen this way in the Marvel universe. Cap himself sees {{ComicBook/Daredevil}} in the same light.
29	* ''Franchise/TheFlash'': Jay Garrick, the first Flash, is one of the more respected of DC's heroes. How much so? Batman will call him "sir".
30	* ''ComicBook/Hitman1993'': Played for comedy when Tommy ends up facing most of the Justice League who want him off the station right now because he's well, a hitman. Then Superman shows up and warmly greets him (in an earlier issue, Tommy had ended up giving Superman a pep talk, leaving Superman unaware of Tommy's profession).
31	* ''ComicBook/ThePunisher'':
32	** While he's far from well-liked by the Superhero community, in fact both [[AllLovingHero Spider-Man and Captain America]] actually ''hate'' him. He is well-respected by certain well-respected individuals.
33	** The most obvious example is Nick Fury, the director of ComicBook/{{SHIELD}}. He even said that while he can't approve of what Frank Castle does, he ''can'' respect it. He even respects and trusts Frank to act as his potential successor as the ''Man on the Wall'', the One Man AncientOrderOfProtectors for humanity and Earth.
34	** Thor, Prince of Asgard and GodOfThunder, has actually expressed his respect to Frank in person. He did this while every other member of the Avengers was trying to arrest him, Thor instead used this opportunity to talk to Frank face to face.
35	** During the "ComicBook/WarOfTheRealms", The Goddess and Queen of Asgard Feyja directly told Frank that Captain America didn't like Frank, but he did respect him. After a brief talk between Feyja and Castle about [[IDidWhatIHadToDo making hard choices and doing what needs to be done]], she said that she now knew why others feared him, but she also said he now has her and all of Asgard's respect. After said war, Frank has seemly gained the respect of the [[OurElvesAreDifferent Light Elves of Alfheim]], likely after arming them with guns and leading them (Queen included) into battle. In ComicBook/Thor2020, Queen Aelsa (Queen of the Light Elves) was actually hoping that Frank would be the one to represent Midgard/Earth in their after-war celebration.
36	* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': While Spider-Man is regularly subjected to DudeWheresMyRespect, those who do respect him, are some of ''the'' most respected heroes in the world.
37	** ComicBook/CaptainAmerica admires and respects Peter's dedication to heroism, especially with (or likely ''because of'') how he started at such a [[KidHero young age]]. Through the years Steve Rogers has had some problems and arguments with some other big named heroes, Spider-Man is one of the exceptions to this. As Cap once said (in ''Captain America/Iron Man'' #5) to a FallenHero trying to pull off some EngineeredHeroics:
38	--->Every second of every day is a chance to '''prove yourself''', kid. Not everyone is cut out for [[{{Superhero}} this line of work]]. Not everyone with a power has the necessary sense of '''[[ComesGreatResponsibility responsibility]]'''. There's a young man I could have introduced you to. You spend the day with him, you'd understand. Between the jokes and the swinging around, you'd understand.
39	** For all of [[ComicBook/IronMan Tony's]] arrogance, he knows that being a {{Superhero}} is serious and not something to be taken lightly, and he considers Spider-Man to be everything a Hero should be.
40	** During ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManJMichaelStraczynski, when Peter was slowly dying and the heroes were desperately looking for a way to save him, King T'Challa, the ComicBook/BlackPanther, brought him to Wakanda to see what could be done. They couldn't find anything, so T'Challa's last resort was to allow Peter to consume the Heart-Shaped Herb. T'Challa considered Peter worthy of it, and described him as a "Warrior with the Soul of a King".
41	** If being respected by a LivingLegend and an actual King wasn't enough, Spider-Man is respected by even ComicBook/TheMightyThor himself. During the ComicBook/WarOfTheRealms, Thor had Spider-Man join the League of Realms to represent Midgard/Earth, when Spidey questioned him about it, Thor happily described Spider-Man as the most Midgardian person that he knew. Thor even said that this was the highest compliment he can give to someone. Thor would express his respects years earlier in "ComicBook/EndsOfTheEarth". When the UN dismissed Spider-Man's warnings about Octavius, Thor stepped in to make them listen.
42	--->'''Thor''': I am Thor Odinson, heir to the lord of Asgard, and this man is my most trusted counsel.
43	* ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'': When ComicBook/{{Superman}} wants to make his cousin's existence public in "ComicBook/TheUnknownSupergirl", he says the whole world that Kara is as powerful and reliable as him, and she can be trusted to protect Earth in his absence.
44	[[/folder]]
45
46	[[folder:Fan Works]]
47	* ''Fanfic/TwiceUponAnAge'': The Lord Inquisitor himself drops to one knee almost immediately when he meets Flemeth. [[spoiler:ItMakesSenseInContext, because the Lord Inquisitor is a Dalish elf, and Flemeth is the host body of the elven goddess Mythal.]]
48	* In the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' of FanFic/RealityChecksNyxverse, Twilight Sparkle's father Night Light, during a tirade against an especially annoying reporter, delivers a BadassBoast listing all the accomplishments of his son and daughter and the various special ponies ''they'' are involved with, and finishes up with "...and every one of them calls me '''SIR!'''"
49	* In ''Fanfic/TheParselmouthOfGryffindor'', Hermione, by Dumbledore, Nicolas Flamel, and many more.
50	* After coming in second place at the Indigo Conference and becoming an Elite Four trainee, Ash Ketchum in ''Fanfic/{{Traveler}}'' is greeted with outright awe by Tate and Liza and deep respect by Flannery. About the only gym leader who doesn't show him any respect is Clair.
51	* The Unknown Parahuman in ''Fanfic/MrFixit'' has a perpetual Endbringer Truce declared on him by both the Empire-88 and ABB due to him only responding to Endbringer battles and helping with other S Class threats, along with being the single most dedicated Search and Rescue member at any one of those events. More than one hero and villain refers to him as a legend and a shining example due to his willingness to go to every Endbringer battle since he triggered[[note]]Most capes go to at least one, very few go to a second, and almost none ever go to a third[[/note]] and refusal to even acknowledge how much good he's done. The man himself, Greg Veder, [[HumbleHero just sees it as doing his duty and doesn't even consider himself a hero or veteran of the battles]]. According to an {{omake}}, this caused the Simurgh to single him out at Canberra due to [[GreenEyedMonster Eidolon being jealous that other people respected the Unknown Parahuman so much]].
52	[[/folder]]
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54	[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
55	* In a CutSong from ''Film/LittleShopOfHorrors'' called "I'm Bad", Audrey II boasts that the Film/BrideOfFrankenstein calls him "Mr. Audrey Sir".
56	* In TheEmperor's first appearance in the ''Franchise/StarWars'' saga, Darth Vader--who had been the scariest bad guy until then--''kneels'' to take a phone call from his "master".
57	* In a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q-hLyUZS9E deleted scene]] from ''Film/WeWereSoldiers'', a group of soldiers are discussing their new assignment when one of them mentions the Sergeant Major they'll be working under is Sergeant Plumley. One of them recognizes the name and launches into a story about when he was a new recruit he served under a badass SergeantRock that was CoveredInScars, a double Medal of Honor awardee, who effortlessly humiliated an EnsignNewbie who tried to dress him down. He then reveals that said sergeant wasn't Plumley but was a guy who worked under Plumley... and was scared absolutely shitless of Plumley.
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59
60	[[folder:Literature]]
61	* The first person to whom we see Harry Dresden, the protagonist of ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', show genuine deference is his mentor Ebenezar [=McCoy=]. Detective Murphy is downright ''shocked'' [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness to hear the habitually irreverent Harry call him "Sir."]] Much of this is because Ebenezar was a father figure to him, but he is also one of the most powerful wizards around, becoming a member of the Senior Council the first time the readers are introduced to him.
62	* In ''Literature/HeLoverOfDeath'', Senka watches the [[IdleRich ineffectual dandy]] he robbed earlier casually grill the huge constable who is keeping the entire WretchedHive of Khitrovka in terror and realizes just how deep in trouble he is when the constable displays nothing but head-bowing humility in front of him. The "dandy", of course, turns out to be the series' [[GreatDetective overarching protagonist]], Literature/ErastFandorin.
63	* In ''Literature/{{Jingo}}'', a general of the Klatchian Army is surrounded by [[BloodKnight D'regs]] and asks Carrot, who's leading them, [[WhyIsntItAttacking why they haven't already attacked]]. Carrot explains that he asked them not to attack because Commander Vimes wouldn't like it. The general promptly surrenders, telling an aide who questions him that "This man can make water run uphill, and ''he'' has a commander!"
64	* In Henry Lion Oldie's short story "The Last One" (later incorporated as a chapter into the 1992 novel ''The Road''), a futuristic martial arts competition is interrupted when a younger contestant insults an old one-armed Japanese spectator, prompting every black belt in the attendance, including the contest judges, to jump to the old man's defense. It turns out the latter is actually Gohen Miyagi, a legendary OldMaster who trained most of said black belts, and whose arm was amputated after he used it to break through the supposedly impenetrable DeflectorShields protecting competitors from serious injury and to kill his opponent in a contest for insulting ''his'' own teacher earlier.
65	* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'': The Fused all have unique titles, and they tend to give out titles to minions who they respect, even a little. There are three notable people in book 4, however, who seem to be especially respected by them: [[spoiler: Navani]], who receives the title [[spoiler: "Voice of Lights"]] despite being an enemy of the Fused; [[spoiler: Vyre, whose title previously belonged to a Fused, and is a human to boot]], and Kaladin Stormblessed, who [[spoiler: is not only the first person to kill [[TheDreaded Lezian the Pursuer]] [[HorrifyingTheHorror twice]], but informs him that his new title is the Defeated One; a title that the other Fused ''accepted'' as Lezian's new title. [[RussianReversal In Soviet Russia, human gives title to Fused]].]]
66	* Towards the end of ''Literature/WatershipDown'', [[BigBad General Woundwort]] goes up against [[TheBigGuy Bigwig]], who pulls off a "YouShallNotPass" because "My Chief Rabbit has ordered me to hold you here." This is a major OhCrap moment for Woundwort... and yet this says more about him than about Bigwig's Chief Rabbit because Woundwort lacks the imagination to realise that there might be more to who's in charge of a warren than [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership mere physical prowess]]; Bigwig could handily mop the floor with Hazel in a straight-up fight, but Hazel won his (initially somewhat grudging) respect with his [[GuileHero charisma and quick thinking]].
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69	[[folder:Live-Action Television]]
70	* In ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' Dean, who will give lip to demons, angels, and even ''Satan'' with no fear at all, and who has no problem facing any monster with a smug smirk and utter contempt, balks at even the thought of being rude to Death:
71	-->'''Death:''' Shut up, Dean.\
72	'''Dean:''' Yessir.
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75	[[folder:Music]]
76	* It is said of the title character of the Music/JimCroce song "Bad Bad Leroy Brown" that
77	-->All the downtown ladies call him "Treetop Lover"\
78	All the men just call him "Sir"
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80
81	[[folder:Video Games]]
82	* In ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', Bang Shishigami is ([[TheFool perhaps]] [[LargeHam rightly]]) treated as a joke by every other character... except for Hakumen (who is a legendary hero from the past... future... [[GroundhogDayLoop it's complicated]]), who has nothing but praise for Bang's idealism and heroic spirit.
83	** In ''VideoGame/BlazBlueCrossTagBattle'', Hakumen and Nine the Phantom are dismissive of most characters but they seem to like [[WebAnimation/{{RWBY}} Weiss Schnee]], giving advice and encouragement to the rookie Huntress with something to prove. Hakumen also respects [[VideoGame/{{Persona 4}} Yu Narukami]] for his idealism and protectiveness towards others.
84	* ''VideoGame/DoomEternal'': Even the Doom Slayer himself kneels in respect to King Novik.
85	* After the [[spoiler:five-year]] TimeSkip in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'', all of your now-former students still refer to [[PlayerCharacter Byleth]] (a common-born mercenary who got lucky to score a teaching job at a MilitaryAcademy) as Professor/Sensei -- even those who have become generals, kings, and emperors in the meantime. Shortly before [[WhamEpisode the mission in the Holy Tomb]], one monastery NPC warns you that if you get on your students' bad sides, they could easily ruin your career, before adding that the students clearly respect you too much to do that.
86	* Master Chief, the protagonist of the ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' series, is addressed as "sir" by other marines--which wouldn't raise any eyebrows, since they're in the military... except [[FridgeBrilliance Master Chief Petty Officer is a non-commissioned rank]], and noncoms are ''never'' addressed as 'sir' unless the speaker does so to show a special form of respect, which Master Chief deserves and then some.
87	** The scene that cements this occurs in ''VideoGame/Halo4'' when the Chief, explicitly against the orders of Captain Del Rio, heads to a launch bay on the ''Infinity'' to take a Pelican and go after the Didact. While Del Rio is blaring orders over the PA system for the crew to stop John-117, not only do they not do so, they snap to attention and ''salute'' him as he walks by. Needless to say, non-coms aren't normally saluted, but the Master Chief is, by ship's crew, Marines, other Spartans, enlisted, non-coms, and ''officers''. While he is, officially, [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight engaging in mutiny]].
88	* In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'':
89	** James Vega breaks regs by saluting Shepard and addressing him/her by rank as a show of respect, despite Shepard currently being suspended awaiting CourtMartial and thus rating neither rank nor salute. This is {{lampshaded}} by Shepard. That said, this is just at the beginning of the game. Later on, he's a bit less deferential, which he explains is because while he ''does'' genuinely respect Shepard, he also knows [=s/he=] is still just human.
90	--->'''Shepard:''' Not supposed to call me [commander] anymore, James.
91	--->'''Vega:''' Not supposed to salute you, either.
92	** In the same game, Garrus Vakarian doesn't really have an official rank, but he's the turians' Reaper expert and their generals salute him and look to him for advice and instructions.
93	** Urdnot Wrex (provided he's still alive), the leader of the krogan and widely viewed as their greatest warrior, is Shepard's close friend and treats them as a warrior deserving of the utmost respect. This in turn leads a lot of other krogan to show Shepard respect.
94	* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': While occurring throughout the game as players become stronger and more experienced, it truly came to a head in ''Legion''. Rather than just offhand recognition of the player's achievements by [=NPCs=], players are outright saluted by and give orders to the likes of Lady Liadrin, Remulos, and Rexxar.
95	* Throughout the ''Videogame/{{Yakuza}}'' series, Kazuma Kiryu is generally acknowledged as a legendary figure by various high-ranking members of the Yakuza as both a former [[TheDon Tojo Clan Chairman]] and for his various deeds.
96	[[/folder]]
97
98	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
99	* Kirumi Tojo of ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'', the Ultimate Maid, is surprisingly well-respected among her fellow extremely talented peers for her ability to carry out any request her employers ask of her, enabling her to become the group's TeamMom. In the Talent Development Plan mode, in which Kirumi interacts with her peers from this game and the previous two, she even manages to impress Byakuya, and while Celeste prefers being served by a group of handsome male butlers, she says that any butler agency that Kirumi recommends must be exceptionally good.
100	* In ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneySpiritOfJustice'', Abbot Tahrust Inmee, a high-ranking monk in the Kingdom of Khura'in, is highly respected by the royal family. Queen Ga'ran holds the Rite of Lamentation for him after his death, and Princess Rayfa, despite being a RoyalBrat who hates lawyers and is rude to most people who aren't authority figures, is completely polite to Tahrust's widow. [[spoiler:Of course, it turns out that Tahrust was actually a rebel]].
101	[[/folder]]
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103	[[folder:Webcomics]]
104	* In ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'', Captain Sorlie [[https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2015-03-06 is being asked for orders]] by Director-General Nguyen of the [[CityGuards J.S.C.]] Sorlie is taken a bit aback, which prompts Captain Murtaugh to [[Quotes/SchlockMercenary quote Maxim 69]] : ''Sometimes rank is a function of firepower.''
105	* From ''Webcomic/TalesOfTheQuestor'', part of Quentyn's BadassBoast is "The gangs of the Tumbledowns call me 'sir', if they know what's '''good''' for them."
106	* In ''Webcomic/{{Vexxarr}}'', the crew is preparing to flee a space station after illegally accepting service from it. Carl asks what kind of law enforcement would be after them, and Vexxarr answers that all he knows is that the army of giant mechanics aboard the station is terrified of them.
107	[[/folder]]
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109	[[folder:Web Videos]]
110	* In [[https://www.youtube.com/@habitual_linecrosser/featured Habitual Linecrosser's Green Screen Series]], every military plane respects the B-52 aka Grandpa Buff. But as ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHDclEHgUsQ They Broke The Mold]]'' shows, he deeply respects the B-24 Liberator and shouts at one of the other planes for daring to disrespect him.
111	-->'''Grandpa Buff:''' Stand up straight and show some fucking respect! He didn't hide from the enemy using "stealth technology", he fought them head-on like a real man!
112	[[/folder]]
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Context Main / RespectedByTheRespected