Line #12 RedOniBlueOni/ComicBooks


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9	[[quoteright:310:[[ComicBook/IronMan https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rbcb.png]]]]
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11	* In ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}}'', Asterix is cunning and relatively laid-back (blue) in contrast to his emotional and sensitive best friend Obelix (red).
12	* ''ComicBook/AstroCity'': In the First Family, Julius Furst is red to his brother Augustus' blue.
13	* Gharta and her partner Affa in ''ComicBook/TheAutumnlandsToothAndClaw''. Gharta is the passionate hot-head while Affa is her calm and sensitive supporter.
14	* You could make a good argument for Franchise/{{Batman}} (the cool, calculating Blue Oni) and Robin (the more impulsive Red Oni). Batman is also a Blue Oni to [[Characters/BatmanTheJoker The Joker]]'s Red Oni.
15	** This is reversed in ''ComicBook/BatmanGrantMorrison'', where original Robin Dick Grayson takes over the role of Batman, while Bruce's son Damien becomes Robin. Dick is cheerful and spirited, Damien is somber and brooding. This also mirrors the dynamic between Dick-as-Nightwing and both Nite-Wing and the Red Hood.
16	** The most definitive Batfamily example would be Tim Drake(blue) and Stephanie Brown(red).
17	* In Franchise/{{Batman}}[=-=]Franchise/{{Superman}} team-ups, usually the writers emphasize Supes' Red Oni qualities and Batman's Blue Oni qualities, even matching their cape colors. Superman loves the attention and glamour he receives from the public for being a charismatic, compassionate hero even taking active parts in social activities such as birthday parties, eating contests, ceremonies and he has an active love life with the equally heroic and noble Lois Lane with frequent on-screen kissing and hugging between them. Batman on the other hand strongly dislikes and avoids any publicity and attention, quickly vanishing to the Batcave once he's finished saving the day from crime. He is not paired up with a permanent romantic interest, even if he does get kissed by females (ironically often from villainesses such as Cheetah and Harley Quinn). Likewise, when Batman and Superman team up, Lex Luthor has his Blue Oni qualities emphasized and the Joker his Red Oni ones, though their color schemes tend towards the purple and green. However, when the Joker makes an appearance with Harley Quinn, he becomes more of a sociopathic Blue to balance her Red.
18	** It's even reflected in the way they handle criminals, with Batman using [[TheCowl fear and intimidation]], and Superman [[TheCape apprehending them calmly and peacefully when he can]]. Batman often plays the "Bad Cop" to Superman's "Good Cop" during their team-ups.
19	* ComicBook/CaptainAmerica and ComicBook/IronMan play with this trope. They wear the respective colors of a Blue and Red Oni, and seem to fit those roles accordingly, with Cap being the responsible, upstanding leader of the Avengers and symbol of all that is good in his country, and Iron Man being a billionaire playboy who often struggles with alcoholism and his own neurosis. However when the situation calls for it, Cap is more than willing to take a stand and do what he feels is morally right, even if it means breaking the law and defying the government, [[TheMcCoy and is guided more by his emotions]], while Iron Man tends to be more pragmatic and logical in his decisions and philosophy,[[note]]Just not to the extent of being TheSpock.[[/note]] and will go to any lengths to protect the world, even if goes into KnightTemplar territory.
20	* While Lady Death was part of ''Chaos Comics'', she was the cold, sinister Blue oni to the feisty, bloodthirsty Red oni of Purgatori!
21	* ComicBook/CosmicBoy plays the coolheaded more rational blue to Lightning Lad's impulsive quick-tempered red in all incarnations of the ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes, though Cos' tenure with the team generally lasts longer. Amusingly LL usually has some blue in his costume and Cos in generally dressed in variations of pink--a tint of red--though he has had at one predominately blue uniform.
22	* Red-wearing ComicBook/{{Deadpool}} is a [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} completely]] [[CrazyIsCool insane]] variant of BoisterousBruiser, while blue-toned Cable is a calm cyborg CrystalDragonJesus determined to stop the BadFuture from coming to pass.
23	** Sort of a running theme with Deadpool, actually. Another example of a Blue Oni paired up with him is ComicBook/{{Taskmaster}}, a level-headed mercenary whose unique abilities are based around observation and analysis and who will typically run away from a fight if he determines that he can't win it, in contrast with Deadpool's typically cheerful, brainless recklessness, but the most striking comparison is probably with [[TykeBomb Domino]], who, like Deadpool, is the cast-off product of a secret government SuperSoldier program and favours the same style of costume and equipment (even wearing what was essentially a blue-and-black woman's version of Deadpool's distinctive red-and-black bodysuit in the ''Cable & Deadpool'' series), but is typically cold, clinically rational, and often emotionally conflicted over her actions, and her special ability is essentially not getting hit ''at all'' in a fight, where Deadpool's powers effectively allow him to [[{{Pun}} wade]] anything that's thrown at him.
24	*** Comes up again in ''[[ComicBook/XForce Uncanny X-Force]]'' with Fantomex, the cool and calculating gunslinger whose powers let him manipulate his enemies into fighting each other. And, as with Cable, Taskmaster, and Domino, they are (sort of) friends.
25	*** Funnily enough after Deadpool left the X-Force Fantomex became the Red Oni to Cable's Blue Oni.
26	* From Everywhere in ''ComicBook/ElfQuest'': there's Cutter and Rayek, Two-Edge and Winnowill, Ember and Suntop, and Bearclaw and Joyleaf.
27	* ''[[http://www.indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3429 Gemini Storm]]'' has Elizabeth, who is cold and snarky, and Midnight, who is more prone to outbursts. In battle, though, the moods switch. Midnight calculates every move, whereas Elizabeth is much more...enthusiastic.
28	* ''ComicBook/GreenLantern'': Hal Jordan and Guy Gardner are Red Onis; Kyle Rayner and John Stewart are Blue. There's usually at least one pair of them working together, and they make this trope.
29	** An "[[EmotionalPowers Emotional Electromagnetic Spectrum]]" has been established in recent years, explaining that each major emotion has a [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience color associated]] with it: Lantern Corps using the "warmer" colors are usually unrestrained and selfish Red Oni (red is Rage, orange is Greed, and yellow is Fear) while the "cooler" ones are calmer and often focused on others as Blue Oni (green is [[HeroicWillpower Willpower]], blue is for [[ThePollyanna Hope]], and indigo is for Compassion). The seeming exception is the Star Sapphire Corps, who wield the [[ThePowerOfLove Love-associated]] violet; their color is ostensibly one of the "cooler" ones on the upper half of the spectrum but they're easily as passionate as the "warm" Corps (may be a case of ShownTheirWork though, as Violet is defined in color theory as a mixture of mostly-red with some blue...meaning ''warm'' color range, despite being next to the "cool" colors). The Sapphires generally represent the Red Oni in stories where this dynamic would be present (e.g. when being contrasted with Green Lanterns), but in recent years many of them, such as Carol Ferris, embody the more flexible and positive variation of it. It's been noted that Love is the opposite of the hate-driven Rage of the Red Lanterns, so one could easily see the two Corps as being an exploration of the flip sides of the same Red Oni coin.
30	** In a more literal color contrast, the power of Blue Lantern corps can neutralize the effects of a Red Lantern RingOfPower in its user, both the emotional (mindless rage) and the physical ones (severe weakening of the original circulatory system, as the red rings replace this body function). It's not just unexplained phlebotinum, either; the canonical explanation is that the [[ElementalRockPaperScissors Blue Light of Hope is breaking the hold of the Red Light of Rage]], which by proxy means allowing the Red Oni mentality of the Red Lantern in question to relax a little. Subverted with the Violet Light of Love in that case though; as noted, Love in the Emotional Spectrum is still clearly Red Oni territory, just more positive than the Red Light of Rage...yet it can be used to protect a Red Lantern or former Red Lantern from some of the ill effects of the equally Red Oni-style Red Lantern Power Rings. Played straight outright though in ''ComicBook/GreenLanterns'' with [[spoiler:Green Lantern Power Rings, based on Willpower, which is ostensibly more "stable" ala a Blue Oni - one of which is used in that spin-off series at least twice to cure someone of the Red Light of Rage]]
31	** The spin-off series ''ComicBook/GreenLanterns'' centers on a pair of [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Green Lanterns]] who ''exactly'' fit this trope, to the extent it's basically a buddy cop story with superheroes: Jessica Cruz is a genial, cautious, anxious person prone to planning ahead, focusing on strategy, and feeling that they should work as part of a team or remember to ask for backup (Blue Oni), while Simon Baz is a brash, outspoken, impulsive guy prone to jumping in head first without a plan and without waiting for backup (Red Oni). Bonus points for them also fitting the ActionDuo trope (with Jessica as ActionSurvivor and Simon as the ActionHero half), as that trope often overlaps with this one.
32	** The Green Lanterns are also the Red Oni's to the Guardians of the Universe's [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience (appropriately enough)]] Blue Oni, whereas the Lantern Corps are a traditionally heroic group who derive power from emotions the Guardians are [[KnightTemplar Knights Templar]] who are convinced emotions are dangerous.
33	* [[ComicBook/GreenLantern Hal Jordan]] is the cocky and independent Red to [[ComicBook/TheFlash Barry Allen's]] calm and methodical blue. This is reversed by their successors, the hot-headed and impulsive [[ComicBook/TheFlash Wally West]] (Red) and the laid-back and easy-going [[ComicBook/GreenLantern Kyle Rayner]] (Blue).
34	** However, when paired with the brash and passionate [[ComicBook/GreenArrow Oliver Queen]], Hal takes on the role of Blue Oni to Oliver's Red.
35	* The loony and chaotic ComicBook/HarleyQuinn is the Red Oni to [[ComicBook/PoisonIvy Poison Ivy's]] cool and methodical Blue Oni; while Harley dresses in the color associated with a Red Oni, Ivy is clad in green (like her namesake).
36	* ComicBook/HawkAndDove of DC Comics are an embodiment of this trope, with Hawk being red and Dove being blue. Hawk is an aggressive muscleman, quick to anger and always ready for a fight. Dove is a cool, slender peacekeeper who tries to avoid direct conflict whenever (and however) possible.
37	* Similar to Two-Face above Bruce Banner is the Blue Oni to ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk's Red Oni, with the Hulk being the embodiment of Banner's rage.
38	* Danael and Gryf from ''[[ComicBook/LesLegendaires Les Légendaires]]''. Danael is a usually calm and collected [[ThePaladin paladin]] who likes controlling events, tends to plan everything before battle and [[UnresolvedSexualTension had apparently difficulty]] confessing his feeling to [[TheHeart Jadina]] [[spoiler:(though, eventually, [[RelationshipUpgrade he did]])]]. He means the right thing, but will occasionnally be ready to go to extreme measures for the greater good and act like a borderline WellIntentionedExtremist. Gryf, on the other hand, is a BookDumb, AntiHero who has no problem doing things like cheating at games, is described as the bravest of the Legendaries, and usually lets his emotions and instinct lead him, but is notably more relaxing than Danael. Both are still best friends, however.
39	* In ''ComicBook/{{Magekiller}}'', Marius is very quiet and reserved. His partner Tessa is somewhat impulsive and never shuts up.
40	* ''ComicBook/MegaRoboBros'': Freddy Sharma, the more energetic younger robot, is red. Alex Sharma, the more level-headed older robot, is blue.
41	* Saxon and Kenzie from ''ComicBook/MouseGuard'' -- even their cloaks match.
42	* ''ComicBook/NewMutants'' has reckless, passionate ComicBook/{{Sunspot}} and his best friend Cannonball, the mild-mannered team leader. Their headmaster, Professor Xavier, notes in his evaluation of the team that he hoped Cannonball could be a calming influence on Sunspot.
43	* Joe Quesada has made statements expressing this sentiment about DC and Marvel in general, likening the former to a very proper Asian family and the latter to a loud, boisterous Italian family. Bonus points? DC's logo is blue and Marvel's is red.
44	* Dream of the Endless in ''ComicBook/TheSandman1989'' is blue oni (the kind with lots of inner turmoil) next to virtually everyone he encounters. Most notably he plays the role throughout his relationships with his ever-cheerful and sociable sister Death and with his rambunctious brother Destruction. In Brief Lives in particular he plays blue to the red of his sister Delirium, who is impulsive to the point of, well, delirium. The only character who is more of a blue oni than Dream is the eldest sibling Destiny (and this one without the inner turmoil).
45	* The title character of ''ComicBook/{{Shakara}}'' has full red eyes and is, in fact, a completely red liquid being in a suit of {{powered armour}}; he is also insane, reckless, and driven exclusively by rage and hatred. This stands in stark contrast to Cinnibar Brenneka, hero of the Shakara, who was always very stoic, rational, and driven by a higher calling. He also had blue eyes and body markings.
46	* Augustus and Julius Furst, patriarchs of the Furst Family in ''ComicBook/AstroCity''. Augustus is a dignified, spare man, who can calculate anything to the sixth decimal in his head and rejigger any Phlebotinum needed to save the day in minutes while puffing on his pipe. Julius is a shaved-headed BoisterousBruiser who spends his free time knocking back Budweisers and arm-wrestling. When evil-doers show up, Julius chomps down on a cigar, picks up his {{BFG}} and wades into the thick of it alongside his super-powered niece and nephew.
47	* ''ComicBook/SinCity'' has two assassins working for the same organization: Blue Eyes and Mariah. As expected, Blue Eyes has [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin blue eyes]] and wears blue (she's one of the few characters in Sin City that has color added). Likewise, Mariah is also one of the few characters in the series that isn't DeliberatelyMonochrome. She has bright red hair and wears red spandex. Blue Eyes is the BlackWidow, seducing men and killing them quietly. Mariah is [[DeadpanSnarker verbose]] and prefers just to [[AxCrazy chop people up when she kills them]]. While we never actually see them together, they do reference one another and have the typical "Red vs. Blue" rivalry.
48	** Dwight, normally a pretty calm guy, has had two red onis to his blue oni. He usually teams up with Miho, who is much more violent and probably a little unbalanced. He has employed the help of Marv as well, resulting in a similar relationship.
49	* ''ComicBook/SinisterDexter'': the titular duo occasionally bounce back and forth, but for the most part, Sinister is red - fiery, impulsive, tempestuous, and bold (he even has red hair) - while Dexter is blue - calculating, calm, generally level-headed and slower to anger. This is even reflected in their choice of weaponry, with Sinister wielding a huge hand cannon that's essentially a scaled-down shotgun that tends to do a lot of explosive damage, while Dexter sports a pair of deadly-accurate 9mm handguns that leave his enemies dead with little collateral damage.
50	* The ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW'' comics has Tangle the Lemur, who is loud, excitable and energetic, and Whisper the Wolf, who is quiet, reserved, and calm.
51	* ''ComicBook/SonicTheComic'': Sonic and Shortfuse are the Red onis to Amy's and Tekno's Blue onis also there is The Badnik Army Repair Functionaries (or B.A.R.F.) which has Bert a Red oni and Cam a Blue oni.
52	* ''ComicBook/SpiderGirl'':
53	** May Parker (Blue) and [[spoiler:her clone April]] (Red) have elements of this, especially once [[spoiler:April]] turns into [[spoiler: DarkActionGirl BloodKnight]] [[MeaningfulName Mayhem]]. Their color schemes are the opposite of their personalities, though.
54	** May can also be seen as the Red to [[spoiler:Darkdevil's]] Blue thanks to their [[SiblingYinYang Cousin Yin Yang]].
55	* During the AudienceAlienatingEra when Franchise/{{Superman}} was an energy being, he was briefly split into two separate characters, the calm and rational Superman-Blue and the hotheaded Superman-Red. This was actually inspired by a classic Silver Age Imaginary Story -- though in that, both Supermen were more or less the same.
56	** ''ComicBook/SupermanReborn'' reveals [[spoiler:Superman is actually ''both'' ends of the trope. When the ''ComicBook/New52'' continuity was created, Superman was separated into his pre-''ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}}'' and ''New 52'' selves. The younger and brasher ''[=N52=]'' Superman is red while the calmer and more mature pre-''Flashpoint'' Superman is blue; even having the same aura colors. This is clearly a reference to the Red and Blue era. At the end of the story, they combine into a single, complete version of Superman; ensuring his integration into the new DC Universe]].
57	* In ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'', Red Devil (literally a Red Oni) and ComicBook/BlueBeetle have become a comic relief dynamic duo that fans have dubbed Beevil. While both characters have similar personalities, Beetle tends to be levelheaded while Devil is more impulsive.
58	* Raphael and Leonardo of ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' are Red and Blue oni respectively: Leonardo is the calm, thoughtful, and self-controlled leader of the team, when Raphael is the easily-angered, hot-tempered rebel. It's even lampshaded by their bandanas.
59	* In ''Franchise/{{Tintin}}'', Tintin is calm and smart (blue) in contrast to his hot-tempered friend Captain Haddock (red). When he's with the eccentric Professor Calculus, Tintin plays red oni to Calculus' blue oni.
60	* ''Franchise/TransformersGeneration1'' villains Runabout and Runamuck [[CreepyTwins (the battlechargers)]] keep each other in check this way.
61	** As for heroes, the Autobot Clones fit the trope. Although both are Red in color, Fastlane is boisterous, energetic, and rude, While Cloudraker is intellectual and more mature.
62	* [[Comicbook/TwoFace Harvey Dent and Two-Face]] are this in one body, by some interpretations. Harvey Dent is the calm, rational side, while Two-Face is more often than not just portrayed as unrestrained rage and hatred.
63	* [[BountyHunter Gen]] and [[GentlemanThief Kitsune]] to ComicBook/UsagiYojimbo and [[LadyOfWar Tomoe]].
64	** Tomoe and Noriko.
65	** Usagi and [[TheRival Kenichi]]. In both cases, this is amplified by their character designs: Tomoe and Usagi are round and "chubby", while Noriko and Kenichi are lean and angular.
66	* ''ComicBook/WonderWomanAndTheStarRiders'': Star Lily, who is compassionate but cool headed and rational, is best friends with the hot tempered SpicyLatina Solara.
67	* ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'': Like his 616 counterpart, Iceman's friends with Johnny Storm/Human Torch. No points for guessing who's the red oni and who's the blue oni.
68	* ''ComicBook/XMen'':
69	** ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} (Red Oni) and [[Characters/MarvelComicsCyclops Cyclops]] (Blue Oni) -- Wolverine's color may be yellow, but he's easily the Red Oni of the team.
70	** Cyclops is probably the Blue Oni for everyone in the team too, and honestly most people he interacts with in the Marvel Universe as well. Ironically with his relationship with his brother Havok, their signature energy colours are reversed.
71	** ComicBook/{{X 23}} also serves as Blue to Wolverine, which stands out even more because she's his teenaged OppositeSexClone.
72	** Wolverine's longtime friend Nightcrawler is a spiritual, guiding blue to Wolverine's red, though he can be as fun-loving and swashbuckling as a jolly red himself. For extra humor, he is literally blue and demonic-looking. And wears red in his iconic costume.
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Context RedOniBlueOni / ComicBooks