How to write a rival for the main character?

I apologize in advance if this discussion was to be fitted in another thread but here we go.

I'm currently developing a Fighting Series and one of my main thoughts on writing this story is to showcase a classic rivalry between one of my protagonists and another student. I had planned on making that rival a foil to her in every way, from their upbringing, to the way they approach a fight, to their fighting styles, to their personalities. When writing The Rival, does it just fall on having a character opposite of the MC, or is there something more to it? How would I convey a rivalry as good as I can, without making it seem obvious to the reader that they are The Rival?

Thanks in advance for the advice. :)

Define what a rival is. Not in terms of tropes (eyeroll) but in terms of the word itself and how you're applying it.

The rival doesn't have to be anything more than a character who is consistently in competition with your protagonist. Them being rivals won't necessarily dictate anything about the story itself.

Why do you need a "classic" rivalry? Why not an unconventional one? Classic usually means boring.

edited 19th Sep '15 10:07:10 PM by nekomoon14

A rival, a good rival is someone who contrasts and challenges the main character. Whether that be in power or ideology, they always have to push the main character to do something and vice-versa. The tone of a rivalry varies depending on the character, it could be serious, friendly, somewhere in between, etc. When writing a classic rivalry, be sure not to favor one over the other in-story, they should both have equal focus. And definitely don't use them as a vehicle to make your main character look better.

A rival doesn't have to be "the opposite" of the hero per se, but they otherwise should have something in common. In this way, a rivalry isn't so different from a romantic relationship. If your main character is a rough and rowdy Jerk with a Heart of Gold, her rival could be a straight-edge morally upstanding The Ace, a stoic Jerkass or Noble Demon, or a vicious jerkass. From their, they should bring out the worst and best in each other.

Naturally, the how the rivals treat each other should evolve as their characters develop.

Kazuma and Ryuho are perfect examples of a well-done classic rivalry. Opposites in many ways, they embody the positive qualities of the opposing concepts of chaos and order, barbarism and civilization, etc. While both characters initially see each other as embodying the negative qualities of those aforementioned concepts, and clash countless times over their differences, causing them to push themselves further to achieve their respective goals. Character Development makes them slowly understand more and start to respect each other, while simultaneously intensifying their already heated rivalry.

Sengoku Basara is also a franchise that has rivalry as one of its central themes.

You needn't worry about making your rival character "obvious" that they're the rival. Chances are that they'll be just as important to the story as the hero. It's actually good to establish that relationship to the protagonist quickly and naturally as possible.

I define "rival" as a person or group that generally oppose the protagonist, but not to where they are the antagonist. Basically, where two parties share an antagonistic relationship and try to one up each other. In the context of this story, the main character and the other character are competing in this game of one-upmanship to win in this school's fighting tournament. By "classic" I meant it in the sense that they are in competition with each other throughout the duration of the story, for example like Ash and Gary, in which they push each other to do well.

I see. So the gist of this is that both the MC and rival should have a synergy where they both develop as characters through their rivalry, and both characters have to be focused as the story moves along. The relationship also has to be set quickly so the motivation of both characters is established for the story and both characters got to share one (or more) things in common. However, in the context of this story, I envisioned these characters having a heated rivalry, one where they take this game of one-upmanship seriously and want to prove to each other that they are the better fighter (it's also set in High School so that's probably going to fit into this somewhere). How could I convey to the audience that they do not like each other, without it being too blatant to the audience?

Without being too obvious? Well, I would suggest one of them give a humpf to something the other approves or likes in front of him. and make the other dont even notice.