Comments on: I must defeat you! : Anime and the eternal rival

By: Reslez

Reslez — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 02:29:41 +0000

@toothless - L vs Kira is a relationship between antagonists. The word “rivalry” applies in its dictionary meaning, not in the stricter sense of a character role I’m using above. L wants to defeat Kira and prevent him from achieving his goal of mass murder/world domination. Hmm, so how would Death Note’s plot change if L were Kira’s nemesis/rival instead of an antagonist/enemy? Maybe L isn’t interested in stopping Kira, maybe L just wants to find out the secret of how Kira does it — either to solve the mystery or because he wants the same power. A wicked L might be pretty cool ^.^

By: Impz

Impz — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 13:25:55 +0000

I found that rivalry is often used in a shounen series which is a well used plot for many situations. That said, I do like the rival type of feeling with Renji and Ichigo, even though it does get a bit too much emo when I watched Bleach. For now though, I give up on trying to watch it, hehe

By: toothless

toothless — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 09:16:48 +0000

how bout death note?? whenever i watch death note, it reminds me of Hikaru no Go.. although much different character, but with some similarity.. dunno how to put tat in words

By: Reslez

Reslez — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:52:07 +0000

@Kath: Oops, I didn’t mean to say that all rivalries are based on loathing or hatred — just some of them! Akira and Hikaru have a lot of respect for each other that deepens over the course of the series. They find each other annoying during those shouting matches at the go parlour but certainly no hatred. You’re right to point that out.

@Briar: I definitely like the relationship between rivals in both HnG and Naruto. There’s an ambiguous, shifting quality to rival characters that makes them difficult to pigeonhole. I think it adds a lot of depth in a series if handled right, as it is in those series.

@L-chan: Thanks for the manga suggestions! I’ll check them out.

By: L-chan

L-chan — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:15:03 +0000

There’s a couple HUGE rivalries you’re forgetting, probably because they come from manga that are more popular in Japan than America.

1. Makunouchi Ippo and Miyata Ichirou from Hajime no Ippo. The rivalry between these two is practically half the whole plot line. Miyata’s a genius boxer, Ippo’s a greenhorn, they spar each other in the gym as fledgling boxers, each win and lose one spar, and then go to different gyms so they can fight again in the ring someday. Throughout the whole series they often think of each other as a motivation to work harder. Each time one of them accomplishes something great (like getting a belt) they always think, “I’ve come this far, now it’s your turn!” or “He’s gotten that far ahead of me. I’ve got to try harder!” They’re not exactly friends, but neither are they nemesis. Both want the other to excel in the ring, because each wants the other at his best.

2. Maya and Ayumi from The Glass Mask (Garasu no Kamen). Another case where the rivalry is half the plot and each inspires the other to do well. Like Akira Ayumi is a genius at what she does (acting), but Maya comes along as a natural genius and threatens her. While inching close on the nemesis rival status, both want the other to succeed. However that doesn’t keep them (or Ayumi) from “tearing each other to shreds” on the stage.

By: TripleA

TripleA — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:13:00 +0000

Ishida might be often used as comic relief, but damn if he isn’t cool with his bow.

By: Briar

Briar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:10:53 +0000

The best type of nemesis, I think, is the kind of rivalry that has elements of both “enemy/nemesis” and “friendship”. I like watching Naruto not because of the typical shounen stereotypical story, but the rivalry of Naruto and Sasuke. They have the kind of relationship that makes them both friends and rivals *at the same time*. Because of this complexity of their relationship, there’s always something to enjoy and think about.

The same goes for Hikaru and Touya, IMO. I like Hikaru no Go (yes, it’s one of my favourite animes too!) *because* of their relationship. Especially towards the end, when both have looked past the rivalry and built on a solid friendship. Earlier on, they have the kind of relationship that has little depth except that of “I want to defeat you”. It’s only until they actually established themselves as individuals, and see each other as more than Go players that they want to defeat that they begin to have the kind of relationship that really attracts me.

Anyway. I personally think that the best kind of rivals is always the one with shades of friendship mixed within the rivalry. Otherwise it’s just normal, not epic, anime.

By: Kath

Kath — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 02:38:28 +0000

Are you trying to say that Shindou and Touya loathe/hate one another? Have we watched the same anime? I’m sorry, but I really don’t agree with that. They may be rivals, but they are definitely “friendly” rivals…that is, they each genuinely want to help/improve the other, while at the same time helping themselves become stronger in the process. Nowhere in the show do we see the characters acting as if they despise one another. Yes, they argue. Yes, they get angry and frustrated and annoyed at each other. But hate or loathe one another? That’s just waaaay too harsh and negative, especially considering how positive and amiable their relationship is most of the time. The only real negative I can see from it is that they’re both so obsessed with one another and with Go that I don’t think they’ll ever be able to have any kind of strong connection with anyone else. Oh well…at least they have each other. XD