Shonen Rival

A shonen rival is a character that is usually found in a shonen manga and/or anime.

Why This Trope Rocks

1. They function as foils to many shonen protagonists.
2. They believe in their independent strengths.
3. Like their rivals, they work hard in their capabilities.
4. They receive character development after their losses.
5. They refuse to give up, no matter what.

One Bad Quality

1. Many shonen rivals are known for being egotistical jerks.

Qualifications

In order to fit the shonen rival archetype, a character must have at least 4 necessary traits.

Necessary Traits

• Heroic/Anti-heroic
• Pursues a big-end goal
• Naturally talented
• Arrogant
• Pragmatic
• Brooding/Cynical
• Aloof

Additional Traits

• Believes in the power of individual strength
• Is short-tempered
• Experiences character growth
• Has spiky hair/straight hair/unnatural hairstyle
• Has unnatural haircolor
• Is an elite/alpha
• Comes from a privileged background

Examples

Anime/Manga/Manhwa/Manhua

1. Yuno Grinberryall (Black Clover)
2. Leopold Vermillion (Black Clover)
3. Uryu Ishida (Bleach)
4. Byakuya Kuchiki (Bleach)
5. Vegeta (Dragon Ball series)
6. Yamcha (Dragon Ball series)
7. Gray Fullbuster (Fairy Tail)
8. Takumi Aldini (Food Wars!)
9. Katsura Kotaro (Gintama)
10. Toshiro Hijikata (Gintama)
11. Okita Sougou (Gintama)
12. Kamui (Gintama)
13. Killua Zoldyck (Hunter X Hunter)
14. Kurapika (Hunter X Hunter)
15. Hisoka (Hunter X Hunter)
16. Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia)
17. Shoto Todoroki (My Hero Academia)
18. Enji Todoroki/Endeavor (My Hero Academia)
19. Gaara (Naruto)
20. Obito Uchiha (Naruto)
21. Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)
22. Zabuza Momochi (Naruto)
23. Neji Hyuga (Naruto)
24. Trafalgar D. Water Law (One Piece)
25. Eustass Kid (One Piece)
26. Paul (Pokémon)
27. Gary Oak (Pokémon)
28. Gladion (Pokémon)
29. Trip (Pokémon)
30. Tierno (Pokémon)
31. Barry (Pokémon)
32. Ryoga Hibiki (Ranma ½)
33. Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh)
34. Hiei (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Cartoons & Comics

1. Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
2. Kevin Levin (Ben 10)
3. Albedo (Ben 10ː Alien Force)
4. Chick Hicks (Cars)
5. Jackson Storm (Cars 3)
6. Artemis (DC Comics)
7. Tai-Lung (Kung Fu Panda)
8. Leroy (Leroy & Stitch)
9. Eddie Brock/Venom (Marvel Comics)
10. Bluto (Popeye the Sailor)
11. Tank Evans (Surf's Up)
12. Lacienaga Boulevardez (The Proud Family)
13. Sasha Waybright

Literature

1. Draco Malfoy (Harry Potter)

Live-Action Television and Film

1. Percival (Black Knight)
2. Johnny Lawrence (The Karate Kid)
3. Cheng (The Karate Kid (2010))
4. Harry Osborn/New Goblin (Spider-Man 3)

Video Games

1. Jin Kisaragi (BlazBlue)
2. Vergil (Devil May Cry)
3. Dark Pit (Kid Icarus)
4. Riku (Kingdom Hearts)
5. Blue (Pokémon)
6. Iori Yagami (The King of Fighters)
7. Shadow the Hedgehog
8. Guntz (Klonoa)

Web Animation/Comics

1. Radite Casanova (Wildman Maxeeno)

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