The battle between a lovable protagonist and his hated archenemy is the basis for a good anime.

But once in a while, a rival comes along that is so much more awesome than the main character.

Here are the best examples, 10 anime rivals who were totally cooler than the protagonists.

10. Emi Yusa (The Devil is a Part-Timer!)

As the world’s most over-achieving hero of all time, Emi gets a special reward for maintaining her rivalry long after the Devil stopped being a devil.

Even on the days when Maou is just flipping burgers, Emi is the kind of rival that sneaks around trying to find evidence of his devilry at the MgRonald’s kitchen.

That doesn’t change that she’s totally a cool warrior with commendable fighting skill and not an ounce of fear in her soul.

9. Gary Oak (Pokemon)

Though he was a self-proclaimed Pokemon genius in the anime with his own sports car and band of cheerleaders, he still got up on time and got an actual starter rather than a rat that nobody wanted.

And he would go on to become the highest-ranking Gym Leader in Kanto.

At 10 years of age, in spite of starting his journey at exactly the same time as you, Gary Oak was the final boss champion in the first game in the series.

8. Erina Nakiri (Shokugeki no Soma)

Having suffered some of the harshest training to ever befall a cook, it’s no surprise that Erina has a distaste for all things of poor taste.

Actually, she also seems to have a problem with the poor in general, frequently deeming even the most esteemed chefs unworthy, due to her ability to test the greatness of food with her regal tongue.

She’s gifted, arrogant and one of the worst critics you will ever face, because when she tells you your food is terrible, she is absolutely right.

7. Satsuki Kiryuin (Kill la Kill)

While she starts off as something of a maniacal jerk, Satsuki grows into one of the most admirable characters at Honnouji Academy.

While she serves as an opponent to protagonist Ryuko for most of the series, she also finds her path in life when she realizes that her mother is just totally wrong and stands against her.

Do you know how hard it is to find a good student council president?

6. Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh!)

As the Tony Stark of anime, Kaiba is an engineering wunderkind with his own fortune and a jet shaped like the Blue Eyes White Dragon.

Not to mention he is arguably the best duelist of his time.

Yes, he has to deal with a brother who is always getting kidnapped, but that’s still cooler than a little kid whose mind gets taken over by an ancient puzzle.

5. Shenhua (Black Lagoon)

Assassin with amazing knife skills. Ability to rock gorgeous dress and maintain fabulous looks while fighting for her life.

Alluring speech pattern that frequently switches between two languages. A touch of mysticism and willingness to switch over loyalties based on personal moral code.

Basically, everything that one could want in the lead for an anime is present in Shenhua, the rival that makes Revy look like an uncultured thug.

4. Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z)

Vegeta may not be the strongest character the galaxy has ever known, but he is certainly the most combative, never worrying about his own life in the face of adversity as he fights to be known as the last true royal Saiyan.

Having survived everything from Goku’s Kamehameha to Majin Buu’s indoctrination, Vegeta can genuinely lay claim to being the most resilient fighter of all time.

3. L (Death Note)

Kira and this ghoulish detective were ultimately competing for the same goal: the perfect world.

And in the pursuit of that perfect world, L came to the fore as a charming, quirky, and brilliant character whose dark and serious approach to the justice system does nothing to affect his knack for candy.

Perhaps it is the minimalist dialogue, the deductions, the zombie-like design, or just the brilliant deadpan tone with just the right amount of inflection that makes L so memorable.

Whatever it may be, the best detective the world has ever known is a haunting sight to behold and an unforgettable character that has won anime fans the world over.

2. Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)

Having faced personal tragedy that would have broken most, Sasuke instead rose to the challenge, fighting everything from demons to the corruption within his own soul to become one of the most feared warriors on the planet.

His tremendous thirst to be the best drives him into a relentless pursuit for strong opponents and, more often than not, he shows he can take them.

Considering the fact that he is just as cool a ninja as the anime’s protagonist, he has the added advantage of not being an idiot occasionally.

1. Kaede Rukawa (Slam Dunk!)

We all love Hanamichi Sakuragi, but there’s no denying that he’s kind of a thug with a short temper.

The silent genius Rukawa, whose own squad of portable cheerleaders does well to remind us who is the best basketball player in Japan.

In the entire series, Rukawa doesn’t miss a shot and he manages to surpass that other genius by the end too.

There’s really nothing anyone else has on Rukawa’s game, he doesn’t even need a partner to help him be the best of all time.

(source: dramafever)