A good rival in anime can get the most out of the series' hero. While some characters may be in a league of their own due to their superhuman intelligence or strength, a rival can become their equal, challenging them when they might have thought they were in the clear. The best rivals in anime are as smart or strong as their eternal foe, or they have a skill that gives them an edge in a one-on-one. Rivalries aren't short-lived, either, as the best rivalries will span years, or even generations.

Rivals don't always have to fight against their foe, either. Sometimes they fight alongside each other, only considering each other's rivals because there's nobody left in the universe who could compare. The best anime rivals are fiercely competitive, are always pushing their fellow rivals to their limit, and may have the strength to pass them one day.

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