A story isn't engaging without well-thought-out character dynamics, and one of the most interesting and enthralling dynamics is between two rival characters. These characters don't have to be enemies, but they certainly aren't always friendly as they compete to see who can outdo the other.
Many cartoon rivalries are played out for laughs, while others add a brilliant layer of conflict to the story. The best cartoon rivalries serve to highlight contrasting traits of the characters involved while at the same time challenging them, not only with a worthy opponent, but the obstacle of failure. United in their shared goal, yet still at odds with one another, these rivals aim to be the best, and only the characters who can think outside the box claims superiority.
10 She-Ra: Catra And Shadow Weaver Fight Over Control
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From the beginning of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Shadow Weaver pushes Catra and criticizes her for every mistake she makes. Although Shadow Weaver means to help Catra grow, it's her relentless judgment that causes Catra to treat her master as a goal to triumph over.
Catra does everything she can to upstage Shadow Weaver and take her place, while Shadow Weaver continues to patronize Catra, looking for any opportunity to take the upper hand. Even when they both leave the Horde and join the heroes, the two are still at odds, fighting over how to support Adora, the main hero of the series.
9 Danny Phantom: Danny And Valerie Compete As Ghost Hunters
When she was first introduced in the series Danny Phantom, Valerie was a normal high school girl. After her life was turned upside-down by ghosts, including the half-human, half ghost Danny Phantom, she develops a great hatred for their kind and swears to destroy them all.
As a ghost hunter himself, Danny clashes often with Valerie, sometimes fighting for his own survival, other times fighting to stop Valerie from taking her hunting too far. Even outside their alter-egos, Valerie and Danny butt heads, routinely arguing with one another.
8 Jimmy Neutron: Jimmy And Cindy Are Always Debating Who's The Smartest
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In spite of how often they compete as genius rivals, both Jimmy and Cindy know how smart they both are. Throughout The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, the two geniuses take every chance they can to outdo one another, though when it comes to who can create the most unique inventions, Cindy knows she can't win.
Cindy is known to ridicule Jimmy when his inventions fail to impress, but that's her jealousy revealing itself in the worst way. Jimmy is also guilty of rude behavior when it comes to Cindy, as he's petty enough to insult her as well. No matter the scenario, the two are always looking to show off their brains and embarrass the other when they can.
7 Adventure Time: Finn And Fern Clash Over Who's The Real Hero
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With all of Finn the Human's memories and personality traits, Fern struggles with his identity throughout most of Adventure Time. Fern's mind is created when the sentient sword, the Finn Sword, is destroyed by the magical grass sword, and Fern's body forms after the Grass Demon merges with it.
While dealing with his identity crisis, Fern consistently aims to replace Finn, and the two fight more often than not on who is or who should be the real Finn. As much as Finn tries to see Fern as a friend, Fern's maniacal schemes grow so out of hand that Finn is left with little choice but to fight back to protect his own identity and life.
6 Dexter's Laboratory: Dexter And Mandark Will Forever Be Rival Geniuses
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Since the day they met, Dexter and Mandark compete with each other in just about every academic challenge that comes their way. Dexter is shocked when his position as the smartest kid in school is challenged by the new student, and it almost stops him from studying science.
Across the series, Dexter continues to deal with Mandark's arrogance as their rivalry continues for what will probably be years to come. Even though Mandark might be ahead of him in genius achievements, not even a rival could take Dexter away from his greatest passion; science.
5 Gravity Falls: Grunkle Stan And Gideon Play The Game Of Monopoly
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In Season 1 of Gravity Falls, the Pines twins, Dipper and Mabel, bear witness to the heated rivalry between Grunkle Stan and Gideon Gleeful. While Stan works to bring customers to the Mystery Shack with cheap made-up tourist attractions, Gideon uses razzle-dazzle to boost the appeal of his psychic act.
With all his success going to his head, Gideon ridicules Stan and looks down on the Mystery Shack, though he goes after the deed to the property to take control of the competition. In spite of being older than Gideon by decades, Stan will stoop down to Gideon's level of scheming and ridiculing in order to beat his business rival.
4 Steven Universe: Pearl And Amethyst Are Polar Opposites
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Even though they are teammates in Steven Universe, Pearl and Amethyst fight each other more often than they fight the villains. They aren't always on friendly terms because their contrasting lifestyles clash to such extremes. Pearl is calculated and precise, while Amethyst is adventurous and reckless, so no matter what the goal is, these two will always be fighting on what is the best path to victory.
Aside from their opposing traits, Pearl and Amethyst do share one thing in common; they are both incredibly insecure, which is another reason they fight so passionately against one another. They both crave acknowledgment, so when one is given a pat on the back, the others' jealousy blinds their judgment and the heated rivals compete once again.
3 Looney Tunes: Bugs And Daffy Are Iconic Rivals
While there have been many animated rivalries throughout the decades, the rivalry between Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck is unforgettable. There's no question of how loved the crafty rabbit Bugs is by Looney Tunes fans, but Daffy's sass and his ceaseless attempts to upstage the rabbit are charming enough to make him just as popular.
Bugs and Daffy make a legendary duo among cartoon characters, but they are also rivals, though the rivalry is more so on Daffy's end than it is Bugs'. Bugs just goes along with their competition while Daffy goes to extremes to win. Of course, those extremes - literally - blow up in Daffy's face.
2 My Little Pony: Rainbow Dash And Applejack Even Fight When They're Trying To Be Polite
As the two athletic characters of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Rainbow Dash and Applejack are known to be competitive. After acknowledging one another as worthy competitors, these two ponies began making everything into a competition. Sometimes even being nice becomes a challenge.
From races to tests of strength, Rainbow Dash and Applejack can never settle down. In one episode, the two of them are asked to help a new group of characters understand friendship, though it was emphasized that they had to work together. In a change of pace, Dash and Applejack are much more polite to one another, though it proves to be counterproductive as they aim to be the "most friendly" and insist the other makes a move first.
1 Last Airbender: Zuko and Azula Compete For Their Father's Approval
Beyond serving their country of the Fire Nation, Zuko and Azula fight for the sake of their fathers' approval, which can be a huge challenge on its own. Because of how Zuko is treated by his father, Azula feels free to ridicule him and mimics her father's arrogance and manipulation.
From her father's example, Azula sees manipulation and brute force as the way to success, but she's far more talented at it than her older brother. Throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender, Zuko struggles with earning back his father's love, and because Azula fights to maintain their father's approval, they become sibling rivals of the worst kind.