Battle Couple: Difference between revisions

[[File:cit_shakugan_no_shana_-_yuji_and_shana_-_2nd_season_opening.jpg|link=Shakugan no Shana (Light Novel)|right|<small>She's a [[Playing With Fire|flaming]] [[Tsundere]] with a [[Katanas Are Just Better]]. He's a ghostly [[Mission Control|tactical]] power supply. [[They Fight Crime]] and [[Demonic Invaders]].</small> ]]

 

 

 

 

In [[Real Life]], it's also the same as above -- and often, they're officers, instead. There are laws in some areas against this sort of thing if one outranks the other, although this is usually meant to prevent the superior from [[Rape Is a Special Kind of Evil|forcing the under-ranked into it]].

If they're married, they're likely [[Happily Married]]. Has a platonic counterpart in [[Adventure Duo]]. It may overlap with [[Spy Couple]]. In fantasy settings, they'll probably manifest as [[Sword and Sorcerer]]. Add a kid or two for a [[Badass Family]] with a [[Mama Bear]] and a [[Papa Wolf]]. If it's one guy/girl and ''his/her harem'' instead of just two people, then it's a [[Harem Hero]](ine) and his/her [[Battle Harem]].

 

 

== Anime & Manga ==

** It eventually becomes a [[Battle Harem]].

* [[Inuyasha|Inu-Yasha and Kagome]]; [[Beta Couple|Miroku and Sango]], eventually.

* ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist]]'':

** Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye. [[Everyone Can See It]].

** Sometimes even then.

* Deunan and Briareos from ''[[Appleseed]]''.

* Every Fighter/Sacrifice duo in ''[[Loveless]]'', to a degree.

* ''[[Basara]]'' has pirate leader Chacha and her lover and first mate Zaki.

* {{spoiler|Allelujah Haptism and Soma Peries/Marie Parfacy}} in ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (Anime)|Gundam 00]]'', after {{spoiler|Marie returns to action in the GN Archer, which combines with Allelujah's Arios Gundam to form the Arios Archer. In [[The Movie]], they will co-pilot Gundam Harute.}}

* ''[[Ranma One Half|Ranma ½]]'': You'd ''think'' [[Official Couple|Ranma and Akane]] would be one of these, but the truth is, they aren't... or at least, they're not a very good one. For starters, Akane's typically a bystander in any battles Ranma gets involved in -- if she isn't just back at home while Ranma's out in the middle of nowhere beating on whoever's ticked him off, she's sitting on the sidelines and watching while he does all the fighting... or is hypnotized, kidnapped, tied up or turned into a doll and otherwise incapable of joining in. When Akane does join in the fight against an opponent, assuming she and Ranma actually fight the same foe, a lot of times, Akane and Ranma tend to get in each other's way more than anything (or, at the very least, Akane ends up getting herself overwhelmed and Ranma has to pull her fat out of the fire). [[Tsundere|Akane]], you see, [[Don't You Dare Pity Me|resents]] the way Ranma assumes "[[Overshadowed By Awesome|I'm the greater martial artist]], [[I Will Protect Her|so I gotta protect Akane]]", which typically leaves them wide open to the exploits of their enemies. The one exception in the series, the one time they really pulled the [[Battle Couple]] deal off, was during their face-off against the [[Orochi]]. There's a reason why [[Portmanteau Couple Name|Rakane]] [[Shipping|shippers]] in particular like to see that story as a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]] and [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming]]. Ranma also fights along side his other fiancees, Shampoo and Ukyo several times throughout the series.

* Kagura and Kensuke from ''[[Ga-Rei]]''. Eventually, anyway.

* Larva and Miyu from ''[[Vampire Princess Miyu]]''.

* [[Girls Love]] (sorta) example: ''[[Noir]]'', with Kirika and Mireille. {{spoiler|[[Psycho Lesbian|Chloe]] ''wanted'' to have Kirika as her partner and it ''almost'' works, but then she attacked Mireille...}}

* Naoe and Kagetora from ''[[Mirage of Blaze (Light Novel)|Mirage of Blaze]]''.

* Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez from the ''[[Spy Kids (Film)|Spy Kids]]'' series are a mix of this and [[Spy Couple]]. Throw in Carmen and Juni and you have [[Badass Family]].

* Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood in [[Raiders of the Lost Ark (Film)|the first]] and [[Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull (Film)|fourth]] episode of [[Indiana Jones (Franchise)|the famous tetralogy]].

* In ''[[Kung Fu Hustle]]'', there is the battle couple of the Landlord and Landlady. Both appear as innocuous, though important characters that later in the film demonstrate incredible martial arts skill.

* Ben Richards and Amber from ''[[The Running Man (Film)|The Running Man]]''.

** Han and Leia are mentioned under film already, but their battle couple status does continue in the expanded universe.

** [[Fateofthe Jedi|Ben and Vestara]] seem to be heading in this direction. It'll be interesting to see how this works out in the long run, [[Dating Catwoman|because she's a Sith apprentice.]] {{spoiler|It doesn't.}}

* Otori Takeo and Shirakawa Kaede (as well as Takeo and Muto Yuki) in ''[[Tales of the Otori]]''.

* Annabeth and Percy in ''[[Percy Jackson and The Olympians (Literature)|Percy Jackson and The Olympians]]''.

* Richard and Kahlan are this in the [[Sword of Truth]], some of the time. Much more so after Richard taught her his methods of fighting. Zedd, Cara, and Nicci all take turns being the third wheel there. Nathan and Ann do this, as do Verna and Warren. All I'm saying is Rahls and Zoranders get around. Plus, there are far too many family and professional ties in that group for my taste.

** Confessors and their Wizards are in some senses this.

 

 

*** Klingons adore [[Battle Couple]] s and they are [[Older Then Dirt]] in their culture. Not only is there the legendary pair Kahless and Lucera but stories of [[Battle Couple]] s go back from the legendary to the mythic when the first Klingon [[Battle Couple]] sacked the heavens together. And in every Klingon marriage an important part is promising to be a [[Battle Couple]].

*** Don't forget the top quote. That refers to Odo and Kira Nerys.

* [[Legend of the Seeker|Richard and Kahlan]]. This is a change from the [[Sword of Truth|source material]], where Kahlan's skill in battle depended on the plot.

* [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]] and Angel, with their lots of time spent fighting evil together, would probably qualify, but Buffy and Riley would definitely qualify -- unfortunately this is one of the factors leading to their break-up, as Riley's lack of superpowers meant he can't keep up with Buffy in a fight. But Riley returns for "[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV)/Recap/S6 E15 As You Were|As You Were]]" in Season 6, he's married to a [[Badass Normal]] [[Action Girl]], forming a new Battle Couple.

** And now, General Beckman and Roan Montgomery.

* From the BBC's ''[[Robin Hood (TV)|Robin Hood]]'': not so much Robin and Marian (they are rarely seen fighting together), but definitely outlaws Will Scarlett and Djaq. Heck, their first act as an official couple is to kill a man, after which Will informs the corpse: "She's with me."

* Kate and Sawyer on ''[[Lost (TV)|Lost]]'' used to be quite a formidable tagteam regardless of their relationship status at the moment. Kate also occasionally had this with Sayid.

** Sawyer and {{spoiler|Juliet}} become a straighter example in S5.

** In the serial "Battlefield", Ancelyn and Brigadier Bambera start out beating on each other and end up as a glorious example of this trope.

** Martha Jones and Mickey Smith end up becoming one as well.

** Vastra and Jenny from the 2011 mid-series finale; sword-wielding interspecies lesbians who fight crime in Victorian London (and sometimes other eras). And the fandom said: ''more.''

* In the Who-spinoff ''[[Torchwood (TV)|Torchwood]]'', Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones eventually become this, especially after Ianto [[Took a Level In Badass|takes a level in bad-ass]] before the events of ''Children of Earth'. {{spoiler|Unfortunately, it doesn't end well.}}

* Rya'c and Kar'yn become this in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episode "Sacrifices". This trope is [[Lampshade Hanging|lampshaded]] and used to justify their marriage when they face opposition from Teal'c on the basis that Rya'c has chosen to fight the Goa'uld and that war has to be his priority. As Ishta points out, "A warrior is always stronger with another at his side" so being a [[Battle Couple]] will be better for both them and their cause.

* An interesting version appears in ''[[Charmed (TV)|Charmed]]'', where it's the woman, Piper, who is the more aggressive one, and the man, Leo, is the more peaceful one. Yet when it comes to the safety of their children, the opposition tends to explode spectacularly.

* ''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]]'': Tommy Oliver and Kimberly Hart.

* Dexter and Lumen become this in Season 5 of ''[[Dexter]]''. Notable in that instead of actual battle, they're both serial killers.

* Popo and Nana (Ice Climbers) from {{Super Smash Bros Series}}. Though not much is known about them, their friendship towards each other is obvious. Though they might not classify as a couple because they are still just young kids.

* In ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots]]'' {{spoiler|Johnny}} eventually manages to win {{spoiler|Meryl's}} heart, by saving {{spoiler|her}} life on not one but three occasions. In a scene that [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QofhJhJGBjw has to be seen to be believed], they hold a door against seeming endless waves of attackers while slipping new magazines into each others guns, and proposing each other for marriage.

*** {{spoiler|In what may be considered either the most [[Tear Jerker|heartbreaking]] or [[Metal Gear Solid (Video Game)/Heartwarming|heartwarming]] conclusion to that relationship, the Sorrow actually ''encouraged'' the Boss to kill him to complete her mission. This strongly implies that the Sorrow wasn't even willing to fight to defend himself against her, showing that his loyalty was first and foremost to her.}}

* Max Payne and Mona Sax turn into one of these during the course of ''[[Max Payne 2]]''.

** ''[[Baldurs Gate]]'' series has a few. There's Khalid and Jaheira, and to a lesser extent, Eldoth and Skie, in the first game. In the second game, the player him-/herself could have one, with one of the several options, while Haer'Dalis and Aerie, and maybe Korgan and Mazzy, have potential for this as well (but in an unmodded game go nowhere).

** The possibilities for this in the ''[[Knights of the Old Republic]]'' games are endless... In the first game, {{spoiler|Revan}} and Bastila (especially awesome if {{spoiler|you decide to join Bastila on the Dark Side}}) if you play male. Carth or [[Gay Option|even Juhani]] if you play female. You get a choice in the second- The Exile and Atton or the Disciple if the Exile's female, and Visas or the Handmaiden if he's Male.

** As above in ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]: Hordes of the Underdark'', with {{spoiler|the ghost of Aribeth}} or Nathyrra and your PC, who end up ''beating up {{spoiler|[[Demonic Invaders|Mephistopheles]]}}''

*** Or Valen and the PC if the PC is female

** ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2]]'' (Though it was made by Obsidian) kind of precludes this with three of the four love interests over the course of the official campaign/Mask of the Betrayer arc being spellcasters (and Safiya being a literal [[Squishy Wizard]]), but a female PC and Casavir qualify.

*** A male PC and Elanee, if she is optimized for combat; or a female PC and Gann if he is optimized for combat both fit.

** The "Lair of the Shadow Broker" DLC can be played as Shepard and Liara getting back together - which, for them, involves {{spoiler|tracking down and killing one of the most feared men in the galaxy.}}

** Any romance option in ''[[Dragon Age (Video Game)|Dragon Age]]: Origins''. Becoming a couple will even help the characters level up. Especially long-lasting example is Leliana: in the ''Awakening'' epilogue (only if you romanced her and survived until then, of course), it is mentioned that the Warden is still out there adventuring together with her, years after the events of the game.

** The "5" example may or may not count.

* Almaz and Sapphire and Adell and Rozalin in the ''[[Disgaea]]'' series.

** Welkin and Alicia in ''[[Valkyria Chronicles (Video Game)|Valkyria Chronicles]]''. Karl and Lynn. {{spoiler|Largo and Varrot.}}

** In ''[[Valkyria Chronicles II (Video Game)|Valkyria Chronicles II]]'' there are some members of Class G that have a canonic relationship so they can qualify too.

** And of course, in this case [[They Fight Crime|they really do fight crime]]!

* ''[[Spyro the Dragon|The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon]]'' has Spyro and Cynder forming one of these.

** Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce actually has several missions based entirely around fighting said Battle Couples.

** The Empires version of 6 allows you to pair ''everyone'' with ''everyone else''...as long as it's heterosexual.

** Issac and Jenna, officially, though they married ''after'' the period they did fight together. Though considering how long it took for their kid to pop out, they probably [[Cannot Spit It Out|did not spit it out]] until some time after the first series ended.

* The ''[[Tales Series]]'' seems to like this one, especially double-teamed with [[BST]]:

** ''[[Tales of Destiny (Video Game)|Tales of Destiny]]'' gives us [[Wide Eyed Idealist|Stahn]] and [[Classy Cat Burglar|Rutee]].

** [[Tales of Symphonia (Video Game)|Lloyd and Colette]] in every ''[[Tales Series]]'' spin off they appear in. Depending on [[Relationship Values]], they can become this in the original game, too.

*** Also, Emil and Marta along with the villainous and Alice and Decus from ''[[Tales of Symphonia Dawn of the New World]]'', although Decus in this partnership is a bit... special.

** [[Rebellious Princess|Feferi Peixes]] and [[Playful Hacker|Sollux Captor]].

** [[Stringy Haired Ghost Girl|Aradia Megido]] and [[Does Not Know His Own Strength|Equius Zahhak]] (Sollux and Aradia appear to have been a couple [[Back From the Dead|before she died]], but never ''in battle'').

** [[Ineffectual Loner|Dave Strider]] and [[Genki Girl|Jade Harley]].

* [[The Captain|Milo]] and [[Number Two|Jenny]] in ''[[The Zombie Hunters]]''.

* [[DC Nation]] is fond of this trope, and sometimes dovetails it with [[Badass Family]]. Sand and Merlynne (and, previously, Merlynne and Caleb); Green Shield and [[Green Lantern (Comic Book)|Green Lantern]] Travis Grey; Changeling/Beastboy and Fauna...even ostensible non-combatants like Sue Dibny and Hugo Anders get a moment or two of [[Badass]].

* The [[Global Guardians PBEM Universe]] featured Yin and Yang, a husband-and-wife team of crimefighting martial artists operating out of San Francisco.

* [[Atop the Fourth Wall (Web Video)|Linkara and Iron Liz]] have at least once beaten up [[Mooks]] together. Notably, they're a couple in real life, [[Blatant Lies|albeit probably not as badass]].

* Church and Tex from ''[[Red vs. Blue]]'' could qualify. It's pretty clear they both still have feelings for each other no matter how many insults they toss back and forth. Probably more feelings from Church than Tex as her emotions seems to have taken a beating during her time as a Freelancer paired with a psychotic [[Ax Crazy]] AI.

* ''[[Justice League]]'': Green Lantern and Hawkgirl. To [[Wonder Woman]]'s dismay, ''not'' her and Batman.

** ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' had Black Canary and Green Arrow, Huntress and [[The Question]], and Green Lantern and ''Vixen''. To Hawkman's dismay, ''not'' him and Hawkgirl.

* If the above example counts, so does Robin and Starfire from ''[[Teen Titans (Animation)|Teen Titans]]''.

** [[Shipping|Some fans]] would argue that Beast Boy and Raven count too.

* [[Fan Preferred Couple|Although not official]], Numbuh 1 and Numbuh 5 from ''[[Codename Kids Next Door (Animation)|Codename Kids Next Door]]''.

** Depending on the fan. Others prefer Numbuh 1 and Numbuh 362. [[The Scrappy|Lizzie? Who's Lizzie?]].