The rival.
Especially the douchebag Machiavellian type rivals that the main character ends up friends or teaming up with after the main character 'proves their worth' to them by being stronger. No character growth outside of now they work with the protagonist.
I really want this trope to be subverted one day, like the douchey rival shows up and everyone is just like "Wow what a dickhead" and just relentlessly bullies him until he goes away.
deleted by creator
The Dragon Balls.
deleted by creator
Yeah I was more thinking the Namekian Dragon Balls. I'm also a big Dragon Ball fan. I'm just taking the piss out of it.
deleted by creator