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* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', Terra learns primarily fire spells, while her {{Foil}} Celes focuses on ice spells.
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* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', which is practically built entirely on the FourElementEnsemble, the first protagonists introduced in the show hail from the peaceful and simple Water Tribe, while the main antagonists are from the despotic and warlike Fire Nation.
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* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', which is practically built entirely on the FourElementEnsemble, the first protagonists introduced in the show hail from the peaceful and simple Water Tribe, while the main antagonists are from the despotic and warlike Fire Nation. Nation.
** The [[SuperpowerLottery Avatars]] themselves often encounter this as well. [[PlayingWithFire Fire-native]] Avatars often find learning [[MakingASplash Waterbending]] to be the most difficult bending art to learn, and vice versa for Water-native avatars. Earth- and Air-native avatars also have similar difficulties, but this trope doesn't directly apply.
** The [[SuperpowerLottery Avatars]] themselves often encounter this as well. [[PlayingWithFire Fire-native]] Avatars often find learning [[MakingASplash Waterbending]] to be the most difficult bending art to learn, and vice versa for Water-native avatars. Earth- and Air-native avatars also have similar difficulties, but this trope doesn't directly apply.
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* ''SamuraiWarriors'' has Kenshin (ice) and Shingen (fire).Note that it may refer to the chosen element of their ultimate weapon.
* ''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersia The Forgotten Sands'' has the elemental opposition between Razia the Marid Queen (who has powers over water, which in the series symbolize life) and the Ifrit Lord Ratash, who has power over both fire and sand (which, in the series, is opposed to water as a symbol of death and entropy.)
* ''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersia The Forgotten Sands'' has the elemental opposition between Razia the Marid Queen (who has powers over water, which in the series symbolize life) and the Ifrit Lord Ratash, who has power over both fire and sand (which, in the series, is opposed to water as a symbol of death and entropy.)
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* ''SamuraiWarriors'' ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors'' has Kenshin (ice) and Shingen (fire).Note that it may refer to the chosen element of their ultimate weapon.
*''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersia The Forgotten Sands'' ''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersiaTheForgottenSands'' has the elemental opposition between Razia the Marid Queen (who has powers over water, which in the series symbolize life) and the Ifrit Lord Ratash, who has power over both fire and sand (which, in the series, is opposed to water as a symbol of death and entropy.) )
*
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** In the same game, the goddess Cosmos is associated with water, and her throne, Order's Sanctuary, is covered in a shallow layer of water. Chaos on the other hand is associated with fire, using many fire attacks in battle, and his throne, Edge of Madness, is a {{Mordor}} area covered in magma with fireballs raining from the sky.
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* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' has the recurring summons Ifrit and Shiva for Fire and Ice. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' pairs them up as bosses, while ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' sees Ifrit pull an OhCrap if you summon Shiva against him.
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* ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'', Tidus carries a water-theme with his attacks, having a crest of bubbles on his sword (which is blue) and leaving splashes as he runs in [[SuperMode EX Mode]], references to [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX his original game's water themes]]. [[ArchnemesisDad His father]] Jecht on the other hand throws out SpellBlade and {{Elemental Punch}}es of fire.
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* In ''Manga/FairyTail there are Natsu (Fire) and Gray (Ice).
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* In ''Manga/FairyTail ''Manga/FairyTail'' there are Natsu (Fire) and Gray (Ice).
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* In ''FairyTail there are Natsu (Fire) and Gray (Ice).
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* Any and all instances of HailfirePeaks.
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* Any and all instances of HailfirePeaks.
* Any and all instances of HailfirePeaks.
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It\'s 1a here I\'M SORRY.
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I officially cannot folder-ize the Western Animation section...
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Wiki standard is folders.
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This trope frequently comes into play in {{Four Element Ensemble}}s, when characters' uses of fire-based and water-based [[ElementalPowers abilities]] are used to set them up as {{Foil}}s. Depending on the form that it takes, this trope can be a sub-trope of ElementalPowers (if characters are associated with fire, water or ice through their uses of elemental abilities) or EmpathicEnvironment (when changes in the state of the physical world reflects changes in the emotional state of the characters that inhabit it).\\
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This trope frequently comes into play in {{Four Element Ensemble}}s, when characters' uses of fire-based and water-based [[ElementalPowers abilities]] are used to set them up as {{Foil}}s. Depending on the form that it takes, this trope can be a sub-trope of ElementalPowers (if characters are associated with fire, water or ice through their uses of elemental abilities) or EmpathicEnvironment (when changes in the state of the physical world reflects changes in the emotional state of the characters that inhabit it).\\
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Compare EvilIsBurningHot and EvilIsDeathlyCold (when this trope is employed in two differing portrayals of evil) and ElementalRivalry (when this trope is used to set up two elemental wielders as adversaries). This trope frequently comes into play in {{Four Element Ensemble}}s, when characters' uses of fire-based and water-based [[ElementalPowers abilities]] are used to set them up as {{Foil}}s. Depending on the form that this trope takes, it can be a sub-trope of ElementalPowers (if characters are associated with fire, water or ice through their uses of elemental abilities) or EmpathicEnvironment (when changes in the state of the physical world reflects changes in the emotional state of the characters that inhabit it).\\
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Compare EvilIsBurningHot and EvilIsDeathlyCold (when this trope is employed in two differing portrayals of evil) and ElementalRivalry (when this trope is used to set up two elemental wielders as adversaries).
This trope frequently comes into play in {{Four Element Ensemble}}s, when characters' uses of fire-based and water-based [[ElementalPowers abilities]] are used to set them up as {{Foil}}s. Depending on the form that it takes, this tropetakes, it can be a sub-trope of ElementalPowers (if characters are associated with fire, water or ice through their uses of elemental abilities) or EmpathicEnvironment (when changes in the state of the physical world reflects changes in the emotional state of the characters that inhabit it).\\
This trope frequently comes into play in {{Four Element Ensemble}}s, when characters' uses of fire-based and water-based [[ElementalPowers abilities]] are used to set them up as {{Foil}}s. Depending on the form that it takes, this trope
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[-[[caption-width:350:Two [[{{Foil}} very different characters]] are reborn from their suffering in a single scene. One through fire, one through water.]]-]
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[-[[caption-width:350:Two [[{{Foil}} very different characters]] are reborn from their suffering in a single scene. One through fire, one through water.]]-]
As two of the four classical elements, and probably the two most frequently used in fiction, it's no surprise that fire and water can play dominant roles in building atmosphere in visual media. A raging rainstorm can carry as much pathos as a burning house, just as a roaring bonfire can be as comforting as a calm lake. When a writer wants to form an immediately obvious contrast between ''two'' characters, places or events, though, it can be particularly visually stimulating to associate one with fire, and one with water--perhaps drawing a contrast between creation and destruction, tranquility and belligerence, or nurturing and consuming.
Alternately, it can be equally stimulating to create a contrast between fire and ''ice'', with the two playing into differing flavors of destructive power, or mutually destructive elements that help form the world.
If writers want to play with religious motifs, this trope can play into imagery frequently associated with baptism, with a "baptism by fire" forming a contrast to traditional baptism by water. If this trope is employed, expect lots of playing around with the OrangeBlueContrast.
Compare EvilIsBurningHot and EvilIsDeathlyCold (when this trope is employed in two differing portrayals of evil), and ElementalRivalry (when this trope is used to set up two elemental wielders as adversaries).
!!Examples:
[[AC: Anime and Manga]]
* One of the openings of ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' featured Bastion Misawa with Water Dragon and a similar fire dragon. However Water Dragon was the only one of the two to have ever been used in the anime (and the only one of the two to be {{Defictionalized}}).
* In ''DragonBallGT'' we have the two brothers Nova Shenron (fire) and Eis Shenron (Ice).
* In ''OnePiece'' is seen with two of the Admirals: the lazy but righteous [[AnIcePerson Aokiji]] and the ruthless GeneralRipper [[MagmaMan Akainu]].
* In ''{{Naruto}}'', we have [[MakingASplash Kisame]] and Itachi (who can use [[PlayingWithFire Fire techniques]].)
* In ''{{Gamaran}}'', the BoisterousBruiser Zenmaru specialize in the "Kagutsuchi Kata" (Fire God Form) style, while the much calmer Shinnojo is an expert of the "Mizuchi Kata" (Water Dragon Form).
*''DigimonAdventure'': TheHero Tai was Fire, TheLancer Matt was blue Fire in his early forms and Ice in his more powerful stages.
* In ''FairyTail there are Natsu (Fire) and Gray (Ice).
* In ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'': Kenshin and the Kyoto arc BigBad Shishio Makoto can be considered rivals (both were highly skilled ''hitokiri'' during the Bakumatsu period (1853-1868), and now they're enemies. In their final battle, Kenshin's revamp and secret attack summons forth a fierce squall, while Makoto's special attack and power up are announced by roaring flames.
* Rin Natsuki/Cure Rouge and Karen Minazuki/Cure Aqua from ''YesPrettyCure5''. The former uses fire elemental magic and is designated as the Cure of Passion. The latter uses water elemental magic and is designated as the Cure of Intelligence. These two characters early on are depicted as rivals that couldn't get along most of the time and hate being one-upped by the other. However, over the first season, they came to an understanding, and the rivalry became less severe.
[[AC: Comic Books]]
* This was the basis of [[TropeMaker the first superhero crossover in the history of comics]] back in 1940, when ''Marvel Mystery Comics #9'' had [[ComicBook/SubMariner the Sub-Mariner]] (the Prince of Atlantis) facing off against [[WreathedInFlames the original Human Torch]] in a showdown that was billed as "the ultimate battle of Fire against Water".
* The aforementioned rivalry between [[ComicBook/SubMariner Namor the Sub-Mariner]] and the original Human Torch also carries over into the current comics, where Namor is a frequent supporting character in books featuring the ComicBook/FantasticFour (of which the second Human Torch is a member). Namor, a proud, overbearing monarch known for his stoic personality, provides the perfect {{foil}} for the compassionate, fun-loving daredevil Johnny Storm.
* In ''ComicBook/{{X-Men}}'', this trope is part of what helps solidify Cyclops' two love interests, Jean Grey and Emma Frost, as [[BettyAndVeronica diametric opposites of one another]].
** Jean is a [[HeroesWantRedheads red-haired woman]] who has gone by the code name "Phoenix" for a good bit of her career, frequently wears a flaming bird insignia as part of her costume, and has psychic powers that frequently manifest themselves as flames. Appropriately, she is known for her warm, compassionate nature, and (on darker occasions) for her unpredictable fiery temper.
** Emma (while not actually having [[AnIcePerson ice-based powers]]) is frequently visually associated with ice and the cold because of her surname "Frost", her blonde hair, her [[WomanInWhite all-white clothing]], and her diamond-based form that makes her resemble an ice sculpture. Appropriately, she is known for her coldly stoic personality, and her often cynical attitude towards life.
* ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'''s aptly-named [[PlayingWithFire Fire]] and [[AnIcePerson Ice]], who have something of a surrogate sisterly relationship with one another, are a fairly straightforward example.
* ''BatmanAndTheOutsiders'' has a villainous couple with heat and cold powers, who are actually trying to find a cure to their opposite powers.
* The first page of issue #1 of ''[[ComicBook/OneHundredBullets 100 Bullets]]'' is a flashback sequence showing the the central character Dizzy Cordova standing in the rain with a gun to her head, and it's immediately followed by a scene of a nude Dizzy taking a shower. The final page of the final issue has Dizzy [[spoiler: in the burning Medici manor, pointing a gun to Agent Graves' head, possibly about to be burned to death]].
[[AC: Film]]
* Heat Miser and Snow Miser in ''WesternAnimation/TheYearWithoutASantaClaus''.
* Iceman and Pyro in the [[Film/XMen X-Men film]].
* Discussed in ''Film/FreddyVsJason'' where it's suggested that some of the animosity between [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet Freddy Krueger]] and [[Franchise/FridayThe13th Jason Voorhees]] stems from the fact that the former was created from fire, and the latter was created from water (Freddy became a dream-dwelling demon after being burned to death by an angry mob, and Jason became a hulking zombie after drowning as a child).
* Employed in ''Film/VForVendetta'', as a contrast between V and Evey's respective "rebirths": we see shots of Evey basking in a rainstorm following her imprisonment and torture [[spoiler: at V's hands]] interposed with a flashback of V emerging from the fiery ruins of Larkhill Concentration Camp.
* Spread across two films with ''Film/CasinoRoyale'' and ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'', which are (not coincidentally) the only two Franchise/JamesBond films to be direct sequels to one another.
** The climax of ''Casino Royale'' has 007 fighting to save Vesper Lynd from the bad guys amidst a collapsing building in Venice, and ultimately diving into the water in an attempt to save her from drowning.
** The climax of ''Quantum of Solace'' has 007 and Camille fighting the bad guys in a burning building in a desert in Bolivia, and just narrowly avoiding being consumed by flames.
* In ''Film/SherlockHolmes'', the two most dramatic murders carried out by [[BigBad Lord Blackwood]] (both of which occur at the midpoint at the movie, just as Blackwood's plan is coming together) employ this trope. First he drowns [[spoiler: Sir Thomas Rotheram]] in his bathtub, then we see him burn [[spoiler: Ambassador Standish]] alive about 15 minutes later.
* Used as a plot point in ''Film/{{Constantine}}'', where it's explained that water is a "universal conduit" that can facilitate transportation to Hell and its surrounding realms. In order to reach Hell, which is made of [[FireAndBrimstoneHell fire and brimstone]], a person has to suspend at least part of their body in water while on Earth.
*Played extremely straight in ''Film/{{The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl}}'', through the obvious differences between Sharkboy (a bitey, angry water-guy) and Lavagirl (the feisty, but caring fire-girl). Although the characters themselves seem like they wouldn't be able to get along (and indeed, [[ElementalRockPaperScissors they are often hurt by each other]]), together they make up for the other's weaknesses.
[[AC: Literature]]
* Also spread across two installments in Creator/OrsonScottCard's ''Literature/TheTalesOfAlvinMaker''.
** The first scene of ''Seventh Son'', the first book in the series, has the protagonist nearly dying as an infant when his family is caught in a flood (which ends up drowning his oldest brother).
** The first scene of ''Red Prophet'', the second book, introduces us to a man with the ability to control fire, who nearly ends up killing the book's BigBad by burning down his fortress.
* Used for the Triwizard Tournament in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheGobletOfFire'', where the first challenge requires the competitors to face off against four fire-breathing dragons, and the second challenge requires them to swim to the bottom of the Black Lake while battling Merpeople.
* Turns up constantly in ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire''.
** There are two conflicting religions based around the ocean-dwelling Drowned God (whose followers show their devotion by anointing their heads with seawater) and the [[LightIsNotGood fiery "Lord of Light" R'hllor]] (whose followers show their devotion with huge bonfires).
** This trope is used to contrast several of the warring factions in the War of the Five Kings.
*** One major faction is led by the dragon-taming House Targaryen, whose members follow the motto "Fire and Blood", have a dragon as their sigil, and claim to trace their lineage to an ancient civilization that was destroyed by volcanoes. One (in)famous member of the family started a lot of drama by [[spoiler: attempting to use alchemical weapons to burn his kingdom's capital city to the ground]].
*** One faction is led by Lord Stannis Baratheon, a militant follower of the religion of the aforementioned god R'hllor, who wears a red gold crown with points fashioned to look like flames, and has a ring of heart-shaped fire worked into his personal sigil.
*** One faction is led by the island-dwelling Greyjoy family, whose members have a kraken as their sigil, anoint their leaders with crowns made of driftwood, and follow the religion of the aforementioned Drowned God.
*** One faction is led by the Stark family and their Northern allies, who are constantly associated with ice and cold, following the motto "Winter is Coming", and are (initially) led by a man who carries a greatsword called "Ice".
** Two major inciting events in the series involve the simultaneous return of the Others (undead creatures from the frozen North who carry weapons made of ice, and melt like ice when killed) and the fire-breathing Dragons. Both happen on opposite sides of the world, and both happen in the domains of two opposing factions of the war.
[[AC: LiveActionTV]]
* The first BadFuture in ''{{Heroes}}'' has a fire-using Peter battling Sylar, who is using ice powers.
[[AC: Mythology and Folklore]]
* In {{Norse Mythology}}'s creation myth, runoff from Niflheim (the world of ice and mist) got too close to Muspellheim (the world of fire and heat) within the Gaping Nothing, which eventually led to the creation of the Universe.
* In Hawaiian mythology, Pele the fire goddess is in a constant battle with her sister Na'maka the ocean goddess. This conflict actually ''creates Hawaii,'' continuously, as runoff from the volcanoes reaches the sea and solidifies.
[[AC:Toys]]
* Most Toa teams in {{Bionicle}} have a Toa of Fire as TheHero and a Toa of Ice as TheLancer, typically having a RedOniBlueOni dynamic. Tahu and Kopaka are the most prominent example, although they're both just as likely to start arguing with Gali, the Toa of Water, as they are with each other.
[[AC: Tabletop Games]]
* TabletopGame/YuGiOh has some examples:
** PlayedWith in the Duel Terminal {{Metaplot}}. The [[PlayingWithFire La]][[ProudWarriorRace val]] and [[MakingASplash Gis]][[ReligionOfEvil hki]] monsters are both villains and working together. The best example of this trope though is [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Lavalval_Chain Lavalval Chain.]]
** The [[FishPeople Atlantians]] (And after being forced to fight for them, [[OurMermaidsAreDifferent Mermails]]) are battling the [[MythicalMotifs Fire Kings]] (And perhaps the similar Hazy Flame monsters) again this trope shown by [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/High_Tide_on_Fire_Island Ocean Ablaze]] ([[DubNameChange AKA High Tide On Fire Island]]).
** And then there are the cards like [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Frost_and_Flame_Dragon Frost and Flame Dragon]], [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Elemental_HERO_Steam_Healer Elemental Hero Steam Healer]], and [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Battle_of_the_Elements Battle of the Elements]].
[[AC: Video-Games]]
* [[BadAssPreacher Joshua Graham]] from ''Videogame/FalloutNewVegas'' DLC ''Honest Hearts'' describes himself as having been baptised twice in his life; once in water (referencing his Mormon upbringing) and once in fire (he abandoned the faith and became a soldier under a warlord named Caesar, but when he led his soldiers into an ambush and lost an important battle, [[YouHaveFailedMe Caesar had him covered in pitch and set alight as punishment for his failure]]; [[MadeOfIron he survived somehow,]] and returned to his home to re-join the faith).
* In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3'', the final two members of the Cobras are set up using this trope. First, Snake battles "The Fury", who's perpetually angry, and battles his enemies by burning them with flamethrowers and jet engines. The very next boss battle takes place in a river in the middle of a raging rainstorm, where Snake is pitted against "The Sorrow", who's [[DissonantSerenity eerily calm]], and never even throws a punch at him.
* In the ''{{Diablo}}'' series, the hell you visit in ''Diablo II'' has overall a lava and rock motif, while the heavens you visit in ''DiabloIII'' has a water and crystal motif [[spoiler:(at least, before Diablo starts corrupting them)]]. This is especially notable at the part where you must take some portals from the heavens to hell: the contrast is quite evident there.
* In the ''HeroesOfMightAndMagic'' series, Gelu wields the [[FlamingSword Armageddon's Blade]] in battle against Kilgor, who wields the Sword of Frost. When the two blades meet each other, they unleash a destructive magical shockwave that [[ApocalypseHow nearly destroys the planet]].
* ''Videogame/KillerInstinct'' contrasts Glacius, an ice-themed alien shape-shifter, with Cinder, a human who was mutated into a living flame by an experiment gone wrong.
* In ''PokemonRubyAndSapphire'', the legendary Pokémon Kyogre and Groudon are linked with the oceans and the continents respectively, but Groudon can also use fire attacks and creates a 'Sunny Day' effect when on the battlefield. There are also two groups of Pokémon trainers locked in a feud and battling for control of these legendaries: Team Aqua wants to use Kyogre to flood the continents and expand the sea, while Team Magma want to harness Groudon to evaporate the sea and raise new land.
* Scorpion and Sub-Zero from ''Franchise/MortalKombat''.
* ''SamuraiWarriors'' has Kenshin (ice) and Shingen (fire).Note that it may refer to the chosen element of their ultimate weapon.
* ''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersia The Forgotten Sands'' has the elemental opposition between Razia the Marid Queen (who has powers over water, which in the series symbolize life) and the Ifrit Lord Ratash, who has power over both fire and sand (which, in the series, is opposed to water as a symbol of death and entropy.)
* ''DarkDawn'': Two gems that give you the power to evaporate water or turn it to ice are held by the Sand Prince and the Frost Queen. [[PlayingWithFire The former]] is a WorthyOpponent who battles you to gauge your strength before he willingly gives you the gem, [[AnIcePerson the latter]] is a textbook [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen evil queen]] who won't give up her gem peacefully.
*[[KingOfFighters King of Fighters]] has [[AntiHero 'K]] and [[DistaffCounterpart Kula Diamond]], whose [[RyuAndKen styles are similar]], yet, they use fire and ice respectively.
*There is also some sort of rivalry in VideoGame/ManaKhemia2FallOfAlchemy between Whim and Yun, being a [[MakingASplash Water Mana]] and [[PlayingWithFire Fire Mana]] respectively.
* In ''VideoGame/Disgaea3AbsenceOfJustice'', MainCharacter [[MagicKnight Mao]] is able to learn Ice magic naturally, while his ChildhoodFriend and rival [[SquishyWizard Raspberyl]] excels in Fire magic.
[[AC: Western Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', which is practically built entirely on the FourElementEnsemble, the first protagonists introduced in the show hail from the peaceful and simple Water Tribe, while the main antagonists are from the despotic and warlike Fire Nation.
* In ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' Flame Princess ( [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin fire elemental]] ) sees Finn crying over her. She thinks he's a water elemental because he "releases water," which is why they can't get along.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "The Magicks of Megas-tu". During Captain Kirk's magical battle with the Megan prosecutor, the prosecutor summons up a wall of flames in front of Captain Kirk. Kirk responds by creating a cascade of water to put out the fire. The fire represents the prosecutor's desire to destroy Kirk, while the water represents Kirk's basically defensive and non-aggressive posture (as appropriate for a representative of the Federation).
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[-[[caption-width:350:Two [[{{Foil}} very different characters]] are reborn from their suffering in a single scene. One through fire, one through water.]]-]
As two of the four classical elements, and probably the two most frequently used in fiction, it's no surprise that fire and water can play dominant roles in building atmosphere in visual media. A raging rainstorm can carry as much pathos as a burning house, just as a roaring bonfire can be as comforting as a calm lake. When a writer wants to form an immediately obvious contrast between ''two'' characters, places or events, though, it can be particularly visually stimulating to associate one with fire, and one with water--perhaps drawing a contrast between creation and destruction, tranquility and belligerence, or nurturing and consuming.
Alternately, it can be equally stimulating to create a contrast between fire and ''ice'', with the two playing into differing flavors of destructive power, or mutually destructive elements that help form the world.
If writers want to play with religious motifs, this trope can play into imagery frequently associated with baptism, with a "baptism by fire" forming a contrast to traditional baptism by water. If this trope is employed, expect lots of playing around with the OrangeBlueContrast.
Compare EvilIsBurningHot and EvilIsDeathlyCold (when this trope is employed in two differing portrayals of evil), and ElementalRivalry (when this trope is used to set up two elemental wielders as adversaries).
!!Examples:
[[AC: Anime and Manga]]
* One of the openings of ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' featured Bastion Misawa with Water Dragon and a similar fire dragon. However Water Dragon was the only one of the two to have ever been used in the anime (and the only one of the two to be {{Defictionalized}}).
* In ''DragonBallGT'' we have the two brothers Nova Shenron (fire) and Eis Shenron (Ice).
* In ''OnePiece'' is seen with two of the Admirals: the lazy but righteous [[AnIcePerson Aokiji]] and the ruthless GeneralRipper [[MagmaMan Akainu]].
* In ''{{Naruto}}'', we have [[MakingASplash Kisame]] and Itachi (who can use [[PlayingWithFire Fire techniques]].)
* In ''{{Gamaran}}'', the BoisterousBruiser Zenmaru specialize in the "Kagutsuchi Kata" (Fire God Form) style, while the much calmer Shinnojo is an expert of the "Mizuchi Kata" (Water Dragon Form).
*''DigimonAdventure'': TheHero Tai was Fire, TheLancer Matt was blue Fire in his early forms and Ice in his more powerful stages.
* In ''FairyTail there are Natsu (Fire) and Gray (Ice).
* In ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'': Kenshin and the Kyoto arc BigBad Shishio Makoto can be considered rivals (both were highly skilled ''hitokiri'' during the Bakumatsu period (1853-1868), and now they're enemies. In their final battle, Kenshin's revamp and secret attack summons forth a fierce squall, while Makoto's special attack and power up are announced by roaring flames.
* Rin Natsuki/Cure Rouge and Karen Minazuki/Cure Aqua from ''YesPrettyCure5''. The former uses fire elemental magic and is designated as the Cure of Passion. The latter uses water elemental magic and is designated as the Cure of Intelligence. These two characters early on are depicted as rivals that couldn't get along most of the time and hate being one-upped by the other. However, over the first season, they came to an understanding, and the rivalry became less severe.
[[AC: Comic Books]]
* This was the basis of [[TropeMaker the first superhero crossover in the history of comics]] back in 1940, when ''Marvel Mystery Comics #9'' had [[ComicBook/SubMariner the Sub-Mariner]] (the Prince of Atlantis) facing off against [[WreathedInFlames the original Human Torch]] in a showdown that was billed as "the ultimate battle of Fire against Water".
* The aforementioned rivalry between [[ComicBook/SubMariner Namor the Sub-Mariner]] and the original Human Torch also carries over into the current comics, where Namor is a frequent supporting character in books featuring the ComicBook/FantasticFour (of which the second Human Torch is a member). Namor, a proud, overbearing monarch known for his stoic personality, provides the perfect {{foil}} for the compassionate, fun-loving daredevil Johnny Storm.
* In ''ComicBook/{{X-Men}}'', this trope is part of what helps solidify Cyclops' two love interests, Jean Grey and Emma Frost, as [[BettyAndVeronica diametric opposites of one another]].
** Jean is a [[HeroesWantRedheads red-haired woman]] who has gone by the code name "Phoenix" for a good bit of her career, frequently wears a flaming bird insignia as part of her costume, and has psychic powers that frequently manifest themselves as flames. Appropriately, she is known for her warm, compassionate nature, and (on darker occasions) for her unpredictable fiery temper.
** Emma (while not actually having [[AnIcePerson ice-based powers]]) is frequently visually associated with ice and the cold because of her surname "Frost", her blonde hair, her [[WomanInWhite all-white clothing]], and her diamond-based form that makes her resemble an ice sculpture. Appropriately, she is known for her coldly stoic personality, and her often cynical attitude towards life.
* ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'''s aptly-named [[PlayingWithFire Fire]] and [[AnIcePerson Ice]], who have something of a surrogate sisterly relationship with one another, are a fairly straightforward example.
* ''BatmanAndTheOutsiders'' has a villainous couple with heat and cold powers, who are actually trying to find a cure to their opposite powers.
* The first page of issue #1 of ''[[ComicBook/OneHundredBullets 100 Bullets]]'' is a flashback sequence showing the the central character Dizzy Cordova standing in the rain with a gun to her head, and it's immediately followed by a scene of a nude Dizzy taking a shower. The final page of the final issue has Dizzy [[spoiler: in the burning Medici manor, pointing a gun to Agent Graves' head, possibly about to be burned to death]].
[[AC: Film]]
* Heat Miser and Snow Miser in ''WesternAnimation/TheYearWithoutASantaClaus''.
* Iceman and Pyro in the [[Film/XMen X-Men film]].
* Discussed in ''Film/FreddyVsJason'' where it's suggested that some of the animosity between [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet Freddy Krueger]] and [[Franchise/FridayThe13th Jason Voorhees]] stems from the fact that the former was created from fire, and the latter was created from water (Freddy became a dream-dwelling demon after being burned to death by an angry mob, and Jason became a hulking zombie after drowning as a child).
* Employed in ''Film/VForVendetta'', as a contrast between V and Evey's respective "rebirths": we see shots of Evey basking in a rainstorm following her imprisonment and torture [[spoiler: at V's hands]] interposed with a flashback of V emerging from the fiery ruins of Larkhill Concentration Camp.
* Spread across two films with ''Film/CasinoRoyale'' and ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'', which are (not coincidentally) the only two Franchise/JamesBond films to be direct sequels to one another.
** The climax of ''Casino Royale'' has 007 fighting to save Vesper Lynd from the bad guys amidst a collapsing building in Venice, and ultimately diving into the water in an attempt to save her from drowning.
** The climax of ''Quantum of Solace'' has 007 and Camille fighting the bad guys in a burning building in a desert in Bolivia, and just narrowly avoiding being consumed by flames.
* In ''Film/SherlockHolmes'', the two most dramatic murders carried out by [[BigBad Lord Blackwood]] (both of which occur at the midpoint at the movie, just as Blackwood's plan is coming together) employ this trope. First he drowns [[spoiler: Sir Thomas Rotheram]] in his bathtub, then we see him burn [[spoiler: Ambassador Standish]] alive about 15 minutes later.
* Used as a plot point in ''Film/{{Constantine}}'', where it's explained that water is a "universal conduit" that can facilitate transportation to Hell and its surrounding realms. In order to reach Hell, which is made of [[FireAndBrimstoneHell fire and brimstone]], a person has to suspend at least part of their body in water while on Earth.
*Played extremely straight in ''Film/{{The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl}}'', through the obvious differences between Sharkboy (a bitey, angry water-guy) and Lavagirl (the feisty, but caring fire-girl). Although the characters themselves seem like they wouldn't be able to get along (and indeed, [[ElementalRockPaperScissors they are often hurt by each other]]), together they make up for the other's weaknesses.
[[AC: Literature]]
* Also spread across two installments in Creator/OrsonScottCard's ''Literature/TheTalesOfAlvinMaker''.
** The first scene of ''Seventh Son'', the first book in the series, has the protagonist nearly dying as an infant when his family is caught in a flood (which ends up drowning his oldest brother).
** The first scene of ''Red Prophet'', the second book, introduces us to a man with the ability to control fire, who nearly ends up killing the book's BigBad by burning down his fortress.
* Used for the Triwizard Tournament in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheGobletOfFire'', where the first challenge requires the competitors to face off against four fire-breathing dragons, and the second challenge requires them to swim to the bottom of the Black Lake while battling Merpeople.
* Turns up constantly in ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire''.
** There are two conflicting religions based around the ocean-dwelling Drowned God (whose followers show their devotion by anointing their heads with seawater) and the [[LightIsNotGood fiery "Lord of Light" R'hllor]] (whose followers show their devotion with huge bonfires).
** This trope is used to contrast several of the warring factions in the War of the Five Kings.
*** One major faction is led by the dragon-taming House Targaryen, whose members follow the motto "Fire and Blood", have a dragon as their sigil, and claim to trace their lineage to an ancient civilization that was destroyed by volcanoes. One (in)famous member of the family started a lot of drama by [[spoiler: attempting to use alchemical weapons to burn his kingdom's capital city to the ground]].
*** One faction is led by Lord Stannis Baratheon, a militant follower of the religion of the aforementioned god R'hllor, who wears a red gold crown with points fashioned to look like flames, and has a ring of heart-shaped fire worked into his personal sigil.
*** One faction is led by the island-dwelling Greyjoy family, whose members have a kraken as their sigil, anoint their leaders with crowns made of driftwood, and follow the religion of the aforementioned Drowned God.
*** One faction is led by the Stark family and their Northern allies, who are constantly associated with ice and cold, following the motto "Winter is Coming", and are (initially) led by a man who carries a greatsword called "Ice".
** Two major inciting events in the series involve the simultaneous return of the Others (undead creatures from the frozen North who carry weapons made of ice, and melt like ice when killed) and the fire-breathing Dragons. Both happen on opposite sides of the world, and both happen in the domains of two opposing factions of the war.
[[AC: LiveActionTV]]
* The first BadFuture in ''{{Heroes}}'' has a fire-using Peter battling Sylar, who is using ice powers.
[[AC: Mythology and Folklore]]
* In {{Norse Mythology}}'s creation myth, runoff from Niflheim (the world of ice and mist) got too close to Muspellheim (the world of fire and heat) within the Gaping Nothing, which eventually led to the creation of the Universe.
* In Hawaiian mythology, Pele the fire goddess is in a constant battle with her sister Na'maka the ocean goddess. This conflict actually ''creates Hawaii,'' continuously, as runoff from the volcanoes reaches the sea and solidifies.
[[AC:Toys]]
* Most Toa teams in {{Bionicle}} have a Toa of Fire as TheHero and a Toa of Ice as TheLancer, typically having a RedOniBlueOni dynamic. Tahu and Kopaka are the most prominent example, although they're both just as likely to start arguing with Gali, the Toa of Water, as they are with each other.
[[AC: Tabletop Games]]
* TabletopGame/YuGiOh has some examples:
** PlayedWith in the Duel Terminal {{Metaplot}}. The [[PlayingWithFire La]][[ProudWarriorRace val]] and [[MakingASplash Gis]][[ReligionOfEvil hki]] monsters are both villains and working together. The best example of this trope though is [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Lavalval_Chain Lavalval Chain.]]
** The [[FishPeople Atlantians]] (And after being forced to fight for them, [[OurMermaidsAreDifferent Mermails]]) are battling the [[MythicalMotifs Fire Kings]] (And perhaps the similar Hazy Flame monsters) again this trope shown by [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/High_Tide_on_Fire_Island Ocean Ablaze]] ([[DubNameChange AKA High Tide On Fire Island]]).
** And then there are the cards like [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Frost_and_Flame_Dragon Frost and Flame Dragon]], [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Elemental_HERO_Steam_Healer Elemental Hero Steam Healer]], and [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Battle_of_the_Elements Battle of the Elements]].
[[AC: Video-Games]]
* [[BadAssPreacher Joshua Graham]] from ''Videogame/FalloutNewVegas'' DLC ''Honest Hearts'' describes himself as having been baptised twice in his life; once in water (referencing his Mormon upbringing) and once in fire (he abandoned the faith and became a soldier under a warlord named Caesar, but when he led his soldiers into an ambush and lost an important battle, [[YouHaveFailedMe Caesar had him covered in pitch and set alight as punishment for his failure]]; [[MadeOfIron he survived somehow,]] and returned to his home to re-join the faith).
* In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3'', the final two members of the Cobras are set up using this trope. First, Snake battles "The Fury", who's perpetually angry, and battles his enemies by burning them with flamethrowers and jet engines. The very next boss battle takes place in a river in the middle of a raging rainstorm, where Snake is pitted against "The Sorrow", who's [[DissonantSerenity eerily calm]], and never even throws a punch at him.
* In the ''{{Diablo}}'' series, the hell you visit in ''Diablo II'' has overall a lava and rock motif, while the heavens you visit in ''DiabloIII'' has a water and crystal motif [[spoiler:(at least, before Diablo starts corrupting them)]]. This is especially notable at the part where you must take some portals from the heavens to hell: the contrast is quite evident there.
* In the ''HeroesOfMightAndMagic'' series, Gelu wields the [[FlamingSword Armageddon's Blade]] in battle against Kilgor, who wields the Sword of Frost. When the two blades meet each other, they unleash a destructive magical shockwave that [[ApocalypseHow nearly destroys the planet]].
* ''Videogame/KillerInstinct'' contrasts Glacius, an ice-themed alien shape-shifter, with Cinder, a human who was mutated into a living flame by an experiment gone wrong.
* In ''PokemonRubyAndSapphire'', the legendary Pokémon Kyogre and Groudon are linked with the oceans and the continents respectively, but Groudon can also use fire attacks and creates a 'Sunny Day' effect when on the battlefield. There are also two groups of Pokémon trainers locked in a feud and battling for control of these legendaries: Team Aqua wants to use Kyogre to flood the continents and expand the sea, while Team Magma want to harness Groudon to evaporate the sea and raise new land.
* Scorpion and Sub-Zero from ''Franchise/MortalKombat''.
* ''SamuraiWarriors'' has Kenshin (ice) and Shingen (fire).Note that it may refer to the chosen element of their ultimate weapon.
* ''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersia The Forgotten Sands'' has the elemental opposition between Razia the Marid Queen (who has powers over water, which in the series symbolize life) and the Ifrit Lord Ratash, who has power over both fire and sand (which, in the series, is opposed to water as a symbol of death and entropy.)
* ''DarkDawn'': Two gems that give you the power to evaporate water or turn it to ice are held by the Sand Prince and the Frost Queen. [[PlayingWithFire The former]] is a WorthyOpponent who battles you to gauge your strength before he willingly gives you the gem, [[AnIcePerson the latter]] is a textbook [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen evil queen]] who won't give up her gem peacefully.
*[[KingOfFighters King of Fighters]] has [[AntiHero 'K]] and [[DistaffCounterpart Kula Diamond]], whose [[RyuAndKen styles are similar]], yet, they use fire and ice respectively.
*There is also some sort of rivalry in VideoGame/ManaKhemia2FallOfAlchemy between Whim and Yun, being a [[MakingASplash Water Mana]] and [[PlayingWithFire Fire Mana]] respectively.
* In ''VideoGame/Disgaea3AbsenceOfJustice'', MainCharacter [[MagicKnight Mao]] is able to learn Ice magic naturally, while his ChildhoodFriend and rival [[SquishyWizard Raspberyl]] excels in Fire magic.
[[AC: Western Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', which is practically built entirely on the FourElementEnsemble, the first protagonists introduced in the show hail from the peaceful and simple Water Tribe, while the main antagonists are from the despotic and warlike Fire Nation.
* In ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' Flame Princess ( [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin fire elemental]] ) sees Finn crying over her. She thinks he's a water elemental because he "releases water," which is why they can't get along.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "The Magicks of Megas-tu". During Captain Kirk's magical battle with the Megan prosecutor, the prosecutor summons up a wall of flames in front of Captain Kirk. Kirk responds by creating a cascade of water to put out the fire. The fire represents the prosecutor's desire to destroy Kirk, while the water represents Kirk's basically defensive and non-aggressive posture (as appropriate for a representative of the Federation).
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