History Main / RenownedSelectiveMentor

* In ''TheGiver'' by Lois Lowry, the titular Giver is an example of this trope. The task of the Receiver of Memory is to remember the details of their history and how the world used to be, only when a successor is chosen does the Receiver take on the title of "Giver" as he begins to transfer these memories to his replacement. Usually this is a once in a lifetime kind of thing, but the current Receiver had a protege that failed many years ago and has had to carry on as the remember for a long time while waiting for the next suitable replacement. The main character Jonas becomes the Giver's student, and he is considered to have a special rank in the community.

* In Literature/EndersGame by Creator/OrsonScottCard, Mazer Rackham is this to Ender.

* In Tamora Pierce's ''Literature/CircleOfMagic'' series, Tris is trained by Niko, the super duper famous mage. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]], in that the rules of magic dictate it.

* In Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, Mazer Rackham is this to Ender.

* Dr. Orson from ACruelGodReigns'' can be seen as this since he is retired and ill, but chooses to counsel Jeremy for free.

* In Tamora Pierce's ''CircleOfMagic'' series, Tris is trained by Niko, the super duper famous mage. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]], in that the rules of magic dictate it.

* In ''TheGiver'' by Lois Lowry, the titular Giver is an example of this trope. His job is to remember the details of their history and how the world used to be, only when a successor is chosen does he take on the title of "Giver" as he begins to transfer these memories to his replacement. Usually this is a once in a lifetime kind of thing, but the current title holder had a protege that failed many years ago and has had to carry on as the remember for a long time while waiting for the next suitable replacement. The main character Jonas becomes the Giver's student, and he is considered to have a special rank in the community.

* HarryPotter has a much closer relationship with the headmaster, Dumbledore, than is usual for a student, to the point of the Professor being almost a surrogate father. In the sixth book Dumbledore even gives him special lessons.

* The butler Carson, of ''Series/DowntonAbbey'', is like this for the servant trade. Normally very gruff, he's willing to assist lower-ranking servants if they show talent, humility, and a willingness to take instruction. This shows with Alfred, whose employment Carson originally views with suspicion (he makes a faux pas at a FancyDinner, serving like a restaurant waiter rather than a footman; he's about three inches taller than the generally-accepted maximum for footmen; and he's [[ManipulativeBitch O'Brien]]'s nephew, to boot), but who proves to be quite down-to-earth and devotes himself to learning the proper trade of a footman. This leads to this exchange:

* The butler Carson, of ''Series/DowntonAbbey'', is like this for the servant trade. Normally very gruff, he's willing to assist lower-ranking servants if they show talent, humility, and a willingness to take instruction. This shows with Alfred, whose employment Carson originally views with suspicion (he makes a faux pas at a FancyDinner, serving like a restaurant waiter rather than a footman; he's about three inches taller than the generally-accepted maximum for footmen; and he's Mrs O'Brien's nephew, to boot), but who proves to be quite down-to-earth and devotes himself to learning the proper trade of a footman. This leads to this exchange:

** Note that this is as much a matter of raw power as skill--Twilight's MegaManning would present a serious risk to those around her if she didn't learn proper self-control.

* In BelisariusSeries an emperor hires one of the greatest warriors in India to train his daughter as a BadassPrincess. Later she and her mentor get married and they become a BattleCouple.

* The butler Carson, of ''Series/DowntonAbbey'', is like these for the servant trade. Normally very gruff, he's willing to assist lower-ranking servants if they show talent, humility, and a willingness to take instruction. This shows with Alfred, whose employment he originally views with suspicion (he makes a faux pas at a FancyDinner, serving like a restaurant waiter rather than a footman; he's about three inches taller than the generally-accepted maximum for footmen; and he's Mrs O'Brien's nephew, to boot), but who proves to be quite down-to-earth and devotes himself to learning the proper trade of a footman. This leads to this exchange:

* While developing ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Pokémon Red and Green]]'' in Japan, SatoshiTajiri was mentored by ShigeruMiyamoto, whom he already admired. Later, when the Pokémon anime was made, and the main character named "Satoshi" (after Satoshi Tajiri), his rival was named "Shigeru" in Miyamoto's honor.

* Koumyou Sanzo from {{Saiyuki}} puts his chosen successor, Kouryuu (later Genjyo Sanzo)) in a tough place by making him the favored disciple. The rest of the monks at the temple are explicitly jealous, and spread rumors of Koumyou choosing him for [[ParentalIncest other]] [[{{Shotacon}} reasons]]

* In the {{Transformers}} fanfic [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6737580/1/Things_We_Dont_Tell_Humans ''Things We Don't Tell Humans'']], Terratron is this.

* If I recall, Bruce Lee went through a period of this...due to having a surplus of people who wanted to learn.

* Played with in ''SoulEater'' with Dr. Stein, who, while being the best meister the DWMA has ever had, has mentioned wanting to dissect Maka, his best student. No one even wants to visit his home, let alone take Maka's place.

* Lord Muten-Roshi from Manga/DragonBall is implied to be this. When he offers to train Goku, Yamcha (watching nearby) comments on how the master never takes on students, and when Kuririn comes asking for training, Roshi simply tells him to go home. Then he changes his mind when Kuririn shows him some dirty mags.
* Dr. Orson from {{A Cruel God Reigns}} can be seen as this since he is retired and ill, but chooses to counsel Jeremy for free.

* Pai Mei from KillBill. Apparently he only rarely accepts students and is a thousand-year-old renowned recluse. For extra irony points, his greatest student [[spoiler:whom he taught the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique]] is someone who pushes all of his [[BerserkButton Berserk Buttons]]: [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain a Caucasian American woman who favors Japanese swords.]]

* Master Piandao from WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender, skilled swordman, former Fire Nation Elite Soldier ([[BadassNormal but not a]] [[KungFuMagic FireBender]]), [[spoiler: High Master of the White Lotus Order]] and famous for [[OneManArmy defeating 100 soldiers alone]] after he deserted the army, there were many people who wanted to be trained by him, but he rejected most of them, between the few pupils he accepted to train were Prince Zuko, and Sokka ([[TookALevelInBadass who gained him a level in Badassery after his training]]).

* While developing PokemonRedAndGreen, SatoshiTajiri was mentored by ShigeruMiyamoto, whom he already admired. Later, when the Pokémon anime was made, and the main character named "Satoshi"(after Satoshi Tajiri), his rival was named "Shigeru" in Miyamoto's honor.

* Pai Mei from KillBill. Apparently he only rarely accepts students and is a thousand-year-old renowned recluse. For extra irony points, his greatest student [[spoiler:whom he taught the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique]] is a someone who pushes all of his [[BerserkButton Berserk Buttons]]: [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain a Caucasian American woman who favors Japanese swords.]]

* Pai Mei from KillBill. Apparently he only rarely accepts students and is a thousand-year-old renowned recluse.

* In ''TheGiver'' by Lois Lowry, the community only has one titular Giver at a time. Each Giver must choose a child as his successor during his lifetime. The main character Jonas becomes the Giver's student, and he is considered to have a special rank in the community.