My girlfriend and my cousin Ria were having this discussion about the book I'm currently working on, and during the middle of the conversation we brought up around the topic of Rivals and how they were established and the consistency they had developing around one another unlike with how Naruto and Sasuke turned out for obvious reasons.
The ones that stuck out to us were these three:
Natsu and Gray from Fairy Tail
Unlike with Naruto and Sasuke I've felt like throughout the series, Natsu and Gray not only being opposite in element type but also being really great friends with one another. Yes I know Fairy Tail friendship speeches, but for Natsu and Gray I feel like that's actually one of the few times I can deal with it honestly, and it shows they'll always be there to support one another in there time of need despite their lil friendly rivalry scuffles of course.
Sora and Riku
I'm not entirely sure what's the best way to describe this one, but just from the playing the game and reading the novel I could tell just going through the Kingdom Hearts story what these guys have as rivals can't be denied that the development's total crap especially with the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 3. I think NSK and sorrandven do a better explanation on why they are also much better than Naruto and Sasuke could ever be.
Alrighty I'll let you guys decide on this last one my cousin Ria, my girlfriend, and I picked but...
Yugi/Yami Yugi (Atem) and Kaiba
I think for anyone and everyone that has seen the original series, we can all agree that Yugi and Kaiba have an established rivalry since the end of the first episode which sparked a conflict for Kaiba to get himself back on top as the world's greatest duelist. At the same time unlike Sasuke, Kaiba had a heart and he knew when to make the right calls like saving his little brother or Yugi's friends. Yes there is that whole aspect with Kaiba and not believing into the Millennium Items, but that's the thing unlike Sasuke who was constantly kept mysterious for stupid reasons now, at least throughout the progression of the series you can see that slowly but surely he kinda believes it especially near the end of the series. Not to mention the whole prophecy aspect was much better done in Yugioh then with Naruto for obvious reasons.
What about you guys what Rivals do think were better done than Naruto and Sasuke? Also explain why too I'm just curious that's all.