is a
fictional character
In fiction, a character (or speaker, in poetry) is a person or other being in a narrative (such as a novel, play, radio or television series, music, film, or video game). The character may be entirely fictional or based on a real-life person, ...
in the
manga
Manga (Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is u ...
and
anime
is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
franchise, ''
Naruto
''Naruto'' is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. It tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who seeks recognition from his peers and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the leader of his village. T ...
'', created by
Masashi Kishimoto
is a Japanese manga artist. His manga series, ''Naruto'', which was in serialization from 1999 to 2014, has sold over 250 million copies worldwide in 46 countries as of May 2019. The series has been adapted into two anime and multiple films, vi ...
. In the anime and manga, Shikamaru is a ninja affiliated with the village Hidden in the Leaves. He is a member of Team 10, a group of ninja consisting of himself,
Choji Akimichi
The manga and anime series features an extensive cast of characters created by Masashi Kishimoto. The series takes place in a fictional universe where countries vie for power by employing ninja who can use superhuman abilities in combat. T ...
,
Ino Yamanaka, and team leader
Asuma Sarutobi
The manga and anime series features an extensive cast of characters created by Masashi Kishimoto. The series takes place in a fictional universe where countries vie for power by employing ninja who can use superhuman abilities in combat. The ...
. Shikamaru is portrayed as a lazy character, unwilling to apply his prodigious intelligence; Kishimoto has noted that he likes Shikamaru due to his easygoing nature.
Outside the ''Naruto'' anime and manga, Shikamaru has appeared in several other media in the franchise, including
video games
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device to gener ...
,
original video animation
, abbreviated as OVA and sometimes as OAV (original animation video), are Japanese animated films and series made specially for release in home video formats without prior showings on television or in theaters, though the first part of an OVA s ...
s, and six
feature films
A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...
.
Numerous anime and manga publications have commented on Shikamaru's character. Many reviewers commented on his laziness and intelligence, and noted his transformation into a leader;
Anime News Network
Anime News Network (ANN) is a news website that reports on the status of anime, manga, video games, Japanese popular music and other related cultures within North America, Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan. The website offers reviews and oth ...
celebrated Shikamaru's emergence in the ''Naruto'' storyline. Shikamaru has also been highly popular with the ''Naruto'' reader base, placing high in several popularity polls. Merchandise based on Shikamaru has been released, including action figures, key chains, and patches.
Creation and conception
Shikamaru Nara is one of the smartest characters in the anime manga series Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto originally created Shikamaru in order for him to be the only winner of an early ''Naruto'' arc: the Chunin Exams, based on his high intelligence. However, recommendations from his editors resulted in Kishimoto deciding to interrupt the fighting tournament between the ninjas in order to focus on a recently introduced villain,
Orochimaru
, featured in the Japanese folktale ''Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari'' (''The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya''), is the archenemy of the ninja Jiraiya. He was once named and was one of Jiraiya's followers but was overtaken by serpent magic. Havin ...
. Nevertheless, Shikamaru ends up becoming the only ninja from the original test to achieve a higher rank during Part I of the series.
Kishimoto has noted that he likes Shikamaru due to his easygoing nature despite being a genius, and contrasted him against
Sasuke Uchiha
() is a fictional character in the ''Naruto'' manga and anime franchise created by Masashi Kishimoto. Sasuke belongs to the Uchiha clan, a notorious ninja family, and one of the most powerful, allied with . Most of its members were massacred ...
's intelligent but abrasive personality. Kishimoto also comically remarked that he would marry Shikamaru if he were a girl, noting that Shikamaru would likely be successful in life. When designing Shikamaru's
Part II Part Two, Part 2 or Part II may refer to:
Films and television
* "Part 2" (Twin Peaks), also known as "The Return, Part 2", the second episode of the third season of the TV series ''Twin Peaks''
Music
* ''Part Two'' (Throbbing Gristle album), 200 ...
appearance, Kishimoto wanted to give Shikamaru a unique appearance despite drawing him with a vest that several other ninja wear in the series. As a result, he drew his forehead protector on his arm in order to not obscure his hair.
During Part II, Shikamaru's teacher,
Asuma Sarutobi
The manga and anime series features an extensive cast of characters created by Masashi Kishimoto. The series takes place in a fictional universe where countries vie for power by employing ninja who can use superhuman abilities in combat. The ...
, dies while battling the Akatsuki terrorist member Hidan and Shikamaru briefly starts smoking Asuma's cigars. Kishimoto feared that Shueisha would censure this since Shikamaru was still a teenager and the manga's magazine was aimed at young demographic. However, these scenes were not censored.
For the series' finale, Kishimoto introduced Shikamaru and Temari's son, Shikadai, who looks nearly identical to his father. However, Kishimoto aims for both of them to have different characterizations most notably in the manga's sequel, ''
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations''.
History
Shikamaru Nara is a character in the manga and anime series Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is a member of the Nara clan, a group of shinobi who specialize in manipulating shadows and using them as weapons. Shikamaru is known for being intelligent and strategic, but also for being lazy and not wanting to do any work. Despite this, he is a talented ninja and plays an important role in the series.In the story, Shikamaru is introduced as a member of the Konoha 11, a group of a young ninja who is genin-level (the lowest rank of ninja) and is being trained by the main character, Naruto Uzumaki. He is part of Team 10, which consists of himself, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanak
History Of Shikamaru Nara From Naurto?
Appearances
In ''Naruto''
Shikamaru's first major appearance in the series is during the Chunin Exams; once every two years, Genin take part in them to advance their ranks. He is part of Team 10 alongside
Choji Akimichi
The manga and anime series features an extensive cast of characters created by Masashi Kishimoto. The series takes place in a fictional universe where countries vie for power by employing ninja who can use superhuman abilities in combat. T ...
and
Ino Yamanaka. He is a highly unenthusiastic person, and he attempts to go through life with minimum effort.
Contrary to his lazy tendencies, Shikamaru is extremely intelligent; his teacher,
Asuma Sarutobi
The manga and anime series features an extensive cast of characters created by Masashi Kishimoto. The series takes place in a fictional universe where countries vie for power by employing ninja who can use superhuman abilities in combat. The ...
, determined that Shikamaru's
IQ was over 200. Shikamaru's abilities are based on the , the signature technique of his clan, with which he merges his shadow with an opponent's shadow, making them immobilized and forced to mimic Shikamaru's movements. As the series progresses, Shikamaru becomes able to manipulate his shadow in new ways. By
Part II Part Two, Part 2 or Part II may refer to:
Films and television
* "Part 2" (Twin Peaks), also known as "The Return, Part 2", the second episode of the third season of the TV series ''Twin Peaks''
Music
* ''Part Two'' (Throbbing Gristle album), 200 ...
of the series, Shikamaru is capable of utilizing multiple shadow-based techniques at once and can lift his shadow from the ground in order to interact with physical objects; for instance, he can pierce enemies with the shadow tendrils or use them to throw weapons.
Shikamaru approaches the exams with a sense of apathy; when he battles the Sunagakure ninja
Temari, he defeats her but forfeits his match to her, due to his chakra being low. Despite this loss, he is the only ninja among his peers to be promoted to the rank of Chunin, as the overseers of the exams were impressed by the insight and intelligence he demonstrated against Temari.
As a Chunin, Shikamaru is appointed the leader of a team to prevent
Sasuke Uchiha
() is a fictional character in the ''Naruto'' manga and anime franchise created by Masashi Kishimoto. Sasuke belongs to the Uchiha clan, a notorious ninja family, and one of the most powerful, allied with . Most of its members were massacred ...
from defecting to the village of Otogakure. Although Shikamaru's team manages to defeat the Otogakure ninja barring their way, Sasuke manages to escape.
In
Part II Part Two, Part 2 or Part II may refer to:
Films and television
* "Part 2" (Twin Peaks), also known as "The Return, Part 2", the second episode of the third season of the TV series ''Twin Peaks''
Music
* ''Part Two'' (Throbbing Gristle album), 200 ...
of the series, Shikamaru is assigned the task of locating two members of the criminal organization
Akatsuki
may refer to:
* Akatsuki (spacecraft), an uncrewed Venus orbiter
* , any of three classes of destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy
* , any of three destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy
* ''Akatsuki'' (train), operated between Kyoto and Na ...
. While his team manages to find their targets, the immortal Akatsuki member
Hidan kills Asuma Sarutobi during the course of the battle despite Shikamaru's best efforts. After Asuma's funeral, Shikamaru sets out with the surviving members of Team 10 to avenge their mentor with the aid of
Kakashi Hatake
is a fictional character in the ''Naruto'' manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. In the story, Kakashi is the teacher of Team 7, consisting of the series' primary characters, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and ...
. As the others deal with Hidan's partner
Kakuzu
The manga and anime series features an extensive cast of characters created by Masashi Kishimoto. The series takes place in a fictional universe where countries vie for power by employing ninja who can use superhuman abilities in combat. T ...
, Shikamaru avenges Asuma by defeating Hidan and making sure the Akatsuki member's body is never found. Following the fight, Shikamaru vows to protect
Kurenai Yuhi
The manga and anime series features an extensive cast of characters created by Masashi Kishimoto. The series takes place in a fictional universe where countries vie for power by employing ninja who can use superhuman abilities in combat. T ...
and Asuma's newborn daughter. He is later assigned to the Fourth Division alongside Temari and Choji. He is named a proxy general under Gaara. In the series epilogue, stating his personal desire during the series of final battles, Shikamaru becomes advisor to the Seventh Hokage
Naruto Uzumaki
() is the titular protagonist of the manga ''Naruto'', created by Masashi Kishimoto. As the series progresses, he is a young ninja from the fictional village of Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village). The villagers ridicule and ostracize Naruto on ...
after marrying Temari and gaining a son in
Shikadai Nara
The manga and anime series features an extensive cast of characters created by Masashi Kishimoto. The series takes place in a fictional universe where countries vie for power by employing ninja who can use superhuman abilities in combat. T ...
.
Appearances in other media
Besides the ''Naruto'' anime and manga, Shikamaru is featured in seven of the featured films in the series: in the
second film, he aids
Naruto Uzumaki
() is the titular protagonist of the manga ''Naruto'', created by Masashi Kishimoto. As the series progresses, he is a young ninja from the fictional village of Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village). The villagers ridicule and ostracize Naruto on ...
and
Sakura Haruno
is a fictional character in the '' Naruto'' manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. Sakura is depicted as a kunoichi affiliated with and a part of Team 7, which consists of herself, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and their '' s ...
in fighting against Haido, a utopian idealist seeking to rule the world with a power called Gelel; in the
fourth, Shikamaru appears in a brief sequence, fighting against a large group of stone soldiers; in the
fifth, Shikamaru is sent alongside Kakashi and
Sai in search of the base of the Land of Sky, who plans to invade Konoha; in the
sixth, Shikamaru, alongside Sakura and Sai, battles the chimera beast summoned by Hiruko; in the
eight, Shikamaru participates in the battle against the demon Satori; in the
ninth
In music, a ninth is a compound interval consisting of an octave plus a second.
Like the second, the interval of a ninth is classified as a dissonance in common practice tonality. Since a ninth is an octave larger than a second, its ...
, the Limited Tsukuyomi universe presents a portly Shikamaru, the exact opposite of his teammate, Choji, who becomes the team strategist instead; and in the
tenth, Shikamaru leads the team consisting of himself, Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and
Hinata Hyuga that is sent to rescue Hinata's younger sister, Hanabi, who was kidnapped by
Toneri Otsutsuki. He is also present in the
third original video animation, in which he participates in a tournament. Shikamaru is a playable character in nearly all
''Naruto'' video games, including the
''Clash of Ninja'' series and the
''Ultimate Ninja'' series.
In some games, he utilizes variations of his Shadow Imitation Technique not seen in the anime or manga. ''
Ultimate Ninja 4'' and ''
Gekitō Ninja Taisen! EX 2'' marks the first appearance of Shikamaru in his Part II appearance in a video game.
A
light novel
A light novel (, Hepburn: ''raito noberu'') is a style of young adult novel primarily targeting high school and middle school students. The term "light novel" is a ''wasei-eigo'', or a Japanese term formed from words in the English languag ...
titled ''Shikamaru Hiden: A Cloud Drifting in Silent Darkness'', written by Takashi Yano and illustrated by Kishimoto, stars Shikamaru as the main character and narrator. The novel is set two years after the Fourth Ninja War, focusing on Shikamaru's assignment as organizer of the newly formed Shinobi Union to capture a rogue ninja who rules over the distant Land of Silence and attempts to establish a new world order ruled by the common people. It also explores his growing relationship with Temari, culminating in him struggling to name
his child with her, years after the end of the novel. An upcoming novel by Mirei Miyamoto will focus on Shikamaru's life as a father.
Reception
Shikamaru has ranked highly in the ''
Weekly Shōnen Jump
is a weekly ''shōnen'' manga anthology published in Japan by Shueisha under the ''Jump'' line of magazines. The manga series within the magazine consist of many action scenes and a fair amount of comedy. The chapters of the series that run ...
'' popularity polls for the series, continuously placing in the top ten and reaching fourth place in one poll.
The last such poll was in 2011, in which Shikamaru was in ninth place, behind Sasori and ahead of Hinata. Merchandise based on Shikamaru has also been released, including action figures, key chains, and patches in both his Part I and Part II appearance.
NTT customers voted him as their sixteenth favorite black haired male anime character.
CyberConnect2
is a Japanese video game development studio mostly known for its work on the ''.hack'' series, along with a series of fighting games based on the ''Naruto'' franchise. They are also known for creating the ''Little Tail Bronx'' series (e.g. ''T ...
CEO Hiroshi Matsuyama referred to Shikamaru as one of his favorite characters from ''Naruto''.
Several publications for manga, anime, video games, and other related media have commented on Shikamaru's character.
IGN
''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...
stated that Shikamaru was one of their favorite characters in the series, and referred to him as "the poster child for any card-carrying member of
Generation X
Generation X (or Gen X for short) is the Western world, Western demographic Cohort (statistics), cohort following the baby boomers and preceding the millennials. Researchers and popular media use the mid-to-late 1960s as starting birth years a ...
" due to his general lack of enthusiasm and his unwillingness to utilize his potential.
In a review of episode 110, IGN praised how Shikamaru managed to transcend his lazy nature in order to take on the mantle of a leader when assigned to lead a team in order to retrieve
Sasuke Uchiha
() is a fictional character in the ''Naruto'' manga and anime franchise created by Masashi Kishimoto. Sasuke belongs to the Uchiha clan, a notorious ninja family, and one of the most powerful, allied with . Most of its members were massacred ...
and agreed that the decision to make him Chunin was fair.
Anime News Network
Anime News Network (ANN) is a news website that reports on the status of anime, manga, video games, Japanese popular music and other related cultures within North America, Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan. The website offers reviews and oth ...
also commented on this development, calling Shikamaru's emergence as "an unlikely hero" one of the highlights of the arc.
In a subsequent review of episode 135, in which the mission to retrieve Sasuke has failed and the members of Shikamaru's team were critically injured, IGN lauded the "great moment" in the episode in which Shikamaru began to cry after learning his friends will recover, and declared that he will be a better leader for the sake of his friends.
Mania Entertainment's Justin Rich celebrated his "sheer intellect", calling him "one of the most fascinating characters in the series" and "one of the few truly brilliant fighters in
''shōnen'' anime". Dani Moure, another reviewer from the same site, noted about his battle with Temari during the Chunin Exams that it was "one of the better fights involving the supporting players".
Javier Lugo from Manga Life found Shikamaru's fight in the series' fourteenth volume good despite how threatening it is for him. For Part II, Park Cooper from the same site acclaimed Shikamaru's strategy in dealing with the members from the series' antagonist, Akatsuki. Amy McNulty from Anime News Network praised how Shikamaru's epilogue episodes helps to expand his characterization as he decides to aid Naruto when he becomes the Hokage. Reviewing the anime ''
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations''s third episode, Sam Stewart from IGN enjoyed the adult Shikamaru's characterization for how he helps his sons Shikadai but ultimately felt he was overshadowed by his wife Temari.
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nara, Shikamaru
Comics characters introduced in 2000
Fictional characters who can manipulate darkness or shadows
Fictional generals
Fictional military strategists
Fictional ninja
Male characters in anime and manga
Naruto characters
Teenage characters in anime and manga
Fictional child soldiersHistory Of Shikamaru Nara
pl:Lista ninja z wioski Konoha#Shikamaru Nara