Shikamaru Nara

Shikamaru Nara
Shikamaru Nara
Naruto character
Naruto shikamaru2.jpg
Shikamaru Nara by Masashi Kishimoto
First appearance Naruto manga chapter 34
Voiced by Japanese
Showtaro Morikubo[1]
Nobutoshi Canna (Naruto episode
141 stand-in)[2]
English
Tom Gibis[3]
Ninja rank Chunin[4]
Ninja team Team 10

Shikamaru Nara (奈良　シカマル Nara Shikamaru?) is a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. In the anime and manga, Shikamaru is a ninja affiliated with the village of Konohagakure. He is a member of Team 10, a group of ninja consisting of himself, Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka, and team leader Asuma Sarutobi. 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.[5] Outside of the Naruto anime and manga, Shikamaru has appeared in four of the feature films in the series, as well as several other media relating to the series, including video games and original video animations.

Numerous anime and manga publications have commented on Shikamaru's character. Many reviewers commented on his laziness and intelligence,[6][7] and noted his transformation into a leader; Anime News Network celebrated Shikamaru's emergence as "an unlikely hero" in the Naruto storyline.[8] Shikamaru has also been highly popular with the Naruto reader base, placing high in several popularity polls.[9][10] Merchandise based on Shikamaru has been released, including action figures, key chains, and patches.[11][12][13]

Contents

Creation and conception

From left to right: Choji Akimichi, Shikamaru, and Ino Yamanaka as they appear in Naruto: Shippūden

Masashi Kishimoto has noted that he likes Shikamaru due to his easygoing nature despite being a genius, and contrasted him against Sasuke Uchiha's intelligent but abrasive personality.[5] 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 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.[14]

Appearances

In Naruto

By using his Shadow Imitation Technique, Shikamaru can merge his shadow with his opponent's shadow, and force his opponent to mimic his movements.

Shikamaru first appears in the series during the Chunin Exams, bi-yearly exams for ninja who wish to advance in rank. He is part of Team 10 alongside Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka.[15] He is a highly unenthusiastic person, and he attempts to go through life with minimum effort.[16][17] Contrary to his lazy tendencies, Shikamaru is extremely intelligent; his teacher, Asuma Sarutobi, determined that Shikamaru's IQ was over 200.[18] Shikamaru's abilities are based on the Shadow Imitation Technique (影真似の術 Kagemane no Jutsu?, English TV: "Shadow Possession Jutsu"), the signature technique of his clan which he merges his shadow with an opponent's shadow, making them immobilized and forced to mimic Shikamaru's movements.[19] As the series progresses, Shikamaru becomes able to manipulate his shadow in new ways.[20] By Part II 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.[21][22]

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.[23] 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.[17] As a Chunin, Shikamaru is appointed the leader of a team to prevent Sasuke Uchiha from defecting to the village of Otogakure.[24] Although Shikamaru's team manages to defeat the Otogakure ninja barring their way, Sasuke manages to escape.[25]

In Part II of the series, Shikamaru is assigned the task of locating two members of the criminal organization Akatsuki.[26] While his team manages to find their targets, Akatsuki member Hidan kills Asuma Sarutobi during the course of the battle despite Shikamaru's best efforts.[27] After Asuma's funeral, Shikamaru sets out with the surviving members of Team 10 and Kakashi Hatake to avenge their teacher's death.[28] As his team deals with Hidan's partner, Kakuzu, Shikamaru avenges Asuma by defeating Hidan.[29] Following the fight, he vows to protect Kurenai Yuhi, who is pregnant with Asuma's child.[30] He is later assigned to the Fourth Division alongside Temari and Chōji. He is named a proxy general under Gaara.[31]

Appearances in other media

Besides the Naruto anime and manga, Shikamaru is also featured in Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel, the second featured film in the series. In this film, he aids Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno in fighting against Haido, a utopian idealist seeking to rule the world with a power called Gelel.[32] In the fourth Naruto film, Shikamaru appears in a brief sequence, fighting against a large group of stone soldiers.[33] He is also present in the third original video animation, in which he participates in a tournament.[34] Shikamaru is a playable character in nearly all Naruto video games, including the Clash of Ninja series and the Ultimate Ninja series.[35][36][37] In some games, he utilizes variations of his Shadow Imitation Technique not seen in the anime or manga. Naruto Shippūden: Gekitō Ninja Taisen! EX 2 marks the first appearance of Shikamaru in his Part II appearance in a video game.[38]

Reception

Shikamaru has ranked highly in the Weekly Shōnen Jump popularity polls for the series, continuously placing in the top ten and reaching fourth place in one poll.[9][10] 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.[11][13][12]

Several publications for manga, anime, video games, and other related media have commented on Shikamaru's character. IGN 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" due to his general lack of enthusiasm and his unwillingness to utilize his potential.[6] 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[7] and agreed that the decision to make him Chunin was fair.[39] Anime News Network also commented on this development, calling Shikamaru's emergence as "an unlikely hero" one of the highlights of the arc.[8] 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.[40] Mania.com 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".[41] Another reviewer noted about his battle with Temari during the Chunin Exams that it was "one of the better fights involving the supporting players".[42]

References

Portal icon Anime and manga portal
Portal icon Fictional characters portal


  1. ^ "宿敵!?サスケとサクラ". Studio Pierrot. Naruto. TV Tokyo. October 17, 2002. No. 3.
  2. ^ "サクラの決意". Studio Pierrot. Naruto. TV Tokyo. June 29, 2005. No. 141.
  3. ^ "Sasuke and Sakura: Friends or Foes?". Studio Pierrot. Naruto. Cartoon Network. September 17, 2005. No. 3.
  4. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2005). NARUTO―ナルト―［秘伝・闘の書］. Shueisha. pp. 116–117. ISBN 4-08873-734-2. 
  5. ^ a b Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). Uzumaki: The Art of Naruto. Viz Media. p. 139. ISBN 1-4215-1407-9. 
  6. ^ a b Sparrow, A.E. (2007-10-09). "IGN: Naruto Reader's Guide". IGN. http://anime.ign.com/articles/834/834323p4.html. Retrieved 2008-02-08. 
  7. ^ a b White, Charles (2007-10-27). "IGN: Formation! The Sasuke Retrieval Squad! Review". IGN. http://tv.ign.com/articles/831/831140p1.html. Retrieved 2008-01-28. 
  8. ^ a b Kimlinger, Carl (2008-08-04). "Naruto DVD Box Set 9 - Review". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto/dvd-uncut-dvd-box-set-9. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  9. ^ a b Kishimoto, Masashi (2008). "Chapter 245". Naruto, Volume 28. Viz Media. pp. 8–9. ISBN 1-4215-1864-3. 
  10. ^ a b Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 199". Naruto, Volume 22. Viz Media. p. 9. ISBN 1-4215-1858-9. 
  11. ^ a b "Naruto: Shikamaru Chibi Style PVC Key Chain". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Naruto-Shikamaru-Chibi-Style-Chain/dp/B000QHXWGG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1203876891&sr=8-3. Retrieved 2008-02-24. 
  12. ^ a b "Naruto Basic > Shikamaru Action Figure". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Z9D8X2. Retrieved 2008-02-24. 
  13. ^ a b "Naruto: Patch - Shikamaru". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NW91U0. Retrieved 2008-02-24. 
  14. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2008). Naruto Character Official Data Book Hiden Sha no Sho. Shueisha. p. 344. ISBN 978-4-08-874247-2. 
  15. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 190". Naruto, Volume 21. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1855-4. 
  16. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2004). "Chapter 97". Naruto, Volume 5. Viz Media. p. 131. ISBN 1-4215-0241-0. 
  17. ^ a b Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 172". Naruto, Volume 20. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1088-X. 
  18. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 107". Naruto, Volume 12. Viz Media. pp. 159–160. ISBN 1-4215-0242-9. 
  19. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2002). NARUTO―ナルト―［秘伝・臨の書］. Shueisha. p. 171. ISBN 4-08873-288-X. 
  20. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 208". Naruto, Volume 23. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1859-7. 
  21. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 325". Naruto, Volume 36. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874288-5. 
  22. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 338". Naruto, Volume 37. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874338-7. 
  23. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 108". Naruto, Volume 12. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0242-9. 
  24. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 182". Naruto, Volume 21. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1855-4. 
  25. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 235". Naruto, Volume 26. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1862-7. 
  26. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 318". Naruto, Volume 35. Shueisha. p. 176. ISBN 4-08-874273-1. 
  27. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 327". Naruto, Volume 36. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874288-5. 
  28. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 331". Naruto, Volume 37. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874338-7. 
  29. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 339". Naruto, Volume 37. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874338-7. 
  30. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 342". Naruto, Volume 38. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-874364-6. 
  31. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2010). "Chapter 515". Naruto, Volume 56. Shueisha. p. 115. ISBN 4-08-870218-6. 
  32. ^ (DVD) Naruto The Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel. Viz Video. 2008. 
  33. ^ (DVD) 劇場版NARUTO-ナルト-疾風伝 -絆-. TV Tokyo. 2009. 
  34. ^ (DVD) ついに激突！上忍VS下忍！！無差別大乱戦大会開催！！. TV Tokyo. 2005. 
  35. ^ Bozon, Mark (2006-09-29). "Naruto: The Complete Fighter Profile". IGN. http://cube.ign.com/articles/736/736611p1.html. Retrieved 2008-02-08. 
  36. ^ Alfonso, Andrew (2004-09-26). "TGS 2004: Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen! 3 Hands-on". IGN. http://cube.ign.com/articles/551/551374p1.html. Retrieved 2008-02-08. 
  37. ^ Naruto: Ultimate Ninja English instruction manual. Namco Bandai. 2006. p. 26. 
  38. ^ "ＮＡＲＵＴＯ－ナルト－ 疾風伝:ＴＶ東京 - Goods" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/naruto/goods/game.html. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
  39. ^ White, Charles (2008-10-15). "Naruto: "The Battle Begins: Naruto vs. Sasuke" Review". IGN. http://tv.ign.com/articles/827/827297p1.html. Retrieved 2008-04-28. 
  40. ^ White, Charles (2008-01-30). "IGN: "The Promise That Could Not Be Kept" Review". IGN. http://tv.ign.com/articles/848/848534p1.html. Retrieved 2008-04-28. 
  41. ^ Rich, Justin (2007-10-04). "Naruto Box Set 04 (also w/special edition)". Mania.com. http://www.mania.com/naruto-box-set-04-also-wspecial-edition_article_79366.html. Retrieved 2008-11-05. 
  42. ^ Moure, Dani (2008-04-21). "Naruto Unleashed Set 3:1". Mania.com. http://www.mania.com/naruto-unleashed-set-31_article_80276.html. Retrieved 2008-11-05. 
v · d · eNaruto by Masashi Kishimoto
Franchise
Volumes (Part I · II) • Naruto episodes (season 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5) • Naruto: Shippuden episodes (season 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11)
Naruto films
Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow • Legend of the Stone of Gelel • Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom
Shippuden films
Video games
Clash of Ninja series (Clash of Ninja) • Ninja Council series • Ultimate Ninja series (Storm · Storm 2 • Generations) • Rise of a Ninja • The Broken Bond
Characters
Naruto Uzumaki • Sakura Haruno • Sasuke Uchiha • Kakashi Hatake • Gaara • Rock Lee • Shikamaru Nara • Orochimaru • Jiraiya • Itachi Uchiha
Other

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Shikamaru Nara — 奈良シカマル (Nara Shikamaru) Sexo Masculino Fecha de nacimiento 22 de septiembre[1] Tipo de sangre …   Wikipedia Español

  • Shikamaru Nara — 奈良シカマル Personnage de fiction apparaissant dans Naruto Âge Partie I : 12 13 ans …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Shikamaru Nara — (en japonés 奈良シカマル) es uno de los personajes más populares del manga de Naruto. Shikamaru está en el equipo 10, comandado por Sarutobi Asuma, junto con Ino Yamanaka y Choji Akimichi. Se caracteria por su falta de interés, lo que convierte en el… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Nara — can refer to: Geography Nara, Attock, a village in Attock, Pakistan Nara, Jhelum, a village in Jhelum, Pakistan Nara, NWFP, Union Council of Abbottabad, Pakistan Nara, Nara, capital city of Nara Prefecture, Japan Nara Prefecture, a prefecture of… …   Wikipedia

  • Nara — puede referirse a: Geografía Nara, Japón, ciudad capital de la Prefectura de Nara. La prefectura de Nara, parte de la región de Kansai, en Honshu central, Japón. La localidad de Nara en Malí. Personas Jang Nara, actriz y cantante surcoreana.… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Nara (homonymie) — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Nara est une ville du Japon. Nara est également une ville du Mali. La Nara est une rivière de 158 km affluent gauche de l Oka et fait partie du bassin de… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Anexo:Volúmenes de Naruto — Esta es una lista de volúmenes del manga Naruto, creado por Masashi Kishimoto para la editorial Shūeisha. Apareció publicado por primera vez en 1999 en el número 43 de la revista Shūkan Shōnen Jump en Japón,[1] [2] …   Wikipedia Español

  • Clans de Konoha — Cette page recense les différents clans de Konoha du manga Naruto. Sommaire 1 Clan Hyûga 2 Clan Uchiwa 3 Clan Senju de la forêt 3.1 Hashirama Senju …   Wikipédia en Français

  • List of Naruto characters — The major characters of the series as they appear in Part I The major characters of the series as they appear in Part II The …   Wikipedia

  • Personajes de la Aldea Oculta de la Hoja — Anexo:Personajes de la Aldea Oculta de la Hoja Saltar a navegación, búsqueda En el manga y anime Naruto, la Aldea Oculta de la Hoja posee a los siguientes ninjas: Contenido 1 Rango Genin 1.1 Inaho 1.2 …   Wikipedia Español

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”