Cheers for Naruto-kun

[gsyh.livejournal.com]

Akatsuki might be the group I most identified with within Naruto, but the main character, for once, is the one I cheer for the most. I'm not like Naruto at all, but I look up to him for who he is.

Uzumaki Naruto is steadfastly loyal to his friends, compassionate, and having space in his heart to understand the pain of other people instead of drowning in his own.

Being able to move on though not forgetting the important things, working hard and believing in it, and never giving up even when it's hopeless.

I don't believe that Naruto is infallible, because even Gaara is not but it is admirable that he believes, never stop fighting as long as he could, and for that, I cheer on.





(Note: This random Naruto-cheering post was originally meant for naruto_fan, but posts can't appear there without mod approval, but one of the listed mod journal is now a missing nin, and the last entry there is from April 2005.)

Comments

[lousyitachi.livejournal.com]

I still think the show should be called "Sasuke".

~_^

[treat.livejournal.com]

what?

[deadraconis.livejournal.com]

As weird as it sounds, I always have to think about Naruto and his "I'm not going to give up!" when I find myself at some point where I'd like to give up because it's convinient.. but strangely enough, I don't after remembering his words.

I hold a great love for Naruto and I truly believe he is going to be Hokage someday!*♥ the boy*

[gsyh.livejournal.com]

Oh my god! I do that too, even though I'm not like Naruto at all because while I don't believe in destiny pre-ordained fate Clampesque, I believe that your free will does not completely determine your life, and wouldn't for most of the time you live in a society, because there are other people's free wills. In general, that is of the suck. If you are born poor, it's likely you will die poor. If you are born in a screwy family, it is likely you will die unhappy. If you are born different, you will die isolated. That's life. But now I at least want to die fighting it if I have to and I would.

Because even if it’s fictional, even if I don’t have Nine-Tails chakra, it still helps to remember how Naruto never gives up.

[deadraconis.livejournal.com]

You just spoke words of my soul!;D I'm not like Naruto either but just knowing that he never gave up somehow gives me the courage to get up and try again too. Especially because I'm thread to fall into self-pity pretty quickly. Then I always remember what he said to Inari about if crying is going to help... I mean, Naruto is not even "real" but still, he's the only one I found yet to make not give up eiter.

Hm, your words make me contemplate because in this point I rather tended to Naruto's opinion but now that you mention it... I think it takes a really great deal of work and tears and determination to get out of your "role" in society and really change something about your "destiny" or just yourself.

Isn't it amazing that there are still things that make us feel like this?

[gsyh.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

There is a reason John Lennon made the FBI files, even though he was "just a singer".

Make-believes does influence our beliefs.

[lopt.livejournal.com]

And that is why I love Naruto! He's my favorite character and one that a lot of people don't seem to appreciate, if you know what I mean. :x Plus, he's uber cute. Heh.

[sakabatou.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way! The way he believes in himself and his friends and never gives up is so inspiring...makes me wish I could be more like him. ^__^

...And I had to delete my previous comment and post with this icon instead, because it was just too appropriate! ^^

[deadraconis.livejournal.com]

That's a pretty interesting aspect of him.. I admit I never saw him this way before. But that is because he's the main character and the reader is made to sympathize with him. But I think you just pointed out one of his greatest personality traits and I'm definitely going to research this! And I guess, thanks because you just helped me to see some flaws in him. As a writer it's like you threw candy at my feet!♥

[ex-duelist.livejournal.com]

When did Gaara have sympathy for Kimimaro's position? o_O

I didn't notice him doing much in that fight besides his usual ass-kicking...

[ex-duelist.livejournal.com]

XD oh, okay, my memory just sucks then~ Been awhile since I read that part of the manga.

I don't see why you think Naruto would be unable/unwilling to understand that, though. He was able and willing to understand Gaara's loneliness when Gaara was trying to kill some of his most precious people (i.e. Sakura and Sasuke); Kimimaro's loneliness has just as much in common with Gaara's... and by extension, Naruto's. He just didn't have the chance to actually get to know Kimimaro. If there'd been time and opportunity, I think things might've turned out very differently there...

[anterogradenova.livejournal.com]

whoa o.o do we see the same Naruto? Yeah, he's stupid when it comes to knowing specific facts (Sakura and Sasuke always beat him here), but he's tactically intelligent, as seen in the fight against Zabuza, the Grass Genin (during the chuunin exam), and his fight against Neji.

Of course, for children (he was only 12!) everything is separated into black and white. As part of his character, Naruto had to come out of that childish view. I'm pretty sure that Naruto understands that everything isn't separated into black and white as he's gotten older (post-timeskip). His growth in understanding was all there when he fought Sasuke. He hasn't just automatically labeled Sasuke as "evil" now, has he? If he were purely judgemental, he would've made Sasuke into his sworn enemy and would be on a quest to kill him, not save him. And he has forgiven people, he has a better ability to forgive than most other characters.

Naruto could have just as much sympathy for Kimimaro as Gaara. Of course, without Naruto's influence Gaara would've still been a psychopathic murderer with twisted ideas about love. At the time of the Kimmimaro fight, Naruto was MUCH more preoccupied with reaching his best friend. Gaara was a better choice of empathizer for Kimmimaro because Gaara has killed people, and Naruto has not. Gaara knows what its like to be a weapon for death/destruction.

[anterogradenova.livejournal.com]

I see the beginning of Gaara's change begin by being challenged by the behaviour of Lee and Gai myself.

Oh oh, definitely, you're right. The scene when Gai jumped in front of Lee is emphasized quite often. But we can't deny that Naruto didn't have a part as well, ne? ^_^ Just as Sakura did when she jumped in front of Sasuke.

As for Sasuke... I don't think he's gonna become super-goody-goody, after all he's a morally ambiguous character for a reason. I have a whole other theory about the Team 7/Sannin differences and parallels that would get better justice in its own post XP

Naruto, though, never holds grudges for long, accept against people who deserve them... like Orochimaru and Kabuto. So maybe he isn't the complete model of empathy, but he's definitely got a good record with forgive and forget. ^_^

[pyroclastica.livejournal.com]

gb2akatsuki_love. Gawd. :(

[gsyh.livejournal.com]

What does gb2 stand for?

???

[gsyh.livejournal.com]

Nevermind, I just checked Urban Dictionary (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gb2).

Geez, what's your damage?

[pyroclastica.livejournal.com]

Nothing. thomasvye's opinions and mine just go together like oil and water, that's all. ^.^

[gsyh.livejournal.com]

Though since this is a general community after all, I don't think telling someone to go back to their corner of the fandom is very constructive, though of course, my opinion is bias, but nobody told the Sasuke commenter to go back to Sasuke's corner of LJ, yet.

[pyroclastica.livejournal.com]

I apologize -- I got emotional and lashed out. ^_^;

[pyroclastica.livejournal.com]

*shrug* You hit a nerve, I got upset, I said my piece. I'm done. Back to lurking I go.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

I apologise. I have deleted all my comments. I didn't mean to hurt anyone so much, as i know how that feels. I am so sorry.

[ex-duelist.livejournal.com]

Getting a little confrontational there. Sharing opinions is fine, but please keep your comments civil and respectful here on chuunin.

[pyroclastica.livejournal.com]

Sorry about that. n.n; Was just a little pent-up frustration. I do apologize.

[ex-duelist.livejournal.com]

No problem. Just something to keep in mind for the future.

[gsyh.livejournal.com]

Nevermind again, since this isn't addressed to the post (I thought it was in protest to my starting sentence)

Raise your hands if you believe the current way comments are display is kinda bothersome?

[pyroclastica.livejournal.com]

No, no, it's okay! I'm a big fan of Naruto myself and think of him in much the same way. ^_^ ♥

And I agree; this layout sucks. x.x

[ex-duelist.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, the users voted for it, so we got it. ._.;

Not all of us mods like it either though, so maybe it won't be too long into the future before we can get back to something more functional.

[gsyh.livejournal.com]

This is what happens when I miss elections.

[oddityangel.livejournal.com]

*raises hand* I have no idea what's going on half the time.

[memoriez-lost.livejournal.com]

*raises hand*

The layout's really lovely, but it always confuses me ;_;

[gsyh.livejournal.com]

Naruto is dumb the way people think Buffy is, which is a misconception. Both what people see as "all fight and no brains" actually are smart in a quick on their feet kinda way, they research their fields and they train like mad.

He's 12!

I don't think Naruto hold grudges in the first place, he gets mad, at Neji, for beating up Hinata even after he won, but he didn't stay mad afterwards.

I see recusing Sasuke as keeping the car keys of a friend when he/she is drunk off his/her ass, or really slapping them out of going back to their abusive just out of prison spouse, yeah it's not exactly respecting free will, but that's what friends do.

I don't think Gaara is more intelligent than Naruto, it's different fields.

[treat.livejournal.com]

I have to agree: I really heart Naruto. Originally I hated Naruto because I thought he was such an annoying brat. But...the love consumed me gradually. XD

He grew so much througout the series in subtle ways. Naruto's far from perfect, but his belief in the inherent good of people (however cliche it may be for a shonen manga) never ceases to amuse me. And he's the only character without an angst bucket to dump over our heads. I could fangirl more XD. Naruto, you're going to be the best hokage ever so don't you dare give up! And Sasuke's a meanie, please forget about him already. [/dorking]