(no subject)

[aurrai.livejournal.com]

I think I know the real reason Sasuke’s turning bad.

It’s so we can have another epic Sasuke vs. Naruto fight. Intrigued?

Part 01: the trigger

zapenstap has already written a very detailed and logical essay on the psychological reasons for Sasuke turning bad. It was very well thought out and I agree it’s possible.

Something still didn’t feel right though. It’s—just a shonen manga after all. It felt a bit strange to involve the target-teenage reader in so much psychology. I think, like zapenstap said, it’s logical that he should have a breakdown but—it’s kind of intense, even for me. It just doesn’t feel like the right reason.

So I did some more thinking.

Part 02: the real mind

I think we need to take a step back a moment. Forget the ninja world: who’s writing this story? Because ultimately Mr. Kishimoto is the one who chooses to make Sasuke do all these bad things. After so many chapters of character development, of understanding the reasons for his choices, of showing that he’s still a Good Person by not allowing him to kill more than necessary—why would Mr. Kishimoto do this? It seems kind of inconsistent don’t you think?

There’s one thing we know: Sasuke and Naruto will have another fight, be it ten or a hundred chapters from now. What could it be like?

Part 03: the anticlimax

If Sasuke had stayed good, what do you think the fight between him and Naruto would be like? What reason would they have to fight each other?

Sasuke has already killed Itachi. He’s not trying to run away somewhere and Naruto’s not trying to stop him. I’m not really sure why Sasuke would need to stay away from Konoha now: pride and stubbornness? But that’s kind of—lame.

If Naruto fought a Good Sasuke, what reason would he have to fight him? Just more rehashed want to fulfill my promise reasons? I think we’ve already covered that in the past 200+ chapters.

If Sasuke hadn’t turned bad, it’d be a pretty weak, pointless, boring fight.

Part 04: fans want drama

Mr. Kishimoto already knew a fight between Naruto and a Sasuke wouldn’t have worked. Fans would have been disappointed, he himself would have been uninspired. This fight is supposed to be The Fight we’ve been waiting all of Shippuuden to read. It’s got to be good and it can’t be good if Sasuke’s still good.

Mr. Kishimoto turned Sasuke bad so Sasuke would have a good reason to fight Naruto. He had Sasuke almost kill Sakura and Naruto save her so Naruto would see firsthand the depths to which Sasuke has fallen, so he would have a reason to fight Sasuke. The fight probably won’t be happening any time soon but the groundwork has been laid down.

Imagine the fight between a Crazy-Broken Sasuke and a Pissed Off-Disillusioned Naruto—just imagine the fight. Better than a Stubborn Sasuke and a Determined Naruto, right?

Part 05: just like that

I’m pretty sure that’s all there is to it: pure and simple plot. Psychology just gives it credit.

Are you convinced?

Comments

[sanee-ftw.livejournal.com]

Absolutely true, and I haven't even read the manga or followed fandom essays and rants for 100+ chapters.

[centimetre.livejournal.com]

you're right. i thought the same thing.

which of course makes you right because you agree with me

can we be friends please *whine*

[aurrai.livejournal.com]

I dunno... too much awesome could be deadly ;D

[centimetre.livejournal.com]

I'm going to use this line on you because it worked on Kumo

NARUSASU GIVES ME A BONER

... does that entice you....

er...

*puppy dog eyes*

:B

[aurrai.livejournal.com]

Oh god, I opened that comment and all I saw was

—ahahawhenthefuckisthateverrelevantohwhocaresahaha
(and now everyone else is going to see it)
/added

[platedlizard.livejournal.com]

I agree with you. It's more of a challenge, not just their skills, but also a mental/emotional challenge. Like when Naruto fought Pein and nearly broke the seal because he thought that was his only option, and it wasn't. It's a chance for them both to grow.

[wind-hover.livejournal.com]

Too true. But I like the idea that he's put more effort into making the characterisation logical (unlike some other authors) a lot better. :)

[inknose.livejournal.com]

um... well yes, that's why everything happens in any story :3

[snugglyhug.livejournal.com]

Agreed... the story would get pretty boring without people trying to explain things in a logical sense to help others better understand the characters.

[nobodysmama.livejournal.com]

So true. I think a lot of us fans (and not just of Naruto) over-analyze things. I can't imagine that his target audience is running around trying to figure out why Sasuke is going down this path when it's been explained. They just want to see if Naruto will convince Sasuke or kill him.

We might not like the explanation, but it's already out there.

[geekgirl62.livejournal.com]

You make a lot of valid points about what Kishi is up to and I agree.

While I enjoy Naruto as a straightforward shounen manga I also have to confess to being one of those fans that loves to psychoanalyze Sasuke's every move. It's just plain ole fun!

"I’m pretty sure that’s all there is to it: pure and simple plot. Psychology just gives it credit." Well put.

Looking forward to the epic battle between "Crazy-Broken Sasuke" and "Pissed Off - Disillusioned Naruto".

[kumo.livejournal.com]

I don't know what my own thoughts on this matter is yet (can't take the manga completely seriously atm), but I'll say this:

The reasons for Sasuke turning bad may very well be as practical as Kishi needing it for an interesting battle, etc. But I can't help but think otherwise because of the arcs that preceded this... way back... that prove Kishi is capable of weaving a story that has more depth than what's typically shounen. Things like "it's just a shounen manga" always seem like excuses to me - that shounen manga are limited to so and so ways of storytelling or a certain amount of depth. :\

[aurrai.livejournal.com]

Finally someone who disagreed with me!

I do know what you're saying. Naruto wouldn't be as popular as it is if there were nothing special about it. I still think that an Epic Battle is the reason for it because the alternative is just too bland but rest assured, I'm not one of those people who passes things off as Mr. Kishimoto "on crack".

Thanks for commenting.