Gaara

Gaara

First appearance Naruto manga chapter #35
Voiced by Japanese
Akira Ishida[1]
English
Liam O'Brien[2]
Ninja rank Genin in Part I
Fifth Kazekage in Part II
Ninja team Sand Siblings in Part I
Fifth Kazekage in Part II

Gaara (我愛羅) is a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. Kishimoto designed Gaara as a foil to the series' eponymous character, Naruto Uzumaki, as the two were born through similar circumstances, but develop vastly different personalities as troubled upbringing. Initially introduced as an antagonist, Gaara is a shinobi affiliated with Sunagakure, and is the son of Sunagakure's leader, the Fourth Kazekage. He was born a demon's host as part of his father's intention to have a weapon to restore their village. However, a combination of being ostracized by the Sunagakure villagers, his early inability to control the Tailed Beast, and the notion that his deceased mother called him her curse on the village caused Gaara to become a ruthless killer who believes his own purpose is to kill his enemies. It is only after meeting Naruto Uzumaki that Gaara earnes a change of perspective as he eventually becomes Sunagakure's Fifth Kazekage and gains acceptance by his people.

Gaara has appeared in several pieces of Naruto media, including two of the featured films in the series, the third original video animation, and several video games. Numerous anime and manga publications have commented on Gaara's character. IGN labeled the disparity between Naruto and Gaara as "emotional" and "a tad creepy". Anime News Network called Naruto's fight against Gaara the high point of the entire series. Among the Naruto reader base, Gaara has been popular, placing high in several popularity polls, and always making it to the top ten characters. Numerous pieces of merchandise have been released in Gaara's likeness, including plush dolls, key chains and action figures.

Creation and conception

Naruto author Masashi Kishimoto created Gaara as a foil to the series' protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki. He and Naruto have a similar background: he was rejected by his peers and fellow villagers for being the host of a tailed beast, Shukaku, a situation that Kishimoto describes as "very much like Naruto's". Gaara's development from this state into a highly withdrawn, sadistic character was intended to induce sympathy for him from readers, as it was contrasted against Naruto's development into a cheerful troublemaker.[3] Additionally, his design was designed to look like the Tanuki since Kishimoto thought that it would make him a good rival for Naruto's Nine-tailed Demon Fox since several parts from the Shukaku were considered by Kishimoto to be opposite ones from the Demon Fox.[4] Gaara's backstory became one of Kishimoto's favorite stories from Part I; Kishimoto had to revise his illustrations in such chapters in as he wanted readers to understand more Gaara's mental state.[5]

Gaara's initial attire, along with the costumes of his siblings, was difficult for Kishimoto to draw on a weekly basis. Because of this, Kishimoto gave the three of them simpler costumes towards the end of Part I; Gaara received an outfit with an upright collar. In addition to being easier to draw, it was used to demonstrate the change in relationship between Gaara and Naruto following their previous fight. Kishimoto cites The Matrix, one of his favorite movies, as an inspiration for Gaara's new costume, and he considers it to be his favorite costume of the three siblings.[6]

Appearances

In Naruto

Before he was born, Gaara's father, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, had Chiyo make Gaara into the Jinchuriki for the tailed beast Shukaku the One Tail (一尾の守鶴 Ichibi no Shukaku, English TV: "Shukaku the Sand Spirit") while he was still in his mother's womb before she died giving birth to him. Though believed at the time to be Shukaku's power in action, Gaara can manipulate sand, which subconsciously protects him.[7][8][9] Rasa intended to use Gaara as the village's personal weapon, but Shukaku's bloodlust proved too much for Gaara as he suffered night terrors brought about by the tailed beast's influence. With Gaara's sand adding to his inability to control Shukaku, the boy became feared to the point his father decided to have him assassinated.[10][11][12] After his maternal uncle (who was the only person that Gaara thought cared for him) tried to finish that very job in an attempted murder-suicide, Gaara adopted the belief that he could only rely upon himself and Shukaku, and that he had to kill others in order to confirm the value of his own existence. He thus became narcissistic, even permanently scarring his left temple with the kanji for "love" (愛 ai) for his new drive.[13][14]

Gaara first appears in the series when he is sent to Konohagakure, an allied ninja village, to take part in the Chunin Exams alongside his older siblings Kankuro and Temari. In truth, he is sent in order to infiltrate Konohagakure in preparation for an invasion by Sunagakure and its ally, Otogakure.[15] There, he and his teammates and older siblings, Kankuro and Temari, easily pass both the first and second phases. In the third phase, Gaara is set to fight against Rock Lee. Lee is able to pass Gaara's defenses, provoking an enraged Gaara into breaking Lee's arm and leg, claiming victory.[16] During the one-month training period, he kills several other genin who make attempts on his life. He also tries to kill a hospitalized Lee, but is stopped by Naruto Uzumaki and Shikamaru Nara; he reveals his past to the two boys, causing Naruto to sympathize with their similar backgrounds. He later fights Sasuke Uchiha in the finals of the Chunin Exams. Sasuke manages to give Gaara the first injury he has ever received, causing Gaara to suffer a mental breakdown and nearly manifest his jinchuriki powers. This begins the invasion, with his older siblings carrying him off as he could not participate in his current state of mind.[17] But when Sasuke pursues him, Gaara's Jinchuriki powers take effect as he manages to defeat Sasuke. Naruto then arrives, however, and defeats him. Seeing that Naruto's outlook on reaching out to people with love is making him more powerful than himself, Gaara is redeemed.[18] Later, Sunagakure sends Gaara to help in preventing Sasuke from defecting to Otogakure, which became enemy of Sunagakure once learning that Orochimaru murdered Rasa prior to the attack.[19] While he is able to help Rock Lee fight Kimimaro, Gaara is unable to prevent Sasuke from escaping. He makes amends with the many characters he had alienated, apologizing to those he hurt and improving his relationship with his family.[20] At the same time, Gaara's fundamental characteristic becomes the desire to protect as many people as he can, as in doing so he believes, like Naruto, he will be able to find true strength. This culminates in his replacing his father as the Fifth Kazekage during Part II of the series.[21]

Gaara as he appears in Part II

In Part II of the series, three years after the failed attempt to retrieve Sasuke, Deidara, a member of the criminal organization Akatsuki, is sent to Sunagakure to capture Gaara. Gaara fights Deidara to protect the village, but Deidara manages to capture Gaara by destroying a large portion of the village, then tricking Gaara and catching him in an explosion. The members of the Akatsuki then kidnap him and extract Shukaku from his body.[21][22] Gaara dies in the process, his body being recovered by Naruto and Kakashi Hatake. Naruto weeps over Gaara's life, provoking Chiyo into sacrificing her own life to revive Gaara after coming to acknowledge Naruto and Sakura Haruno's resolve.[23]

Sometime later, he goes to the Five Kage Summit, where the Akatsuki's leader Tobi, claiming to be Madara Uchiha, breaks into the meeting and announces the Fourth Great Ninja War to capture the last two Tailed-Beasts. Sasuke, now a member of the Akatsuki, arrives there as well, intending to kill the de facto Hokage, Danzo. Sasuke engages the Raikage in conflict, but Gaara intervenes and tries to reason with Sasuke much like Naruto did with him. Sasuke refuses, and under Kankuro and Temari's persuasion, Gaara reluctantly attacks him before Tobi spirits Sasuke away.[24] Soon after, Gaara attempts to convince Naruto that Sasuke is beyond saving but decides to let him do what he must as Sasuke's friend while rejuvenating Naruto's spirits.[25] Gaara later joins the new Shinobi Alliance as its field commander to protect Naruto and Killer Bee, using Naruto's philosophy of love and the Akatsuki's philosophy of hatred to unite the army when it nearly imploded from internal conflict.[26] On the second day of the war, Gaara encounters his reanimated father, who is shocked by his development. Rasa reveals the truth to Garra that his uncle's final action were his doing and that the truth that Gaara's mother always loved him, moving Gaara to tears after learning his mother's will is the force behind his sand. Rasa recognizes his son has surpassed him and entrusts Sunagakure to him after being defeated.[27] Gaara later defeats and seals the revived Second Mizukage and joins the rest of the five Kage to fight the real Madara Uchiha who was reanimated by Kabuto, nearly getting killed as a result.[28][29] Later healed by Tsunade with Orochimaru's help, Gaara departs with the other Kage to site of their side's battle with Madara and Obito. There, after using his former Jinchuriki status to free him, Gaara is reunited with Shukaku as they assist Naruto and the other tailed beasts against Madara. Before watching him be absorbed by the Gedo Statue again, Gaara manages to make his peace with Shukaku while thanking the tailed beast for ensuring that he would meet Naruto. Gaara then witnesses the Nine-Tails get extracted from Naruto, and desperately brings him to Sakura.[30] They take him to Minato Namikaze and Gaara holds off Madara before Might Guy takes over prior Naruto being successfully revived. Once the Infinite Tsukiyomi is activated, Gaara is caught in the illusion of being with his entire family and Naruto as his friend before being freed by Naruto and Sasuke. By the series epilogue, having the Hidden Leaf Village's Nara Clan as in-laws through Temari, Gaara remains active as the Kazekage. In Boruto: Naruto the Movie, his children participating in the event, Gaara and the other Kage attend the Chunin exam in Konoha before they engage in combat against Momoshiki and Kinshiki in a rescue mission after Naruto was kidnapped.[31]

In other media

Gaara has made several appearances outside of the Naruto anime and manga. He is present in the second and sixth Naruto feature films, Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel and Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire. In the former, he protects the Land of Wind from an assault by Haido, the antagonist of the film, and later battles the lightning user Ranke, one of Haido's subordinates, and defeats her,[32] while in the latter, he temporarily becomes enemies of Konohagakure as they are the prime suspect of a pitfall attack on him while he is about to attend a meeting with Tsunade, in reality being done by a missing nin, Hiruko, and briefly battles Naruto, although after the confusion is cleared, he allies himself with them again. Gaara is also present in the third original video animation released in the series, in which he participates in a tournament of various characters from across the series.[33] Naruto video games commonly feature Gaara, including the Clash of Ninja and Ultimate Ninja series.[34][35][36] In some games, he uses his Shukaku form for combat, as well as other moves not seen in the anime or manga. Naruto Shippūden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX marks the first appearance of Gaara in his Part II appearance in a video game.[37] An upcoming light novel titled Gaara Hiden will focus on the character.[38]

Reception

Gaara has ranked highly in the popularity polls for the series, continuously placing in the top ten.[39] The last such poll was in 2011, in which Gaara was in 4th place.[40] Several pieces of Gaara merchandise has been released; including key chains, plush dolls and action figures of his Part I and Part II appearance.[41][42][43][44][45][46] AnimeCentral listed him as eighth best villain in anime with comments focused on how flashbacks made him a tragic character and at the same time similar to Naruto Uzumaki.[47] Additionally, his fight against Rock Lee was listed as the second best one in anime for exchanges in moves and its conclusion.[48]

Anime and manga publications have mostly praised Gaara's character. IGN noted that Gaara was an "anti-Naruto", possessing a "dark, solemn character" as opposed to Naruto's continuous cheer and excitement.[49] In another review, IGN also called Gaara's background "emotional" and "a tad creepy" due to the disparity between the development of Naruto's and Gaara's personalities.[50] Anime News Network celebrated the "depth and emotion" that Naruto's and Gaara's similarities added to the plot, and commented that "nowhere in the entire series run does Naruto shine brighter than in the peak period of his battle against Gaara".[51] They also complimented Kishimoto's visual presentation of Gaara in the manga, referring to "chilling [glimpses] of Gaara's crazed, exposed face".[52] Mania Entertainment noted that Gaara and Sasuke's first fight shows how the former has a "fragile" psyche despite his violent attitude. His backstory was also praised by Mania Entertainment since it includes "a ton of legitimate emotion" allowing viewers from the series to understand more Gaara's personality.[53] Liam O'Brien, Gaara's voice actor in the English dubbed version of the anime, has been praised. IGN noted that he did an "excellent job" of making Gaara sound terrifying to the viewer,[54] and Anime News Network noted him as one of the best voice actors in the series.[51]

Gaara's promotion to leader from Sunagakure in Part II of the series was deemed as the most surprising development in the series by Briana Lawrence from Mania Entertainment.[55] UK Anime Network's Kevin Leathers stated that while in the first part of the series, Gaara was a fearsome villain, in the following one he became "much more three-dimensional."[56] Similarly, Todd Douglass Jr. from DVD Talk praised Gaara's development in later episodes from Naruto: Shippuden owing to his relationship's expansion with Naruto.[57] His fight against Deidara has also received positive response, with critics poiting the revisit of Gaara's popular moves and the strategy both fighters employed.[56][58]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gaara.
  1. ↑ Studio Pierrot (February 27, 2003). "名乗れ！現れた強敵たち!!". Naruto. Episode 21. TV Tokyo.
  2. ↑ Studio Pierrot (January 28, 2006). "Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals". Naruto. Episode 21. Cartoon Network.
  3. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). Uzumaki: The Art of Naruto. Viz Media. p. 142. ISBN 1-4215-1407-9.
  4. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2009). NARUTO. Shueisha. p. 98. ISBN 978-4-08-874823-8.
  5. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2005). NARUTO―ナルト―［秘伝・闘の書］. Shueisha. pp. 310–311. ISBN 4-08-873734-2.
  6. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). Uzumaki: The Art of Naruto. Viz Media. p. 127. ISBN 1-4215-1407-9.
  7. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 83". Naruto, Volume 10. Viz Media. p. 35. ISBN 1-4215-1089-8.
  8. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 97". Naruto, Volume 11. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0241-0.
  9. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 128". Naruto, Volume 15. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0240-2.
  10. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 131". Naruto, Volume 15. Viz Media. pp. 93–95. ISBN 1-4215-0240-2.
  11. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 129". Naruto, Volume 15. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0240-2.
  12. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 131". Naruto, Volume 15. Viz Media. pp. 89–91. ISBN 1-4215-0240-2.
  13. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 131". Naruto, Volume 15. Viz Media. p. 98. ISBN 1-4215-0240-2.
  14. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2005). "Chapter 59". Naruto, Volume 7. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-875-9.
  15. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 95". Naruto, Volume 11. Viz Media. pp. 92–98. ISBN 1-4215-0241-0.
  16. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 86". Naruto, Volume 10. Viz Media. ISBN 1421502402.
  17. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 115". Naruto, Volume 13. Viz Media. pp. 136–138. ISBN 1-4215-1087-1.
  18. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 136". Naruto, Volume 16. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1090-1.
  19. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2008). "Chapter 213". Naruto, Volume 24. Viz Media. p. 95. ISBN 1-4215-1860-0.
  20. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2008). "Chapter 215". Naruto, Volume 24. Viz Media. pp. 132–133. ISBN 1-4215-1860-0.
  21. 1 2 Kishimoto, Masashi (2008). "Chapter 249". Naruto, Volume 28. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1864-3.
  22. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2008). "Chapter 261". Naruto, Volume 29. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1865-1.
  23. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2008). "Chapter 280". Naruto, Volume 31. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1943-2.
  24. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2011). "Chapter 464". Naruto, Volume 50. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-3497-8.
  25. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2011). "Chapter 475". Naruto, Volume 51. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-3498-5.
  26. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2012). "Chapter 516". Naruto, Volume 55. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-3498-5.
  27. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2011). "Chapter 547". Naruto, Volume 58. Shueisha. ISBN 978-1-4215-4328-4.
  28. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2012). "Chapter 562". Naruto, Volume 59. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-4942-2.
  29. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2012). "Chapter 601". Naruto, Volume 63. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-870550-7.
  30. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2014). "Chapter 662". Naruto, Volume 69. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-880054-7.
  31. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2015). "Chapter 700". Naruto, Volume 72. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-880220-6.
  32. ↑ Naruto The Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel (DVD). Viz Video. 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  33. ↑ ついに激突！上忍VS下忍！！無差別大乱戦大会開催！！ (DVD). TV Tokyo. 2005.
  34. ↑ Bozon, Mark (2006-09-29). "Naruto: The Complete Fighter Profile - Page 2". IGN. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
  35. ↑ Tomy, ed. (2005). Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen 4 Japanese instruction manual (in Japanese). Tomy. p. 5.
  36. ↑ Naruto: Ultimate Ninja English instruction manual. Namco Bandai. 2006. p. 26.
  37. ↑ "ＮＡＲＵＴＯ－ナルト－ 疾風伝:ＴＶ東京 - Goods" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Archived from the original on 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  38. ↑ "Full List of Naruto Epilogue Novels Unveiled". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 26, 2008.
  39. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2008). "Chapter 245". Naruto, Volume 28. Viz Media. pp. 8–9. ISBN 1-4215-1864-3.
  40. ↑ Kishimoto, Masashi (2011). "Chapter 531". Naruto, Volume 56. Shueisha. ISBN 978-1-4215-4207-2.
  41. ↑ "キーホルダー(ラバー)ナルト疾風伝 NARUTO [我愛羅 風影(チビ)]【並行輸入】" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  42. ↑ "NARUTO ナルト疾風伝　我愛羅　ＰＶＣキーホルダー　並行輸入品" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Gaara with Gourd Plush: Toys & Games". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 4, 2008.
  44. ↑ ナルト 疾風伝 我愛羅 風影 8インチ ぬいぐるみ (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Gaara - Naruto ~8" Action Figure". Amazon.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Toynami Naruto Shippuden 6 Inch Series 2 Action Figure Gaara". Amazon.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Friday Feature". AnimeCentral. Archived from the original on October 13, 2010. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  48. ↑ "Friday Feature". AnimeCentral. Archived from the original on December 12, 2010. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  49. ↑ Sparrow, A.E. (2007-11-09). "IGN: Naruto Reader's Guide". IGN. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  50. ↑ Van Horn, Jason (2007-02-26). "IGN: An Assassin of the Moonlit Night Review". IGN. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  51. 1 2 Martin, Theron (February 29, 2008). "Naruto Uncut DVD Box Set 6 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  52. ↑ Kimlinger, Karl (2006-11-02). "Naruto GN 8-10 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  53. ↑ Rich, Justin (June 18, 2008). "Naruto Box Set 06 (also w/special edition)". Mania Entertainment. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  54. ↑ Van Horn, Jason (2007-02-12). "IGN: Astonishing Truth! Gaara's Identity Emerges! Review". IGN. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  55. ↑ Lawrence, Briana (February 27, 2008). "Naruto Vol. #28". Mania Entertainment. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  56. 1 2 Leathers, Kevin (July 19, 2010). "Anime Review: Naruto Shippuden Box Set 1". UK Anime Network. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  57. ↑ Douglass Jr., Todd (April 6, 2010). "Naruto Shippuden, Vol. 8". DVD Talk. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  58. ↑ Sparrow, A.E. (January 29, 2008). "Naruto Vol. 28 Review". IGN. Retrieved November 17, 2011.

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