(no subject)
I have absolutely nothing better to write about, so I'll answer Rohit's comment about Shikamaru in an actual entry:
The reason that it bothers me that he quit during the fight probably has to do with the fact that I'm a huge romantic and idealist, and I find it hard to see things from the point of view of rational characters who actually think things through. When watching fantasy, for some reason, I always have an innate expectation that the characters will do whatever it takes to achieve some high goal. Sure he already proved to everyone that he could win, but wouldn't he have wanted to see how well he could measure up against the next opponent?
Shikamaru did the smart thing when fighting, but aren't characters that would fight like Naruto, even if it's irrational and risks his life just more fascinating? I really enjoy watching Naruto push himself to the limit. I think his wish to learn the strongest techniques and become great enough to be Hokage shows much more motivation than Shikamaru's "motivation" to take the easy way out in life.
They say that "succeeding in the mission, but having everyone in the platoon killed just isn't acceptable", but I was always under the impression that, in this type of fighting world, if the mission is important enough, it's ok to sacrifice what needs to be sacrifirced.
But I do NOT hate Shikamaru. I just didn't really like him at first. I'm much more jealous than hateful of his natural problem solving abilities. And like I said, his fighting style is really cool.
See...I recently watched the episodes where Shikamaru does risk his life to help Sakura and Naruto. I really admire the fact he was able to dispel the sleeping thing and that he was able to hold off the sound ninja's even before his teacher came to his rescue. I guess the action went somewhat against his character, possible preventing him from living his normal life, but, then again, he was clever in realizing that it was the only thing that could be done.
Although, I'd still have to say that he's not really motivated, in my opinion. As I see it, the higher the goal is, the greater the motivation has to be. Shikamaru doesn't have any really high goals, like Naruto or Sasuke. He wants to become a decent ninja, marry a woman who's not too ugly, not too beautiful, have two kids (one girl, one boy), and retire and enjoy playing games. Yeah, he is like many of us. He does want a good, but average life.
It's actually refreshing to see some one like him in anime, because his character contrasts the many overly passionate heroes and villians.
The WORST thing you can do when watching or reading anything is to try to relate to the characters, and I'm afraid I tend to do just that. I find it hard to identify with some one who truly and honestly just wants a happy, ordinary life.
The reason that it bothers me that he quit during the fight probably has to do with the fact that I'm a huge romantic and idealist, and I find it hard to see things from the point of view of rational characters who actually think things through. When watching fantasy, for some reason, I always have an innate expectation that the characters will do whatever it takes to achieve some high goal. Sure he already proved to everyone that he could win, but wouldn't he have wanted to see how well he could measure up against the next opponent?
Shikamaru did the smart thing when fighting, but aren't characters that would fight like Naruto, even if it's irrational and risks his life just more fascinating? I really enjoy watching Naruto push himself to the limit. I think his wish to learn the strongest techniques and become great enough to be Hokage shows much more motivation than Shikamaru's "motivation" to take the easy way out in life.
They say that "succeeding in the mission, but having everyone in the platoon killed just isn't acceptable", but I was always under the impression that, in this type of fighting world, if the mission is important enough, it's ok to sacrifice what needs to be sacrifirced.
But I do NOT hate Shikamaru. I just didn't really like him at first. I'm much more jealous than hateful of his natural problem solving abilities. And like I said, his fighting style is really cool.
See...I recently watched the episodes where Shikamaru does risk his life to help Sakura and Naruto. I really admire the fact he was able to dispel the sleeping thing and that he was able to hold off the sound ninja's even before his teacher came to his rescue. I guess the action went somewhat against his character, possible preventing him from living his normal life, but, then again, he was clever in realizing that it was the only thing that could be done.
Although, I'd still have to say that he's not really motivated, in my opinion. As I see it, the higher the goal is, the greater the motivation has to be. Shikamaru doesn't have any really high goals, like Naruto or Sasuke. He wants to become a decent ninja, marry a woman who's not too ugly, not too beautiful, have two kids (one girl, one boy), and retire and enjoy playing games. Yeah, he is like many of us. He does want a good, but average life.
It's actually refreshing to see some one like him in anime, because his character contrasts the many overly passionate heroes and villians.
The WORST thing you can do when watching or reading anything is to try to relate to the characters, and I'm afraid I tend to do just that. I find it hard to identify with some one who truly and honestly just wants a happy, ordinary life.