Naruto Post; In Defense of Ino Yamanaka

[edgiko]

In Defense of Yamanaka Ino

Okay, so I've been wanting to post this for a while. After a comment in the last Naruto post, I decided that I have enough ammo to make this.

Comments

[inuyatta]

I wouldn't be arguing filler anime anyway, simply because the anime has really taken a huge dump all over Ino, esp. the last episodes before Shippuden premiered. I never really gave Ino much thought (never hated her, but I didn't love her either), but I really hated what the anime did to her by always sticking her in Sakura's shadow.

In fact, because I hated that depiction so much, I have loved the manga recently because she actually looks like she has her shit together and is going all out as a shinobi to be a rock for Team 10. She's curbed her emotional reactions (that she was getting shit for when the rookies came to the decision that Sasuke had to go if it came down to it) in order to get the job done, and if that doesn't show growth, the fanbase just won't be satisfied.

[edgiko]

Yeah, the anime does that with certain characters. The Hidan and Kakuzu fight was terrible compared to the manga. While Team 10 was still just as effective, Ino and Chouji did fight back. Where as the anime they just got smacked around.
I really haven't followed the anime since the Three Tails Arc. While I like it for expanding on some of the secondary characters, it can do a crappy job about it.

She did become their rock. The one panel where she both gave them a pat on the back just spoke volumes. But I honestly don't think the fanbase will ever be satisfied. Which is sad, really.

[kankurette]

Yeah, the worst that happened to them in the manga during that fight was being tied up by Kakuzu, and he got Kakashi too. The anime did a good job with episode 82 - Shotaro Morikubo's acting was top-notch, and there were some touching moments with Shikaku, Chouji and Ino too - and then they had to go and ruin it by making Kakuzu toss Chouji around like a rag doll, call Ino a tart and choke them both. Which seems OOC for Kakuzu, because he doesn't fuck around, he just kills people. Doesn't he get annoyed with Hidan for wasting time?

[kankurette]

Oh G-d yes. I HATED how the anime made her and Chouji look pathetic in the H&K arc and had to be rescued by Shikamaru. As if he didn't have enough development at their expense. And then there was the Sanbi arc, and I've never seen it but the Ino FC on NF HATES that arc because of how it made her look weak.

I hate how the anime treats Chouji and Sakura too.

[hikari318]

There's never any love for support characters ;_;

[artistshipper]

There is in the BtVS fandom. Xander is super popular.

Then again, half his fanbase turns him into OMGWTF badass frontliner in fanfic, for no damn reason, so eh....

I'm not sure i agree with Ino being a support character. I think people have a frakked up perspective.

Ino is an well above average ninja. Not just above average kunoichi, above average ninja period. Probably top 20, maybe even top 10 %.

problem is, she has to face villains that are top 1%, the kind of 'maybe twice in a decade' wonder who singlehandedly levels cities and destroys armies.

Most of the characters in Naruto are repeatedly forced to fight above their weight class Ino and Sakura most of all. This is why Naruto and Sasuke seem awesome, while everyone else seems to fail.

[edgiko]

Xaannnnder. But, I like him as a the normal guy. I don't get why people make him bad ass.

Eh, it's okay. My definition of support is more her role in combat. Her specialty is not something for direct force but more to help. Like a healer or a buffer. Doesn't mean I think she's just on par with an average ninja; merely assessment of what her role in combat is. Ino is definitely not the Leeory Jenkins Naruto type in combat; more assist in combat and infiltration.

She and the rest of the rookie nine are far above average and why they're not at Jonnin levels is beyond me. Kishimoto sucks at writing.

[kankurette]

Thank you so much for writing this. Ino is awesome, and I love how she's been portrayed in the manga lately. Funny, Shikamaru doesn't beat people up either, but no-one calls him useless. And yes, he did fuck up majorly with H&K. I always think the three of them should have taken Hidan down, because Chouji and Ino are not elemental types, and although Chouji is strong and the only taijutsu user on Team 10, he is no match for Kakuzu. Kakashi was the only one who could fight Kakuzu effectively. But Shikamaru is neither fat nor a girl, so no-one calls him out. I like Shikamaru, but I have major issues with that arc, and I'm relieved he's not the one carrying Team 10 for once this time

[edgiko]

Thanks but no thanks, annoying little bot. I don't swing robosexual.