Naruto : Gaara

Naruto Gaara

Gaara is a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. Kishimoto designed Gaara as a foil to the series’ titular character, Naruto Uzumaki, as the two were born through similar circumstances, but develop vastly different personalities as they deal with their troubled upbringing. Initially introduced as an antagonist and Naruto’s rival, the two eventually develop a bond as kindred spirits and become close friends as the series progresses.

In the anime and manga, Gaara is a ninja affiliated with Sunagakure, and is the son of Sunagakure’s leader, the Fourth Kazekage. As a child, his father attempted to turn him into a human weapon by placing a tailed beast into him, and he was ostracized by the Sunagakure villagers. As a result, he develops into a ruthless killer, slaying others without remorse, and treating his siblings Kankuro and Temari with contempt. His battle with Naruto during the series changes this outlook, and he begins to aid others in order to emulate Naruto. In Part II of the series, he becomes Sunagakure’s Fifth Kazekage. Gaara has appeared in several pieces of Naruto media, including the second featured film in the series, the third original video animation, and several video games.

Gaara has made several appearances outside of the Naruto anime and manga. He is present in the second Naruto feature film, Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel. 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. 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. Naruto video games commonly feature Gaara, including the Clash of Ninja and Ultimate Ninja series. In some games, he uses his Shukaku form for combat, as well as other moves not seen in the anime or manga. Naruto Shipp?den: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX marks the first appearance of Gaara in his Part II appearance in a video game.

Gaara has ranked highly in the popularity polls for the series, continuously placing in the top ten and reaching seventh place once. The last such poll was in 2006, in which Gaara was in 7th place. Several pieces of Gaara merchandise been released, including key chains of his Part I and Part II appearance, plush dolls, and a limited edition figurine.

Anime and manga publications have praised and criticised 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. 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. 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”. They also complimented Kishimoto’s visual presentation of Gaara in the manga, referring to “chilling [glimpses] of Gaara’s crazed, exposed face”..