Mild Comparative Analysis Between Naruto And Romeo And Juliet:

Mild comparative analysis between Naruto and Romeo and Juliet:

Leaving this one page summary of Romeo and Juliet in place of something more comprehensive, but at the the crux of it, in the play we're met with two teenagers who find refuge in their love for eachother in the midst of the stifling, hyper urban sociopolitical landscape in Verona and decide to fight to be with eachother even in the face of negative consequences. Then a series of unfortunate events occurs and we're left with the tragic ending.

One of the ways they combatted their oppressive landscape was via a "green world." First coined by Northrop Fyre in his "Anatomy of a Criticism," a green world was a literal natural and wild forest setting imbued with magical elements (ie. fairies) that was primarily utilized by Shakespeare in his comedies as a way for his characters to escape the normal world and enter a separate relationship where they could adress/resolve their conflicts + and achieve "metamorphosis."

In Romeo and Juliet, a green world comes in the form of an orchard beneath Juliet's balcony in the second act. Is is there where they are open with one a other about their feelings and express grief over the fact that they're seperated because of family feuding and societal expectations. And it is there where they reaffirm their love and devotion to one another before they part again.

In Naruto, I believe Narusasu's "green world" comes in the form of their shared mindscape that appears every time they clash/their jutsu meet and they subsequently open up about their feelings. Besides the physical landscape of The Valley of the End, it is the place where they share the most vulnerability together. And it is the manifestation of their repressed and/or unrealized desires to connect with and understand one another.

The construction of their "green world" is always preceded by isolated imagery of them reaching out to one but being physically separated by their weapons of choice (the rasengan and chidori). In this sense, there's a cruel irony in that their moments of emotional intimacy happen in the midst of extreme violence, but it's fitting given Kishimoto's thematic setup. Naruto and Sasuke have been brought up in a corrupt feudalistic landscape. Their shinobi world is wrought with cruelty and breeds ninjas that are taught to disconnect from their humanity to become better tools at their villages' beck and call. There is only room for unquestioning dogmatic loyalty and anything less makes you an enemy. The only way they can interact is through violence.

And this is where the interesting addition to the sociopolitical layer in narusasu's dynamic comes in. On a smaller scale, they are separated from each other by their own shortcomings like jealousy and insecurity, but like Romeo and Juliet their care for eachother is considered "transgressive" because of Sasuke's status as a missing nin. Sasuke becomes a "criminal" after rejecting the village that marginalized and extrajudicially genocided his clan. And Naruto, who was sacrificed to maintain the balance of power in Konoha (by having a chakra manifestation of hatred placed in him), is caught between his new staus as a loyal jinchuriki citizen and weapon for the village and his desire to help shoulder Sasuke's burdens and pain.

However, unlike in Romeo and Juliet, there is no beautiful natural refuge for Naruto and Sasuke to meet and and solve their problems. Violence is embedded in their way of living and thus their "green world" or shared mindscape is something they physically create in combat. It is the fruit of their hard work and achievements as ninja in a series where emotional development is also tied to their physical development. And Naruto and Sasuke utilize it accordingly.

It is where they meet and get a glimpse of what the other is feeling. It is where we see the anguish Naruto and Sasuke felt over being torn apart from eachother in VOTE 1 because of external circumstances out of their contol (ie. Oro's curse mark). It is where Naruto opens up about his insecurites and reaffirms his love for Sasuke in a monologue that mirrors Hinata's confession to him in the Pain arc, and his own sentiments from VOTE 1 ("I'm really happy I met you!"). And in VOTE 2 it's where Sasuke tells Naruto, his one and only friend, that they understand eachother's hearts and he has to cut him off to fully be lonely. Through it we got to see the level of care and devlopment put into their bond and their individual characterizations.

And the fact that their last two conversations in the manga take place in the real world is a testament to the fact that they'd outgrown the need for a seperate mental landscape to communicate. It was a sign that they could interact positively without their fists and work to change the systemic issues that led to the series of tragic events that seperated them.

What is your opinion about Konoha being a fascist government and the Will of Fire being a fascist propaganda?

Usually Uchiha apologists comes up with this claim and are salty about Sasuke finally sucking up to Konoha.

It's hilariously ignorant of them and their claims are blatantly untrue. I've seen some of these people's 'arguments' and it all boils down to "Konoha authoritarianism so fascist! Please clap! Me intelligent!"

Fascism is equally authoritarian as a monarchy, an oligarchy, or even a theocracy. Further proving that these pseudo-intellectuals don't know what it is when in their small brains "authoritarianism = facism".

The villages are all authoritarian dictatorships, to some extent. While fascism is a type of authoritarian dictatorship, it is classified by its anti intellectualism, cult like ruling caste, strict abhorrence of foreigners and anything deemed "unusual", and hyper religious zealots. While Oto and old Kiri/Mist could accurately be called fascist, Konoha hardly qualifies as one.

Even with Kishimoto's sketchy and vague world building of Naruto's politics, the facts are there: There are at least two councils in Konoha (Elders and Jounin committee) which can limit the Hokage and prevent him from being an absolute dictator, there is Daimyo/Feudal lord who seems to share the power and has some authority over the village. Foreigners aren't demonised. The cult dogma typical of fascist governments isn't there. Literally nothing is there to back Uchiha apologists' 'arguments'.

I've also seen how Will of Fire is supposedly the aforementioned missing cult dogma...and excuse me, what?! Cult dogma consists of rejecting reality because you don't like the implications (what actual states use to brainwash the population), Will of Fire is literally the generic Shounen shtick about compassion and power of friendship and all that jazz. It's quite simply about being a good person. Plus, Danzo doesn't even believe in Will of Fire and he's supposed to be the super 'fascist' in this scenario.

Moreover, Naruto's world is clearly a Feudal Japan copycat. Are these silly Uchiha apologists gonna go back and call all the old civilisation fascist states?! They might as well be doing that since they clearly have no idea what fascism means.

The fact this is coming from Uchiha apologists who literally support Uchiha's coup (AKA subjugating everyone else) is highly ironic. It's quite more likely that Uchiha would have made a fascist state out of Konoha had their coup been a success.

Plus, the one of the actual facism governments in Naruto's world is Bloody Mist. Aaand it was helped established by two Uchiha over the decades (Madara and Obito).

I have to say the fact there are some people who throw words like "facism" so casually is disheartening, much less for a generic shounen whose author was so distressed and pressurised, he flat out admits he barely thought his plot through or planned anything ahead. And being so casual with facism makes the word lose its weight and is, quite frankly, offensive and insensitive toward real-life victims of facism.

I'm not saying to not analyse your favourite media. Overanalyse it for all I care but you can always be intelligent and sensitive about it instead of pulling bs out of your behinds. Use canon not your bad fanfiction.

———

As for Sasuke, I don't see him as a state bootlicker. He was an international criminal, got pardoned and now goes where he wants in a world that pardoned criminals are under massive surveillance and scrutiny and Shinobi have to be in their villages as much as possible. I never saw Sasuke's loyalty toward Konoha but rather toward people he cares about, namely Naruto. This is my take on Sasuke's character.

Thanks for the ask.

You once said when Rin died on Kakashi's hand Obito's world was crushed, is it the same with Team 7 photo shattered in Naruto's mind when Sasuke has death warrant? Naruto and Obito's core are the same and both Rin and Sasuke are Naruto and Obito's loved one (hehe). If so, I think it's hypocrite for Naruto fandom to sympathize with Naruto on Kage Summit arc but deemed Obito as simp (although I also found many people mocked Naruto too for his panic attack). For them, their world was crushed the moment their lovers were gone so since I understand Naruto's desperation on Kage Summit arc I also understand Obito's desperation when Rin died.

So, Finally someone understood it!!! Thanks Anon!!!

You once said when Rin died on Kakashi's hand Obito's world was crushed, is it the same with Team 7 photo shattered in Naruto's mind when Sasuke has death warrant?

Kind of Yes and No!!! 

Yes... For the way you compared Rin for Obito and Sasuke for Naruto... 

No.... For the comparison you made as to what Team 7 meant to Naruto than what Team Minato meant to Obito. And let me tell you why.

I would say Obito was more Honest, Loving and Caring person as a Team mate than Naruto ever was or will be. Because Naruto shows clear-cut favouritism towards Sasuke ALL THE TIMES. Which Obito would never ever do. 

For Example,

“I can’t waste time here... Wait for me... Kakashi... Rin!!! I am Alive!!!”

Here, Obito was equally thinking about both of his Team mates... And his desire from the bottom of his heart to reach out Kakashi and Rin as soon as possible. Look at the way he was dragging his body so hard.

And during his time when he was forcibly stuck with Madara in that cave, 

He was pushing beyond his limit to become stronger by thinking about his Entire Team and the happy days he spent with them. He could have easily thought about just Rin you know... But the presence of his whole team motivates him and gives him power.

Whereas this certain someone... **Ahem Ahem***

Naruto was also training here to become stronger just like Obito was in the previous panel... But Naruto singles out Sasuke’s name and pines softly.

Have you ever seen Naruto fondly thinking about Sakura not under the context of Sasuke???? 

Just once??? 

When he heard his teammates were in Danger, the very first question he asked was, “What’s Minato-Sensei Doing?! You know the Yellow Flash” And was frustrated with the fact that his Heroic Sensei was not there when he was really needed. 

And he straight up remembers Kakashi’s promise to him to protect Rin. Since He died without any regret because he believed Kakashi would protect Rin. Please look at the desperation Obito shows to save Rin and Kakashi... 

Now compare that with this...

Naruto clearly heard Kakashi’s words about Sakura being in danger because she is no match with Sasuke... But he just ignored that part about Sakura and went onto brainrot about Sasuke as if Sakura’s life means nothing. Whereas Kakashi as a Sensei, wanted to chase her and protect her from her eventual death. 

Man, If this were Obito, he would’ve chased Sakura the moment he heard about this. He wouldn’t be acting so complacent or lost in thoughts, you know. 

In their childhood, When Kakashi asked Obito to ignore Rin and to continue the mission... 

Obito punched Kakashi’s face...

When Sasuke acted on his self-defense and tried to kill Sakura... Naruto asked why did he do that since she was a Team 7 member and all... 

But few moments later..

I can’t even keep a straight face while attaching this picture... No explanation needed, Right??? Obito wouldn’t laugh like this, you know...

So, Obito’s entire identity and emotions revolve around his Entire Team... Of Course, Rin is Special... In a very obvious way. But Obito would never ignore Kakashi like Naruto ignored Sakura. Otherwise Obito wouldn’t have died protecting him by offering his Sharingan. It’s for this exact reason, I’ve claimed many times that Obito was a better Shonen type Protagonist than Naruto ever will be...

And that’s why When he saw Rin’s death with his very own eyes, he couldn’t believe that reality...

A reality where his Sensei whom he admired so much had Failed him... 

A Rival/Friend whom he finally befriended/respected also Failed him... 

He couldn’t accept any of these...

Obito could’ve easily killed Kakashi here. Or he could’ve easily snatched his eyeballs so that he could use it to perform Susanoo by himself or to perform many other interesting Jutsus... (Considering he had 100′s of Sharingan stock that he collected after Uchiha Clan Massacre...)... But he, clearly didn’t want to do any of that. 

Obito’s world was crashed... And he wanted to rebuild a new world with his treasured people in it. And His decision to build a Dream World majorly stems out of Rin’s loss... Yess... But also, the collective failure of his Team Members also played a part in it. If it was just for Rin... He would’ve slaughtered Kakashi into pieces right then and there..

Compared to that...

Naruto’s crash of his Team 7 was ONLY ATTRIBUTED TO SASUKE and SASUKE alone. Because right after this... 

Naruto ignored Sakura’s immediate life in danger but hyperventilated for Sasuke’s eventual Death in the Future... 

Naruto admitted that Iruka and Sasuke were his important people and that he was in Team 7 to chase him... to build a bond with him... Not Sakura or Kakashi

Naruto didn’t react strongly when Sasuke tried to kill his Team Mate and much later he gleefully said to Sasuke that... “I am really glad I met you”...

Obito could’ve easily just thought about Rin alone or he could have ignored the pieces of Minato and Kakashi... to prevent Juubi from taking over his mind. But he mended his entire Team back from the torn pieces to get his mind back... Which shows his Identity in this world.

The Point I am trying to make here is that Naruto’s attachment to this world was credited only to Iruka and Sasuke and... Sasuke just happened to end up in the same team as him and hence he thought about that Team 7 picture a lot.. Not to mention, he had immense respect on Kakashi too.

 Whereas Obito’s attachment to this world is attributed to Entire Team Minato with Rin as the Axis. Team Minato was more personal to Obito than Team 7 was to Naruto. 

no because sasuke was able to see through the facade naruto put on for others to make it seem like he was okay. the panel where sasuke talks about understanding naruto’s hurt is also one where naruto is smiling (which is something naruto did throughout the story in the face or hurt/responsibilities, internalising things and putting on a brave face) while sasuke watches silently from afar. sasuke saw straight through naruto’s act, from before the story started, during, until the very end. as naruto said himself ‘sasuke is the one who understood me more than anyone else’. 

athenasolives asked: Do you have any thoughts on meaning behind characters’ Japanese  pronouns (ie. Light using “boku”)? 

Yes!! I think the pronouns characters use are really interesting. As a disclaimer, I’m not a native Japanese speaker and have never lived in Japan myself, so my opinions are largely based on picking the brains of native-speaker friends and research. Unlike English, Japanese tends to omit “I” from sentences. Leaving in personal pronouns comes off as really odd and a sign that whoever is speaking that way is not a native speaker or that they’re on the arrogant/self important side. All of which is to say that personal pronoun choice is important and also interesting because they don’t usually come up in conversation unless for emphasis. As you mentioned Light, I’ll go over my thoughts on him specifically, but the subject of patterns of speech in DN in general could really just be its own tl;dr post, haha.

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Will Solace Personality

@onthishamsterwheel I… apologize for taking so long to make this post. I know your requested it ages ago, but I have been… extraordinarily busy and my ask box overwhelming so I’ve only just started answering the longer more complicated ones.

So, Canon Will Solace’s Personality.

(it got long, and doesn’t really dive into TOA, so warning if you wish to read below the cut)

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