Why I have a problem with Hinata Hyūga.

               Despite being an underutilized character, Hinata has always been the topic of discussion by fans.  Most fans adore her and are easily provoked into arguments by the slightest insult.  Most of the rest of the fans cannot stand her, finding her as nothing but an annoying stalker character that is only there to provide a “moe” element to the series.  There are few that are apathetic to the character.  This is what made me think enough about her to come up with this.  I do hope that the Hinata fans read it for what it is and don’t have my head on a chopping block by the time they finish.  

               Despite his claim that Kishimoto really likes the character, it seems more to me that he either finds her pathetic or loves to make her suffer.  Wait.  Let me explain. 

                As a little girl, Hinata is given away to Kurenai, simply because her father felt that she was so pathetic that she would be a waste of his time to try to train her, despite her being the real heir to the clan.  She tries her best to learn from Kurenai, but when her big challenge is put before her (showing Neji that she was strong now), not only did she lose the fight, she was almost killed, and Neji emotionally tore her apart, piece by piece.  She was bleeding on the floor, and Neji still saw her as pathetic as he did in the beginning, if not more. 

                When the next phase of the Chunin Exam came around, Hinata’s father came to watch the event; because Neji was going to be taking part.  He brought Hanabi, Hinata’s little sister, and he made comments throughout the fights to indicate that he respected both Neji and Hanabi and their abilities. Meanwhile, Hinata had just left the hospital to try to watch the tournament; and she almost died from just sitting there.  Where was her father?  Was he visiting her?  Was the telling her that he was proud of the change she had made?  No.  He was supporting Neji, who he had ignored his whole life. 

   

             The reason that I’m reliving this is to make a point.  When we first see Hinata, we’re told that she’s disposable and not respected in the least.  She works very hard, and the only result is to be further ignored and more aggressively told that she is useless and always will be.  I know that some will point out that it inspired her to work even harder to become stronger, but to be honest, it changed nothing. 

                Hinata jumped in the middle of the fight to try to defend Naruto from Pein, and the result was little more than being swatted aside like a fly.  This is the big part for me.  Pein didn’t even kill her.  It wasn’t because he had pity for a young woman or what she was trying to do.  It was because he saw her as no threat and didn’t feel it was worth his time to kill her.  He just knocked aside something that was in his way. 

                This is just another reminder that, despite any work or training, Hinata is worth nothing.  She is still seen by others as useless, and they don’t respect her.  I know that some will want to point out that there are people that like and respect her; Naruto, Kiba, Shino, Sakura, Ino…  The thing is though that they like and respect her because they see her as a friend and knows that she tries.  They don’t really see her as a powerful shinobi who is vital to missions, the way they do Neji.  In fact, when they do see her do something impressive in the field (usually in fillers), they feel the need to point it out specifically, almost as if to say, “Wow!  Did you see Hinata did something that was useful?”  It isn’t intentional.  It’s just an instinct.  Hinata is their sweet, shy friend that tries to help everyone where she can.  Hinata isn’t a respected shinobi. 

Even with Neji’s dying words, he said that he was protecting them, I guess, fulfilling his “job” of protecting her.  He never said, “I’m proud of you” or called her “sister” as she calls him “brother”.  Once again, she’s a little girl who needs to be protected.  She’s not an equal on the battlefield who he gave his life to protect, like he said to Naruto.

      

          “Naruto” has a running theme of characters who were seen as nobodies as children, who then work their way to proving themselves.  Naruto went from being a pariah to being the hero of Konoha; Gaara went from being a mad man who the village wanted to destroy to being their Kage; Neji went from slave status to being one of the most respected shinobi in the village.  What of Hinata?  Has she not worked just as hard?  Where is her position of respect and praise?  Where are those missions that are important, where the Hokage says, “Send Hinata”.  Where are they?  Nowhere.  To Kishimoto, she’s still portrayed as the little girl that is a throwaway, no matter how much she fights and tries.  I’m not a Hinata fan, but that bothers me tremendously. 

                There are two themes with Hinata.  She is in love with Naruto, and she is always training and working to become strong and respected.  She has gained neither. 

                Then there is the element that comes from fans that bothers me greatly.  There are many Hinata fans that recognize that she is still completely unaccomplished, despite her hard work; and they are waiting for that moment when she gets what she’s tried so hard to accomplish.  To that extent, I do agree.  The problem is that many of the fans that are (some, furiously) fans of Hinata ending up in a relationship with Naruto see her success in ending up in that relationship as succeeding in her desires.  Think about that one for a minute.  She loves Naruto, but her desire for her life is to be seen as strong and be acknowledged.  Why are so many so ready to see Hinata landing a man as succeeding in her life?  He is certainly one of the most famous ninja in the village, if not the five nations.  I suppose that winning his heart would be kind of like getting acknowledgment that she is special and would give her the guy that she’s stalked since she was a girl, but what is the message there?  If you’re a girl and want to be respected, you should find an important man?  There is that idea still in the world that the success of women is in finding a man with money and success, like royalty or celebrity.  They should not achieve things on their own.  They should just attach themselves to someone who has.  I do not want Hinata to end up with Naruto, almost exclusively because I do not want the end of the series to be seen as successful, not because she earned the respect of her clan and those around her but because she ended up with the boy she loved. 

               On the battlefield, Hinata is able to hold her own and is acknowledged by Naruto… for standing with him.  Her father is on the field with her, but even in the chatty battles of “Naruto”, he says nothing about her abilities and does not stop to even think that she is stronger than he believed.  Kiba seems the closest to seeing her as she wants to be, but he also sees her constantly as a delicate flower that needs to be protected. 

               The battles always disappoint me.  Whenever Hinata joins a massive fight to help, it is almost always to help Naruto, and she almost always finds a way to bring it back to being about Naruto, not being a shinobi doing her job. 

Against Pein, she felt that the best idea in the fight was to distract him by declaring her love, knowing she’d probably die in front of him right after it.  In the battle against Madara and Obito, she is focused on staying the Naruto, protecting Naruto, etc.  Even when she does her most impressive attack, she fears she might fail but is then inspired by Naruto to succeed.  It is as if she cannot really perform (unless it is small fights, almost all filler), unless it is to protect or get acknowledgment or love from Naruto.  Even in her fight with Neji, she would have given up entirely if Naruto hadn’t cheered her on. It is as if Kishimoto is telling us that Hinata doesn’t really want to be a strong and respected shinobi and only tries to be out of her obsession with Naruto.  This brings us back to the idea that Hinata will only succeed in life if she gets the man that she wants.  For me, it is not only a backwards and outdated idea, but it is also offensive.  It makes her whole performance a joke to me, only saying “Nevermind, she didn’t really want to be successful.  She was just trying to get a guy.”  This is such a dysfunctional image for young people.  Why can’t there  be young women in shonen anime that can be sweet and shy but not just the girl that loves the main character and nothing more?  It’s not only an insult to Hinata but an insult to the fans. 

                So what would I like to happen?  I’d like to see Hinata realize that she is something more than just a girl who likes a guy, and I would like her to grow up – in many ways.  She should fight to take her place in her clan, get the respect she deserves in the village, whether she wants to be a shinobi, a teacher, a tea seller, or whatever.  She should come to herself and get some self esteem and confidence (which you can have without destroying the character’s sweet, shy, kindness).  Then she can get to know someone, even Naruto, and decide if she likes him.  She’s 15-16 now, and she barely even knows Naruto, other than watching him (as she could barely say a word to him, until recently).  You really want her to get into a serious relationship with a guy she has only had a crush (though intense) version of love for (though her whole life), because if she gets a man she wins?  Doesn’t she deserve a full life that isn’t entirely about another person – any person?  

      Hinata has the personality and power to be a truly powerful character, both in story and on the battlefield.  The problem is that Kishimoto won't let her be one.

My first real OC: My fantroll (Homestuck)

This is the first real original fan character I've made, and I have mixed emotions about it.  The good?  I had an incredible amount of fun creating her, and I'm looking forward to seeing what others have to say about her.  The negative?  As it is not my world, I'm really afraid that the Homestucks are going to crash down on me and tell me how horrible my character is, both as a troll and as an OC altogether.  That's the reason that I don't do much fan art.  I'm just going to stay with the fact that I really had fun and am proud of it.  I'm open to any constructive criticism. 

The art was drawn by me, using a mouse to draw (My tablet and I are still not working together.) with GIMP.  I do know that if we actually go with the numbers, the blood color hue is too blue of a purple to be a sea troll.  Why didn't I worry about making sure that the hue was precisely correct?  Because I didn't want to do it.  Everyone seemed to be quoting the specific numbers on hue, yet when I checked the canon art, Eridan and Gamzee were off by as much as ten points from their supposed specific number, depending on the image.  So.  My point is, I didn't want to stress over it. 

Without further delay:

You are VITREL OBFUSA, and you are almost six and a half sweeps old.  You don’t spend a lot of time around others, and that is fine with you.  You often feel that your lusus is the only one that really understands you, and your lusus thinks you need to stop acting like such a grub.  You love PUZZLES and MAZES, and you are easily lost in completing them.  In fact, you become so focused on solving a new puzzle that you often don’t realize the danger you’re putting yourself in, until you’ve found the puzzle’s solution.  That’s usually okay, because you’re good at delivering fast and dangerous attacks, before you disappear.  This is a good thing, since, once you stopped being an actual grub, your lusus started disappearing and leaving you to fend for yourself in danger.  Your hive is full of RANDOM TREASURES that you brought home from the LABYRINTHS you’ve explored.  You don’t really care about any of them, but you’re not sure what you should do with them either.  

You aren’t really comfortable with others, but you can mimic it well.  You prefer to talk to people online, where you can stay safe in your own little maze, your hive.  You’re not completely comfortable out of water, but the puzzles decide where you go.  You find most land dweller food to be unpalatable.  

You are skilled with the MORNINGSTAR and have recently begun to produce POISONS.  You are also skilled at OPENING LOCKS and ESCAPING.  You can fit through ridiculously small places, when you put your mind to it.  You can be quite slippery when you want to be.

Trollian Handle:  vortexDiver

Typing Quirk:  Yo~u a~lwa~ys inse~rt a~ tilde~ a~fte~r e~a~ch r~o~und vo~we~l.  It re~minds yo~u~ o~f so~me~thing.

 

This is a static pose to show full figure for outfit and weapon, as well as a general overview.



Vitrel with her lusus.
 

Vitrel with perspective God Tier costume.  She would make an excellent Thief of Void, willing to take whatever she needed to hide what she wanted and stubborn enough to will whatever she wanted, even if it took removing the non-existence of something from reality.


Character Notes:
 Vitrel was heavily influenced by her lusus, one of my favorite things, an octopus.  Her first name was taken by Vitreledonella richardi, the scientific name for the glass octopus.  Obfusa was taken from the word "obfuscate".   

A Beginner's Guide to "One Piece"

I have several friends that enjoy anime but have never tried some of the big titles -- markedly, some of my favorites. Because of this, I wanted to make a brief (as brief as I ever am) blog to introduce my favorite anime (tied with “Naruto”), “One Piece”.  It's not a guide; it's not a review; it's just a "what to expect" when you begin the series.

The series can be found in many places for free online, but my favorite place to watch it is on Hulu, as they don’t have the time limits that you find on most other sites.
http://www.hulu.com/one-piece

N.B. I am sure this will contain spoilers. I will try to keep them brief and to the earliest parts of the series.

Personal Note:   It will be difficult for me to stay neutral on this series, as it has meant so much to me. I saw the early parts on Toonami and then was driven away from it by 4Kids. I came back to it when I was going through a crisis in my life, physically and mentally. I know that it sounds weird, but I credit “One Piece” in part for saving my life. When I needed it most, it gave me something to laugh at for hours at a time. It gave me things to get mad at that weren’t part of my life. It gave me things to cry over that weren’t happening to me. It still remains the one thing I can watch that helps me through any emotional problems. It has become very important to me, and if I can get even one person to enjoy it, I’ll feel completely satisfied.


Overview:
“Weath. Fame. Power. The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. The final words that were said at his execution, sent people to the seas.

“ My wealth and treasure? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. Look for it. I left all of it in that place.”

Men now, chasing their dreams, head for The Grand Line. The world now enters a Great Age of Pirates!”

“One Piece”, by Eichiro Oda, focuses on the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a teen who wants to become the new King of the Pirates, by finding the legendary treasure of Gol D. Roger, the One Piece! He starts out as just a boy with a dream and a straw hat and begins to build his crew, one by one, while heading toward The Grand Line (a bizarre line of sea, where the One Piece is known to lie). Luffy slowly begins to form the Strawhat pirates, as he slowly makes his way toward his goal. It is set in a fictional world with varied countries, nationalities, and intelligent species. Opposing the pirates are the Marines, the nautical military of the World Government.



Characters and Story:
While Luffy is the perpetual optimist and almost always light and hearted; he does know when to get serious and can be a source of strength for his crew and those around him. He will stop to take care of the problems at hand, no matter how ridiculous the odds; but he is always looking toward the future.

Each member of the crew has three things in common. They all have a dream to become something incredible in the world, they all have a tragedy at the core of their heart, and they all have been saved by becoming a member of the crew. None of them simply volunteered to join the crew. They were all won from their current lives by the actions of Luffy and the others. They each have a specialty to the crew and a fighting style that is very much their own.

Characters… there are a lot of them… so many. I think that there are more characters in this than in any series I’ve ever read or watched. The good news is that they are all introduced slowly and usually in ways that are memorable. Just thinking on how many pirate crews there are is a little daunting, but you’ll get there.



Devil Fruit:
A devil fruit is a mystical fruit, which, when consumed, grants the eater a special power for the rest of their lives. The fruits give three group types of powers, but the actual powers are endless in possibility:
Paramecia: Grants the user a specific power, such as generating wax or shock waves.

Logia: Transforms the user’s body into a substance from sand to electricity

Zoan: Grants the user the ability to create stages of transformation to an animal type. It usually grants a half animal and a full animal stage. This can be anything from a jackal to a human (eaten by an animal, grants the ability to transform into an animal version of human).

Luffy has eaten a Devil Fruit of the Logia type that turned him into a rubber man. A few other members of the crew are also Devil Fruit users.

The catch? Other than the fact that they are rare (especially Logia Fruits) and are very expensive if you can get them, they also give a random power. There is no way to know what you will get until you eat it. That’s not the real catch though.
Legend says that the Devil Fruit was to be created by the Devil of the Sea, and the sea is so opposed to them that they reject the users. That means that the Devil Fruit user completely loses their ability to swim. In fact, they lose their ability to struggle to keep themselves from drowning. When you are a seafarer, this can become an easy trip to the sea floor. Falling into the water is a constant threat, even if it is shallows.



Length:
It’s long. Ok, it’s really long. Alright, it’s incredibly long. At the time of writing this, there are 600 episodes of the anime and 711 of the manga. There are many that are put off from starting the series, simply because of the sheer length of it. This is the way I see it. Have you ever been reading or watching something that you really loved and thought, “I hope that this is over soon!”? I never have. I’m always sad when it is over; and I will be with “One Piece” too. You don’t have to sign on to watch 600 episodes, because you decided to watch the first. You can watch as many or as little as you want. The length of the anime should have no impact on whether or not you like it. The length that you enjoy is completely up to you. The series shouldn’t be about finishing it. It should be about enjoying the journey. If you’re not enjoying it, does it matter if the series is short? Why should it matter if it is long if you are enjoying it?

Of course there is the argument that all good things have to end. A series should end before it kills itself from the inside. Well…. when that starts to happen with “One Piece”, I’m sure it will end. So far, it hasn’t lost any steam. I think that Oda is one of those rare successful writers that actually cares more about his series than even the fans. I doubt he’d keep making it if he started to lose his passion and enjoyment for it.

The story arcs themselves can be long, and that can seem daunting on its own. The first major story arc (The “Baroque Works Saga”) took sixty-nine episodes. It doesn’t feel like this when you are watching or reading. The reason is that within the story arcs are several “acts”, which are mini story arcs. Most of the time, you’re so engrossed in what is currently going on that you don’t really think about when they’re going to get through the entire event. It is more like life. You’ve got a goal that you’re going to accomplish, but it is all about what you are doing day to day while getting to that goal.

Long story short, “One Piece” is a journey. It’s about trying to get from one place to another and trying to achieve things. That’s how the progress and timing of the story works.



Artwork:
“One Piece” has an artistic style that is all its own. It has been described as “goofy”, “childish”, “awkward”, and just plain “bad”. It bothers people, and it has made many people not want to watch it at all. I actually felt the same way in the beginning, and had it not been right in front of me on Toonami, I probably never would have watched it. It can be strange at first, but after a little while, you start to not really notice that there is anything different about it. By the time you get into the story, you begin to realize that it really wouldn’t be good if it were drawn a different way. With all the weird and wonderful things about “OP”, a more realistic style would be what made things awkward. I don’t think there is anything wrong with the style. I think that it just makes a bad first impression.



It’s Weird:
It’s weird. Oda just opened the door to his imagination and yelled, “Come out and play!” That’s one of the reasons that the show is incredible. Everything about it is original. It does follow the shonen anime method of having an action based story, where story arcs end in an epic battle; while the male lead is trying to achieve his dreams. That’s where most similarities end, and the wild fantasy begins. Many of the people they meet are not “normal”. Most of the Strawhats are not “normal”. This can range from a reindeer that can change into a humanoid to a fish man to a crossdressing shapeshifter. It’s weird. Logic has no place here. It’s part of what makes it so much fun and so darned funny. It can be off-putting to those who haven’t started the series (or only watched one or two episodes), but it becomes one of the reasons you love it so much.



It has everything! It can’t even stick to one genre!:
That is true to some extent. It has pirates, robots, sky gods, zombies, cyborgs, etc. It does not have them all at once. It does not have them all commonly. It is a show of expedition and adventure. The Grand Line is a crazy place. While you can travel from island to island, it is not easy. The islands have developed like individual words, and they all have their own environment, inhabitants, and creatures. There are pirate crews that have traveled through or even come through these places and have (or *are*) some of these things. It’s not the same as if a series like “Naruto” (which takes place on one continent) were to have such a wide selection of creatures. It’s more like traveling from planet to planet than it is from island to island.



Pirates and Pirate Crews:
“Pirate” to most people conjures an image of a villainous character who sails from island to island; raping, murdering, and plundering as they go. The truth is that many crews joined for their freedom or to fight an unjust government. This is more the direction of the pirates “OP”, though it takes the idea much further. There are still villainous pirates, many villainous pirates. There are also “good” pirates who are more like explorers. It is, most loosely, a term to describe a crew of seafarers who follow their own law, instead of the law of the World Government. That said, they still follow the pirate “theme”.

The Strawhats are one of the “good” crews. If you’re a roleplayer, they’d generally be a good match to Chaotic Good. They follow their own laws, they’re thieves; they take the chance to party hard; and they don’t really care who their opponent is, even the World Government, if they feel they are doing what they should. Still they always are figures of justice. They do not like bullies, whether it is a rich kid who is punishing the people of the town in which he lives or a Marine Admiral who is killing and destroying for his own selfish purposes. Once an injustice is set before them, they will do anything to set it right. It is by doing what they feel is right that has made them stronger as a crew, as individual pirates, and as bounty holders with the Marines.

Some of the pirate crews (Ok… most) can be strange on their own, following the “It’s weird” rule. Most crews have a theme. Some can be more realistic, like the heavily armed and cutthroat men of the Krieg Pirates; or it can be bizarre and fun but no less dangerous or evil, like Buggy the Clown and his circus themed pirates and the Black Cat Pirates, with Captain Kuro’s unusual attack techniques (and the rest of them). Much like everything else, it’s something you get used to, and it is something you start to love as you watch. I know, when I first saw Buggy, I was thinking “Come on!” Two episodes later, I loved him. A few episodes later, I was just wanting to see him get his butt (or other parts) kicked, on the grounds of that dog (dog is not dead btw).

It is not “Treasure Island”. It is not “Pirates of the Caribbean”. If you are looking for a serious reality based adventure with pirates drawn from history and serious nautical demonstrations, you’re going to be disappointed. “One Piece” is a funny but serious adventure tale that is not afraid to be silly and not afraid to be violent. Just like the creatures, it has it all.



Serious Content:
One thing that many people think when they start the series is that it is a light hearted, weird, funny series that is good for kids and adults. After they watch the first season, they realize that it is a series that can be light hearted, is definitely weird, is usually very funny, but is not for kids. Despite the funny parts, I would not suggest letting a child or sensitive young teen watch, unless it is by episode. There is definitely content that most young viewers would find difficult. Oda does not pull punches. People die. People are beaten, stabbed, tortured, and shot. There are wars. There are executions. There is a lot of injustice. It certainly makes you see that there can be many bad people in the world. I heard that part of the reason we are given all that goofiness, humor, and weirdness is to make the serious parts easier to deal with. It makes sense.

There is usually a point in season one, where a new viewer realizes the fact that it is not a kid’s anime. When I was first watching it, I had this realization while watching Sanji’s backstory. That’s something that no child should have to go through. Most of the people I’ve talked to have realized it at one point during the Arlong Park saga, usually with Nami’s backstory (That’s something no one – child or adult – should go through.) or the fight with Arlong and his men.

With all of this, it is still not a heavy or depressing series. It always focuses on hope, the future, and the idea that there is always a way to make your life better than it is. If anything, the dark parts make it more inspiring. It shows that the pain that you endure and the place you find yourself suffering can be nothing more than the step you use to pull yourself up to something better.



Deaths:
Deaths happen by what is best for the story. There are times when people should die but don’t. There are times when it is realistic. There is one death that people get mad over (not telling), because they say he shouldn’t have died for both method or story (I don’t know about method, but I think it did well for the story.); and there is a person who lived that a lot of people are very adamant over thinking he should have died. It’s a personal preference. Regardless of the side you stand on with the individual elements, the story is still excellent. The deaths almost always follow along.

Final Thoughts:
 There are so many things that I could say, to the point that I'm not sure what to say.  "One Piece" is such an impressive and unique experience.  The only thing that is remotely like it that I have seen is "Fairy Tale", and I think it was inspired by "One Piece". 

In a lot of ways, it is a cartoon -- more like a bedtime story -- for those that have grown up in age but never in their hearts.  It tells you that you may be in the real world, where children can be made slaves and your family can be murdered in front of you; but it doesn't mean that you can't still laugh, be goofy, and even embrace the ridiculous.  It tells you that there are still monstrous villains, some in your own government; but there are still heroes in the most unlikely of places who are willing to stand up to them and tell them that they are wrong.  It tells you that it doesn't matter what you were in the past; it only matters what you can be in the future.  It reminds you that no one is without purpose, no one is destined to be alone, no one is a freak just for existing.  It manages to address topics as widespread as civil wars, racism, and false gods; and it does it all while still showing you that it is Ok to laugh and Ok to be an idiot, a dreamer, and a complete loser.  It's a special series that I'm so grateful to have seen.  

A Beginner's Guide to Naruto: Believe it!

I have several friends that enjoy anime but have never tried some of the big titles -- markedly, some of my favorites.  Because of this, I wanted to make a brief (as brief as I ever am) blog to introduce my favorite anime, "Naruto".  "One Piece" is a hair's breadth from being a tie for favorite, so I'll have to write another for it following this.  It's not a guide; it's not a review; it's just a what to expect when you begin the series.

N.B.  The original series, "Naruto" is available streaming from Netflix; and it can be viewed online in many places from Hulu to YouTube.  The sequel series, "Naruto Shippuden" ("Naruto: The Hurricane Chronicles") are available as disks from Netflix, but they can also be found free online from Hulu to YouTube.  I prefer to watch on Hulu though, since they don't have the time limits of the torrent sites and don't have all of the false videos that they have on YouTube.

Overview: 
The world of "Naruto" is fantasy world set in Japan, combining a mishmash of different eras, from the Feudal era to use of wireless headsets.  The explanation of such things was considered low priority in creation, with Kishimoto focusing more on characters and story.  Most nations support a ninja village, which is used as both a military force and to carry out missions (which range from locating the Lord's family cat to defending against assassins and other invading forces).  The series focuses on Konohagakure (or The Village Hidden in the Leaves) in The Land of Fire. 

The main character, of course, is Naruto.  Twelve years before the start of the series, a nine tailed fox demon (from Wiki, "regarded as an age-old natural disaster, as a single swipe of one of its tails can raise tsunamis and flatten mountains") attacked Konohagakure.  In order to save the village, the demon was sealed inside the body of a newborn baby, Naruto Uzimaki.  The Fourth Hokage (the leader of the ninja village) forbade everyone from telling anyone -- Naruto included -- that the demon had been sealed inside him, and he asked that the villagers regard him as a hero.  Despite this, most villagers regarded him with hatred and resentment that was passed on to their children.  Because of this Naruto grew up with very little support (mainly from his school teacher, Iruka) and the constant scorn of the children and adults alike.

Growing from his experiences as a total outcast, Naruto made a vow that he would one day become the Hokage.  The series begins when Naruto is attempting to graduate the ninja academy. 

 

Characters and story:

The original series was over a hundred episodes, the second part -- "Shippuden"-- is just as long and growing.  The manga is into the 500s.  There are several movies.  The point is, there are a lot of characters.  The only anime/manga I can think of that has close to as many characters is "One Piece".  It can be intimidating when you first start; but just like starting a new school, you eventually figure out who is who, what is what, and the people you like and dislike.  With all of the characters come back stories that only make them more memorable.  They also each come with different abilities, but that is easy enough to follow, since Kishimoto takes the time to explain how each power works and usually why people did each step in combat.

The story has individual plot lines and some single episodes, but it is a long serial tale.  The story that started in "Naruto" episode one is still continuing in "Naruto Shippuden" the manga.  It can make things frustrating from time to time to know how far you have to go before something is accomplished, but I barely notice, with all there is to watch in the moment.  It's more like a life story than just a tale of ninjas.

 

 Timing:

Just like most anime, especially action based anime, combat moves slowly.  There is a lot of exposition, a lot of flashbacks, and a lot of explaining of how the battle has gone and is progressing.  I find this both interesting and helpful, especially if I am watching the anime on a weekly basis and may have forgotten some nuances.  This is, by far, no "Dragball Z" style, screaming for four episodes before anyone does anything; but it does take some time.  I don't see a problem with it, since this is where you get most of your revealing information. 

Death:

While there are many, many unrealistic things about "Naruto" there are many, many things that are.  One of the things you must know is that death happens.  You will be losing characters, characters will be injured to the point of death, and characters will be maimed.  Death happens.

English vs. Japanese with Subtitles:
If you can handle it, go with the subtitled.  As with most anime, the voice actors can kill many phrases and characters.  Especially Yomato and Hidan were mistreated with their English voice actors.  Phrases get changed, language is edited, and things are subtlety changed.  While the English voice actors can be great, it's just not the same. 

Slow to start?
Many people find the series to be very slow to start.  I started around episode fifteen, so I'm not a good judge of that; but this has been a frequent complaint.  The beginning of the series was also much more prone to that super distortion form of animation that is hated by many.  I swear, the nosebleeds almost go away after the first few episodes.  While it is distinctly "Naruto" from the first episode (Aaaaw... Iruka....), it doesn't really hit its full pace until they go on their first mission (starting around episode 5-6).  You should try to stick it out through the end of this storyline (around episodes 19-20), and if you don't like it after that, then a little piece of your soul must be dead -- I mean, then, the series is probably not for you.

Fillers: 
Anime filler episodes are the bane of the anime community.  A filler episode of an anime is essentially when a story is added to the serial, not taken from the manga (though some are based on one page fragments or one panel items) that has absolutely nothing to do with furthering the storyline.  It can be anything from one episode to a whole season.  Some series have great filler episodes that are almost as enjoyable to watch as the series (like "One Piece") and others are mind numbing (like "Bleach").  "Naruto" fillers are pretty hit or miss.  There is a lot of hit or miss though, since there are a lot of filler episodes.  They range from almost as good as the series to abysmal.  You can do what many do and get a guide, so you can skip the fillers altogether; or you can watch or skip them as you enjoy them.  Just know that they are there, and it should not be a reflection on the rest of the series. 

Episode "101" or "lol" is a famous filler episode.  It was based off a small extra in the manga where the kids are pondering what is behind Kakashi's mask.  In the anime episode, they concoct various schemes and discuss theories on what he could be hiding.  While this is happening, a ridiculously inept group of ninja attempt to get revenge on Kakashi for a minor slight.  The episode was intended to be a parody of the series, a complete joke.  It was called the worst and most ridiculous episode ever made, and it was intended to be.  It's one of those person to person things on whether it was hilarious or a black mark on the whole series

End notes:
This is, by far, not intended to be a guide to the series.  It's just a way of getting people to shake hands and know a little about the person.  If any "Naruto" viewers want to chime in, that's great.  If any new to "Naruto" viewers want to share anything, that's great too.

One thing I always loved about the series is that the relationship between Naruto and Sasuke is very similar to the relationship between me and my older sister (me being Naruto).  It's very similar from the beginning to the current relationship.  It's a sad state of affairs, but it has helped me to feel a little closer to the sister that barely exists in my world anymore.

Z is for Zombies and ten tips for surviving the Zombie Apocalypse.

I am primarily writing this blog in relation to the standard reanimated zombie type that are best defeated by the standard method (see tip one).  Of course, this could be applied in part to other types of zombies.  Please note, these are tips only; and if you try to hold me responsible for my advice failing in the event of Zombie Apocalypse, I'll deny ever having written this.

I used no outside sources for this, beyond my extensive zombie movie watching.  I just wanted to see what I could come up with on my own.  However, I did get some topic ideas from two friends.  I have the ideas for "Clothing" and "Tools" from my friend Rich, who is the best of zombie experts.  I'd definitely want him on my team!  I got the "Booze" section idea from Amber, who also would be a solid choice for my team.  All additional information other than the topic was all me.  I hope you don't think it sucks! 

01.  Aim for the Head.
The old standard is kill the brain, and you kill the ghoul.  So, do not waste all of your rounds into the zombie's  chest.  Just plug him it in the head until it stops moving.  By all means, when it stops moving, stop shooting.  I don't care if it just slaughtered your whole family, doing one of those screaming and emptying of guns at it is going to do nothing than cause you to need to reload, while their are, most likely, other zombies there or on the way.

02.  Places to Avoid.
Other than sending in a heavily armed scavenging team to gain medication and supplies, You should avoid hospitals of all kinds.  Most likely, the first humans infected were taken to the hospital to either treat the wound, the infection, or both.  The hospital is filled with sick, injured, and dying people; making them vulnerable to attack.  With the close proximity of the patients, infection would work like a wave contaminating everything.  If the zombie type also reanimates the previously dead, then the morgue will work like a biological weapons, just waiting in the basement to infect everyone.  While the pharmacy and ER are tempting for supplies and treatment, it is going to be a zombie hot zone.

Generally, in these situations, there are three places most people will die.  The first is in the hospital.  The other two places are at home and in church.  Despite the feeling that this kind of event is exactly the time you most need to go to church, you should avoid it if at all possible.  Imagine a full church of people with one infected inside.  Moving pew to pew in that infectious wave.

Areas like apartment complexes and suburbs are also a potential hot zone.  People tend to group together with their loved ones in their homes when a crisis occurs, and that is the very problem.  It may only start with one wandering undead, but the problem is that the average person will wait until they absolutely have to act if one of their family members or even a person they know fro around the neighborhood becomes infected.  This usually results in the family taking the person in and trying to help treat the infection (potentially taking them to the hospital).  If they have not begun to take much physical damage, they may look more like someone who is very sick (especially if they have not fully zombified yet).  The worst issue is when the zombie is a child.  Nearly no one wants to admit that their child is becoming a monster, and even after they have turned into zombies, people will still try to protect them.  This sort of situation can easily go out of control. 

For the same reason, unless there is a verified cure (not just the promise of one), do not go to refugee camps.  For the same reasons listed above, refugee camps frequently become nightmarish hot zones.  All those people in such a small place, all it would take is one infected person to get the whole ball rolling.

03.  Don't stay put.
Even if you have a safe place that is difficult to break into, you don't want to stay locked inside.  Depending on the variety of zombie, they can sense the living, sees the lights, and hear the sounds you make.  This could result in you becoming so surrounded that you can't get outside if you need to.  Supplies run short, cabin fever sets in, and you've sat there long enough that they have totally cut off your escape. 

Go for a mobile safe house, big or small.  Motorcycles may leave you open to attack, but they are fast and easy to navigate on and off road, especially if there are abandoned cars and debris that may cut off other vehicles.  If you're going to go for a car, take an SUV or truck -- something with four wheel drive and off road capabilities.  They're also large enough that they can transport several people and supplies.  If there are open roads, a recreational vehicle may be ideal.  It is large enough to carry several people, offers beds and some bathroom facilities, and is built to store supplies.  The bad news is that they are not as fast as other vehicles, need a large area to navigate, can't go off road well, and though they do lock, their construction makes them less secure than a truck or SUV.  Tractor Trailers may seem ideal, due to being the closest you are likely going to get to a tank and that big area in back that could haul people, supplies, and could even be converted into a living area; but they also require they take a lot of gas, and gas may end up being a more difficult to find item as you may expect.

Don't forget our floating friends -- boats.  Now, when I say boats, I mean ships.  Don't try to row out in a little dingy and end up getting flipped into the water by zombies (Remember, dead bodies are very buoyant!).  That's just like chumming the water and jumping in with the sharks.  Of course, if you are near a harbor and you know anything about operating a boat, you can appropriate a yacht or similar ship.  Yes, cargo ships and battle ships may be a better option, but unless you have specialized training, you will probably fail to get it out of the harbor.  Besides that, we're back to the fuel issue.  It's much easier to take something that is lighter, faster, and can be sailed if it runs out of fuel.

If you are presented with the safe opportunity to acquire one, police cars are not a bad choice.  They are more secure than your average street car, and they may offer the chance of weapons, like rifles.  An ambulance would be a decent choice as well, since it is large enough to accommodate people and supplies, and it is most likely stocked with emergency medical items.  

When you have your mobile  safe house, you need to be careful where you go.  Large cities are a bad idea.  With all of those walking dead, they'll act like shark's at a diver's cage.  You may be mostly safe from attack, but you aren't going to be going anywhere.  The woods and rural areas are going to be better, because their should be much fewer zombies to fight.  They will also be worse, because it is an open area that will make you vulnerable, and in the woods and farming fields, zombies can approach without much notice.

04.  Kill your Friend.
 While I do not mean this as general option to bump off the friend that has always bothered you, I do mean that is a necessary option.  They're either one of us, or they're one of them.  Once someone is bitten, it's all over.  There is no point in wasting your time and resources when the ultimate result is your loved one turning into a zombie, who will most likely attempt to infect you and everyone else.  You may also wish to consider the idea that by doing this, you are saving your loved one from the standard death by fever (from the infection) and the unlife of zombiehood, where they will attack and kill the people they loved in life.  I know, I'd rather get a bullet.

05.  Clothing.
Start by ditching your dress clothes.  It won't matter how great you look in your new new dress and designer heels, when you are running for your life from zombies.  Dress like you are going hiking, because you probably will be.

Wear comfortable shoes that are best to run in; try to wear boots if possible (Doc Marten's!).  They will protect your ankles on an unstable surface, and in the event of an emergency, they are difficult to bite through.

Even though it is hot, avoid shorts.  Go with the pants.  They provide some protection from materials you might have to run though, and it is slightly more difficult (especially with jeans) to bite through.

Wear a belt.  A leather belt is best, since it is more durable than fabric.  The reason you want this, is  because you will have more places you can stow gear, like knives.  If you have access to something like a tool belt, your further ahead.  If you choose a tool belt though, wear another belt under it.  With the wait of the tool belt, your pants slip down (the cause of "plumber's crack).  You don't want to be hiking up your pants when you are running for your life.

Wear a lightweight shirt, as long as you are going to wear a jacket.  With all of the other gear, you don't want to set yourself up for heat exhaustion.  If you're downed, you're dead.  If you are unable or unwilling to wear a jacket, dress in several layers with your arms well covered.  Make sure the layers are easily removable.  One of the easiest areas to be bitten is the forearm.  If you dress in several layers, it will make it harder to bite you.  Also, by dressing in easily removable layers, if you are grabbed by your clothing, you can cute lose and keep going.

If at all possible, wear a jacket.  Any jacket is a help, since it offers some protection from and like the pants and shirts, it will be good if you have to run through debris.  Leather jackets are best.  They are very difficult to bite through.  They're also more difficult to pull aside, like a fabric jacket or hoodie might be.  Make sure it is something that can be closed to protect your chest and abdomen.  If at all possible, get a coat with a collar that can be raised to protect some or all of your throat.

If it isn't prohibitively hot, wear gloves, even if they are just the fingerless fabric kind.  Like your jacket, you should consider leather if you can.  Motorcycle gloves are even better.  They provide the safety of the leather, with the added safety of the metal supports.  These are ideal for everything for zombie bites, falling through debris, and protecting you in an accident (such as a motorcycle accident).

If you are in a cold weather region or you are a heavy sweater, remember to grab your cap.  Otherwise, don't worry as much about it, since it isn't really going to provide that much protection and could be an easy cause of heat exhaustion in a warmer climate.  If you have (safe) access to a military or law enforcement center, you could always use a helmet.  One of those bullet proof vests couldn't hurt either. 

As a final note, women, grab your bras.  It may sound stupid, but you don't need things flopping around when you are trying to run.  Men who have man boobs might consider the same thing.

06.  Tools Regular Kind.
Gather supplies like you were going camping, because you pretty much are.  Tents, tarps, coolers, knives, waterproof matches and even fishing poles are good choices.  Anything that aids in shelter and acquiring food is your friend.  The tent and tarps can be used as shelter if you are in a safe area.  The tarps can also be used to collect water from rain and dew if you are in a pinch.  Coolers are good for providing a longer (but not long) shelf life to food.  The knife can be used for protection, hunting (You may not find yourself so picky about your meat if you are prevented from using food.), setting up camp, and a myriad of other reasons.  Fishing poles are another opportunity to find food, if you are unable to get to any.  Waterproof matches are good for making fire of any kind, like campfires, torches, and Molotov cocktails.  It's all about surviving through it. 

07.  Booze is your best friend.
Alcohol is a friend of many skills.  First and foremost, it is a good way to settle nerves -- and everyone will be anxious.  Don't get drunk though, because it's not going to be much of a fight if your vision is too blurry to shoot straight, and you're too drunk to run.  It can also be used in first aid for all sorts of wounds, because it sanitizes so well.  It isn't going to sanitize a zombie bite, but it may keep you from getting an infection when you fall on a stump or broken glass while running wildly.  Perhaps the best option though, is the Molotov Cocktail.  A bottle of booze, those waterproof matches, and any wick material (like part of one of those shirts you're layering) gets you a fire bomb.  It may not kill a zombie, but it may distract them enough for you to get away.

08.  Dealing with THAT guy.  
You know who he is.  He's that one guy that always ends up in a well functioning group that throws everything off.  It may be that he's racist and doesn't want to deal with someone in the group (a la "The Walking Dead", it may be the guy that is eying that woman in the group and won't take no for an answer, or it may be that guy that refuses to accept that his loved one is infected and is putting everyone in risk  There are a multitude of guys (or gals) that are THAT guy, but you get the idea.  You can't have him in your group, or he's going to hurt people or hurt everyone. 

You really only have two choices.  The first is to let him stay with the group and try to find a way to work out the problem.  The hard part of that is that he is THAT guy for a reason.  He has a set in idea that will be difficult or impossible for him to be liberated of.  You can try, and may God have mercy on your soul. 

The second choice is to get rid of the guy.  This has to be handled carefully.  If you tell the guy he has to go, he may go, but it's possible that he will resent being thrown out; and if he has the chance, he's going to throw you under the bus.  If you go to a group where that is a meeting area of groups, and you tell him he has to go with another group, he is likely to resent it, and if he is going to throw you under the bus, he'll now have a group to help him. 

The other part of getting rid of the guy is getting rid of the guy.  If you have to kill him, make sure you kill him.  For the love of all things good, don't leave him for dead.  If you do and he doesn't die, he will not only resent you but hate you.  He's definitely going to throw you under the bus.  If you are going to leave him for the zombies, stay there to make sure the zombies get him.  Not only is it important for you to own your decisions, you don't want him to escape and have you in his sights.  To quote The Scissor Sisters, "I could bury you alive, but you might crawl out with a knife and kill me while I'm sleeping" that's why if you want the guy to die, make sure he does.

09.  Weapons of choice
Almost everything can be used as a weapon, but there are many things that are better choices.  Of course, the first thought usually goes to handguns, but there are many other options.  Rifles have a longer range than many handguns, and if you don't see as well, a shot gun may be the best choice.  You don't have to worry about the precision in aiming like you do with other guns.  Especially in closer quarters, you don't have to worry about doing more than pointing near the head. 


Guns are a great choice, but don't rely to heavily on them.  If your zombies are the kind that are attracted to noise, you can get yourself in a world of trouble, since the discharge of a gun can be heard a long distance.  The other problem is that your bullets may not last as long as you think they will, and it may be more difficult to acquire, since most people will think first of getting a gun.

Hunting bows and crossbows are also an excellent choice.  They can be used at a difference, and they don't have the sound that you get with a gun.  If your zombies are like those in some media and respond to sound, these make great weapons.  A little whoosh and thunk, and you're done. If you are going to make this choice, you might want to study your arrow choices.

Helpful tips on choosing your arrows.

Knives, swords, and other bladed weapons are the most versatile weapons, which can be used in close quarters, with minimal sound, and can be used over and over again.  Unless you have access to a sharpened sword, don't grab it.  You may be able to run a few through, but it's probably not going to go through a head (unless you get a lucky shot), and it is too heavy to carry around just in case you find a whetstone.  Hunting knives are great.  They're a good size and made to be used over and over.  Most stay sharp and are resistant to rust.  I have seen some that have a compass built into the handle end and a hollow hand to carry things like matches and fishing line.

Any type of lightweight knives and daggers are handy, but they will only be good in very close quarters; and unless you are very strong, it isn't going to take out a brain, unless you go through the ear or eye.  At all costs, you do not want to be that close to a zombie.  If you are that close, your face is only a foot or two away, your hands and arms are even closer, and you have to put your hand right in its face to attack.  I don't know about anyone else, but I don't want to be that accessible to its mouth. 

If you have access to a military surplus store, and it is safe; you should find a nice selection of knives and also bayonets.  Bayonets are meant to be mounted on a gun, providing a secondary weapon if you can't, for whatever reason, shoot the gun.  You get range with your gun, and you have a bayonet if you need it.  Mounting it on your rifle will make it so that you don't have to extend your hand to the face to stab it.  As well, like the hunting (or survival) knife, it's possible to punch the blade through its skull, instead of having to go for open areas of the skull.

The only thing I like as much as the hunting knife, is the machete.  It is made to be light and sharp to be used over and over.  It won't break readily, and  it is incredibly sharp.  It's intended to be used to cut plants, such as clearing a path through heavy foliage. so chop, chop, chopping won't be so bad.  It is a solid enough blade to be able to punch through a skull without breaking, and it is sharp and long enough to behead a zombie.  This, if you have any possible way, is a must have item.

Knives should be plentiful.  You never know when you might lose a blade or snap it off.  You want to have back ups, even if they are small blades. They can be helpful, even if it is just a position where you have caught your coat in something, need to run, but don't want to lose the coat.  You want to arrange the blades around your body, because you don't want to be stuck, unable to get to your belt, when they are all there.  Distribute them through your arms, waist, legs, boots, etc.

Axes and hatchets are a great way to go!  They are sharp and heavy, which means that even if you aren't strong, you can probably deliver a good blow.  You can easily go through the skull with an axe (made to chop solid blocks of wood), and with a few swings (or one if you are really strong), you could behead a zombie.  Hatchets are like mini axes; they will not be as simple to use in head smashing, but they also don't weigh as much.  This can be good for people who are not as strong.  It also means that you will have less fatigue when you have to swing it over and over. 

Bludgeoning items are great.  These include, but are not limited to, baseball bats, large wrenches, tire irons, and rebar (scavenged readily from construction sites).  Simple and inelegant, they are used to bash in the zombie skull.  It can be used completely unskilled, it doesn't require good aim, and it can be used over and over.  The bad part is, if you are not very strong, you may have a more difficult time wielding it hard enough to destroy a brain.  If you use something more sturdy, like a tire iron or rebar, the weight will carry through to make it more effective, but it will cause fatigue, which is not something you want to have when you are surrounded.  If you are going for bats, aluminum is a good choice, for its resiliance.

Found items should never be ignored.  If you have a tool kilt you may have the heavy wrenches or claw hammers that will work just fine. Razor knives can also be handy for standard uses, like making shelter, cutting fishing line, and skinning animals. 

If you can scrounge up some ball bearings, you could make a slingshot (though having heavy steel or lead balls are more effective), but you aren't going to have an easy time with it.  If you don't have heavy enough ammo, you aren't going to go through the skull, and so you'll need the precision to go through the eye. 

If you have the good fortune to be on a farm or farming area, you can make excellent use of sickles, scythes, meat hooks, and similar items.  Farms are filled with things to cut with, and they are usually a good place to find at least one gun (usually a rifle or shot gun).

 Fire can be used as a deterrent, but it won't work for much longer than just to distract them.  Distraction can be the difference between life and death.  If you are lucky enough to have grenades or other explosive devices, if used well, it can blow the head off your approaching zombies.  However, it could be used well as a way to slow the zombies to give you a chance for escape.  If you throw it by the feet of a group, it can blow of their legs, and that will give you a distinct advantage in mobility. 

10. Supplies, supplies, supplies!

First, let's address your food needs.  You need to take as much as you can, without loading yourself down so much that you are slowed by carrying it.  Try to get enough to cover your basic nutritional needs with special consideration to proteins, carbohydrates, and sugars.  If you have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, grab some.  They are the best for you.  However, don't take any more than you can eat in two days.  Without proper refrigeration, you have a very limited shelf life (especially in a hot climate), and you will be just weighing yourself down with food you won't be able to eat anyway.

Canned food may be heavy, but it is the way to go.  Even if you are bothered by it, grab those canned meats, from fish to Spam.  You will likely not be so picky when you need that protein.  If meats are not available, nuts, beans, and some vegetables can be used instead.

Fruits and vegetable are key.  Don't be picky about them.  Canned yams and pumpkin pie filling may not sound tasty, but they have the sugars and vitamins that you may need later.  Make sure to grab your pound of salt.  One of the things you loose with dehydration (as you might get from running in warm or hot weather) is salt.  Lack of salt can cause issues like muscle cramping.  This isn't ideal when you are trying not to be eaten alive.  Beef jerky and candy can also be useful.  They're both safe to throw in your pocket, and they can help to keep you going if you don't have much else.  Of course, grab water -- as much as you can carry. 

Dry good like beans and rice are excellent, having nutritional elements, versatility, and a near limitless shelf life (if they are kept dry).  Coconuts are good for both their milk and meat, and if you cut them in half, the shells can be used as makeshift bowls.

On to our second group, which is medical supplies.  If you can safely get into a pharmacy, I have some suggestions for your stocking.  Stock up bandages of all kinds.  You will likely suffer injuries from zombies trying to grab you, trying to run from zombies, and your day to day mishaps.  Anti-bacterial items are a definite need.  Those handy dandy first aid kits that are ready packed should be picked up and given to each member of the group.  Alcohol is good and can be used for all of the things you do with the booze, other than drinking.

When it comes to medication, don't try to empty the whole place.  Try to stick to three groups; antibiotics, pain medication, and anti-anxiety medications.  Antibiotics will be necessary for all of those injuries that will be suffered throughout the mayhem; but you should not waste them on that infected person you don't want to admit is already gone.  He's gone; keep the antibiotics for the living.

Pain killers are another one that will aid in those injuries that are suffered, since you are avoiding the hospital.  Let's say that you are running for your life, and you land wrong, breaking your ankle.  It isn't a good idea to keep running on it, but if the zombies are coming, they will likely not care if you need rest.  Having some pain medication may be the difference between whimpering over your impending death and running for your life on that bad leg. If you have the chance, grab pain relieving patches (like Fentanyl).  Since you are fighting for your lives, you may find it easier to use a patch that lasts 2-3 days than you would taking a pill every four to six hours. 

Anti-anxiety drugs will be a necessity for most, if not all, people in your group.  You are watching your loved ones die, watching them get up again and try to kill you, and running for your life.  You will most likely feel yourself suffering from anxiety.  Anti-anxiety medication may be the difference between you handling the situation and getting away; or having a fit and emptying your gun into one zombie while screaming.  Also, you may have some difficulty sleeping, and sleep deficiency is not going to make you any more capable of getting through the situation. 

If there is anyone in your group that has a medical problem, make sure that you keep them in mind.  Grab the seizure medication or the asthma inhaler.  You don't want to be unprepared.  If you have some extra space, pick up some extra medication like those seizure medication, asthma inhalers, and shelf stable glucose (and needles).  Even though you may not need them, you may be able to trade another group for something you might need. 

As for other supplies, remember the tools section.  If you can get to the sporting goods store, grab the bags to hold water, the radio and flashlight that don't need batteries, and everything else you can.  Do not over pack.  You don't want to be killed, because you were weighted down with too much, but make sure you can get as many essentials as you can.