Shikamaru Nara

Shikamaru Nara is known for being one of the smartest characters in the anime manga series Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto originally created Shikamaru in order for him to be the only winner of an early Naruto arc: the Chunin Exams, based on his high intelligence. However, recommendations from his editors resulted in Kishimoto deciding to interrupt the fighting tournament between the ninjas in order to focus on a recently introduced villain, Orochimaru. Nevertheless, Shikamaru ends up becoming the only ninja from the original test to achieve a higher rank during Part I of the series.{{Cite AV media |title=漫道コバヤシ第13号「NARUTO完結！岸本斉史SP」 |date=December 13, 2014 |language=ja |publisher=Fuji Television |trans-title=Kobayashi No. 13 'Completion of Naruto! Masashi Kishimoto SP'}}

Kishimoto has noted that he likes Shikamaru due to his easygoing nature despite being a genius, and contrasted him against Sasuke Uchiha's intelligent but abrasive personality. Kishimoto also comically remarked that he would marry Shikamaru if he were a girl, noting that Shikamaru would likely be successful in life. When designing Shikamaru's Part II appearance, Kishimoto wanted to give Shikamaru a unique appearance despite drawing him with a vest that several other ninja wear in the series. As a result, he drew his forehead protector on his arm in order to not obscure his hair.{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto Character Official Data Book Hiden Sha no Sho|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|page=344|isbn=978-4-08-874247-2}}

During Part II, Shikamaru's teacher, Asuma Sarutobi, dies while battling the Akatsuki terrorist member Hidan and Shikamaru starts smoking Asuma's cigars. Kishimoto feared that Shueisha would censor this since Shikamaru was still a teenager and the manga's magazine was aimed at young demographic. However, these scenes were not censored.{{cite web|url=http://www.spirallingsphere.com/2017/01/masashi-kishimoto-talks-about-boruto-manga-naruto-hinata-sakuras-relationship-full-2017-interview/|title=Masashi Kishimoto Talks About Boruto Manga, Naruto, Hinata & Sakura's Relationship Full 2017 Interview|publisher=Spiralling Sphere|date=January 31, 2017|access-date=July 13, 2017|archive-date=June 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611214144/http://www.spirallingsphere.com/2017/01/masashi-kishimoto-talks-about-boruto-manga-naruto-hinata-sakuras-relationship-full-2017-interview/|url-status=dead}}

Shikamaru's first major appearance in the series is during the Chunin Exams; held twice a year, Genin take part in them to advance their ranks. He is part of Team 10 alongside Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka.{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 21|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 190|isbn=978-1-4215-1855-8|url=https://archive.org/details/narutovol21pursu21kish}} He is a highly unenthusiastic person, and he attempts to go through life with minimum effort.{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 5|year=2004 |publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 97|page=131|isbn=1-4215-0241-0}}{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 20|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 172|isbn=978-1-4215-1088-0|url=https://archive.org/details/narutokish14kish}} Contrary to his lazy tendencies, Shikamaru is extremely intelligent; his teacher, Asuma Sarutobi, determined that Shikamaru's IQ was over 200.{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 12|year=2006 |publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 107|isbn=1-4215-0242-9|pages=159–160}} Shikamaru's abilities are based on the {{nihongo|Shadow Imitation Technique|影真似の術|Kagemane no Jutsu|English TV: "Shadow Possession Jutsu"}}, the signature technique of his clan, with which he merges his shadow with an opponent's shadow, making them immobilized and forced to mimic Shikamaru's movements.{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title= NARUTO―ナルト―［秘伝・臨の書］|year=2002 |publisher=Shueisha |page=171|isbn= 4-08-873288-X}} As the series progresses, Shikamaru becomes able to manipulate his shadow in new ways.{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 23|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 208|isbn=978-1-4215-1859-6|url=https://archive.org/details/narutovol23predi23kish}} By Part II of the series, Shikamaru is capable of utilizing multiple shadow-based techniques at once and can lift his shadow from the ground in order to interact with physical objects; for instance, he can pierce enemies with the shadow tendrils or use them to throw weapons.{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 36|year=2006|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 325 |isbn= 4-08-874288-5}}{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 37|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 338 |isbn= 978-4-08-874338-7 }}

Shikamaru approaches the exams with a sense of apathy; when he battles the Sunagakure ninja Temari, he defeats her but forfeits his match to her, due to his chakra being low.{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 12|year=2006 |publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 108|isbn=1-4215-0242-9}} Despite this loss, he is the only ninja among his peers to be promoted to the rank of Chunin, as the overseers of the exams were impressed by the insight and intelligence he demonstrated against Temari. As a Chunin, Shikamaru is appointed the leader of a team to prevent Sasuke Uchiha from defecting to the village of Otogakure.{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 21|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 182|isbn=978-1-4215-1855-8|url=https://archive.org/details/narutovol21pursu21kish}} Although Shikamaru's team manages to defeat the Otogakure ninja barring their way, Sasuke manages to escape.{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 26|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 235 |isbn= 978-1-4215-1862-6}}

In Part II of the series, Shikamaru is assigned the task of locating two members of the criminal organization Akatsuki.{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 35|year=2006|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 318 |page=176|isbn= 978-4-08-874273-1}} While his team manages to find their targets, the immortal Akatsuki member Hidan kills Asuma Sarutobi during the course of the battle despite Shikamaru's best efforts.{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 36|year=2006|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 327 |isbn= 4-08-874288-5}} After Asuma's funeral, Shikamaru sets out with the surviving members of Team 10 to avenge their mentor with the aid of Kakashi Hatake.{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 37|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 331 |isbn= 978-4-08-874338-7 }} As the others deal with Hidan's partner Kakuzu, Shikamaru avenges Asuma by defeating Hidan and making sure the Akatsuki member's body is never found.{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 37|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 339 |isbn= 978-4-08-874338-7 }} Following the fight, Shikamaru vows to protect Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma's newborn daughter.{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 38|year=2007 |publisher=Shueisha |chapter=Chapter 342|isbn=978-4-08-874364-6 }} He is later assigned to the Fourth Division alongside Temari and Choji. He is named a proxy general under Gaara.{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 56|year=2010|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 515 |page=115|isbn= 978-4-08-870218-6 }} In the series epilogue, stating his personal desire during the series of final battles, Shikamaru becomes advisor to the Seventh Hokage Naruto Uzumaki after marrying Temari and gaining a son in Shikadai Nara. During Part 2 of Boruto, following Naruto's disappearance and presumed murder, for which Boruto was framed, Shikamaru serves de facto as the Eighth Hokage, without however having been officially inaugurated.

Besides the Naruto anime and manga, Shikamaru is featured in seven of the featured films in the series: in the second film, he aids Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno in fighting against Haido, a utopian idealist seeking to rule the world with a power called Gelel;{{cite video|date = 2008|title = Naruto The Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel|format = DVD|publisher = Viz Video|access-date = 2009-03-22|url = http://www.viz.com/anime/dvd/naruto-the-movie-video-volume-2/7628|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130323191251/http://www.viz.com/anime/dvd/naruto-the-movie-video-volume-2/7628|archive-date = 2013-03-23}} in the fourth, Shikamaru appears in a brief sequence, fighting against a large group of stone soldiers;{{cite video |date = 2009 |title = Naruto Shippuden: the Movie |format = DVD |publisher = Viz Video |url = http://www.viz.com/anime/dvd/naruto-shippuden-movie-video-volume-1/8376 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130905003235/http://www.viz.com/anime/dvd/naruto-shippuden-movie-video-volume-1/8376 |archive-date = 2013-09-05 }} in the fifth, Shikamaru is sent alongside Kakashi and Sai in search of the base of the Land of Sky, who plans to invade Konoha; in the sixth, Shikamaru, alongside Sakura and Sai, battles the chimera beast summoned by Hiruko; in the eight, Shikamaru participates in the battle against the demon Satori; in the ninth, the Limited Tsukuyomi universe presents a portly Shikamaru, the exact opposite of his teammate, Choji, who becomes the team strategist instead; and in the tenth, Shikamaru leads the team consisting of himself, Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and Hinata Hyuga that is sent to rescue Hinata's younger sister, Hanabi, who was kidnapped by Toneri Otsutsuki. He is also present in the third original video animation, in which he participates in a tournament.{{cite video |date = 2005 |title = ついに激突！上忍VS下忍！！無差別大乱戦大会開催！！|format = DVD |publisher = TV Tokyo|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000BNPT3E/}} Shikamaru is a playable character in nearly all Naruto video games, including the Clash of Ninja series and the Ultimate Ninja series.{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/736/736611p1.html|title=Naruto: The Complete Fighter Profile|author=Bozon, Mark|publisher=IGN|date=2006-09-29|access-date=2008-02-08}}{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/551/551374p1.html|title=TGS 2004: Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen! 3 Hands-on|author=Alfonso, Andrew|publisher=IGN|date=2004-09-26|access-date=2008-02-08}}{{cite book|title=Naruto: Ultimate Ninja English instruction manual|year=2006|publisher=Namco Bandai|page=26}} In some games, he utilizes variations of his Shadow Imitation Technique not seen in the anime or manga. Ultimate Ninja 4 and Gekitō Ninja Taisen! EX 2 marks the first appearance of Shikamaru in his Part II appearance in a video game.{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/naruto/goods/game.html |title=ＮＡＲＵＴＯ－ナルト－ 疾風伝:ＴＶ東京 - Goods |language=ja |publisher=TV Tokyo |access-date=2008-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080301182416/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/naruto/goods/game.html |archive-date=2008-03-01 |url-status=dead }}

A light novel titled Shikamaru Hiden: A Cloud Drifting in Silent Darkness, written by Takashi Yano and illustrated by Kishimoto, stars Shikamaru as the main character and narrator. The novel is set two years after the Fourth Ninja War, focusing on Shikamaru's assignment as organizer of the newly formed Shinobi Union to capture a rogue ninja who rules over the distant Land of Silence and attempts to establish a new world order ruled by the common people. It also explores his growing relationship with Temari, culminating in him struggling to name his child with her, years after the end of the novel.{{Cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-12-06/full-list-of-naruto-epilogue-novels-unveiled/.81844 |title= Full List of Naruto Epilogue Novels Unveiled |publisher=Anime News Network |access-date=December 26, 2008}} An upcoming novel by Mirei Miyamoto will focus on Shikamaru's life as a father.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-04-05/naruto-gets-new-3-book-novel-series/.129928|title=Naruto Gets New 3-Book Novel Series|publisher=Anime News Network|date=April 5, 2018|access-date=April 5, 2018}}

Shikamaru has ranked highly in the Weekly Shōnen Jump popularity polls for the series, continuously placing in the top ten and reaching fourth place in one poll.{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 28|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 245|pages=[https://archive.org/details/naruto00kish_2/page/8 8–9]|isbn=978-1-4215-1864-0|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/naruto00kish_2/page/8}}{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 22|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 199 |isbn= 978-1-4215-1858-9 |page=9}} The last such poll was in 2011, in which Shikamaru was in ninth place, behind Sasori and ahead of Hinata. Merchandise based on Shikamaru has also been released, including action figures, key chains, and patches in both his Part I and Part II appearance.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Naruto-Shikamaru-Chibi-Style-Chain/dp/B000QHXWGG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1203876891&sr=8-3|title=Naruto: Shikamaru Chibi Style PVC Key Chain|website=Amazon |access-date=2008-02-24}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Z9D8X2|title=Naruto Basic > Shikamaru Action Figure|website=Amazon |access-date=2008-02-24}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NW91U0|title=Naruto: Patch - Shikamaru|website=Amazon |access-date=2008-02-24}} NTT customers voted him as their sixteenth favorite black haired male anime character.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-05-05/japanese-fans-rank-their-favorite-black-haired-anime-characters|title= Japanese Fans Rank Their Favorite Black-Haired Anime Characters|date=May 5, 2014|author=Dong, Bamboo|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=May 5, 2014}} CyberConnect2 CEO Hiroshi Matsuyama referred to Shikamaru as one of his favorite characters from Naruto.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2014/05/09/mecha-naruto-made-naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-revolution/|title=How Mecha Naruto Was Made For Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution|publisher=Siliconera|date=May 10, 2014|access-date=May 10, 2014}}

Several publications for manga, anime, video games, and other related media have commented on Shikamaru's character. IGN stated that Shikamaru was one of their favorite characters in the series, and referred to him as "the poster child for any card-carrying member of Generation X" due to his general lack of enthusiasm and his unwillingness to utilize his potential.{{cite web|url=http://anime.ign.com/articles/834/834323p4.html|title=IGN: Naruto Reader's Guide|publisher=IGN|author=Sparrow, A.E.|date=2007-10-09|access-date=2008-02-08}} In a review of episode 110, IGN praised how Shikamaru managed to transcend his lazy nature in order to take on the mantle of a leader when assigned to lead a team in order to retrieve Sasuke Uchiha{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/831/831140p1.html|title=IGN: Formation! The Sasuke Retrieval Squad! Review|publisher=IGN|author=White, Charles|date=2007-10-27|access-date=2008-01-28}} and agreed that the decision to make him Chunin was fair.{{cite web|url= http://tv.ign.com/articles/827/827297p1.html|title=Naruto: "The Battle Begins: Naruto vs. Sasuke" Review|publisher=IGN|author=White, Charles|date=2008-10-15|access-date=2008-04-28}} Anime News Network also commented on this development, calling Shikamaru's emergence as "an unlikely hero" one of the highlights of the arc.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto/dvd-uncut-dvd-box-set-9|title=Naruto DVD Box Set 9 - Review|publisher=Anime News Network|author=Kimlinger, Carl|date=2008-08-04|access-date=2008-09-18}} In a subsequent review of episode 135, in which the mission to retrieve Sasuke has failed and the members of Shikamaru's team were critically injured, IGN lauded the "great moment" in the episode in which Shikamaru began to cry after learning his friends will recover, and declared that he will be a better leader for the sake of his friends.{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/848/848534p1.html|title=IGN: "The Promise That Could Not Be Kept" Review|publisher=IGN|author=White, Charles|date=2008-01-30|access-date=2008-04-28}} Mania Entertainment's Justin Rich celebrated his "sheer intellect", calling him "one of the most fascinating characters in the series" and "one of the few truly brilliant fighters in shōnen anime".{{cite web|url= http://www.mania.com/naruto-box-set-04-also-wspecial-edition_article_79366.html|title=Naruto Box Set 04 (also w/special edition) |publisher=Mania.com|author=Rich, Justin|date=2007-10-04|access-date=2008-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007073651/http://www.mania.com/naruto-box-set-04-also-wspecial-edition_article_79366.html|archive-date=October 7, 2014}} Dani Moure, another reviewer from the same site, noted about his battle with Temari during the Chunin Exams that it was "one of the better fights involving the supporting players".{{cite web|url= http://www.mania.com/naruto-unleashed-set-31_article_80276.html|title=Naruto Unleashed Set 3:1 |publisher=Mania.com|author=Moure, Dani|date=2008-04-21|access-date=2008-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014190222/http://www.mania.com/naruto-unleashed-set-31_article_80276.html|archive-date=October 14, 2013}}

Javier Lugo from Manga Life found Shikamaru's fight in the series' fourteenth volume good despite how threatening it is for him.{{cite web|url=http://mangalife.com/reviews/narutov14.htm|title=Naruto v. 14 Review|publisher=Mangalife.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070629195613/http://www.mangalife.com/reviews/Narutov14.htm|archive-date=June 29, 2007|author=Lugo, Javier|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} For Part II, Park Cooper from the same site acclaimed Shikamaru's strategy in dealing with the members from the series' antagonist, Akatsuki.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mangalife.com/features/MangaLifeSpotlightonNaruto.htm |title=MangaLife Spotlight on: Naruto v34-v40! |work=Manga Life |publisher=Silver Bullet Comics |author=Cooper, Park |access-date=September 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412110120/http://www.mangalife.com/features/MangaLifeSpotlightonNaruto.htm |archive-date=April 12, 2009 |url-status=dead }} Amy McNulty from Anime News Network praised how Shikamaru's epilogue episodes helps to expand his characterization as he decides to aid Naruto when he becomes the Hokage.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto-shippuden/episode-489/.110976|title=Naruto Shippuden Episode 489|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=July 1, 2017|author=McNulty, Amy}} Reviewing the anime Boruto: Naruto Next Generations{{'}}s third episode, Sam Stewart from IGN enjoyed the adult Shikamaru's characterization for how he helps his sons Shikadai but ultimately felt he was overshadowed by his wife Temari.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/20/boruto-naruto-next-generations-episode-3-metal-lee-goes-wild-review|title=BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS EPISODE 3: "METAL LEE GOES WILD!" |publisher=IGN|date=April 20, 2017|access-date=June 1, 2017}}

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