Shikaku Nara is a supporting character in the Naruto anime/manga series.
He was the head of the Nara Clan, the father of Shikamaru Nara, and is renowned for his genius intelligence, which was stated by the Fourth Raikage to be a strong factor in the Hidden Leaf Village's durability. He was once again trusted for his genius intelligence and made Chief Strategist of the Allied Shinobi Forces, where his role proved to be virtually resourceful in protecting the world from the dangers of the Fourth Shinobi World War. Together with Inoichi Yamanaka and Chōza Akimichi, they formed the famous triad of Ino-Shika-Chō, playing a key role in protecting the world from Madara Uchiha.
He was voiced by Jonathan Fahn in the English dub and by Hiroshi Yanaka in the Japanese dub.
Personality[]
Shikaku was more or less the adult version of his son Shikamaru Nara. He was suggested to enjoy drinking alcohol and reading adult magazines, and was the originator of Shikamaru's famous "What a drag" catchphrase, but was actually a genius among geniuses with a hardy mental fortitude. He is usually seen as a serious man who shows mental resilience when chaotic situations erupt, such as the surprise attack of the Nine-Tailed Fox and the entire scope of the Fourth Shinobi World War. As the father of a natural born genius, Shikaku was expectedly even smarter and more mature than his son. When Shikamaru was a teenager, he was distraught at witnessing his master's death and not being able to prevent it. This is when Shikaku was shown to be a very empathetic father, giving advice to his son on multiple occasions.
He was one of the few parents who did not show any discrimination towards Naruto Uzumaki, and thought it was fine that Shikamaru had wanted to be friends with him. This proves that Shikaku is wise and is a good parent. He taught Shikamaru the Nara clan's Hiden (秘伝, Secret Technique) teaching him to use the Shadow Imitation Technique. Shikaku's favorite hobby is playing shogi, a game that he is incredibly skilled at due to his extremely high mental caliber. Although taking the role of a non-action hero in Part II, in Part I he was briefly shown to be a ruthless ninja with the meanness to take another person's life. Overall, Shikaku is a diligent man who is loyal to those he cherishes and a caring and wise father.
Appearance[]
Shikaku had a rather stern appearance that implied experience. He noticeably has two scars on the right side of his face and a smaller scar the left side of his forehead, near the temple. He had black hair which was tied into a spiky ponytail and a goatee. In Part I, he wore a dark green flak jacket with a meshed shirt underneath, occassionally seen in with a deer skin coat as well. In Part II, he wore a standard Konoha Jōnin outfit, but with a darker shade of green to denote his status as Jōnin Commander.
Abilities[]
Shikaku was well-respected in the Hidden Leaf, and was trusted enough by the representatives of the Five Great Nations to lead and command the entire Allied Shinobi Forces. His genius is undoubtedly his most resourceful trait, and paired with his jōnin-level training and battle experience, was a very resourceful shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village. His son, Shikamaru Nara, would grow up to assist the Hidden Leaf Village in the same way he did, by filling in roles of strategy. The Fourth Raikage applauded Shikaku's intelligence, stating that he must be why the Hidden Leaf has always been so hard to take down. The Nara Clan's secret technique, the Shadow Immitation Technique, is mastered by Shikaku, another reason he is to be respected.
Ninjutsu[]
As head of the Nara Clan, Shikaku has high control over the clan's secret technique, Shadow Possession Jutsu. The techniques used by Shikaku include:
- Shadow Possession Jutsu (Shadow Immitation Technique)
- Shadow Strangle Jutsu (Shadow Neck-Binding Technique)
- Shadow Stitching Jutsu (Shadow Sewing Technique)
- Black Spider Lily
These techniques all involve manipulating his own shadow to reshape and elongate and move towards someone else to take over their shadow and successfully bind them. The basic technique that does exactly that is the Shadow Immitation Technique, which can be used to either immobilize an opponent or make them mimic Shikaku's movements. Shikaku is not an offensively oriented shinobi, but with his skill, developed the Shadow Neck-Binding Technique to bind and suffocate targets with increasing strength the closer they are to him.
The Shadow Sewing Technique is a more advanced technique where his shadow is formed into thin tentacles that (inexplicably) rise above the ground to form needle-like threads that bind a person in place. Shikaku can form the Black Spider Lily which binds multiple targets around Shikaku and pulls them towards him, used in conjunction with his teammmates abilities.
Intelligence[]
Shikaku's most promising ability is his intelligence. He was trusted with commanding the entire Allied Shinobi Forces in its fight to save the world, a monument to his intellect. He was a champion of analyzing data and using it to form shrewed strategies in the heat of the moment, even giving the army hope when the Ten-Tailed Beast was summoned. He devised an ultimate team jutsu that utilized the specific techniques of the ninja of various villages to form an attack of such as grand scale that it briefly binded the Ten-Tails, despite not being aware of their abilities until just then. Even away from battle, he commonly defeated his son Shikamaru at shogi, the latter of which is also a genius. His son would grow up to have intelligence comparable to his own.
History[]
Part I[]
Chūnin Exams[]
Shikaku debuted in the anime during the Chūnin Exams, attending a festival with his former team-mates and giving Inoichi Yamanaka a hard time for having a daughter. When Shikamaru came to pick him up, he instead asked his son why he was not enjoying the festivals.
Konoha Crush[]
During the Konoha Crush, he fought alongside his former team-mates to repel the invading forces and used the Shadow–Neck Binding Technique. He is later seen at the Third Hokage's funeral after the failed invasion.
Sasuke Recovery Mission[]
Later, when Shikamaru failed during the course of the mission to save Sasuke, and some of his team-mates suffered severe injuries, Shikaku spoke with him. He encouraged his son to keep his responsibility as team captain, as it might be that a team on a mission without him could have several casualties, but, if he was there, that team might end up with no casualties.
Part II[]
Akatsuki Suppression Mission[]
Shikaku appeared following Asuma Sarutobi's funeral, comforting Shikamaru about Asuma's death and offering to play shōgi with him. After Shikamaru avenged Asuma and they played shōgi again, he discussed the concept of the "king" with Shikamaru before defeating him.
Pain's Assault[]
Shikaku was later shown to have survived Pain's destruction of Konoha, along with Shikamaru and Shiho. Apparently having some knowledge of senjutsu, he told his son not to interfere with Naruto Uzumaki's fight with Pain, and they instead regrouped with nearby villagers. He and Inoichi went searching for Pain's real body soon afterwards, only to run into Naruto, who had defeated Pain. When Naruto told them not to follow him to Pain's base, as he wished to speak with Pain alone, Inoichi argued that talking wouldn't solve anything. However, Shikaku, remembering Shikamaru's words about Naruto, convinced Inoichi to comply. When Pain then revived all those who he had killed, Shikaku realised he made the right choice in trusting Naruto.
Five Kage Summit[]
After the invasion, Shikaku was one of five Konoha villagers to be summoned before the Fire Daimyō to discuss the village's response and reconstruction. With Tsunade in a coma, Danzō Shimura also suggests selecting a new Hokage. Fearing that Danzō might be appointed to the position, Shikaku nominated Kakashi to become the next Hokage. Much of the council agrees, but Danzō is able to undermine Kakashi's credentials. Shikaku tried to persuade the council not to take Danzō's ideals into account, but despite that, the daimyō decided to appoint Danzō the Sixth Hokage. In the anime, after he returned to the village, he was seen with Homura and Koharu telling them that the members of Root were unusually restless. Afterwards, he was seen asking his son to talk to him about something.
Fourth Shinobi World War: Countdown[]
When Danzō was killed, Shikaku was once again called before the daimyō, this time to appoint Kakashi to the position. The meeting was interrupted with news that Tsunade had woken up, bringing an end to the proceedings. As one of Tsunade's first acts, she convened a war council to decide the village's plans with the approaching Fourth Shinobi World War. Shikaku and Shikamaru attended, although Shikaku believed his son was too young to be there. Later, when Tsunade travelled to Kumogakure to meet with the other heads of the Shinobi Alliance, Shikaku went with her and stayed by her side during the meetings. Shikaku advised that she agree with the other Kage by sending the jinchūriki into hiding.
Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation[]
Shikaku is appointed the Chief Battle Strategist of the alliance and remains at headquarters with Tsunade, A, and Ōnoki. He advises the Kage on battle tactics in how to best to mobilise the troops against the White Zetsu Army and the various reincarnated ninja. His repeated usefulness earned the Raikage's praise. When news of Mū's reincarnation reaches headquarters, Shikaku considered reforming the original Ino–Shika–Chō to deal with him until Ōnoki opts to go instead. He soon afterwards devised a strategy to seal Kinkaku that involved the new Ino–Shika–Chō, which he relays to them through Inoichi's telepathic abilities. After they defeated Kinkaku, Shikaku tasked Shikamaru and his team mates with defeating the reincarnated Asuma as the current Ino–Shika–Chō, being Asuma's former students, are best choice to subdue Asuma without casualties.
Headquarters is later informed that the jinchūriki have escaped their confinement. Tsunade and A leave to confront them, leaving Shikaku in charge during their absence as he found himself dealing with the White Zetsu soldiers that have infiltrated all portions of the Allied forces. Shikaku analysed all he knew of the White Zetsus' abilities and the information he came across while preparing for the war to create the perfect response. As Shikaku tried to come up with a counter measure against the infiltrators, Katsuyu asks whether or not they should inform Tsunade and A of what was happening, but Shikaku declines saying that he was put in charge of the situation at headquarters while the Kage tried to stop Naruto and B. After careful consideration, Shikaku realises that the only way to uncover the imposters was to use Naruto's new ability to sense negative emotions through the use of the Nine-Tails' power as well as using his shadow clones to cover a larger area. After hearing this, Mabui says that there is no way A would allow Naruto to participate in the war, although Katsuyu informs them that this might not be entirely impossible due to A finally allowing Naruto and B to pass.
After hearing this, although in disbelief, Shikaku immediately contacts Naruto and B through Inoichi's telepathy and informs them of the immortal army and Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan, also warns Naruto that Madara will not listen to reason and will see his plan to the end. Later, when Gaara tells Naruto that he hopes his reason for being on the battlefield, Shikaku tells him that might be impossible due to the situation. He then tells them that he would explain as he had decided to leave the explanation until they had finished fighting Mū.
After hearing the progress that the Alliance was making on the battlefield thanks to Naruto, Shikaku exclaims that they had the upper hand on the battlefield and that all that was left was capturing Madara, who is making a bee-line towards the jinchūriki, by concentrating their remaining forces on attacking him.
Later, in the anime, the Sound Four are also summoned to the battlefield. After Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Chōji seemingly defeat them, the Sound Four and Konoha-nin are struck by a strange technique that has left them in a comatose state. After learning the truth of the technique, that it removes the victims soul and transports it to another location, it is explains it can be dispelled like genjutsu, by pouring chakra into the actual technique. However, it has a seal that prevents even Inoichi, equipped with special enhancement tools, from being able to detect or communicate with them. When Naruto contacted HQ, Shikaku explained the situation, encouraging Naruto to save his son and the others.
As the Allied Shinobi Forces seeming to have taken a decisive control of the war, the mild celebration at headquarters is cut short by Ao's detection of a new presence on the battlefield. After hearing that the real Madara Uchiha had appeared on the battlefield, headquarters try to decipher who the masked man really was then. After feeling a huge tremor he asks Inoichi what was going on. Inoichi reports that the Fourth Division was under attack. After confirming that it was definitely Madara's doing, he turns to Tsunade saying that if they continued to lose troops at this rate they'd be in trouble.
As Tsunade prepares to leave headquarters using Mabui's Heavenly Transfer Technique, Shikaku tells her that they should use the Flying Thunder God Technique to mark Katsuyu instead, but Tsunade states that she would just use her Yin seal instead. Remembering this, Shikaku tells her that it was still a big gamble to use Mabui's technique for someone that was very unlucky when it came to gambling but Tsunade tells him that gambling her life is a different story altogether. When A decides to head to the battlefield as well, despite Mabui's pleas, Shikaku deems that the crisis battlefield is the needed time for the commanders to move out into the front lines. Contacting Genma, he tells him that he should prepare to teleport Mei to Tsunade who was heading to the battlefield.
Assuming the role as leader again at headquarters, Shikaku asks for the status of the other battlefields. After hearing this, he orders them to inform the First, Second, Third and Fifth Divisions to back Naruto and B up as soon as their fights are over. After receiving intelligence from the Ao and the other sensors, in an effort to boost everyone's morale at once and get backup for the men fighting Tobi, Shikaku requests that Inoichi communicate with all the members of the Allied Shinobi Forces and tell them their position.
Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax[]
Later, when the Sensing Water Sphere became severely distorted, Shikaku ordered Inoichi and Ao to check on the situation to confirm his assumption. Formulating a strategy during the time Naruto took to chide the opposition, Shikaku relayed his plan to all the members of the Alliance via Inoichi. But when their initial efforts to trap the Ten-Tails failed upon the beast's maturation, Shikaku began to gather intel in order to formulate a new battle strategy. When the beast begins firing off Tailed Beast Balls in far off distances, Shikaku asked Inoichi where the attack was heading, but soon realized that the opposition was targeting HQ. Telling the others that there was nothing they could do but continue to fulfil their duties until the very end, Shikaku had Inoichi patch him through to the Alliance one final time to give them his final plan of attack and to say farewell to his son before HQ was destroyed by the Ten-Tails's attack.
Legacy[]
Praised by many for his genius, Shikaku was a tactical, and analytical master. His clan kept a medical encyclopaedia, thanks to which Tsunade was able to save Chōji Akimichi due to the detailed research that was done on the Three Coloured Pills. Garnering praise even from Kumogakure's Fourth Raikage, he was accredited as the reason why Konoha had always been such a difficult opponent. As testament to this, during the Fourth Shinobi World War, Shikaku was assigned the position of Chief Strategist and later Proxy Commander of the forces. Most, if not all, of the strategies that Shikaku concocted ended with positive results for the Alliance and allowed them to secure the upper hand during the war. When HQ was targeted by the remaining enemy forces, Shikaku, resolute in his duty, was able to pass on one last strategy to the Alliance, part of which involved the use of Kurama's chakra which the beast would later praise him for. Before being killed, Shikaku seemed regretful when telling his son Shikamaru that all he was able to do for him as a father was play shōgi, however, his son noted that was more than enough because he also grew up watching his father. Shikaku, likewise was confident enough in his son to leave the rest of analytical aspects of the war to him.
Years after his death, he would posthumously gain a grandson, Shikadai, when his son married Temari. In the anime, after a mission in which their escort was killed, Shikadai took Kawaki to visit his grandfather's grave, using it as an example of someone who gave his life while doing his duty.
