15 Interesting Things You Might Not Know About Shikamaru Nara
- 11,153 VOTES
Kishimoto Chose His Headband Placement Deliberately
Photo: Studio PierrotWhen Kishimoto was designing Shikamaru, he wanted him to look a bit different from the other ninja in his cohort. He decided to have him wear his forehead protector on his arm instead of on his forehead. This keeps his hair visible - important because his ponytail hairstyle marks him as a member of the Nara clan.
- 2922 VOTES
His Chakra Nature Is Unexpected
Photo: Studio PierrotShikamaru is best known for his Shadow Jutsu techniques, which require Yin Release chakra.
But Yin Release isn't the only chakra nature Shikamaru has. Though rarely if ever seen using Earth Release or Fire Release moves, these are among his inherent abilities. If he wanted to start using Fire Jutsu or Earth Jutsu, he'd probably be able to master it in no time.
- 31,185 VOTES
He Repeated His Parent's Relationship Dynamic
Photo: Studio PierrotAs a kid, Shikamaru wasn't exactly impressed with his parents' relationship - he thought his dad was 'whipped.' But as an adult, his perspective has changed. He married Temari, who is a lot like his mother Yoshino.
Both women are quick to tell their husbands when they're messing up, and hold them to high expectations, and while those husbands may complain, they don't really mind.
- 4606 VOTES
His Name Is Based On A Real Japanese Location
Photo: Studio PierrotShikamaru's surname, Nara (奈良) is also the name of a city and prefecture located in Honshu, Japan. It was also the capital of Japan from 710 to 794. Nara is known for its abundant wild deer, which may also explain Shikamaru's given name, which contains the word 'shika' which translates to 'deer.' It's also why the Nara clan's property is usually swarming with deer.
- 5687 VOTES
Check Out His Stats
Photo: Studio PierrotIn the Boruto databook, we get a glimpse of what some of Shikamaru's skills as an adult are. His stats are as follows:
Strength: 115Negotiation: 130
Chakra: 100
Intelligence: 210
Perception: 160
Dexterity: 133
He also received the following star ratings:
Intelligence Gathering: ★★★★★
Observation: ★★★★★★
- 6771 VOTES
He Doesn't Have Many Official Missions Under His Belt
Photo: Studio PierrotThough Shikamaru is an accomplished shinobi who eventually becomes the Hokage's right-hand man, he hasn't actually completed all that many official missions. These include 39 missions, broken down to 8 D-rank, 3 C-rank, 9 B-rank, 19 A-rank, and 0 S-rank.
- 7891 VOTES
He Doesn't Have A Desired Opponent
Photo: Studio PierrotThe databooks usually give insight into who each character would most like to fight, but in Shikamaru's case, the answer is no one. While he has shown a genuine desire to protect his village and his loved ones, fighting for fun isn't really his thing. He'd much rather avoid trouble than walk into it.
- 8706 VOTES
He Continues Smoking Into Adulthood
Photo: Studio PierrotAfter Asuma passes away, Shikamaru takes up his smoking habit, both as a way to deal with grief and a way to keep his sensei's spirit alive. But once he avenges Asuma, he isn't seen smoking again in the manga.
It's not that he quit, though - it's censorship. We know that because the light novels describe him as still being a smoker, and cigarettes are replaced with a lighter or edited out entirely from the anime or the English translation of the manga.
The Boruto anime actually does show Shikamaru smoking - by that point, he's an adult, so there aren't as many potential issues with depicting him with a cigarette in hand.
- 9616 VOTES
His Birthday Is The Day Before Two Of His Loved Ones' Birthdays
Photo: Studio PierrotShikamaru's birthday is September 22nd. Why is this noteworthy? Because it's the day before the birthday of two of the most important people in his life: Ino Yamanaka and Shikadai Nara, both of whom were born on September 23rd.
This means that as a kid, he was probably sharing birthday parties with his childhood friend and teammate, and as an adult, his birthday is probably overshadowed by his son's.
- 10633 VOTES
Kishimoto Said He'd Date Shikamaru
Photo: Studio PierrotIn a Q&A published in Naruto: The Official Character Data Book, Kishimoto is asked which of his characters he'd date if he could.
About the female characters, he said:
"None. After all, I created them."
But when it came to male characters, he wasn't so reluctant. When asked who he'd date if he were a woman, he said:
"Shikamaru, because he's intelligent, and I think he'd succeed in life."
- 11581 VOTES
His Ninja Academy Grades Weren't Great
Photo: Studio PierrotWith his lazy attitude, it's not exactly surprising that Shikamaru wasn't bringing home a stellar report card. But fans might not know what his specific marks were, so here you go. He got B in ninjutsu and cooperation, a C in taijutsu, genjutsu and positivity, and an F in classroom attitude.
Iruka-sensei may have been excessively generous with those cooperation and positivity grades.
- 12525 VOTES
His Favorite Phrase Reflects His Attitude
Photo: Studio PierrotIf you watched the English dub, you probably heard Shikamaru saying 'that's troublesome' or 'how troublesome' or 'what a drag' on multiple occasions. While this all sounds a bit awkward in English, it's a translation of a common Japanese phrase, 面倒くせい, mendōkusei. This means more or less the same thing.
- 13488 VOTES
He's An Excellent Shogi Player
Photo: Studio PierrotIf you want to take Shikamaru on in a shogi (Japanese chess) match, you'd better come prepared. He started off playing against his father and his teacher Asuma, then eventually started teaching his son Shikadai how to play.
One of his hobbies is taking on strong opponents - a stark contrast to his attitude about physical fights.
- 14448 VOTES
He Has Simple Food Preferences
Photo: Studio PierrotShikamaru's favorite foods are relatively unfussy ones: he likes mackerel cooked in miso and sukonbu (kelp flavored with vinegar). On the other hand, he's not into boiled eggs. No word on whether he's so anti-egg he wouldn't even try Itachi's perfect sunny side up eggs, though.
- 15489 VOTES
He Loves Taking Naps
Photo: Studio PierrotIs napping a hobby? In Shikamaru's case, it is. Considering how hard he's been working his whole life as everything from a genin to the hokage's right hand man, he deserves a nap!
