Of Rivalries and Bonds

[Akasuna]

To attempt to deny the fact that rivalries and bonds are a very large part of Naruto as a series and as a character would be straight up fallacy. Neji and Lee, Naruto and Sasuke, Shikamaru and Asuma, Kakashi and Gai; rivalries and bonds abundant.

This thread is more lighthearted than my previous threads for the sole purpose of I don't feel like writing an analysis right now; the question is, which rivalry and/or bond between two or more characters is your favorite?

My personal favorite is the bond between Shikamaru and Asuma, and the rivalry of Neji and Lee; for the former, just the mellow tone that both characters set for their interactions was enjoyable. In a tense, fast-paced manga sometimes one needs those characters, the ones that aren't afraid to settle done and play a game or just talk.

Lee and Neji, and possibly all of Team Gai had beautiful interaction especially in P1. Neji's disdain of Lee's gallant attempts at strength, Gai's encouragement towards both, Tenten's exasperation at her teammates and Sensei: they simply felt so much like a family if only because of their fluid rivalries and interaction.​

 

[NarutoB]

Bond: Choji and Shikamaru. It's so realistic. It reminds me of me and a couple of my friends

Rivalry: Naruto and Sasuke.

 

[awesomeseimei]

I really liked the Guy-Lee interactions in Part I, when Lee was in the hospital.

 

[-Punk-]

Ame Orphans , Gai/Kakashi , Ino-Shika-Cho , Lee/Gai & Shikamaru/Asuma , real bonds & rivalries .

 

[paratise]

Favorite bonds: Gai and Lee, Ame orphans.

Favorite rivalaries: Lee & Neji (for the reasons you listed), Gai & Kakashi.

I like their rivalaries because there was no destiny/prophecy bs that lead them. Also i found their moments of acknowledgements beautiful.
this tore me up a little:

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and this was a great touch:

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About most of the rest of rivalaries build on these: butthurt and destiny.

 

[Zealous Sparks]

Ame Orphans , Gai/Kakashi , Ino-Shika-Cho , Lee/Gai & Shikamaru/Asuma , real bonds & rivalries .

My favorite bonds are those of the Ame Orphans as well. They were orphanned by war, but survived with each other's help.

Shika and Asuma were great as well. It was evident that Asuma passed down many attributes to Team 10; Shikamaru in particular.

 

[ᖇ α z m α η]

Kakashi & Gai my favourite.

 

[Howling Fox]

Nardo and Gaara/ Tobirama and Hashirama - best bonds
Danzo and Hiruzen/ Kakashi and guy - best rivals

 

[-Punk-]

My favorite bonds are those of the Ame Orphans as well. They were orphanned by war, but survived with each other's help.

Shika and Asuma were great as well. It was evident that Asuma passed down many attributes to Team 10; Shikamaru in particular.

Yup , same here man .

 

[paratise]

I found my post the fave bonds

I am simply asking what are the best written and truly geniune relationships in the manga in you opinion.
To me; these are on top:

Gai and Lee:

Spoiler

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They have something truly real going on between each other, the reasoing of "why" they are close is not even a question because their relationship is progressed and portrayted very well.

They have a good showcase of a parent/child love. We can see the concerns, teachings, decisions and break downs of their relationship and not a panel wasted in this including comedic relieves. They get together like how a parent and child does, a sense of "need" in a side's case. Lee needed someone to believe in himself and Gai wanted to believe in someone. He believes Lee like a parent does and does not lose faith in his "son" no matter what because of his efforts. Lee looks up to him as a father and master, also appreceates his acknowledgement. Gai teaching what he knows to Lee shows how a parent pours his/her life and hopes to his/her own child.

Their showcase of parent and child/master/son relationship seems bot not perfect and the most "pure" one in the series.

Ame orphans:

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They were 3 kids who get orphaned, need to grow up early and accomplished it together, both instinct of survival and needing someone brought them together. The way their ideals and hopes passed down to each other, the resolve poured down to one when the one of them goes down shows a shared ideal and genuine friendship.

 

[kimb]

Guy and Lee bond, and Itachi and Sasuke rivalry, even though it was one sided for the most part.

 

[DaileyM]

Bond: Naruto and Sasuke

Rivalry: Naruto and Sasuke / Kakashi and Gai.

 

[lilix]

kakashi and gai awsomr rivals