Ghost in the Shell
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This won't be exactly like the other #Based Tobirama thread, but it is an appreciation thread of who I see as one of the best written characters Kishi created in the manga nonethless. In terms of overall individual impact on the manga, very few characters surpass him. Here's why:
Shinobi Inventions and Innovations:
Tobirama was probably the manga's most prolific jutsu inventor, and 3 of the 4 techniques he created had varying degrees of significance and impact in regards to the manga's plot and some of the events that took place in said manga.
- Kage Bunshin no Jutsu: This jutsu is one of the most important techniques in the manga, one of the most widely used among shinobi, and one the sources of the manga's main character's strength. Splits a characters' chakra in half, but shadow clones can perform more techniques than usual clones like mizu or iwa bunshins, and the original cannot be picked out by sensor type shinobi as a result. Some readers might forget that this jutsu is actually outlawed as well, though that had more to do with Konoha entering times of peace.
- Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei: Being one of the very first Forbbiden Technique(s), or "kinjutsu", shown in the manga, this jutsu became the source of Obito Uchiha's military strength during the Fourth Shinobi World War, and allowed Kabuto to somewhat manipulate the course of the war to his liking. Also, Orochimaru used it to corner Hiruzen during their fight. Clearly Tobirama's usage of this jutsu wasn't as refined as the two snake men listed above, but Orochimaru and Kabuto still wouldn't have had something to work off of had this technique not been created. Edo Tensei allowed many characters from NV's history to be reincarnated, adding a lot of
- Flying Thunder God: Instantaneous teleportation through marked seals, very simple. Without this technique, the SA would have suffered major losses and
Gojō Kibaku Fuda: A badass technique with a badass name, Tobirama showcased this technique against Juubito, causing ridiculously large chains of explosions, though it didn't damage Juubito b/c of his immortality and Rikudō powers. Not nearly as impactful as the previous techniques, but very fun to use in vs. threads. Its power output easily surpasses techniques like Fūton: Rasenshuriken and Kirin [
- Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei: Being one of the very first Forbbiden Technique(s), or "kinjutsu", shown in the manga, this jutsu became the source of Obito Uchiha's military strength during the Fourth Shinobi World War, and allowed Kabuto to somewhat manipulate the course of the war to his liking. Also, Orochimaru used it to corner Hiruzen during their fight. Clearly Tobirama's usage of this jutsu wasn't as refined as the two snake men listed above, but Orochimaru and Kabuto still wouldn't have had something to work off of had this technique not been created. Edo Tensei allowed many characters from NV's history to be reincarnated, adding a lot of
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, cool moments ([
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]-[
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]), and emotions ([
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]-[
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]) into the story. Also, the SA would have been screwed w/o the Edo Hokages. It's safe to say Edo Tensei played a huge role in Naruto, and Tobirama was its creator.- Flying Thunder God: Instantaneous teleportation through marked seals, very simple. Without this technique, the SA would have suffered major losses and
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. Tobirama used it to good effect to assist Naruto and Minato against Juubito [
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]. Like Edo Tensei, Tobirama's usage wasn't as advanced as the tehnique's spiritual successor, Minato, who created the FTG barrier, and came with pre marked seals on his special set of kunai. However, it's natural for future generations to build upon the foundations of the older generations, and Tobirama made such foundations.Gojō Kibaku Fuda: A badass technique with a badass name, Tobirama showcased this technique against Juubito, causing ridiculously large chains of explosions, though it didn't damage Juubito b/c of his immortality and Rikudō powers. Not nearly as impactful as the previous techniques, but very fun to use in vs. threads. Its power output easily surpasses techniques like Fūton: Rasenshuriken and Kirin [
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]-[
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].Konoha's social and political structure:
As the Second Hokage, Tobirama's job was to build upon the foundations of the village that his brother, Hashirama, had created.
- Shinobi Academy: Very straightforward. The Academy introduces young children into the arts of a shinobi, essentially acting as one part the educational backbone of Konoha. Tobirama was the first one to implement such an institution in a shinobi village, and thereafter other shinobi villages started following suit. However, what seperated the system Tobirama implemented as a whole from other villages was its penchant for producing many talented shinobi like the Sannin, Sakumo Hatake, known as "Konoha's White Fang", and his son Kakashi, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, Might Gai, and others. At least some of this is attributed to the competency, effectiveness, and efficiency of Konoha's teaching system and values that are instilled in the Academy. Without the Academy, even geniuses would have found getting started as a shinobi more difficult.
- Chūnin Exams:Acting as the other part of Konoha's, educational backbone, the Chūnin Exams serves as a bridge for shinobi to attain higher ranks, and as motivation to better hone his or her skills. Not much to say on this one except that villages also implemented this idea after Tobirama did, and that part of what made Part 1's plot exciting was the Chūnin Exams in all of its phases: the Forest of Death, the first round, and the second round.
- ANBU Black Ops: A specialized task force of highly trained shinobi that take direct orders from the Hokage. Not for the faint of heart, these shinobi undertake missions involving assassinations, espionage, torture, and reconnissance, especially during times of war. They are also tasked with overseeing the Chūnin Exams, protecting Konoha, and handling dimplomatic exchanges. The Anbu are more loyal to the concept of a shinobi in its truest sense; someone who acts as a tool and works in the shadows, never seeing the light of day. Danzō's Root, an even more underhanded version of the Anbu, are a special branch of this organization that only answers to him. Danzō was Tobirama's student and was highly influenced by the latter's ideology, so it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Tobirama indirectly played a part in the formation of Root. Essntially, the Anbu is basically the physical manifestation of Tobirama's pragmatist ideology. In my opinion, the Anbu and its dealings, especially Root, brought a lot of depth to Naruto, a manga that is seen in an usually light hearted manner.
- Chūnin Exams:Acting as the other part of Konoha's, educational backbone, the Chūnin Exams serves as a bridge for shinobi to attain higher ranks, and as motivation to better hone his or her skills. Not much to say on this one except that villages also implemented this idea after Tobirama did, and that part of what made Part 1's plot exciting was the Chūnin Exams in all of its phases: the Forest of Death, the first round, and the second round.
- ANBU Black Ops: A specialized task force of highly trained shinobi that take direct orders from the Hokage. Not for the faint of heart, these shinobi undertake missions involving assassinations, espionage, torture, and reconnissance, especially during times of war. They are also tasked with overseeing the Chūnin Exams, protecting Konoha, and handling dimplomatic exchanges. The Anbu are more loyal to the concept of a shinobi in its truest sense; someone who acts as a tool and works in the shadows, never seeing the light of day. Danzō's Root, an even more underhanded version of the Anbu, are a special branch of this organization that only answers to him. Danzō was Tobirama's student and was highly influenced by the latter's ideology, so it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Tobirama indirectly played a part in the formation of Root. Essntially, the Anbu is basically the physical manifestation of Tobirama's pragmatist ideology. In my opinion, the Anbu and its dealings, especially Root, brought a lot of depth to Naruto, a manga that is seen in an usually light hearted manner.
Tobirama's Ideology:
Another part of Tobirama's job as the Hokage was to ideologically unite all of earlier Konoha's different clans under what came to be known as the Will of Fire, a strong belief in the village, its community, and its future. He was largely successful, bringing clans like the Hyūga, the Sarutobi, and the Aburame together. However, he had a harder time with getting the notoriously individualistic Uchiha to adhere to this concept. He managed to form both a formal and diplomatic relationship through the Konoha Military Police Force which did end up assimilating the Uchiha into Konoha's society. Some readers tend to assert that Tobirama's creation of this institution led to the Uchiha clan massacre. I think otherwise, but that's for another thread.
Now, for Tobirama's ideology. Analyzing his choices, decisions, and thought processes, I would conclude that he is an utilitarian, or someone who bases his course of action on what holds the most utility for the greatest number, while simultaneously holding the least amount of negatives. Think cost-benefit analysis in economics. Essentially, Tobirama is an intellectual pragmatist. Having grown up during the Warring States period, he is someone who deeply understands human emotions, tendencies, and relations on a fundamental level. His thoughts and actions aren't necessarily based on kindness, but on keen insight. Not to make him look like a douche, but he knew that etablishing stable and collectively beneficial relationships was the best course of action in order for the village to progess and solidify its status.
Now, for Tobirama's ideology. Analyzing his choices, decisions, and thought processes, I would conclude that he is an utilitarian, or someone who bases his course of action on what holds the most utility for the greatest number, while simultaneously holding the least amount of negatives. Think cost-benefit analysis in economics. Essentially, Tobirama is an intellectual pragmatist. Having grown up during the Warring States period, he is someone who deeply understands human emotions, tendencies, and relations on a fundamental level. His thoughts and actions aren't necessarily based on kindness, but on keen insight. Not to make him look like a douche, but he knew that etablishing stable and collectively beneficial relationships was the best course of action in order for the village to progess and solidify its status.
It was this very ideology that drove everything he created and accomplished during his lifetime.
Impact and Assesment:
Say what you will about some of his decisions and creations, but Tobirama is undoubtedly one of Kishi's most well thought out characters. He brought a refreshing element of realism in a story that mostly prioritized themes loosely associated with the terms "benelovence" and "friendship". He influenced the course of the Naruto manga both directly and inderectly, acting as the founder to the foundations of said manga that we as readers take for granted. I'd even venture to say that the impact he had on the shinobi world within context was on par with Hashirama's, despite receiving significantly less attention than the latter. However, that's ok, because he is someone who leans more towards the classical rather than contemporary idea of a shinobi.
The only flaw I find in Tobirama was the relative weakness he showed compared to hype in regards to his ability with the Water Release. Whether it was explicit or implicit, by protrayal and even character design, Tobirama was hyped to be the best suiton user in shinobi history. By feats, Kisame beats him by a landslide. This should not have been the case. Water walls, water dragons, and highly pressurized water streams are all dandy and all, but he should have had some more badass suiton techniques, like Suiton: Suishōha as shown in the anime.
The only flaw I find in Tobirama was the relative weakness he showed compared to hype in regards to his ability with the Water Release. Whether it was explicit or implicit, by protrayal and even character design, Tobirama was hyped to be the best suiton user in shinobi history. By feats, Kisame beats him by a landslide. This should not have been the case. Water walls, water dragons, and highly pressurized water streams are all dandy and all, but he should have had some more badass suiton techniques, like Suiton: Suishōha as shown in the anime.
Anyways, yeah. Tobirama was awesome. As a character, he was definitely better written and more interesting than more popular characters like Minato, Hiruzen, Hashirama, Naruto, etc. in my opinion. In terms of impact, he's on par with Hashirama, and only surpassed only by characters like Hagoromo, Naruto and very few others based on the points I brought up.
Thank you #Based Tobirama.
