Long time ago, a boy felt that the story should have more involvement with side characters. That was me. I would have like to see more of side characters involved. Now, here we are in this arc, with many characters involved and now here I am to say, "Wow, now everyone is involved." However, it had them involved a bit too much to the point I forgot what part happened. Now, in chapter 651, we have them involved with one of the big finale attack to Obito, the villain. What the world is finally saying?
A big bag of mixed feelings.
Ok, let's not talk about the symbols of the friendship. Let's talk about the situation of this chapter that many has defined side characters in one chapter. There is a lot of commotion going on and it's not really about what's next or anything about the main plot. It's about the side characters, mainly K9. There is a reason why many feels mixed. Some think it's not bad, some think it's a bit odd, some think it's the worst kitten ever. So why is all of this happening? Note: this is my point of view and I am willing to continue to give more responses as you post anything that reflects.
Ok, to begin with, many asked themselves, "Why did it worked in part 1?" For starters, they only appeared in 2 arcs and the last one has a reason to happen. The first arc with their appearances are made because it was held a tournament and many of them are there to create multiple situation with one to return with more developments, who is now known as Shikamaru. The second arc happened because they are low on manpower and this is one way to decrease Orochimaru's men to almost zero, left only experiments, Kabuto, and Sasuke. So, enter the rest of others. After that arc ended, they wouldn't be used for anymore in terms of relevance. So, now we enter part 2 and the side characters are there to present as manpower, not developments. Only one would be Shikamaru and Team 10 in a way.
So what's the problem? To be honest, nothing. The problem lies on the fans of those who likes the side characters that only tasked with one plot aka non-Shikamaru side characters. By the way, take Sai away, he actually worth more than this, regardless of his moment in the latest chapter, it's his judgment that carries forward to the main plot. Back to this, Why I said this? Because they would want to partake in a higher level of importance. Well, sadly, Bleach falls in line because one arc gave so many focus on many characters, and now, it's in yellow zone of getting canceled. Note, this was once the big 3 Jump series in Japan, who is now replaced by something else. This is a long running series and we don't really have time for that, but if you do want it, well enter war arc.
Well, in some people view, it's unfortunate that we have this arc to please those who needs it. Now, a problem is about too much focus, which I fall in here. You know why? Because we don't have time for others and to care for all others. It's all happening in one long arc and in fact, it's only long because of shifting focus on many. The reason why we don't want to spend many times with them is because we are established that they have nothing else to offer but manpower because that's what are side characters are made for when it comes to long-running series, but now, it's like "Well, why are you trying to make them relevant?"
I remember chapter 633 was released and people in here didn't care that much, minus the end. I would argue it's because it's Team 7 at the end, but largely because that chapter had them just do what they do: provide manpower. Do you know why in Chikara, anime filler arc, I complained about the side characters? Because they are there only to provide manpower. Noticed that I haven't talk about fan service for people to see them in action, but in reality, it's about the former. Why do you think I love Road To Ninja? Is it because it feeds NS to me? Is it because a nice moral story? While they are a part of it, but here's one of the main one: it's because it's very focused. It's not trying to provide you the usual Bleach movie style, where many other heroes would always appear in the end, or even some Naruto movies. It's all about delivering the message/story. It's not there to please the world on characters, essentially because this is how Kishi goes. All these stuff I have said doesn't mean I don't like side characters, it's just that they need to know their place.
Many has argued that perhaps Kishi should have cut down side characters when he first started. Many has argued that perhaps Kishi should have gave all of them a role in each arcs, but as I said above, it will fall in line of "taking too much time" and "random plot inserted". Do you want to know why other series work or how to make it work? Simple: story must be short; make an adventure story, though depends on how you do it; don't present them.
Short story as in not longer than, well now, would help because here's a thing. When you have one big focus/story, the novelty of the side characters doesn't die out since it's only one story. Take FMA for instance, there's really one story with acts or arcs if you want to call it, so you feel like you're in the same story. Yes, Naruto is one big story but it has multiple main boss battles, while in FMA, there are sub-bosses. It also helps that they're monthly manga, so the fight being dragged is almost non-existent. So let's say if FMA got more arcs, the novelty of side characters would wear off even if we like their attitudes and all, it's just there's no more plot relevant and anything to be done. In short, they ended when they got the chance. This also implies to Bleach, as the side characters usage has wear thin and now, it feels dragged realistically. Sure, fans would get what they want, but the package would look questionable.
An adventure story would help because you can always escape the zone that is home/base. Take One Piece for example, they're always moving and there's always new characters that are there for one arc only. Sure, some they recruit new members, but that's only because they want to fill the adventure with more exciting. Plus it does match up with their needs as pirates. But anyway, the point is that you always get new characters along the way and they would appear for like an update for small reason like, "What the world is thinking of this or that?" The only problem with adventure is that minus their powers, their character seems to stay the same, which is why I can understand the problem with people and see how some are turned off at times, but to each of their own. So to be honest, this wouldn't work with Naruto that well. In fact, it would seem Naruto would work best as monthly series when it comes to down it. I mean it can work with weekly as well, but it's like he has shift priority. Not change the story, but change on who needs the focus.
Don't present any of the side characters, well that's impossible at most cases, but you could do what the Avatar does: just have main characters. Yes, there are side characters, but they're there when they're really needed to be and that's why the show works unbelievably well. It's like an adventure story, only mixed with short story with real developments. I at times wish Naruto was like this but of course, Naruto is not traveling all day just to learn benders. Haha, that's a new story completely. But again, weekly does work, have the working system behind not involved. I'm not saying it's the system fault because clearly Kishi has more control than we all think he has, but it is known that he perhaps care for the fans that want more of side characters. That and mix of him caring too much of filling the blanks, even though some are open on their own but whatever. No, that doesn't mean he changed the story to make a whole new pairing, a whole new role, a whole new manga. It just means he wants to close the gap of his own story and of course, satisfy everyone along the way.
Before we close (Yes, finally!), the last question I want to address is why did Kishi do all this late? Well, whether there are actual clues/evidences of one thing and that is, "originally killing off some of the characters", this could implied on why he doesn't write them the way they are in older arcs. Again, these characters are made with one plot (unless you have that special trait, that is Shikamaru, which there are side characters that get this) and only provide support. So if the source is true, that would mean Kishi was going to be the usual writer, as in only have them for a bit and if you have nothing else, kill them or just sideline them for good. This also means that these characters are rarely guys that need attention but fans want them and Kishi seems to care. The main problem is what to do with them. The solution: repeat with a deeper resolution.
Sure, it's ok to go in-depth of that resolution, but it doesn't really scream, "New development that is different from previous." It doesn't make me like them more or less, depends. That's why I like Shikamaru's development from 649 because it's not about being the grown-up and be responsible, though it has some of that, but it's about backing up Naruto as his right-hand man. It's the nature of bond growth and it has worked up a lot since part 1 as well, so it's more natural than forced or repeats in a deeper resolution. I can see why people are annoyed with Hinata being repetitive and it's actually this arc that begins this, go figure.
So too long to read for many? Here's the point. The point is that these side characters aren't easy utilized or rather made to be doomed with criticism. Can you ever make it work in weekly manga series? To be honest and this is my opinion, but no. You can't get everyone or even most satisfied with the result because unless you have the requirements in above statements, then you are best to let them do little things, not that much. Note, the only one that can escape this in my view is Shikamaru, perhaps Team 10 since I find them larger than life compare to others, plus they can relate to the main characters such as Naruto and Sakura's childhood friends, and Sai as I see him a late entry to the main roster much like Wendy from Fairy Tail. All others, while I like them more or less, well they are doomed with criticism of taking space. While there is possibly more I can say, I would let you guys say something for me to respond to or anything.
Sorry for this LAP!
Edit: I forgot to mention, this usually applies mostly on battle manga, though it can be said for all. Comedy doesn't count really because you can just go all out stupid (funny) for all I care. Sports as well since everyone is already involved, though there are series that focus on one player throughout rather than the team.
Edited by NaruSaku4Life3g, 17 October 2013 - 02:51 AM.