Post by Naruto on Aug 20, 2006 16:31:46 GMT -5
Naruto: Ninja Legends
Doing it the RIGHT Way.
An easy guide step-by-step guide to making Ninja that would do Kishimoto-san proud!
***
Starting out: Making the Character Itself
Step 1: Gender
It seems like a pretty simple thing at first; picking whether to make a male or female character. In Kishimoto's world there are no gender restrictions for ninja; however, when picking, there are still a few extra things to consider.
Male: Generally, men have a larger total chakra, meaning that they have better endurence and can expend more energy then a kunoichi before burning out. The downside of this, however, is weaker control; more effort wasted for less result.
Female: In contrast, women (typically) have much more refined control of their chakra then men do. They have less chakra to start with, but don't waste as much and have stronger focus. *Note: There are many kunoichi (female ninja) in the Genin rank, however, the numbers decrease more in the higher ranks. There are *very* few female Jounin and ANBU, keep this in mind for gender balance!
Step 2: Names
Giving your character a fitting name is important. Names are personal and unique. They can have an underlying meaning that explains some deeper aspect of personality, give double meanings, or simply sound nice rolling off the tongue.
There's really only one rule to follow when naming a character. Though Naruto isn't set in Japan specifically, like many other types of anime, it stills shows a heavy Japanese influence. This means that all characters existing in the world of shinobi should have Japanese names! It just wouldn't seem right for Kitty Smith the jounin to be prancing around Konoha, would it?
*Note: Japanese-English translators and dictionary sites can be your best resource for finding the perfect character name!
Step 3: Rank
Remember!- Skill (and age) should always correlate to a character's rank in the world of Naruto. Below is a list of the different possible shinobi rankings, in order from lowest to highest.
Academy Student: Ninjas-to-be who havn't yet passed their graduating exams. Still in training, they're wet behind the ears and just beginning to learn the shinobi arts. In order to graduate and become a Genin (atleast, in Konoha) an academy student must be able to successfully perform three basic jutsus; shadow cloning, transformation and body replacement.
Genin: The first level of true shinobi. After their graduation into the ranking, Genin are sectioned off into cells of three members with complimentary talents and abilities. They are lead by a specially assigned Jounin, who not only teaches and trains them in field situations, but acts almost as "training wheels" to the young ninja while they develop. *Note: There is NO "fourth member" of cell 7, kids. Don't even let that idea tempt you.
Chuunin: Also known as a Journeyman Ninja, they will often still work in groups or pairs for dangerous missions, but are no longer official 'students' to their old Jounin teachers. In order to achieve this rank, Genins must prove themselves in the rigorous Chuunin Exams, testing their survival skills, fighting techniques and leadership ability. Chuunin must be competent with all of these to be successful.
Jounin: Elite ninja who take on the most dangerous "A" class missions, handling the life and death battles that lower ranks couldn't survive. Extremely powerful, Jounin almost always have atleast on e distinctive specialty that sets them apart from other ninjas, be it a summoning pact, kekkei genkai or original jutsu. From asassinations to cross country escorts, Jounin can handle practically anything and are never to be taken lightly.
ANBU: Truly the elite of the elite- aka the Black Ops- a super-specialized asassination squad hand-picked by the Kage. Comprised of the most talented and fierce handful Jounin in a region, they wear ornate animal masks to signify their position and bare a distinctive swirling tattoo on the upper arm. The highest possible ranking that any ninja can hope to achieve, they handle the missions that no others can.
.
Kage: The champion and leader of the people, undoubtedly the strongest of all shinobi. Only the five largest and most populated and successful ninja villages have a Kage- Hokage (Leaf), Mizukage (Mist), Raikage (Cloud), Kazekage (Sand) and Tsutchikage (Stone). However, though they are powerful, they will rarely fight. on ly when his village is jeoperdized will the Kage rise to action, often sacrificing himself to save his people. *Note: your character is NOT a Kage. Don't attempt this-- EVER!
Other Side Ranks to Note:
Sannin (Sennin)- a unique class given to the "legendary three," belonging on ly to Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru. *Note: Your character is not- and will NEVER be- a Sannin. NEVER ATTEMPT THIS.
Medical Ninja- More of an occupation/specialty then a rank, but none the less important. Medical Ninja are vital in dangerous situations, usually specializing in support and healing jutsus. However, there are some who take a more aggressive approach and utilize medical techniques on their opponents; using their knowledge and chakra to turn the body against itself.
Tracker/Shinobi Hunter- A special faction of elite Ninja who act as a sort of "damage control" for their villages. Shinobi Hunters are responsible for tracking down and destroying the rogue shinobi who have abandoned their villages. Like ANBU, they are fiercely powerful and wear masks (not animal themed, however) to hide their features.
Missing-Nin- These are shinobi who have- for one reason or another- abandoned their villages and become rogues. Missing-Nin are considered to be extremely dangerous criminals, and often become mercenaries to whoever will pay or support them.
Sensei- A special function of many special Jounin who agree to teach and train young, inexperienced Genin. While they still perform many of the normal functions in their rank, a Jounin who volunteers for this duty devotes most of their mission time to accompanying, training and protecting their charges as they develop. All Genin cells are lead by a Jounin-sensei.
Step 4: Age
When choosing the age of a character, it's always a good idea to keep things in proportion to on e another. Skill level and rank are affected- above all- by experience. Though it's fine to have an above-average ninja, making a seven year old jounin prodigy would be just a tad unrealistic. Below is a simple, easy to follow general guideline for believable age/rank relationships.
Academy student- 9-13 years
Genin- 12-14 years
Chuunin- 14-18 years
Jounin- 18-25 years
ANBU- 20† years
*Remember! It's always okay to make your character older then neccasary! One of the signs of a truly confident roleplayer is being able to make their character average or below. Afterall, not everyone can be a prodigy.
Step 5: Personality
Personality is, for lack of a better word, personal. As with names, this trait is a very special, close to heart and subjective prefference to the player with almost no restrictions. Just make sure to consider practicality with the ninja's current situation. As the ranks become higher and more difficult, so too should the character's persona be tougher, more experienced, and better controlled.
A few personality archetypes to consider: Remember! Keep in mind that the following is only a collection of stereotypic character bases for players to use as a starting point. Never be afraid to create a unique mixture of different traits or venture beyond these bases.
The Hero- Youthful, strong willed and very (sometimes overly!) confident in themself. Generally very upright people with a strong sense of justice, a Hero type will be the first person to take action when something seems out of place.
The Anti-Hero- A more reclusive and introverted breed then their Hero counterparts. Though often looked down upon by society and peers alike, very few Anti-Heroes are actually evil or ill meaning people; just bitter, stubborn, self absorbed and misunderstood.
The Seductress- Cunning, manipulative vixens who get their way through bending others to their will. Deception and manipulation are their weapons of choice, and because of this they are often unpredictable, untrustworthy people. However, beneath their perfectly groomed surfaces, Seductresses are often vain, overly proud and finicky creatures.
The Machine- Icy, callous and ridiculously stoic. Often believed not even to possess human feelings or emotions, these people are difficult to establish any sort of relationship with because of their extreme introversion. Still, they often make excellent ninjas because of their level headed judgement and inability to faulter. *Note: When using this kind of archetype, remember to consider the effects of acting emotionless all the time. Machines usually aren't completely heartless, and letting their emotions occasionally slip here and there can give them a sense of endearment and realism.
The Hot-head- Those who make rash decisions and constantly fight against becoming too emotionally involved in situations. Whereas Machines are extreme introverts, Hot-heads struggle with the fact that they wear their feelings on their sleeve. Being such extroverts, their hearts are usually in the right place, but keeping their tempers back and their heads clear is always their biggest challenge.
The Mouse- Shyness and introversion in it's most extreme form. These types of people are often terrified to an almost phobic level; shaky, meak and soft spoken. Prone to breaking easily under pressure, they prefer to follow rather then lead. Most Mice are generally good natured and friendly, though they often have trouble connecting with others or speaking out because of their fearful tendencies.
The Total Innocent- Like mice in many respects- often just and shy and reserved- these people are ridiculously sweet natured and innocent... almost to the point of naivite. Although they are endearing in their simplicity and lack of guile, they seem very prone to cracking under the stress of confrontation. Due to their overly trusting nature, they are painfully easy to manipulate or take advantage of- the costly side-effect of sacrificing suspicion and hatred.
The Villain- Perhaps the foulest of all archetypes; cunning, cruel and twisted beings often warped by some traumatic event in life- or simply born with the desire for chaos. Villains are often sadistic, unsettlingly intelligent and conniving creatures, either taking a more "hands on" approach or playing as puppetteer to their armies of minions.
The Creature of Nightmare- Often the associates and puppets of Villains. Creatures of Nightmare have no motive of their own aside from bloodlust and instinct. They do the bidding of their masters with dumb and unequaled loyalty.
The Kind Hearted Devil Figure- Essentially serving the same role as Villains, with a single key differentiation. Though these demonic and seemingly cruel individuals are prone to heavy antagony against the "good" and "pure" characters, they have not detached themselves entirely from emotions and will sometimes fall victim to those very feelings. Occasionally, these lost souls can even be saved by the kindness of other characters and removed from villainy.
The Platonic Ideal- Knowledgeable and wise beyond their years, other characters will often seek these types of people for advice in a difficult situation. Platonic Ideals take after their generalized name sake, constantly looked to by their students and peers alike as an embodiment of what they wish to achieve, a mentor to the less experienced and unsure.
Step 6: Appearence
In an open ended genre like Naruto (as well as most other animes), the sky's practically the limit when it comes to a character's appearence. Hair and eyes can come in almost any color of the rainbow. We'll start, however, from the ground up; beginning with the basic structure of the character's body.
Build/Frame: This can be distinguished by answerring a few simple questions. Is your character going to be short or tall? Slim or chubby? If female, how curvacious and developed? If male, how muscular? Remember to consider both their age and their training background; be as realistic as possible to your character's circumstances!
*Note: Before deciding on eye or hair color, choose a skin tone that you find appealing. Make sure to keep in mind just how it will look compared to your other traits!
Hair: As with most animes out there, hair can be practically any color or style without seeming ridiculous. Bizarre styles, bi-coloring and otherwise random things can be wholly acceptable here. Just remember that- if the character's hair is long- it needs to be kept in a style that will hold it out of the way on missions. Afterall, it would be a shame if a shinobi was killed because their hair kept getting in their eyes during a critical battle. X3 Braids, pigtails, ponytails, wraps, clips and ties can all do the job effectively- and give your character a style that's distinctly their own.
Eyes: Like hair, eyes, also, can come in just about any color under the sun. However, it's important to remember just how the chosen hue will look in comparison to the rest of the characters, their hair, their skin tone, their basic build. *Note: Avoid cliched color descriptions like "blood" red, "baby" blue, "emerald" green, etc. Be creative!
Extras- scars, tattoos and other markings: Adding these sorts of little finishing touches can really give a chacter that extra bit of originality. Just remember to keep it sensible, believable, and most importantly... UNIQUE! Don't fall prey to cliched tattoo designs (yes, resist the urge to use dragons and wolves, kids!) and make sure that all major scars or marks have relevence.
The Universal Rule of Thumb: Make sure that EVERYTHING about your character is relevent in on e way or another! Total randomosity = BAD. X3
Step 7: Clothing
It's fun to design a character's outfit! There are very few restrictions to this aspect of your character's creation... only one little rule to keep in mind...
FORM DOES NOT COME BEFORE FUNCTION!
No matter what, a shinobi's outfit needs to have some practicality, storage and manueverabilty in combat. Sorry girls; mini-skirts, high heels and tank-tops only serve to cripple a kunoichi's feet or expose vulnerable naughty parts for enemy attack. They're out of the question.
When designing an outfit, consider different symbols to incorporate, pouches and areas for weapon storage, and personal preffences alike. Just keep it simple, practical and classy... and make sure to resist the urge against wolves, dragons, or other overly-played cliches.
Be proud! You've just completed the basics of a solid character!
Step 8: History
When creating a character's past, once again, it's important to consider all of their other traits- their personality, prefferences, scars and habits. History is what has shaped them into their current being; always remember that fact. The present is created by the past.
Tips to Remember and Things to Avoid:
Angst is okay, but DON'T go overboard with it. Bad things DO happen, and it's fine to indulge in a bit of blood and gore; just don't get so gratuitous with it that the story becomes unbelievable.
Not everyone can be the "last survivor" of their clan! Think before you go fabricating a mimic of the Uchiha massacre- it's not a good stereotype to use in excess.
Do NOT interfere with the real plot! Whatever you do, Don't have your character's history contradict the real timeline or events of the manga/anime. Try to keep away from this completely, and if neccasary, exploit vague or undefined parts of the plot to your advantage. Loopholes can be your best friend in a tight spot.
Don't be afraid to go out on a limb and make your own clans! Just be original, don't mimic any of the canon bloodlines, and be creative with your abilities!
Avoid deep past connections with canons, and this goes DOUBLE for main characters. DO NOT DO THIS! At most, your character might vaguely know about on e character or another, but they should never have ties deeper then this.
Not everyone can be a Missing-nin! Remember that they're criminals, and always have shinobi hunters/tracker-nin hot on their tails. Not a good lot of them even survive for long.
Even if Kakashi and Itachi could do it, that doesn't mean that your character can be a killing machine by age 5. While it's alright to make a ninja who exceeds the average expectation, leave the insane uber-prodigies to Kishimoto.
MOST IMPORTANTLY; when roleplaying, do not go and explain your character's entire life story in the first post. History only needs to be brought up if it has a context to the plot of a roleplay, so keep it a mystery until the time is right.
Step 9: Special Case Character Extras
Jinchuuriki- aka, demon vessels: Undoubtedly, Jinchuuriki are the most difficult of all Naruto character types to create properly, and are almost impossible to make believable. PLEASE- Unless you are an extremely knowledgeable genre lover or a near master of roleplaying, do not even ATTEMPT at this archetype.
Common Misconceptions about the Bijuu (demons) and their vessels:
There are NOT countless demons flooding the world of Naruto. Infact, only NINE of them exist. Yes, they're really that rare.
There are no repeats- no second foxes or other nine-tails. Period.
Demons cannot- and will NEVER- breed- nor produce offspring of any kind.
THEY DO NOT BREED WITH HUMANS! There is no such thing as a halfbreed, hanyou, were-demon, or "partial" demon.
There is no such thing as a "nice" or "friendly" demon. ALL of the bijuu are bloodthirsty and violent killing machines!
Children sealed with demons do not spontaniously grow furry animal parts.
Doing it the RIGHT Way.
An easy guide step-by-step guide to making Ninja that would do Kishimoto-san proud!
***
Starting out: Making the Character Itself
Step 1: Gender
It seems like a pretty simple thing at first; picking whether to make a male or female character. In Kishimoto's world there are no gender restrictions for ninja; however, when picking, there are still a few extra things to consider.
Male: Generally, men have a larger total chakra, meaning that they have better endurence and can expend more energy then a kunoichi before burning out. The downside of this, however, is weaker control; more effort wasted for less result.
Female: In contrast, women (typically) have much more refined control of their chakra then men do. They have less chakra to start with, but don't waste as much and have stronger focus. *Note: There are many kunoichi (female ninja) in the Genin rank, however, the numbers decrease more in the higher ranks. There are *very* few female Jounin and ANBU, keep this in mind for gender balance!
Step 2: Names
Giving your character a fitting name is important. Names are personal and unique. They can have an underlying meaning that explains some deeper aspect of personality, give double meanings, or simply sound nice rolling off the tongue.
There's really only one rule to follow when naming a character. Though Naruto isn't set in Japan specifically, like many other types of anime, it stills shows a heavy Japanese influence. This means that all characters existing in the world of shinobi should have Japanese names! It just wouldn't seem right for Kitty Smith the jounin to be prancing around Konoha, would it?
*Note: Japanese-English translators and dictionary sites can be your best resource for finding the perfect character name!
Step 3: Rank
Remember!- Skill (and age) should always correlate to a character's rank in the world of Naruto. Below is a list of the different possible shinobi rankings, in order from lowest to highest.
Academy Student: Ninjas-to-be who havn't yet passed their graduating exams. Still in training, they're wet behind the ears and just beginning to learn the shinobi arts. In order to graduate and become a Genin (atleast, in Konoha) an academy student must be able to successfully perform three basic jutsus; shadow cloning, transformation and body replacement.
Genin: The first level of true shinobi. After their graduation into the ranking, Genin are sectioned off into cells of three members with complimentary talents and abilities. They are lead by a specially assigned Jounin, who not only teaches and trains them in field situations, but acts almost as "training wheels" to the young ninja while they develop. *Note: There is NO "fourth member" of cell 7, kids. Don't even let that idea tempt you.
Chuunin: Also known as a Journeyman Ninja, they will often still work in groups or pairs for dangerous missions, but are no longer official 'students' to their old Jounin teachers. In order to achieve this rank, Genins must prove themselves in the rigorous Chuunin Exams, testing their survival skills, fighting techniques and leadership ability. Chuunin must be competent with all of these to be successful.
Jounin: Elite ninja who take on the most dangerous "A" class missions, handling the life and death battles that lower ranks couldn't survive. Extremely powerful, Jounin almost always have atleast on e distinctive specialty that sets them apart from other ninjas, be it a summoning pact, kekkei genkai or original jutsu. From asassinations to cross country escorts, Jounin can handle practically anything and are never to be taken lightly.
ANBU: Truly the elite of the elite- aka the Black Ops- a super-specialized asassination squad hand-picked by the Kage. Comprised of the most talented and fierce handful Jounin in a region, they wear ornate animal masks to signify their position and bare a distinctive swirling tattoo on the upper arm. The highest possible ranking that any ninja can hope to achieve, they handle the missions that no others can.
.
Kage: The champion and leader of the people, undoubtedly the strongest of all shinobi. Only the five largest and most populated and successful ninja villages have a Kage- Hokage (Leaf), Mizukage (Mist), Raikage (Cloud), Kazekage (Sand) and Tsutchikage (Stone). However, though they are powerful, they will rarely fight. on ly when his village is jeoperdized will the Kage rise to action, often sacrificing himself to save his people. *Note: your character is NOT a Kage. Don't attempt this-- EVER!
Other Side Ranks to Note:
Sannin (Sennin)- a unique class given to the "legendary three," belonging on ly to Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru. *Note: Your character is not- and will NEVER be- a Sannin. NEVER ATTEMPT THIS.
Medical Ninja- More of an occupation/specialty then a rank, but none the less important. Medical Ninja are vital in dangerous situations, usually specializing in support and healing jutsus. However, there are some who take a more aggressive approach and utilize medical techniques on their opponents; using their knowledge and chakra to turn the body against itself.
Tracker/Shinobi Hunter- A special faction of elite Ninja who act as a sort of "damage control" for their villages. Shinobi Hunters are responsible for tracking down and destroying the rogue shinobi who have abandoned their villages. Like ANBU, they are fiercely powerful and wear masks (not animal themed, however) to hide their features.
Missing-Nin- These are shinobi who have- for one reason or another- abandoned their villages and become rogues. Missing-Nin are considered to be extremely dangerous criminals, and often become mercenaries to whoever will pay or support them.
Sensei- A special function of many special Jounin who agree to teach and train young, inexperienced Genin. While they still perform many of the normal functions in their rank, a Jounin who volunteers for this duty devotes most of their mission time to accompanying, training and protecting their charges as they develop. All Genin cells are lead by a Jounin-sensei.
Step 4: Age
When choosing the age of a character, it's always a good idea to keep things in proportion to on e another. Skill level and rank are affected- above all- by experience. Though it's fine to have an above-average ninja, making a seven year old jounin prodigy would be just a tad unrealistic. Below is a simple, easy to follow general guideline for believable age/rank relationships.
Academy student- 9-13 years
Genin- 12-14 years
Chuunin- 14-18 years
Jounin- 18-25 years
ANBU- 20† years
*Remember! It's always okay to make your character older then neccasary! One of the signs of a truly confident roleplayer is being able to make their character average or below. Afterall, not everyone can be a prodigy.
Step 5: Personality
Personality is, for lack of a better word, personal. As with names, this trait is a very special, close to heart and subjective prefference to the player with almost no restrictions. Just make sure to consider practicality with the ninja's current situation. As the ranks become higher and more difficult, so too should the character's persona be tougher, more experienced, and better controlled.
A few personality archetypes to consider: Remember! Keep in mind that the following is only a collection of stereotypic character bases for players to use as a starting point. Never be afraid to create a unique mixture of different traits or venture beyond these bases.
The Hero- Youthful, strong willed and very (sometimes overly!) confident in themself. Generally very upright people with a strong sense of justice, a Hero type will be the first person to take action when something seems out of place.
The Anti-Hero- A more reclusive and introverted breed then their Hero counterparts. Though often looked down upon by society and peers alike, very few Anti-Heroes are actually evil or ill meaning people; just bitter, stubborn, self absorbed and misunderstood.
The Seductress- Cunning, manipulative vixens who get their way through bending others to their will. Deception and manipulation are their weapons of choice, and because of this they are often unpredictable, untrustworthy people. However, beneath their perfectly groomed surfaces, Seductresses are often vain, overly proud and finicky creatures.
The Machine- Icy, callous and ridiculously stoic. Often believed not even to possess human feelings or emotions, these people are difficult to establish any sort of relationship with because of their extreme introversion. Still, they often make excellent ninjas because of their level headed judgement and inability to faulter. *Note: When using this kind of archetype, remember to consider the effects of acting emotionless all the time. Machines usually aren't completely heartless, and letting their emotions occasionally slip here and there can give them a sense of endearment and realism.
The Hot-head- Those who make rash decisions and constantly fight against becoming too emotionally involved in situations. Whereas Machines are extreme introverts, Hot-heads struggle with the fact that they wear their feelings on their sleeve. Being such extroverts, their hearts are usually in the right place, but keeping their tempers back and their heads clear is always their biggest challenge.
The Mouse- Shyness and introversion in it's most extreme form. These types of people are often terrified to an almost phobic level; shaky, meak and soft spoken. Prone to breaking easily under pressure, they prefer to follow rather then lead. Most Mice are generally good natured and friendly, though they often have trouble connecting with others or speaking out because of their fearful tendencies.
The Total Innocent- Like mice in many respects- often just and shy and reserved- these people are ridiculously sweet natured and innocent... almost to the point of naivite. Although they are endearing in their simplicity and lack of guile, they seem very prone to cracking under the stress of confrontation. Due to their overly trusting nature, they are painfully easy to manipulate or take advantage of- the costly side-effect of sacrificing suspicion and hatred.
The Villain- Perhaps the foulest of all archetypes; cunning, cruel and twisted beings often warped by some traumatic event in life- or simply born with the desire for chaos. Villains are often sadistic, unsettlingly intelligent and conniving creatures, either taking a more "hands on" approach or playing as puppetteer to their armies of minions.
The Creature of Nightmare- Often the associates and puppets of Villains. Creatures of Nightmare have no motive of their own aside from bloodlust and instinct. They do the bidding of their masters with dumb and unequaled loyalty.
The Kind Hearted Devil Figure- Essentially serving the same role as Villains, with a single key differentiation. Though these demonic and seemingly cruel individuals are prone to heavy antagony against the "good" and "pure" characters, they have not detached themselves entirely from emotions and will sometimes fall victim to those very feelings. Occasionally, these lost souls can even be saved by the kindness of other characters and removed from villainy.
The Platonic Ideal- Knowledgeable and wise beyond their years, other characters will often seek these types of people for advice in a difficult situation. Platonic Ideals take after their generalized name sake, constantly looked to by their students and peers alike as an embodiment of what they wish to achieve, a mentor to the less experienced and unsure.
Step 6: Appearence
In an open ended genre like Naruto (as well as most other animes), the sky's practically the limit when it comes to a character's appearence. Hair and eyes can come in almost any color of the rainbow. We'll start, however, from the ground up; beginning with the basic structure of the character's body.
Build/Frame: This can be distinguished by answerring a few simple questions. Is your character going to be short or tall? Slim or chubby? If female, how curvacious and developed? If male, how muscular? Remember to consider both their age and their training background; be as realistic as possible to your character's circumstances!
*Note: Before deciding on eye or hair color, choose a skin tone that you find appealing. Make sure to keep in mind just how it will look compared to your other traits!
Hair: As with most animes out there, hair can be practically any color or style without seeming ridiculous. Bizarre styles, bi-coloring and otherwise random things can be wholly acceptable here. Just remember that- if the character's hair is long- it needs to be kept in a style that will hold it out of the way on missions. Afterall, it would be a shame if a shinobi was killed because their hair kept getting in their eyes during a critical battle. X3 Braids, pigtails, ponytails, wraps, clips and ties can all do the job effectively- and give your character a style that's distinctly their own.
Eyes: Like hair, eyes, also, can come in just about any color under the sun. However, it's important to remember just how the chosen hue will look in comparison to the rest of the characters, their hair, their skin tone, their basic build. *Note: Avoid cliched color descriptions like "blood" red, "baby" blue, "emerald" green, etc. Be creative!
Extras- scars, tattoos and other markings: Adding these sorts of little finishing touches can really give a chacter that extra bit of originality. Just remember to keep it sensible, believable, and most importantly... UNIQUE! Don't fall prey to cliched tattoo designs (yes, resist the urge to use dragons and wolves, kids!) and make sure that all major scars or marks have relevence.
The Universal Rule of Thumb: Make sure that EVERYTHING about your character is relevent in on e way or another! Total randomosity = BAD. X3
Step 7: Clothing
It's fun to design a character's outfit! There are very few restrictions to this aspect of your character's creation... only one little rule to keep in mind...
FORM DOES NOT COME BEFORE FUNCTION!
No matter what, a shinobi's outfit needs to have some practicality, storage and manueverabilty in combat. Sorry girls; mini-skirts, high heels and tank-tops only serve to cripple a kunoichi's feet or expose vulnerable naughty parts for enemy attack. They're out of the question.
When designing an outfit, consider different symbols to incorporate, pouches and areas for weapon storage, and personal preffences alike. Just keep it simple, practical and classy... and make sure to resist the urge against wolves, dragons, or other overly-played cliches.
Be proud! You've just completed the basics of a solid character!
Step 8: History
When creating a character's past, once again, it's important to consider all of their other traits- their personality, prefferences, scars and habits. History is what has shaped them into their current being; always remember that fact. The present is created by the past.
Tips to Remember and Things to Avoid:
Angst is okay, but DON'T go overboard with it. Bad things DO happen, and it's fine to indulge in a bit of blood and gore; just don't get so gratuitous with it that the story becomes unbelievable.
Not everyone can be the "last survivor" of their clan! Think before you go fabricating a mimic of the Uchiha massacre- it's not a good stereotype to use in excess.
Do NOT interfere with the real plot! Whatever you do, Don't have your character's history contradict the real timeline or events of the manga/anime. Try to keep away from this completely, and if neccasary, exploit vague or undefined parts of the plot to your advantage. Loopholes can be your best friend in a tight spot.
Don't be afraid to go out on a limb and make your own clans! Just be original, don't mimic any of the canon bloodlines, and be creative with your abilities!
Avoid deep past connections with canons, and this goes DOUBLE for main characters. DO NOT DO THIS! At most, your character might vaguely know about on e character or another, but they should never have ties deeper then this.
Not everyone can be a Missing-nin! Remember that they're criminals, and always have shinobi hunters/tracker-nin hot on their tails. Not a good lot of them even survive for long.
Even if Kakashi and Itachi could do it, that doesn't mean that your character can be a killing machine by age 5. While it's alright to make a ninja who exceeds the average expectation, leave the insane uber-prodigies to Kishimoto.
MOST IMPORTANTLY; when roleplaying, do not go and explain your character's entire life story in the first post. History only needs to be brought up if it has a context to the plot of a roleplay, so keep it a mystery until the time is right.
Step 9: Special Case Character Extras
Jinchuuriki- aka, demon vessels: Undoubtedly, Jinchuuriki are the most difficult of all Naruto character types to create properly, and are almost impossible to make believable. PLEASE- Unless you are an extremely knowledgeable genre lover or a near master of roleplaying, do not even ATTEMPT at this archetype.
Common Misconceptions about the Bijuu (demons) and their vessels:
There are NOT countless demons flooding the world of Naruto. Infact, only NINE of them exist. Yes, they're really that rare.
There are no repeats- no second foxes or other nine-tails. Period.
Demons cannot- and will NEVER- breed- nor produce offspring of any kind.
THEY DO NOT BREED WITH HUMANS! There is no such thing as a halfbreed, hanyou, were-demon, or "partial" demon.
There is no such thing as a "nice" or "friendly" demon. ALL of the bijuu are bloodthirsty and violent killing machines!
Children sealed with demons do not spontaniously grow furry animal parts.
