Character Foils - Tumblr Posts
Great observation! Both the girls support each other and are the only few people who can do anything against omnipotence because of their awareness of the issue. I hate neither of the girls and I know that their interactions moves the plot forward. I'm just excited to see how it's going to move ahead.
Examining Foils: Sumire Kakei & Sarada Uchiha
Part 1:
First chapter of TBV with Eida and daemon challenging Sarada, sumire saved them both. Sarada is always so close to blowing their cover (and I loooove her and Sakura, but they are both volatile lol) and they even show sumire thinking of the mission Shikamaru gave them. This shows how intentional she actually is. It also contrasts to how Sarada never does, despite being the more outwardly ninja of the two.
I think sumire is a great pairing & foil for Sarada, she brings the calculated behavior & cunning personality of a ninja & Sarada brings the passionate heart & strength. Combined, they’re a force to be reckoned with. The manga seems to be setting them up to play off each others strengths. The fact that the confrontation with Eida/Daemon happened directly after shikamaru criticized Sarada’s impulsive brashness, & Sarada noted her own harshness, is significant imo.
Shikamarus strength lies largely in his stealth as a ninja. With later context of him willing to speak to boruto & admitting he will keep his cover as hokage and publicly oppose him while secretly sharing a truce. I think ppl misinterpret shikamarus critique, I believe his main critique of Sarada is how she is going about things, she’s relying on force and not enough on stealth to resolve omnipotence. A true ninja must utilize the shadows and that’s quite literally shikamaru’s ninja way.
When talking to her, he never states his PERSONAL feelings or opinions on the matter, just the diplomatic facts. That’s purposeful.
He actually stops Konohamaru from criticizing Sarada’s passion, remember- shikamaru is VERY big on the will of fire, more hints that it’s not Sarada’s passion that’s the problem, it’s what she’s lacking (patience, stealth & discipline) that’s hindering her growth as a ninja
It seems even Sarada deep down realizes where her problem actually lies
She keeps trying to attack the issue head on instead of thinking like a ninja and gathering intel, planning, and maintaining cover to keep her access to more information for her mission (mission being justice & resolution for boruto)
Another direct parallel with Sarada is that Sumire is the catalyst for Shikamaru to have a change of heart.
By gathering intel that can be used to prove Boruto’s innocence, Sumire led to the biggest amount of progress in Konoha for Borutos case since it started.
Sumire is shown directly making the connection by thinking back to a convo where boruto should be significant to Amado in an effort to make a case for Boruto to be helped. She’s not mindlessly asking him questions, she’s connecting the dots and trying to influence others to help Boruto.
The story has established she thinks back to the mission at hand a lot. I would even bet that she was betting on her convo being listened to by Ino & thus shikamaru by extension. When she thinks of shikamaru in chapter 1, it’s when he was dropping in on their convo via Ino.
& Again, first thing TBV starts with is Sarada failing to get through to shikamaru, and her relaying her failure and frustration to sumire. This marks it’s importance. Sarada noted where she failed with Shikamaru to Sumire, “I was really harsh again” and a few chapters later we have Sumire trying a different approach after listening to Sarada’s failure.
This page ^ of Sai asking Shikamaru what he thinks of Sumire and Amado’s convo goes right into Sumire relaying what she learned to Sarada. The composition hints at connecting the scenes. As well as their first convo of TBV ending with Sarada leaving a question that defines their predicament & sumire taking an active role in the next scenes after.
This, to me, seems like the writers are hinting that Sumire is taking Sarada’s question on in her own ninja way. What Sarada is not seeing, Sumire is. While Sarada will likely be coming in to provide the force needed until she learns to incorporate stealth into her arsenal better.
Having Sumire there when Hidari first attacks Sarada seems to me that Sarada will start taking on her role as Sumires foil in TBV too. Because Sarada balances out Sumires weak areas as well. Their dynamic with boruto being one of the main areas that shows Sumires flaws. She is overly cautious and hesitant where Sarada is more direct with him, leading to Sumire seeming disappointed.
Despite the work she’s doing for boruto to receive justice as well, Sarada gets the big moment & acknowledgment while she seems to feel conflicted & left out. I definitely think this moment will impact her going forward to be more direct.
As the story builds more context I will definitely do more analysis of their foil dynamic and how it progresses! I think these first chapters of the series is to establish the dynamics and we’ll start to see more growth later on.
*& pls no hatred of either girl! I like both characters and see potential in both
**this was written with Chapter 10 of TBV being the most recent release
Why Daenerys Targaryen and Cersei Lannister are foils + Relationship with the common people (4/?)
Cersei and Daenerys are intended as parallel characters – each exploring a different approach to how a woman would rule in a male dominated, medieval-inspired fantasy world.—GRRM
thinking about how percy was SEETHING with anger as soon as ares mentioned his mom. and later luke was INSTANTLY angry and attacked percy when he mentioned his dad. both are angry when their parents are mentioned but for such different reasons… and how that is the crux of their characters… percy fights because of his loved ones, in defense of them, to protect them. he lets his anger fuel him to do good, to try and make the world a better place. luke fights because of his anger and resentment towards the gods, even if his choices will hurt his loved ones. he lets his anger fuel him to go down the wrong path, lets it take over and leave rational thinking behind. yeah
This is just a dump post cause I think too much about a dog guy
So I made an OC called Dogman (he's a superhero, because obviously.), basically being a dog in human form but my goodness do I make things...
He is every dog motif in one person. He refuses to give up on anyone, even those who are far beyond saving. He will go through great pain and hurt to protect everyone from anything. He doesn't understand when someone doesn't like him or doesn't want to be his friend. He tries and tries to gain positivity in everyone's eyes. He has a boiling point. He barks, snarls, bites. He is good, he hopes.
Protecting his small town, he's adored by everyone. No one wants him to leave. Not even his nemesis, Sterling Shaw.
They make me want to scream.
Sterling "I can control people simply by touching them" Shaw & Connor "I've never been afraid to touch you" Cairn.
Sterling "everyone leaves me so I'll kick them even harder" Shaw & Connor "I'll never leave, no matter how hard they kick" Cairn.
Sterling "I'll destroy Connor, I'll ruin him" Shaw & Connor "I'll save Sterling, I'll protect him" Cairn.
DO. YOU. FUCKING. SEE.
Sterling has never had a friendship unbound. He doesn't understand giving. Only taking and taking. He has never had a connection not built on chains and demands. He latches onto his slaves' need to obey. They need his orders like they need air. He is bad, he knows.
They're sick. I love them.
Also I made a playlist for them, if you're interested!! It's mostly Mitski, cause I have a problem.
I came up with this idea and these characters YESTERDAY and they've rotted my brain.
I need someone else to understand my vision. Please.
I can't even develop them because every time I think about them I feel sick and have to start pacing.
This is just a dump post cause I think too much about a dog guy
So I made an OC called Dogman (he's a superhero, because obviously.), basically being a dog in human form but my goodness do I make things...
He is every dog motif in one person. He refuses to give up on anyone, even those who are far beyond saving. He will go through great pain and hurt to protect everyone from anything. He doesn't understand when someone doesn't like him or doesn't want to be his friend. He tries and tries to gain positivity in everyone's eyes. He has a boiling point. He barks, snarls, bites. He is good, he hopes.
Protecting his small town, he's adored by everyone. No one wants him to leave. Not even his nemesis, Sterling Shaw.
They make me want to scream.
Sterling "I can control people simply by touching them" Shaw & Connor "I've never been afraid to touch you" Cairn.
Sterling "everyone leaves me so I'll kick them even harder" Shaw & Connor "I'll never leave, no matter how hard they kick" Cairn.
Sterling "I'll destroy Connor, I'll ruin him" Shaw & Connor "I'll save Sterling, I'll protect him" Cairn.
DO. YOU. FUCKING. SEE.
Sterling has never had a friendship unbound. He doesn't understand giving. Only taking and taking. He has never had a connection not built on chains and demands. He latches onto his slaves' need to obey. They need his orders like they need air. He is bad, he knows.
They're sick. I love them.
Also I made a playlist for them, if you're interested!! It's mostly Mitski, cause I have a problem.
I came up with this idea and these characters YESTERDAY and they've rotted my brain.
I need someone else to understand my vision. Please.