Kakashi Love Song

Almost everyone who follows the Naruto/Naruto Shippuden series naturally begins to have a favorite character. I have more than one, since there are so many interesting characters, but Kakashi stands out as the top favorite. Like some anime reviewers, I am intrigued by the duality of his personality — the laid back, easygoing teacher and the serious, intense shinobi.

Scarecrow Kakashi


But this isn’t an ode to my feelings for Kakashi; rather, it’s an opportunity to talk about the episode that bears the same name as this post. So, last week, I got a fortune out of a cookie that immediately made me think of “Kakashi Love Song.”

Fortune Cookie

On it’s own it sounds like a reference to Kakashi’s penchant for passing time at a particular Konaha Memorial Grave Stone, and how his past has affected what he chooses to instill in his students. But within the context of the episode, the possible interpretations become more universal.

Been awhile since you’ve seen it? Here’s the video, Episode 191 from Season 5 of Naruto Shippuden, on Anime Planet.

If you’ve ever been in love, I’m sure you can relate to that nameless feeling Kakashi must’ve had while standing on that cliff. It’s the quandary of having two very separate yet simultaneous emotions. On the one hand, he is bound by his sense of duty to complete his mission. And on the other hand, he is filled with a sense of mourning for someone who used to be important to him but no longer has a place in his life.

To me, this simple fortune, “We must always have old memories and young hopes,” encapsulates a way of dealing with these kinds of dual emotions. It creates a place for old memories to exist as they were, while granting the freedom to hope anew. And that’s how it should be. Somewhere behind Kakashi’s detached demeanor, in the remote hills of his mind, he sits with a girl as they both gaze at the clouds.

Naruto Shippuden

Although my interest in anime has survived all these years, the time I can devote to finding and watching new episodes has drastically dwindled. One anime that I still make a point to follow is the Naruto Shippuden series. Luckily, the internet has made it much easier for me; the ongoing series is updated regularly, and can be watched at the Official Viz site.

Naruto Cast

The story continues from the original Naruto series, with an older and more seasoned cast. If you’re one of the few who are just now tuning in after the original, you can be relieved. The immature antics of young Naruto and his classmates are mostly gone. Instead we have young adults whose will and vision have been tempered by suffering, and forever altered by the passing of lives and time.

Enter the protagonist Naruto. No longer the “#1 Hyperactive Knuckle-headed Ninja,” the fiesty fellow has come into a calmness born of mastering his Jinchuriki. He remains a devoted villager, a tenacious fighter, and a loyal friend. Now more than ever, Naruto seems ready to fulfill his vow to one day become the Hokage.

Naruto

But what is a hero without a nemesis? Sasuke, once a teammate and friend, has set off to pursue his own agenda. Armed with mysterious powers and a new group of allies, Sasuke’s presence in the series serves as constant suspense. When will Naruto finally get the chance to confront Sasuke? When they battle, whose jutsu will come out victorious? And perhaps foremost on the minds of Sasuke fans everywhere, will the young Uchiha prove to be a good guy underneath it all?

Sasuke

Read more about the series on the Naruto Wikipedia page.