Shikamaru Nara

Strategist ninja of the Shadow Imitation Technique

High-IQ ninja from Konohagakure who uses the Shadow Imitation Technique, serving as the leader of Team 10, a calm and composed strategist.

Quotes

  • "What a drag" — Shikamaru's characteristic catchphrase expressing lack of motivation.
  • "It's just a matter of using your head" — Represents calm, logical thinking in battle.
  • "Humans are done for once they stop thinking" — Famous quote hating mental stagnation.
  • "A strategist is someone who uses their head" — Words expressing his philosophy.
  • "Anticipate the worst scenario and prepare for it" — Insight as a tactician.

Trivia

  • Stated to have IQ over 200 in the main story, possesses genius-level intellect.
  • Likes cigarettes, frequently depicted smoking.
  • In Chunin Exam brain battle, cornered Temari but lost due to chakra depletion.
  • Tormented by guilt over Asuma's death but honed team coordination upon recovery.
  • Skilled at shogi, frequently shown playing in the series.
  • Lazy but reliably completes work.

Alternate names

Shikamaru Nara Shadow Imitation Shikamaru Mr. Shikamaru

Tags

Ninja Konohagakure Tactician Team 10 Shadow Imitation Technique High IQ Intellectual Team Leader Calm and Composed Strategist

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male
Birthday
September 22
Birth year
Around the Shinobi World War

Appearance

Overall appearance
Black hair tied back in a distinctive ponytail. Usually sports stubble, constantly expressing lack of motivation. Slim and rugged build with sharp eyes.
Height
Approximately 175cm
Weight
Secret
Eye color
Black
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Ponytail
  • Stubble
  • Sharp gaze
Iconic items
  • Ninja tools required for Shadow Imitation Technique
  • Shuriken
  • Favorite cigarettes (inherited from Asuma Sarutobi)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Calm
Detailed personality
Lazy but extremely brilliant-minded, handles critical situations calmly, and leads comrades to victory with sharp strategic insight. Catchphrase is 'What a drag'. Prefers solitude but caring toward friends and loyal.
Keywords
  • Calm
  • Brilliant mind
  • Tactician
  • Lazy
  • Loyalty
  • Analytical
  • Calculating
  • Leadership
Motto
Give your best effort when you have no motivation
Talents
  • Tactician
  • Shadow Possession Ninjutsu
  • Shadow Imitation Technique
  • High IQ (over 200)
  • Insight
  • Computational skills
  • Battlefield analysis
  • Ninja tool throwing
Skills
  • Ninjutsu
  • Intelligence analysis
  • Leadership
  • Infiltration and reconnaissance
  • Team coordination
Motivation
Protect comrades and achieve victory with minimal combat
Habits
Frequently says 'What a drag', smokes often
Favorite foods
Sweets, Cigarettes
Hobbies
Shogi, Napping
Disliked situations
Pointless conflicts, Troublesome things

History

Backstory
Raised as a ninja of the Nara clan, displayed superior intelligence from a young age. Tended to neglect academics during the Academy but grew while honing skills against the village's elite due to exceptional intellect. Advanced far in the Chunin Exams using strategy and brains, earning early promotion to chunin.
Debut date
September 21, 1999
Work title
Naruto
Media type
Manga
Episode or chapter
Chapter 19 'Longing Burns Like a Flame'

Chunin Exam performance

Significant event
Chunin Exam performance
Description
Advances through the exam using brain battles and Shadow Imitation Technique.

Stalling during Konoha Crush

Significant event
Stalling during Konoha Crush
Description
Contributes to victory in battle against Sound Ninja forces and plays a role in saving comrades.

Appointed leader of Team 10

Significant event
Appointed leader of Team 10
Description
Leads coordination with Choji, Ino, and Asuma.

Asuma's death

Significant event
Asuma's death
Description
Tormented by guilt over mentor Asuma's death but recovers with comrades' support.

Command during Fourth Shinobi World War

Significant event
Command during Fourth Shinobi World War
Description
After promotion to jonin, serves as vice captain (later acting captain) of the 4th Division, taking command of battles.

Relationships

Shikaku Nara

Father

Strict father with a mutually respectful relationship. Strategic insight inherited from father.

Yoshino Nara

Mother

Reliable mother and emotional pillar of the family.

Choji Akimichi

Best friend

Longtime comrade from the same class and Team 10, sharing joys and hardships. Deeply trusting best friends.

Ino Yamanaka

Best friend

Female member of Team 10. They support each other and frequently coordinate.

Asuma Sarutobi

Mentor

Jonin instructor of Team 10. Cared deeply for his students and always supported them. Asuma's death has a major impact.

Naruto Uzumaki

Teammate

Comrade since childhood and trusted peer. Overcame fierce battles together.

Kakashi Hatake

Mentor

Jonin, later Sixth Hokage. Collaborated on missions and strategies, mutual respect.

Team 10

Team 10: leader

Konohagakure

Konohagakure: strategist

Media appearances

Naruto

Manga / Protagonist

Serialization began in 1999

Naruto

Anime / Supporting

Began airing on TV Tokyo network in 2002

Naruto: Shippuden

Anime / Supporting

Began airing in 2007

Naruto the Movie

Movie / Supporting

Appears in multiple films

Naruto video game series

Game / Playable character

Appears in numerous titles

Voice cast and creators

Shōtarō Morikubo

Voice actor
Shōtarō Morikubo
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime edition/Naruto
Notes
Representative voice actor

Clifford Chapin

Voice actor
Clifford Chapin
Language
English
Version or series
English dub

Masashi Kishimoto

Creator name
Masashi Kishimoto
Role
Original author

Shueisha

Creator name
Shueisha
Role
Publisher

Pierrot

Creator name
Pierrot
Role
Animation Studio

Related goods

Shikamaru Nara Figure

Item name
Shikamaru Nara Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Shikamaru Nara Acrylic Keychain

Item name
Shikamaru Nara Acrylic Keychain
Category
Accessory
Availability
Regular

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