Latest news with #Pain
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The dark allure of Anime villains: The psychology of Pain, Aizen, Sukuna and more
Credits: Sportskeeda Anime has a rich tradition of complex villains whose personal stories go beyond simple evil. Characters like Pain (Nagato) from Naruto Shippuden , Aizen from Bleach , and Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen each carry deep backstories – from trauma and loss to grand ambitions. Fans often find these anime villains as compelling as the heroes, sometimes more so. Psychology helps explain why. Research suggests that villains with tragic pasts or human motives can evoke empathy, making them relatable. In fact, when a villain faces defeat, our brain's 'pain matrix' can kick in – we worry about their fate and even root for them. One fan blog notes that viewers may think 'I hate you, but I understand where you're coming from' and may secretly want the villain to win. This empathic response to villains helps explain their popularity: by seeing 'the humanity and underlying struggles' in a foe like Pain or Madara, audiences can feel sympathy and admiration. Complex villains and Anime morality Unlike one-dimensional bad guys, many popular antagonists blur moral lines. For example, Pain Naruto's arc is fueled by real loss: he endured war, witnessed the death of loved ones, and concluded that shared suffering is the only path to peace. His philosophy ('If one does not experience the same pain, they will never truly understand') forces hero and audience alike to question what 'justice' really means. In Bleach , Aizen presents a friendly facade but is actually a manipulative mastermind who wants godlike power. His calm, condescending style (dropping polite pronouns only after revealing his true self) exemplifies narcissistic ambition. In Jujutsu Kaisen , Sukuna is unabashedly evil – he 'lives only to fulfill his own whims and pleasures'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cinnamon: The Greatest Enemy of Blood Sugar Magazine Glyco Learn More Undo Yet fans are enthralled by his charisma and sheer power. Sportskeeda describes Sukuna as 'shrewd and strategic' with an 'extremely charismatic personality' that is 'both awe-inspiring and terrifying'. This mix of brutal power and confidence makes even a cruel character like Sukuna a fan favorite in the psychological anime community. Credits: CBR Trauma, power and redemption Many anime villains begin as victims of their world. Naruto's Pain grew up under war and was orphaned; his turn to villainy is steeped in that trauma. Similarly, One Piece's Doflamingo suffered childhood abuse as a former Celestial Dragon, feeding an extreme worldview. Fans often sympathize once they learn these backstories. As one analysis notes, anime series frequently reveal villains' humanity over time: Pain, Madara, Obito (also from Naruto ) 'initially appeared as detestable foes. However, as their backstories unfold, their humanity and underlying struggles become evident, earning them sympathy and admiration from fans'. Hunter x Hunter's Meruem illustrates this deeply. Born as the ruthless Chimera Ant King, he is utterly heartless at first. But through his bond with Komugi, a blind girl, Meruem begins to understand kindness and mortality. His transformation 'from a cold antagonist to an empathetic being is a storytelling masterclass' that challenges viewers' notions of evil and redemption. Such redemption arcs – often absent in Western villains – are key to anime morality : they show that even the darkest characters can reveal light, and that justice is complicated. Why fans love the villains Credits: CBR So why do complex villains sometimes outshine the heroes? Part of it is sheer charisma. Doflamingo's flamboyant cruelty and Aizen's cold genius make them endlessly entertaining. Part is relatability: many fans see a bit of their own struggles in these characters. Studies even suggest people pay more attention to villains than heroes, wondering if they'll ever get redemption. When Pain narrates the cycle of hatred or Meruem reflects on life, viewers get profound philosophy rarely seen in action shows. The result is a deep connection. Social media and surveys back this up: Sukuna topped many recent character popularity polls, and Meruem remains a fan favorite long after Hunter x Hunter ended. As Sportskeeda notes, fans tend to 'encounter villains whose actions, while unjustifiable, are rooted in circumstances that offer an understanding of their motivations'. This shift from disdain to empathy often makes villains more memorable and beloved. Indeed, timesofindia and other outlets list many anime bad guys (from Team Rocket to Dio Brando to Griffith) among fans' top favorites. These cult followings show that well-written antagonists have a real cultural impact: they spawn memes, inspire fan art, and even spark debates about justice. Conclusion In the end, the psychology of anime villains combines trauma, narcissism, power, and moral ambiguity. Pain Naruto's sorrow, Aizen Bleach's intellect, Sukuna Jujutsu Kaisen's brutality, and others show that villains in anime are rarely 'pure evil.' Instead, they often mirror the heroes' values in twisted ways – revealing deeper questions about empathy and morality. Fans are drawn to them because they are fully human (or superhuman) – flawed, deep, and at times sympathetic. As one analysis puts it, these characters 'transcend the label of 'absolute evil,' becoming more memorable and popular among audiences' who can't help but feel for their causes. By exploring their psychology, anime invites us to reflect on the gray areas of good and bad – and why sometimes the villains' stories leave as strong an impression as the heroes'. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When does Naruto learn sage mode? Explained with what happened next
Naruto could be said to be one of the most powerful characters from the series and why not, he is the protagonist of course. The hero of Konoha had multiple tricks up his sleeve and some of them were immensely powerful. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now One such ability of Naruto was the Sage Mode that we got to see in the Naruto Shippuden. Now, for those who really want to explore how it happened and how it went when the first time our protagonist used the Sage Mode, we are at the right place. Moving forward in this article, we discuss Naruto's Sage Mode in detail/. Naruto's Sage Mode: Beginning and first application It all started after Jiraiya's death in the show which triggered a lot of emotions in Naruto. After that, Naruto visits Mount Myoboku where he learns the art of Senjutsu which is based on natural energy. In this training, Naruto was taught the process of absorbing natural energy and balancing all the energy zones to enter Sage Mode. Once Naruto mastered the full-blown mode, he was ready for a battle. Nonetheless, a battle came knocking on his door when Pain destroyed Konoha village with his 'Almighty Push.' And the Naruto arrives at Konoha to take on Pain and he enters with his Sage Mode in action. Our protagonist takes on different forms of pain showing the whole village that Naruto is not just a regular shinobi anymore. Amidst the fight between Pain and Naruto., Hinata jumps in to protect Naruto in which she gets severely injured. And this triggers his transformation in the six-tailed form of Kurama. Things went south after this incident and only came into control when Minato met Naruto in his sub conscious state of mind and helped him tame Kurama. All in all, this is the summary of all that happened when Naruto used the Sage Mode for the first time.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Naruto and Hinata's love story: The shy girl who captured a hero's heart
Naruto is famous for its deep, thrilling battles, illuminating emotional narratives, and most of all, its heartwarming protagonists. One of the most beautiful aspects of the series is one of the most understated — the gradual, moving, blossoming romance between Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As thousands of fans showed up each night to catch a glimpse of the magic unfolding in front of their eyes, a much fluffier romance was developing behind the scenes. It sure as hell wasn't quick. It wasn't noisy. It nevertheless was — and it went on to become one of the most iconic pairings in anime history. Here's what you need to understand about Naruto and Hinata's romance, broken down for new and old fans alike. Who is Hinata Hyuga, anyway? Hinata is a member of the elite Hyuga Clan, famous for their bloodline eyes — the Byakugan — and master fighting ability. Hinata wasn't cut from the same cloth as the rest of her family. She was an example of the perfect shinobi – quiet, kind, and extremely shy, particularly when it came to one individual in particular: Naruto Uzumaki. Especially early on, Hinata looked up to Naruto. Even when the whole world – or at least the whole village – was against him, Hinata recognized his courage and fighting spirit. She always believed in him, when he had nothing to his name. Naruto initially didn't notice Hinata As such, in the first half of the series, Naruto was completely unaware that Hinata had a crush on him. He was too focused on pursuing his own aspirations and was infatuated with another girl, Sakura Haruno. Hinata, extremely shy, often couldn't speak to Naruto without passing out or standing behind a tree. Behind the scenes, she was a powerful and consistent supporter of him. She supported him behind the scenes and defended him from the mockery of his peers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Her love was unknown, but unmatched. Hinata put her life on the line to save Naruto Perhaps one of the most heart-wrenching turning points was during the Pain invasion arc, when the villain Pain invaded the Hidden Leaf Village. Hinata had her own reasons, the story became a beloved narrative that Hinata jumped into the fight just as Naruto was losing and potentially dying when she stepped in and protected him. Even when she knew she would not be able to win, Hinata chose to confront Pain. She confessed she loved Naruto for the first time and at least partially because of that, fought for his life. Pain brought her low, and Naruto was driven into a fury. Hinata's courage took root as an ember in Naruto's soul. That was the first time he realized the lengths Hinata would go to for him. The moment Naruto realised he loved Hinata While Naruto didn't love Hinata at first sight, her unquestioning encouragement never left him. As time went on—especially through the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War—he started to perceive her differently. Personal moments like watching Neji Hyuga — Hinata's cousin! Hinata came close to fainting from sadness, and Naruto grabbed her hand. In response, he said, 'Thank you… for what I hear other men don't have — always being right there by my side.' It was only the beginning of the way their emotional connection blossomed into something deeper, more romantic and ultimately into true love. The last: Naruto the movie – Their musical adventure It wasn't until the movie 'The Last: Naruto the Movie,' that Naruto and Hinata's relationship was fully realized. It's a touching moment, and encapsulates the journey of Naruto rediscovering Hinata's feelings from years past as well as his own. There's a scene in which Naruto starts to perceive all the ways that Hinata has been supporting him behind the scenes, and in so doing comes to realize Hinata's love for him. As they battle the mafia together to rescue her sister Hanabi, along the way, Naruto actually, genuinely falls in love with Hinata. In one of the most gorgeous anime scenes ever, Naruto admits to Sakura, 'I love you, Hinata.' Later, they share their first kiss under the moonlight — a moment years in the making that fans couldn't wait to see. Naruto and Hinata get married and start a family After the events of The Last, Naruto and Hinata get married. Their wedding is shown in Naruto Shippuden episode 500 — a heartfelt goodbye to the series and a new beginning. In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, we see them as parents. They have two children — Boruto Uzumaki and Himawari Uzumaki. Hinata becomes a strong, loving mother, and Naruto works hard as the Seventh Hokage while doing his best to be there for his family. Naruto and Hinata's Love Story Is a Hidden Gem Naruto and Hinata didn't fall in love overnight. Their story is about patience, quiet strength, and deep respect. Hinata loved Naruto long before he was a hero — and Naruto grew to love her because of her heart. Their relationship is a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the strongest love isn't loud — it's steady, loyal, and never gives up. For anime fans and newcomers alike, Naruto and Hinata's romance is one of the most emotional love stories you'll ever see.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kishimoto explains why writing Naruto was most difficult after the pain arc
Credits: Crunchyroll Masashi Kishimoto, the driving force behind Naruto , blessed anime fans with one of the most consequential arcs in anime history with the Pain arc. As he would find out — just as sustaining the plot past this earth-shaking act to a new, satisfying dramatic arc — the greatest, most shaping test of his 11-year tenure. Join us as we explore why the post-Pain arc era of Naruto was such a watershed moment—not only for the story at hand, but for Kishimoto himself. The pain arc as Naruto's creative summit and Emotional Zenith Credits: Crunchyroll In fact, the Pain arc, in which Naruto gets his best friend Sasuke back from evil and then fights (and philosophically defeats) the villain Nagato (Pain) is considered the emotional and intellectual highpoint of the whole series. To the audience's delight, Naruto eventually brings the village's respect and proves that he not only lived out Jiraiya's legacy and defeated his childhood demons, but he grew up and really deserved it. It was so much of an end that when asked what he was going to do after this arc, according to Kishimoto, it felt like a wrap-up. It was difficult to top it emotionally, he admitted in post-game interviews. This is because he had developed Naruto, at this specific time, to such a level of maturity that unearthing new inner conflict was a challenge. Post-pain struggles: Balancing power, story, and Sasuke After Pain arc, Kishimoto had to find a new big bad to bring the heat and raise the stakes. So go figure, Obito, Madara and Kaguya. Right there, a weird pacing problem, because we needed to keep Naruto's emotional down-to-earth-ness but have things move forward. Sasuke was still wandering,' he recalled. Crafting Sasuke's fractured, ambiguous psyche, his equivocal moral compass, and the intensifying stakes and increasingly personal nature of a war against the world proved to be a heavy burden both creatively and emotionally for Kishimoto. In the course of writing, he discovered that the transition between this character-focused narrative to the grand scope of war with its long-lasting implications was tonally jarring and difficult to manage. Naruto's final arcs: What Kishimoto learned from the challenge Credits: Crunchyroll Despite all these trials and tribulations, Kishimoto knew he wanted to end the saga with an ending that was authentic to the tale. Even in the midst of major battle scenes he focused throughout the script on themes of togetherness, harmony and forgiveness. Looking back on it now, he says that post-Pain stretch was an essential crash course in pacing and in long-form character building. While not every one of its arcs matched the emotional weight of Pain's invasion, the journey continued to be true to what makes Naruto so special. In the end, Kishimoto's failures after the Pain arc are a textbook case of high story telling standards becoming an issue upon themselves. It was in that struggle that his odyssey continued and ultimately grew into one of the most well-liked and lucrative anime and manga franchises on the planet. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Why are Naruto and Sasuke still Genin even though they are the most powerful shinobi in existence?
The most powerful ninjas in history are still relegated to the lowest rank—and it's no typo. Even in the advanced shinobi world of Boruto, Inari's worries are still very real today. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Five years into the era of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, one question still haunts the minds of anime fans everywhere: Why are Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha—two heroes who stepped up to save the entire world—still genin? Even after taking on literal gods, spearheading the victory in the Fourth Shinobi World War, and becoming individually the strongest ninja to ever exist, Naruto and Sasuke never officially ranked up past the very first shinobi rank. There are honest-to-god reasons for this choice and it actually speaks volumes about the world of Naruto. Naruto and Sasuke lost their opportunity Naruto and Sasuke are both first challengers in the Chunin Exams in Part I of the original Naruto anime. The exams were cut short by Orochimaru's attack on the Hidden Leaf Village and only Shikamaru Nara was allowed to be promoted. Soon after, Naruto departed to train with Jiraiya, and Sasuke defected from the village shades of gray altogether. This would require that neither of them be ever able to retake the exams. By the time Naruto Shippuden rolled around, the ninja world was still in upheaval—now against the Akatsuki, Pain, Madara Uchiha, and eventually Kaguya Otsutsuki. The world didn't need protocol, the world needed fighters. Unlike Naruto, as a direct answer to the above, once Naruto and Sasuke translated the IP into continued fighting, we never went back to the old promotion model. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Still Genin in Boruto—And that's canon Boruto Episode 48 put that to rest by confirming Naruto never retook the Chunin Exams and stayed a genin. Series creator Masashi Kishimoto corroborated this, noting that he intentionally left Naruto at the genin rank because it was 'in character' and provided a funnier angle. Sasuke stayed out of the established shinobi structure. As a rogue ninja turned global peacekeeper, he wasn't in it for the badges or accolades. Now he works from the shadows, known as the 'Shadow Hokage' for his behind-the-scenes that, we should be taking voice input when people are physically in front of us. A look at the shinobi rank system The shinobi world is structured around a tightly hierarchical, rank-based system. Genin: Beginner ninjas, do the most basic of missions. Chunin: Mid-level leaders, squad commanders. Jonin , Heir to the legacy of one of the last elite ninjas, one who teaches the elite skills in combat and strategy. Kage : Village leader, the strongest ninja of them all. Ninja usually progress by test or by referral. Naruto and Sasuke's journeys completely avoided the system. Power that transcends rank Neither of them holds a candle to the Kage both of them surpass, let alone every other Kage before them. Naruto capped the saga in a largely peaceful world by fulfilling his dream of becoming the Seventh Hokage, while his friend and rival Sasuke was recognized as his equal—the only one who could ever hope to tea. In reality, while officially still genin, their strength, experience and leadership duties are well beyond the scope of their ranks. Naruto's increased load as Hokage rendered such exams redundant, while Sasuke's off-the-books mission to keep an eye on new threats to the world's peace gave him neither the time nor the need for a structured promotion. The real meaning behind it At its core, Naruto's story isn't about climbing a ladder—it's about earning respect, protecting loved ones, and changing the world. His rank was never the goal. Becoming Hokage wasn't about titles; it was about being acknowledged. 'I don't care if I stay a genin forever. I'll become Hokage someday!' — Naruto Uzumaki For Sasuke, ranks mean little. He walks his own path, one built on redemption and silent duty. As he once said: 'This is the path I walk. Not you or anyone can change that.' — Sasuke Uchiha Their genin status isn't a flaw—it's a symbol. It reflects how strength and purpose outweigh formal recognition in the world of shinobi. Where to watch Naruto and Boruto Want to see it for yourself? You can stream Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations on: Crunchyroll Netflix Hulu Funimation Final thoughts Naruto and Sasuke may still be genin, but they've long outgrown the title. In a world where rank often defines status, these two remind us that true strength lies in action, not titles. They didn't need a promotion—they became legends anyway.
