There is a well-known Universal Law related to fandom that goes, in one of its many variations, “Every time you try to drag real physics into a discussion about a fantasy story, God kills a catgirl…”
If this is true, then i am probably guilty of High Crimes Against Catgirls under the Thought Crimes section of Interfandom Law, because i feel the compulsive need to make sure techniques used in my Naruto fanfics operate in a consistent manner and make some logical sense. This is an absurd and futile task, i know, given the confusing and often self-contradictory state of Naruto canon, but i still feel the need to attempt to bring some semblance of order to the chaos.
Thus, in this, the inaugural post of the Killing Catgirls category, i will offer a few brief thoughts on the why and how of doujutsu, or ‘eye techniques’ in Naruto, which are often presented as more effective than regular techniques in whatever technique category they happen to fall under (usually ninjusu or genjutsu).
The visual cortex of the human brain is (from current medical theories) actually a complicated, distributed system of many almost modular sub-sections within the brain, and the way the brain processes and integrates visual and other stimuli to create the sensory ’image’ of the world that the conscious mind perceives is a lot more involved than it might seem.
Therefore, one possible reason why doujutsu can accomplish things that would be difficult or impossible for regular jutsu might be that doujutsu users, whether by bloodline limit, rigorous training, or natural talent, have somehow become able to more easily tap into the complex ‘world imaging’ system that the brain uses to create the create the world we perceive, and utilize that system to mold chakra more in more complicated ways than can normally be accomplished by ninja of less than preternatural chakra control. Also, once the chakra has been molded, the eyes offer an efficient path of execution, as they are directly connected to this system.
Though i’m not sure i would use this theory in my fics (it might never even come up), i think this might be one possible, partial explanation for why Kakashi, Itachi et-all can do such crazy thing with their eyes, such as creating unquenchable flames or collapsing localized space into a quantum singularity O_o;…
At any rate, to limit my crimes to a bare minimum, i shall stop talking now… unless someone would like to discuss this topic ^___^. (Readies the roasting spit and barbecue sauce) I wonder if its appropriate to serve Catgirl at a Luau…
Based on recent developments in the manga, and to a lesser extent most other related plot points since the introduction of Itachi, my best guess as to the canonical answer is that the Sharingan is just the single most powerful thing in the universe, and need obey no rules or logic save its own omnipotence.
Other doujutsu seem to be much more well-behaved, though that will probably change in a couple dozen chapters when Hinata shoots laser beams out of her eyes.
Regarding the Sharingan in recent canon, that was the impression i got as well -_-;. Stupid, stupid escalation… Speaking of which, the ‘mechanics’ for Naruto’s new technique are also totally absurd…
Speaking of which, the ‘mechanics’ for Naruto’s new technique are also totally absurd…
Oh, I gave up on expecting that technique to make sense, either from a world-logic or story-logic perspective long ago. (What’s the point of giving Naruto a second, totally unrelated “exceedingly powerful but dangerous to self” move, when the Kyuubi already admirably fills that role?)
(What’s the point of giving Naruto a second, totally unrelated “exceedingly powerful but dangerous to self” move, when the Kyuubi already admirably fills that role?)
Seems pretty obvious to me; this one has the stated potential to ‘permanently’ render him unable to use chakra, so that later on he can ‘overcome’ that hurdle in a melodrama-soaked, hot-blooded hero moment -_-;…
Also, Hinata with laser vision O_o;? That would be… hmm…
X-ray vision: Check…
Heat vision: Check…
Ability to spin in place at fantastic speed: Check…
If she learns to fly, give the girl a cape, tights, and a t-shirt with the ‘S’ shield on it, because she will have officially satisfied the minumum requirements to be an heir and/or pretender to the Superman legacy ^_^;…
Heh….. Actually the genjutsu and enhanced perceptions were all fine but they did start losing me at quantum singularities and any relationship between doujutsu and black fire (the Uchiha like fire attacks, so having a secret family one is fine, but needing the sharingan to do it is weird).
I mean, the byakugan is basically just a technique where the user radiates chakra then somehow absorbs it through their eyes to interpret its interactions with the environment visually. The other techniques the Hyuuga don’t require the byakugan so much as lots of practice radiating chakra from all over their bodies–though of course the ability to see normally invisible targets with their eyes lets the hyuuga use their powers infinitely more effectively. In fact, I’ve postulated that their unarmed techniques may originally have been an adaption of Kabuto’s chakra scalpel attacks. The ability to see inside your patients would be invaluable for medics.
So, yeah, I’m with Aaron. It’s just the Sharingan being ridiculously overpowered.
Personally I’ve always viewed it as the 4th level sharingan giving the ability to view quantum states, and that which can be seen can be manipulated. The black fire is just ordinary fire that has been manipulated so that it can’t be put out. Likewise the Tsukiyomi brings forth quantum possibilities into the victim’s mind.
So yes the Sharingan is the ‘the single most powerful thing in the universe’ whose only limitation is whether the user can stand the strain. (And since there are no fodder characters with the sharingan who can really bring forth that limitation in a striking way…)
Regarding the Juuken being related to medical techniques like the ‘chakra scalpel’: could be! We haven’t had an adequate explanation of the ’scalpel’ yet, so we don’t known how it enters the body without destroying intervening tissue, but that might be an idea…
Regarding the Saringan and altered quantum states: that could be a plausible explanation for it… and for that reason, i despair at the path that Kishimoto has taken. Ugh, this is getting even more out of hand than DBZ. At least Goku never contradicted Niels Bohr -_-;…
Yup… plenty of catgirls here… of the dead variety. Personally as soon as I realize a series or anime is shonen I simply shut down my brain and enjoy the ride.
I lack that faculty; it doesn’t matter to me if it doesn’t agree with the physical laws of _my_ reality, but if a story doesn’t have a decent amout of internal cohesion and logical consistency (and i don’t mean consistently escalating the power levels toward infinity), i tend to sour on it rather quickly. At that point, i either drop it, or i write fanfiction about it that makes more sense to me ^_^…
Have I mentioned that I love you yet? Well I do, you come up with the most amaising things…and I can’t spell…sorry bout that. I love your thought process.