Anime Question RE: Naruto / ninjas-in-general...

[tattoi nobori]

I have a question for those on the 'boards who might be a bit more versed in Japanese lore... Why do the ninjas in Naruto and other movies/series (Ninja Scroll, Samurai Champloo spring to mind) run the way they do?

For example, in Naruto, when the ninjas have to run though a field or whatever, they lean wa-a-ay forward and throw their arms out behind them. (In the first episode of the Ninja Scroll TV series, Roga runs through the forest in almost exactly the same way.)

I'm just wondering if there's any reason this strange (to my eye) style of running pops up now and again in ninja-themed anime? Is this some form of conveyance actually used by ninjas, or just a stylistic norm for depicting running ninjas in anime?

Thanks in advance! ^_^

[Dan Rugh]

I don't know if real ninja ran like this, but it seems to be the norm for anime. You have to admit that it looks cooler, though. I'm guessing that it keeps them more aerodynamic for faster running speed. Also, with your arms behind you, it'll be easier to start an attack than if you're pumping them.

[Guest ScirosDarkblade]

Basically it's just for looks. And also it's stupid, because everyone and his dog knows that holding your arms back won't make you run faster. As if Olympic sprinters run like Naruto's BS ninjas. Not to mention that it's gotta be the least defensive running position I can think of (your front is completely exposed).

In contrast, I'd like to point you to Ninja Gaiden's Ryu Hayabusa, who runs with his torso sideways, one hand in front and one in back as if he's always ready to block something.

I think that when real ninja ran, they ran like normal people because it's just much more sensible.

*May I also point out that the "arms held backwards" is easier to draw?

[Solo Tremaine]

[COLOR=#503F86]I've seen samurai characters do it, too. I can think of a number of reasons:

1) Perspective. Drawing them in that way, certainly showing them from the front gives a greater sense of speed than running normally- the head is up close while the rest of the body is further away, which also gives scope for any dialogue that might be occurring- the facial features can be drawn in detail and the rest can be pretty much forgotten, heh.

2) Momentum. If you run like that, you're pretty much falling forwards at quite a high speed, which makes for a rather powerful, if reckless maneouvre. I don't think I've seen any anime characters who charge like that actually come off better.[/COLOR]

[Flashlight]

It makes them streamlined?

I think i real agree with everyone else that it just looks cool and therefore that is the popular way of drawing characters running. :)

[Dagger]

I don't watch many ninja-centric shows, but whenever I see someone running like that I automatically think, "Oh! Ninjas!" In anime like Peacemaker, Otogizoushi and Samurai Champloo (all of which are littered with generic-looking foes), it may be the only way the viewer can visually distinguish between your average expendable opponent and, well, a ninja.

~Dagger~

[Godelsensei]

[COLOR=Gray][FONT=Courier New]It seems to be an anime trend, as you see any one who's above the average par running in that manner.

Maybe it's that Neji and the rest of 'em just run so fast, keeping their arms in front of them would be a waste of energy?

Also, when their arms are like that, they're very close to their kunai pouches, whether or not this is realistic.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Zen]

[color=darkred][size=1]

Alot of the time, Ninja and Samurai run that way because they are keeping their hands on their weapons for a quick draw as they run towards or away from their opponent, and if they stood straight and ran while doing this, one could very easily loose their balance. Another thing is if they are holding a forearm in front of their face, they may be guarding wilst concealing an attack. Atleast thats my perspective. It also may be a way for animators to give more of a since of speed by extending the body's distance and aerodynamics in some way.

I've seen movie ninja and samurai do the same thing. Just look at Akira Kurosawa's "Yojimbo", the characters run like that a bit, and always have their hands on their weapon. [/color][/size]

[AzureWolf]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I think Dan Rugh and Solo hit the nail on the head. Ideally (i.e., it's impossible/impractical IRL), when a person runs, the only thing that should exert energy and resistance are the legs.

If the person ran upright, his body would slowdown his speed and force him to apply more energy to the upper body (torso) AND create air drag. I think the arms are just a consequence of not using the muscles there. With how most ninja characters run, the most significant air drag would be from a collar (if they had one or didn't have a hat or something).

However, the positioning of the upper body doesn't only provide aerodynamic support: it forces the body to become displaced (which forces the legs to keep stepping), creating a loop where the frequency of steps taken are increased. That's a bad thing, because every interaction with friction is a cost in both speed and energy. Also a bad thing, the amount of force exerted on your legs is significantly larger, since now the rest of the body isn't providing any type of equilibrating aid.

I guess those cons weren't really considered - or at least that's what I think is the case. Otherwise, it's the ideal method to increase one's speed. A good example would be those equestrian races. Notice the position the jocks have on the horses: you'll notice the pros I mentioned are obtained in their stance, the one that looks eeriely similar to those in anime running ninjas.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[tattoi nobori]

Wow, eight responses already! (I guess the 'boards are a bit more active than a year ago... ^_^) Thanks for the input! ReFlux, thanks for reminding me about Yojimbo.. I put it on for the first time in forever yesterday, what a great movie!

[Dagger]

[quote name='tattoi nobori']Wow, eight responses already! (I guess the 'boards are a bit more active than a year ago... ^_^) Thanks for the input! ReFlux, thanks for reminding me about Yojimbo.. I put it on for the first time in forever yesterday, what a great movie![/quote]

Have I mentioned that you are the proud owner of the [i]coolest banner ever[/i]?

Since a few other people mentioned samurai--well, I find it interesting that they too have a distinctive running style. Almost every sword-fighting series I've seen will show a samurai running with his hand hovering just above the hilt of his katana. Anime samurai lean forward, but in general I think their running looks a lot more normal and natural than that of anime ninjas. The way I see it, it's easier to access your weapons when you're virtually touching them than when your arms are flung out behind you. So if there's any logic or historical basis behind the way anime ninjas run, it probably deals with attaining speed rather than with accessing throwing stars or whatnot.

~Dagger~

[Guest Inukenomaru]

[QUOTE=tattoi nobori]I have a question for those on the 'boards who might be a bit more versed in Japanese lore... Why do the ninjas in Naruto and other movies/series (Ninja Scroll, Samurai Champloo spring to mind) run the way they do?

For example, in Naruto, when the ninjas have to run though a field or whatever, they lean wa-a-ay forward and throw their arms out behind them. (In the first episode of the Ninja Scroll TV series, Roga runs through the forest in almost exactly the same way.)

I'm just wondering if there's any reason this strange (to my eye) style of running pops up now and again in ninja-themed anime? Is this some form of conveyance actually used by ninjas, or just a stylistic norm for depicting running ninjas in anime?

Thanks in advance! ^_^[/QUOTE]
I'm not sure but I think that they don't. ;)

[color=navy][size=1]In the future, please snip quotes down to a more manageable length, especially if you're going to make a short reply. Because you quoted tattoi's entire post, I was initially unsure which of his questions you were trying to answer. Explaining your response more clearly would also definitely have helped. If you have any questions, please PM me or one of the other moderators.

~Dagger~[/size][/color]