Well, I kind of wanted a place to store all of the major LAPs that I am making in certain FCs (i.e. the Anti-Character bashing FC), particularly those analyzing assorted characters. And, this blog seems to be as good a place as any. In other words, if you are from the Anti-CB, these probably aren't going to be new for you. But, if you liked them, then here's a quick index. 
Although, eventually, they will probably be edited for content, as they are kind of long rambles.
But, anyways, here's my latest character study on Hidan and the reasons that I find him to be a valuable "Naruto" character.
*entries posted out of order to facilitate one's reading, this post is continued in the previous post*
The Love That Is Hidan...Or Why I Adore The Man Despite All The Crazy Shit That's Gone Down.
"I always forget them after I kill them."
Unlike Kakuzu (whose immortality is only as good as the hearts he fuels it with), Hidan seems to be the one character in the manga without the possibility of being killed (...duh, right?). And, this is completely engrossing and interesting and wonderful, but what I love about Hidan isn't that he cannot die, but the effects that this single fact cause within him and his personality.
He is, in more ways than one, the Narutoverse's Peter Pan figure. Unable to fully grow up because he is unable to die or experience the pain of loss in some irretrievable way.
In other words, like it or not, Hidan is a relative innocent. For despite living through the final death throes of others day after day, Hidan remains untouched, incapable of understanding something that has no meaning for him.
For instance, let's say someone were to have their genitals mutilated at a very young age (like 3). Their body probably wouldn't race with the usual hormones come puberty, and, potentially, they would be able to live their life without the distraction of sex. And, let's also say, that down the road, they are talking about it with someone and they mention, "Yeah, everything's so much clearer and easier when you aren't constantly thinking about sex."
Makes sense.
But, the truth is that the person doesn't really know that to be true, because they've never had those thoughts in the first place. And, the same goes with Hidan and true death.
From the information we are given, it is likely that Hidan's immortality comes from his religion (Jashin, specifically). And, it is also likely that his faith and invincibility are relatively recent, as Hidan is a new member of Akatsuki. If he'd been around for decades, then they probably would have snagged him earlier. Thus, we have someone who probably became immortal before they were ever troubled by the doubts and worries of approaching age and the loom of natural death that strike men and women as early as their mid-twenties, early thirties, when the wrinkles start to set in.
He, literally, cannot empathize with those who grieve, with those who die. And thus, his nonchalance, his devil may care attitude and brashness in the face of their suffering makes sense. That's who he is, still a child, still unable to filter what runs between his brain and his mouth, and still refusing to grow up.
This also directly links to another trait of Hidan's that is one of my favorites: He rarely shows any sign of holding a grudge, actually desiring vengeance or getting truly angry with anyone (despite the one obvious circumstance >.<). Although he yells and taunts, Hidan tends to be posturing and using words as intimidation weapons, rather than truly meaning what he says (much in the same way that Peter Pan antagonizes Captain Hook).
We see this attitude evidenced by the time it takes for him to recognize Shikamaru during their second battle and his conversations with Kakuzu, which seem abrasive but in reality, Hidan rarely feels truly aggressive towards his partner:
A very interesting dichotomy indeed!
But, the above scan also brings up another important and terribly interesting trait of Hidan's: his lack of monetary concern.
The only two certainties in life are notoriously death and taxes. But, as an immortal missing-nin, it seems that our favorite Jashin worshiper escapes both of these inevitabilities. And, since Kakuzu runs the Akatsuki's finances, even those responsibilities are lifted from Hidan's shoulders.
The reason that this is so thought-provoking is that it is one in a long list of stereotypical vices that Hidan does not have. He's not truly prideful (despite his arrogance, Hidan's deference to Jashin balances things), greedy, lusty (as far as we know), envious, wrathful, gluttinous, or slothful.
Wow, what a bad guy, huh? (/sarcasm)
But, seriously, it's one of the things that makes Hidan such a great bad guy...the fact that, when you get right down to it, he isn't really all that bad of a guy.
*could add ten bazillion things about Buddhism here and the belief system's embodiment in Hidan, but there's already a thread out there that does it better than I ever could and, although, intriguing, it isn't one of the things that attracts me to Hidan's character*
Sidenote: some might say due to his ease at work, lengthy rituals and lower battle speed (in comparison to other Akatsuki) that he's nearing sloth. But, considering his steady devotion and willingness to perform the aforementioned rituals, that's rather easily discounted.
Another aspect of his distance from death leads Hidan to being loveably cocky in battle and adorably light-hearted. And, this, in turn, leads to rather wonderful comic relief moments.
Such as when the Leaf shinobi snuck up behind Hidan and pierced his sides, while he was waiting for Kakuzu. And, he just was sort of like, "Ouch. What the fu-Who are you guys?" (paraphrased). XP
This is partially funny due to its strangeness, but it's also compelling, in that, it shows another immortality conferred characteristic of Hidan's; He never acts. He reacts.
Hidan is attacked.
Hidan defends.
Like a child (and by the way, I do not mean that Hidan is simple or an idiot when I refer to him being childlike; I am specifically referring to other forms of stunted growth/purity), Hidan lives in the present, not caring terribly about the past or the future. And, interestingly, this explains his lack of speed in battle.
While others are thinking a few leaps ahead of the current situation, Hidan is busy reacting to what had just occurred. It does not mean that he's stupid or slow, but just that he works from a different state of mind, a different concept of time and how it is spent. Which makes sense as the man really does have all the time in the world, if he needs it. And, it makes for a very interesting contrast to nearly all of the other characters and adds a strange connection between his personality and Naruto's (the live-in-the-moment strategy king, unpredictable ninja extraordinaire).
But, his connection with death (or lack thereof) causes more than just a few personality quirks and laughable nonchalance in the face of danger.
It also breeds fascination.
*Continued in prior blog entry due to character limit restraints*
Although, eventually, they will probably be edited for content, as they are kind of long rambles.
But, anyways, here's my latest character study on Hidan and the reasons that I find him to be a valuable "Naruto" character.
*entries posted out of order to facilitate one's reading, this post is continued in the previous post*
The Love That Is Hidan...Or Why I Adore The Man Despite All The Crazy Shit That's Gone Down.
"I always forget them after I kill them."
Unlike Kakuzu (whose immortality is only as good as the hearts he fuels it with), Hidan seems to be the one character in the manga without the possibility of being killed (...duh, right?). And, this is completely engrossing and interesting and wonderful, but what I love about Hidan isn't that he cannot die, but the effects that this single fact cause within him and his personality.
He is, in more ways than one, the Narutoverse's Peter Pan figure. Unable to fully grow up because he is unable to die or experience the pain of loss in some irretrievable way.
In other words, like it or not, Hidan is a relative innocent. For despite living through the final death throes of others day after day, Hidan remains untouched, incapable of understanding something that has no meaning for him.
For instance, let's say someone were to have their genitals mutilated at a very young age (like 3). Their body probably wouldn't race with the usual hormones come puberty, and, potentially, they would be able to live their life without the distraction of sex. And, let's also say, that down the road, they are talking about it with someone and they mention, "Yeah, everything's so much clearer and easier when you aren't constantly thinking about sex."
Makes sense.
But, the truth is that the person doesn't really know that to be true, because they've never had those thoughts in the first place. And, the same goes with Hidan and true death.
From the information we are given, it is likely that Hidan's immortality comes from his religion (Jashin, specifically). And, it is also likely that his faith and invincibility are relatively recent, as Hidan is a new member of Akatsuki. If he'd been around for decades, then they probably would have snagged him earlier. Thus, we have someone who probably became immortal before they were ever troubled by the doubts and worries of approaching age and the loom of natural death that strike men and women as early as their mid-twenties, early thirties, when the wrinkles start to set in.
He, literally, cannot empathize with those who grieve, with those who die. And thus, his nonchalance, his devil may care attitude and brashness in the face of their suffering makes sense. That's who he is, still a child, still unable to filter what runs between his brain and his mouth, and still refusing to grow up.
This also directly links to another trait of Hidan's that is one of my favorites: He rarely shows any sign of holding a grudge, actually desiring vengeance or getting truly angry with anyone (despite the one obvious circumstance >.<). Although he yells and taunts, Hidan tends to be posturing and using words as intimidation weapons, rather than truly meaning what he says (much in the same way that Peter Pan antagonizes Captain Hook).
We see this attitude evidenced by the time it takes for him to recognize Shikamaru during their second battle and his conversations with Kakuzu, which seem abrasive but in reality, Hidan rarely feels truly aggressive towards his partner:
Spoiler: Here be the proof
A very interesting dichotomy indeed!
But, the above scan also brings up another important and terribly interesting trait of Hidan's: his lack of monetary concern.
The only two certainties in life are notoriously death and taxes. But, as an immortal missing-nin, it seems that our favorite Jashin worshiper escapes both of these inevitabilities. And, since Kakuzu runs the Akatsuki's finances, even those responsibilities are lifted from Hidan's shoulders.
The reason that this is so thought-provoking is that it is one in a long list of stereotypical vices that Hidan does not have. He's not truly prideful (despite his arrogance, Hidan's deference to Jashin balances things), greedy, lusty (as far as we know), envious, wrathful, gluttinous, or slothful.
Wow, what a bad guy, huh? (/sarcasm)
But, seriously, it's one of the things that makes Hidan such a great bad guy...the fact that, when you get right down to it, he isn't really all that bad of a guy.
*could add ten bazillion things about Buddhism here and the belief system's embodiment in Hidan, but there's already a thread out there that does it better than I ever could and, although, intriguing, it isn't one of the things that attracts me to Hidan's character*
Sidenote: some might say due to his ease at work, lengthy rituals and lower battle speed (in comparison to other Akatsuki) that he's nearing sloth. But, considering his steady devotion and willingness to perform the aforementioned rituals, that's rather easily discounted.
Another aspect of his distance from death leads Hidan to being loveably cocky in battle and adorably light-hearted. And, this, in turn, leads to rather wonderful comic relief moments.
Such as when the Leaf shinobi snuck up behind Hidan and pierced his sides, while he was waiting for Kakuzu. And, he just was sort of like, "Ouch. What the fu-Who are you guys?" (paraphrased). XP
This is partially funny due to its strangeness, but it's also compelling, in that, it shows another immortality conferred characteristic of Hidan's; He never acts. He reacts.
Hidan is attacked.
Hidan defends.
Like a child (and by the way, I do not mean that Hidan is simple or an idiot when I refer to him being childlike; I am specifically referring to other forms of stunted growth/purity), Hidan lives in the present, not caring terribly about the past or the future. And, interestingly, this explains his lack of speed in battle.
While others are thinking a few leaps ahead of the current situation, Hidan is busy reacting to what had just occurred. It does not mean that he's stupid or slow, but just that he works from a different state of mind, a different concept of time and how it is spent. Which makes sense as the man really does have all the time in the world, if he needs it. And, it makes for a very interesting contrast to nearly all of the other characters and adds a strange connection between his personality and Naruto's (the live-in-the-moment strategy king, unpredictable ninja extraordinaire).
But, his connection with death (or lack thereof) causes more than just a few personality quirks and laughable nonchalance in the face of danger.
It also breeds fascination.
*Continued in prior blog entry due to character limit restraints*
