Are you familiar with Gaara of the Desert? Is it a strange plant that lives on sand? Or is it some nomadic race of men who ride giant camels through the dark of night?
Well, the truth is even stranger. He’s a person in a Japanese cartoon and comic book called Naruto
Gaara of the Desert has an interesting name and is associated with many Japanese names and concepts that have to do with his character. Gaara has a Kanji, a Japanese character, on his head. It means love, and is the second character in his name. The words self and carnage are also carried in his name. Thus his name can be taken to mean person who enjoys carnage.
Gaara of the Desert fits the name, he loves to kill. At six years old he murdered a person who passed him in the streets. That concerned his father. His father sent assassins to kill Gaara, but instead Gaara killed them. Gaara even killed some ninjas his father sent against them.
Naruto begins with Gaara of the Desert only 12 years of age. Gaara’s father had intended him to become a death machine. He was infused with a demon which makes them violent and powerful. If Gaara dares fall asleep, the demon will completely control him.
In the beginning Gaara of the desert was Naruto’s enemy. Their creations were similar. However, each became quite different. At its most basic, Gaara was evil while Naruto was good. They have many battles. Naruto eventually kills Gaara by removing the demon from inside him. But later Naruto brings Gaara back to life.
Every hero needs a villain to bring out the best in him. Gaara of the Desert was the villain that pushed Naruto to his best. Fans love him, and consider his battles with Naruto some of the best there are.
The bottom line is don’t cross Gaara of the Desert!
