The number of unique and interesting characters presented in the Naruto universe makes this story about the shinobi world popular even though the series is very long. Based on a manga by a popular mangaka Masashi Kishimoto, there’s a young Kazekage named Gaara who previously stirred up trouble with the main protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki.

As the villain at one point, Gaara was a troublesome character when he stirred up problems in Konoha. Living the same life as Naruto, he became a Kazekage at a young age and motivated Naruto to become one.Are you curious about the red-haired character? Here are the 15 facts about Gaara!

1. The Youngest Kage in Shinobi World

A Kage or Village Leader is usually someone older, but it’s different with the Kazekage. Inaugurated as Kazekage between age 14 and 15, Gaara is the youngest Kazekage.

Not only among the Kazekage, but also other Kages, Gaara has led his village from a young age.

2. Initially Inspired by Kotaro Fuma,  Shinobi from the Hojo Clan

Masashi Kishimoto’s first concept for Naruto’s rival is a character named Kumomaru who kept a pet dog named Manji. This concept is more akin to Momoshiki Otsutsuki who needed drugs to power up. Masashi Kishimoto also admitted that the initial concept of this character was someone who relied on doping.

Kumomaru was a character who needed doping to power up, but eventually this concept was saved for Momoshiki Otsutsuki. Through the concept version, Masashi Kishimoto changed his name to Kotaro which was taken from Hojo clan ninja in the Sengoku Jidai era named Kotaro Fuma.

Naruto’s editor argued that he wasn't sure if Kotaro's name would suit this character, He then suggested changing his name to Gaara.

3. A Member of the Three Suna Siblings Team with Kankuro and Temari

This Suna team is called the Three Suna Siblings which consist of Kankuro and Temari. The initial clothing designs of the three siblings, especially Gaara and Temari, are very detailed. Moreover, the three of them carried large objects on their backs such as Gaara's Urn of Sand, Temari's Giant Fan and Kankuro's Puppet.

Kishimoto said he would have a hard time if he had to constantly draw these three characters with such troublesome details, that’s why toward the end of Naruto’s earlier act they were drawn much simpler.

Just like Naruto’s goggles at the beginning of the story that is quite difficult to draw and was replaced with a Konoha headband given by Iruka.

4. The Matrix’s Cloak Inspired Gaara’s Outfit in Shippuden

Gaara's clothes in Naruto Shippuden are indeed much different from his clothes when he was younger. Masashi Kishimoto said the series' outfits were inspired by Masashi Kishimoto's favorite film, The Matrix.

The young Kazekage got a cloak similar to Neo’s in The Matrix in red instead of black.

5. One-Tailed Beast Jinchuuriki 

As a rival with comparable strength, this character is also a Jinchuuriki just like Naruto. The difference is Naruto is a Jinchuriki of Kyubi while Gaara was the Jinchuriki of Shukaku.

In terms of character, Shukaku is cheerful, hyperbolic, and grumpy. But his most visible personality is his extreme hatred for every human being, it’s because he was manipulated and imprisoned by humans.

6. Fourth Kazekage’s Son

His family tree is very clear, Gaara is the biological son of Karura and Rasa. Rasa was a Kazekage before Gaara

This is one of the similarities between Gaara and Naruto because they both are the child of Kages, although the truth about Naruto's parents was announced when Naruto almost opened the Kyuubi seal.

7. Suna’s Financial Issues Were They Reason He Turned Into a Jinchuuriki

Sunagakure was in financial trouble because the ruler of Wind Nation loved using Konohagakure’s service more than Sunagakure.

Rasa, the leader of Suna Village at that time, was afraid that the village would collapse, it was why he decided to turn his own son into a jinchuriki, which made him the strongest defense tool for Suna Village.

Rasa’s other children weren’t a suitable vessel to be Jinchuuriki, which is why Gaara was used to contain Shukaku when he was still in the womb.

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8. His Mother Died After Giving Birth

The ritual to turn a human into a Jinchuuriki is dangerous. Since Gaara turned into a Jinchuuriki when he was still in the womb, the process risked the safety of Karura when she delivered Gaara.

Karura was able to see her baby before she died, which instilled her will to protect Gaara.

9. The Kanji on His Forehead

Gaara’s trademark is the kanji on his forehead that means “Love” or “Ai”. The Kanji belongs to the previous Shukaku Jinchuuriki

Bunpuku, the previous Shukaku Jinchuuriki had the words “Accept” and Heart” tattooed on his hands by his master. When both kanji are combined it becomes the kanji for “Love” on Gaara’s forehead.

 10. Shukaku Often Went On a Rampage Killing Many Lives

The people in the Naruto universe hated being around a Jinchuuriki because the tailed beast loved destroying things and hated humans.

Gaara’s situation is worsened because he can’t control Shukaku, meaning he often kills or injures the Suna villager by accident when he was just a child.

11. Rasa Treated Him as a Failed Jinchuuriki 

His lack of control over Shukaku terrorized Suna, making Rasa regret his decision to transform his son into a Jinchuuriki.

His regret is why Rasa commanded Gaara’s caretaker, Yashamaru, to attack Gaara to mentally and physically test Gaara’s ability to control Shukaku.

12. Once Thought No One Loved Him

Rasa’s command for Yashamaru to kill Gaara made him believe that no one loved and cared for him. Previously, Yashamaru taught Gaara that love is the only cure for his emotional pain.

Yashamaru also made Gaara believe that his mother named him that as a curse for the village.

13. Become a Good Man Thanks to Naruto

Gaara’s conflict with Naruto when Suna was allied with Otto to attack Konoha happened during the Chuunin Exam. With his Talk no Jutsu, Naruto convinced Gaara that his power comes from love and those who care for him.

Naruto transformed Gaara to be a better person, starting with apologizing to his siblings when they picked him up. His transformation is also one of the reasons why he became a Kage before  Naruto can become one

14. Shield of Sand

Gaara’s trademark technique is called Shield of Sand, a skill that reacts to defend Gaara from any attack, even if he doesn’t see it coming.

He previously thought that the jutsu was Shukaku’s skill to protect him. But Rasa then told him that the Shield of Sand is Karura’s last gift for the son that she loved.

15. Various Side-Stories

What makes Gaara unique is that he has many side-stories. It’s not surprising considering he is one of the most popular characters in the series, placing fourth on the character polling.

Those are the 15 facts about Gaara, Suna’s Kazekage. Is there any fact about him that we missed? You can write it in the comment section.

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