Rock Lee

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Not to be confused with Lee Rock.

Rock Lee
Naruto character
Rock Lee by Masashi Kishimoto
First appearance	Naruto manga chapter 36 Naruto anime episode 21
Voiced by	Japanese Yōichi Masukawa[1] English Brian Donovan[2]
Ninja rank	Genin in Part I Chunin in Part II
Ninja team	Team Guy

Rock Lee (ロック・リー Rokku Rī^?) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Naruto created by Masashi Kishimoto. Kishimoto considers Lee his favorite character to draw, and at first designed Lee to symbolize human weakness.^[3][4] In the anime and manga, Lee is a ninja affiliated with the village of Konohagakure, and is a member of Team Guy, which consists of himself, Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Might Guy—the team's leader. Unable to use most ninja techniques, Lee dedicates himself to using solely taijutsu, ninja techniques similar to martial arts. Lee dreams of becoming a "splendid ninja" despite his inabilities. Lee has appeared in several pieces of Naruto media, including the third and fourth featured films in the series, the third original video animation, and several video games.
Numerous anime and manga publications have commented on Lee's character. IGN compared Lee to Bruce Lee and Noel Gallagher,^[5] and Anime News Network called Lee the "goofiest looking character" in the series.^[6] Among the Naruto reader base, Lee has been popular, placing high in several popularity polls.^[7][8] Numerous pieces of merchandise have been released in Lee's likeness, including figurines and plush dolls.^[9][10]

Contents  [hide]  1 Creation and conception 2 Character outline 2.1 Personality 2.2 Abilities 3 Appearances in other media 4 Reception 5 References

[edit] Creation and conception

In an interview in Shōnen Jump's Naruto Anime Profiles Episodes 1-37, Masashi Kishimoto claimed that he enjoys drawing Lee more than any other character in the series.^[3] When designing Lee's appearance, Kishimoto intended to have Lee wield a variety of weapons, including nunchaku; however, due to time constraints while creating the series, he was unable to do so.^[11] Kishimoto has noted that he originally designed Lee to symbolize human weakness; Kishimoto's design of Sakura Haruno was also intended to carry the same symbolism.^[4] Due to the popularity Lee garnered over the course of the series, Kishimoto tends to place him towards the front of promotional artwork in which he appears.^[12]

[edit] Character outline

[edit] Personality

While attending the Ninja Academy, a school for prospective ninja in the village of Konohagakure, Lee's fellow students mock him for his inability to perform basic ninja techniques. As a result, Lee begins training constantly to become stronger. After graduating from the Academy, Lee is assigned to Team Guy, a four-man cell of ninja led by Might Guy. Inspired by Lee's determination to become stronger, Guy takes a personal interest in him, deciding to help him achieve his dream of becoming a splendid ninja.^[13] This relationship with Guy causes Lee to acquire many of Guy's traits. For example, Lee's green jumpsuit and shiny mop-top haircut are the same as his teacher's, as is his dedication to keeping promises and seeking rivals to develop his skills.^[14] Lee believes he can surpass the natural talents of others through hard work and passion; throughout the series, he attempts to surpass Neji Hyuga, who is labeled a "genius".^[13] Despite his search for rivalries, Lee has a sense of honor and respect for his opponents, refusing to hold grudges against those who have defeated him and returning favors to those that have helped him.^[15] Lee uses formal language in both the English and Japanese adaptations of the anime and manga. In the Japanese anime and manga, he always utilizes honorifics such as "san and "kun", and in the English adaptations, he never uses contractions.^[16]

[edit] Abilities

When he opens the chakra gates, Lee's skin turns red and the power and speed of his taijutsu techniques are enhanced.

Lee is unable to use ninjutsu or genjutsu, two types of techniques ninja in Naruto commonly utilize. To compensate for his inability, Lee specializes in taijutsu, techniques focusing solely on physical attacks. Under Guy's instruction, Lee learns several advanced taijutsu techniques, and creates a unique training regimen for himself.^[17] As part of his training, Lee wears extremely heavy ankle weights at all times; however, he trains himself to the point that his peers still consider him fast when he is wearing them. When he removes his weights, Lee's speed increases to the point where he appears to be a blur while moving.^[18]
The taijutsu techniques Guy teaches Lee center around the Strong Fist style of combat.^[19] Part of this style involves the eight chakra gates, limits on the body's ability to use chakra, a form of energy which allows ninja to perform supernatural feats. Opening these gates, a feat difficult for even the most talented ninja, increases the power and speed of Lee's taijutsu techniques, but at the cost of his health.^[19] Many of Lee's taijutsu techniques take advantage of the extreme power and speed he gains from opening the chakra gates, most notably his Lotus (蓮華 Renge^?) techniques, many of which begin with a flurry of attacks to force the opponent into the air, followed by a blow that sends the opponent into the ground at high speed.^[20] Aside from his Strong Fist techniques, Lee has a natural predisposition towards the Potion Punch (酔拳 Suiken^?, literally "Drunken Fist", English TV: "Loopy Fist") style of combat. When he drinks nothing more than a drop of alcohol, he becomes inebriated, and his lack of coordination lends an element of unpredictability to his attacks.^[21][22]
In Part II it is unspoken but indicated that Lee has developed at least partial control over his chakra. This is showcased in his ability to move about the surface of water, an ability he was incapable of in the Part I.

[edit] Appearances in other media

Lee has made several appearances outside of the Naruto anime and manga. In the third featured film in the series, Naruto the Movie 3: The Animal Riot of Crescent Moon Island, Lee acts as a member of Team 7 for the duration of the film.^[23] In the fourth film, which is set in Part II, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Neji Hyuga, and Lee are assigned to escort the maiden Shion, who needs to perform a ritual to seal a demonic army.^[24] Lee also appears in the third original video animation, participating in a tournament.^[25]
Lee is also a playable character in nearly every Naruto video game, including the Clash of Ninja series and the Ultimate Ninja series.^{[26][27][28][29]} In some games, he utilizes variations of his techniques not seen in the anime or manga. Naruto Shippūden: Gekitō Ninja Taisen! EX marks his first appearance in a video game set in Part II.^[30] Rock Lee will also be the main character from a spin-off manga by Kenji Taira to be published in an upcoming journal by Shueisha.^[31]
The character Ron-Li in the Spanish webcomic Raruto is a parody of Rock Lee.^[32]

[edit] Reception

Lee has ranked highly in the Shōnen Jump popularity polls for the series, continuously placing first and reaching first place once.^[7][8] In later polls, Lee lost his top ten status.^[33] In an interview, Brian Donovan, the voice actor for Rock Lee in the English adaptation of the anime, commented that he likes Lee because he felt he was attempting to be a "knight in shining armor but bumbling and stumbling at the same time".^[16] Several pieces of merchandise based on Lee have also been released, including action figures of his Part I and Part II appearances,^[9][34] plush dolls,^[10] and keychains.^[35]
Several publications for manga, anime, video games, and other media have provided commentary on Lee's character. IGN called Lee one of their favorite characters in the series and compared his personality to that of Bruce Lee and Noel Gallagher.^[5] However, IGN also commented that Rock Lee is "kind of stiff" because of his very polite demeanor.^[36] Active Anime celebrated Lee's introduction in the series as a comedic relief to the growing tension of the story at that point.^[37] Anime Insider listed him in their top five list for "pure-hearted heroes" from anime and manga publications, ranking at number five. Insider praised him for "never [giving] up, even in the face of people with actual ninja powers."^[38]
Anime News Network referred to Lee as the "star of [the Chunin Exam arc]", and claimed that he "almost single-handedly rescues this arc from being tossed into the 'entertaining but disposable' bin".^[6] Anime News Network also called Lee the "goofiest looking character" in the series and praised Kishimoto's "ninja-punk visual sensibilities" that allowed him to make Lee "damn cool when the action starts".^[6] In the NEO Awards 2007 from Neo, Rock Lee won in the category "Best Anime Character".^[39] He was also listed as one of the three "Honorable Mentions" from Naruto by Wizard Entertainment's Danica Davidson with comments from the article being focused on Lee's determination.^[40]

[edit] References

1. ^ "名乗れ！現れた強敵たち!!". Studio Pierrot. Naruto. TV Tokyo. February 27, 2003. No. 21.
2. ^ "Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals". Studio Pierrot. Naruto. Cartoon Network. January 28, 2006. No. 21.
3. ^ ^{a b} Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). Naruto Anime Profiles, Volume 1: Episodes 1-37. Viz Media. ISBN 1421506572.
4. ^ ^{a b} USA Shonen Jump May 2006. Viz Media.
5. ^ ^{a b} Sparrow, A.E. (2007-11-09). "IGN: Naruto Reader's Guide". IGN. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
6. ^ ^{a b c} Kimlinger, Karl (2006-11-02). "Naruto GN 8-10 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
7. ^ ^{a b} Kishimoto, Masashi (2005). "Chapter 60". Naruto, Volume 7. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-875-9.
8. ^ ^{a b} Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 107". Naruto, Volume 12. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0242-9.
9. ^ ^{a b} "Amazon.com: Shonen Jumps Naruto Rock Lee". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
10. ^ ^{a b} "Amazon.com: NARUTO ROCK LEE 12"PLUSH TOY". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-06-15.^{[dead link]}
11. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto. Viz Media. p. 130. ISBN 1-4215-1407-9.
12. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto. Viz Media. p. 133. ISBN 1-4215-1407-9.
13. ^ ^{a b} Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 84". Naruto, Volume 10. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0240-2.
14. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2004). "Chapter 38". Naruto, Volume 5. Viz Media. ISBN 1-59116-359-5.
15. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 213". Naruto, Volume 24. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1860-0.
16. ^ ^{a b} "Naruto: Ninja Destiny :: Voice Actor Interview". kidzworld.com. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
17. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 180". Naruto, Volume 20. Viz Media. pp. 178–181. ISBN 1-4215-1655-1.
18. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 82". Naruto, Volume 10. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0240-2.
19. ^ ^{a b} Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 79". Naruto, Volume 9. Viz Media. p. 130. ISBN 1-4215-0239-9.
20. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2006). "Chapter 86". Naruto, Volume 10. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0240-2.
21. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 211". Naruto, Volume 24. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1860-0.
22. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2007). "Chapter 212". Naruto, Volume 24. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-1860-0.
23. ^ (DVD) Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom. Viz Video. 2008.
24. ^ (DVD) 場版NARUTO−ナルト− 疾風伝. TV Tokyo. 2008.
25. ^ (DVD) ついに激突！上忍VS下忍！！無差別大乱戦大会開催！！. TV Tokyo. 2005.
26. ^ Bozon, Mark (2006-09-29). "Naruto: The Complete Fighter Profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
27. ^ Alfonso, Andrew (2004-09-26). "TGS 2004: Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen! 3 Hands-on". IGN. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
28. ^ Naruto: Ultimate Ninja English instruction manual. Namco Bandai. 2006. p. 26.
29. ^ Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 English instruction manual. Namco Bandai. 2007. pp. 21–30.
30. ^ "ＮＡＲＵＴＯ－ナルト－ 疾風伝:ＴＶ東京 - Goods". TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
31. ^ "Shueisha to Launch Super Strong Jump Mag for Kids". Anime News Network. November 9, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
32. ^ Raruto Volume 1 (English), PDF 5, Glossary. Retrieved on October 30, 2010.
33. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (2008). "Chapter 245". Naruto, Volume 28. Viz Media. pp. 8–9. ISBN 1-4215-1864-3.
34. ^ "NARUTO－ナルト－疾風伝 忍形コレクション". TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
35. ^ "Naruto - Rock Lee Character Keychain". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
36. ^ "Rock Lee Biography". IGN. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
37. ^ "DVD Reviews: NARUTO UNCUT BOX SET 2". Active Anime. 2006-07-03. Retrieved 2008-06-15.^{[dead link]}
38. ^ "Pure of Heart - Our five favorite pure-hearted heroes". Anime Insider, Issue 39: 74. December 2007.
39. ^ "NEO Awards 2007". NEO Magazine, Issue 40 (Uncooked Media): 06–11. January 2007. ISSN 1744-9596.
40. ^ Davidson, Danica (April 4, 2008). "NARUTO: HONORABLE MENTIONS". Wizard Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008. Retrieved September 4, 2009.