In the world of Naruto characters use a magical energy they call chakra to cast spells they call jutsu. Each person’s chakra also has what the franchise calls a chakra affinity; a disposition towards a particular natural element. No part of the franchise says that personality contributes to a character’s natural affinity. But, I have often wondered what my own chakra affinity would be. Thus I have looked at the chakra affinity of Naruto’s characters and correlated some common personality traits of each nature.
Fire Chakra
Fire style jutsus are often flashy offensive abilities that summon flames to either incinerate enemies or cause havoc with explosions. However, on occasion fire style users also use their flames for defense. With the intense heat of their flames they are able to protect themselves and their allies. It seems fire style users have an unyielding determination that pushes them towards their lofty goals without restraint. This ambition comes at a cost however, since many fire style users are plagued with terrible pride. Pride that can lead them down destructive and reckless paths.
Wind Chakra
Wind style jutsus usually revolve around making something the best that it can be. Those born with a natural affinity for wind style chakra are remarkably adaptable, keeping up with the ever changing rhythm of combat. When wind style chakra users hone in and focus, their brilliance is revealed. As they work and preserve their abilities are magnified. What starts as a soft breeze becomes a slicing gale wind. However, many wind style users seem to be easily distractible or inattentive, particularly in their youth. Reversed from their strength, when they don’t lock in and have that absolute focus they fall apart easily.
Lightning Chakra
Lightning style is primarily used either to enhance, replace, or flow through other tools. It makes use of what the user has on hand to channel their electric strikes towards their targets. Maybe because of this limitation those born with a natural affinity towards lightning style are decisive action takers. Quickly accounting for everything they have on hand and zipping off to what they have decided is the best course of action to take to reach their goals. This decisive nature doesn’t always leave time for contemplation however. Throughout the series lightning style characters like Kakashi and A live long enough to regret decisions they made in the heat of the moment. This leaves them busy wondering if they could have done something different.
Earth Chakra
Earth style users spend their time molding earthen materials, changing the terrain around them or creating all manner of tools out of the very Earth itself. Characters with the earth chakra nature are often shown to be fiercely dependable people, always willing to lend a helping hand to comrades and stand for what they believe is right. Though this determination can lead them to coming off as stubborn. Lamenting on the past or arguing the finer points of artistic merit, once those with the earth style chakra nature have made a decision it will involve moving the entire Earth before they change their minds.
Water Chakra
Water style users rely on two things for their techniques: volume and control. Most users rely on a nearby source for their water. However, there are those who demonstrate great skill and are able to draw up and use the water within themselves. This both increases the volume of water available to manipulate and requires incredible control over oneself, in turn demonstrating the hidden depths of water style users. Characters in the series with a water chakra nature are shown to be complex with unclear motivations. They appear one way on the surface but keep their true feelings close to their chest, choosing to reveal themselves only to those closest to them if ever. Unfortunately this can also make them somewhat hard to work with and be around. Because of their isolationist tendencies they have a lone wolf mentality and don’t easily ask for help even when they need it.
Summary
While not accounting for every character there are certainly some common characteristics among users of each nature. Fire style users are often ambitious even to a fault. Wind style users can accomplish incredible feats once they buckle down and focus. Lightning style users are decisive and able to complete goals quickly but they act so fast they are left wondering if they could have done better. Earth style users are reliable in their ways but can become stuck if they aren’t paying attention. Water style users don’t let their problems become other people’s problems and aren’t great at getting help when they could use it, even when offered. So for those who wonder what they would do in a world full of magic ninjas, here is a correlated list of personality traits.
