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| image = File:GaaraKishimoto.jpg
| caption = Gaara by [[Masashi Kishimoto]]
| first = *''Naruto'' chapter 35: On Your Mark (manga), ''Naruto'' Episode
| creator = [[Masashi Kishimoto]]
| voice = '''Japanese''' <br /> [[Akira Ishida]]<ref>{{cite episode|title=名乗れ！現れた強敵たち!!|number=21|series=Naruto|credits=Studio Pierrot|network=TV Tokyo|airdate=February 27, 2003}}</ref> <br /> '''English'''<br /> [[Liam O'Brien]]<ref>{{cite episode|title=Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals|number=21|series=Naruto|credits=Studio Pierrot|network=Cartoon Network|airdate=January 28, 2006}}</ref> <br />[[Kyle Hebert]] (Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals)
| data31 = Rasa (father, deceased)<br>Karura (mother, deceased)<br>[[Temari (Naruto)|Temari]] (older sister)<br>[[Kankuro (Naruto)|Kankuro]] (older brother) <br>[[List of Naruto characters#Shinki|Shinki]] (adoptive son)<br>[[Shikadai Nara]] (nephew)<br>[[Shikamaru Nara]] (brother-in-law)<br>[[Yashamaru (Naruto)|Yashamaru]] (uncle, deceased)<br> Yodo (adoptive daughter) Araya (adoptive son)
| lbl31 = Notable relatives
| data32 = Genin in [[List of Naruto chapters (Part I)|Part I]] <br />
| lbl32 = Ninja rank
| data33 = [[List of Naruto characters#Sand Siblings|Sand Siblings]] in [[List of Naruto chapters (Part I)|Part I]]<br />
| lbl33 = Ninja team
}}
{{Nihongo|'''Gaara of the Desert'''|我愛羅}} is a [[Character (arts)|character]] in the ''[[Naruto]]'' [[manga]] and [[anime]] series created by [[Masashi Kishimoto]]. Originally debuting as an [[antagonist]], Gaara is a [[shinobi]] affiliated with Sunagakure and is the son of Sunagakure's leader, the Fourth Kazekage. He was born as a demon's host as part of his father's intention to have a weapon to restore their village. However, a combination of being [[ostracized]] by the Sunagakure villagers, his early inability to control the Tailed Beast, and the notion that his deceased mother called him her [[curse]] on the village caused Gaara to become a ruthless killer who believes his own purpose is to kill his enemies. Only after meeting [[Naruto Uzumaki]] does Gaara earn a change of perspective, as he eventually becomes Sunagakure's {{nihongo|Fifth Kazekage|五代目風影|Godaime Kazekage}} and gains acceptance by his people. Gaara has appeared in several pieces of ''Naruto'' media, including two of the featured films in the series, the third original video animation, and several video games.
Gaara was created a [[Foil (literature)|foil]] to the series' eponymous character, [[Naruto Uzumaki]], as the two were born through similar circumstances, but develop vastly different personalities due to a troubled upbringing. His designs and name underwent major changes in the making of his final one which also was modified in later arcs to give Gaara a design that is easier to draw. In the Japanese version of the series, Gaara is voiced by [[Akira Ishida]] while [[Liam O'Brien]] voices him in the English dub.
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Gaara's initial attire, along with the costumes of his siblings, was difficult for Kishimoto to draw on a weekly basis. Because of this, Kishimoto gave the three of them simpler costumes towards the end of Part I; Gaara received an outfit with an upright collar. In addition to being easier to draw, it was used to demonstrate the change in relationship between Gaara and Naruto following their previous fight. Kishimoto cites ''[[The Matrix]]'', one of his favorite movies, as an inspiration for Gaara's new costume, and he considers it to be his favorite costume of the three siblings.<ref name="ArtBook127">{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Uzumaki: The Art of Naruto|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|isbn=978-1-4215-1407-9|page=127}}</ref> For Part II, there was a scene where an antagonist Deidara was sitting on Gaara's body. This shot was inspired by ''[[Akira (manga)|Akira]]'', a [[manga]] by [[Katsuhiro Otomo]] that Kishimoto was a fan of.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=漫道コバヤシ第13号「NARUTO完結！岸本斉史SP」 |date=December 13, 2014 |language=ja |publisher=[[Fuji Television]] |trans-title=Kobayashi No. 13 'Completion of Naruto! Masashi Kishimoto SP'}}</ref>
In the Japanese version of ''Naruto''{{'}}s animated versions [[Akira Ishida]] voices Gaara. [[Liam O'Brien]] takes his place for the English dub. The Western actor, before being selected to voice Gaara, had already heard about the series' popularity. O'Brien went for an early audition in [[Los Angeles]] with hopes of doing Gaara's voice but failed it. However, O'Brien later went through another audition and got Gaara's role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcmbuzz.com/blog/2012/10/27/interview-with-liam-obrien-voice-of-gaara-juushiro-ukitake-war-asura-and-more/|title=Interview with Liam O'Brien: Voice of Gaara, Juushiro Ukitake, War, Asura and more|publisher=Mcmbuzz|date=October 27, 2012|access-date=February 7, 2018|archive-date=March 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313053843/http://www.mcmbuzz.com/blog/2012/10/27/interview-with-liam-obrien-voice-of-gaara-juushiro-ukitake-war-asura-and-more/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Appearances==
===In ''Naruto''===
Before he was born, Gaara's father, the
Gaara first appears in the series when he is sent to Konohagakure, an allied ninja village, to take part in the Chunin Exams alongside his older siblings [[List of Naruto characters#Kankuro|Kankuro]] and [[List of Naruto characters#Temari|Temari]]. In truth, he is sent in order to infiltrate Konohagakure in preparation for an invasion by Sunagakure and its ally, Otogakure.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 11|year=2006 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 95 |pages=92–98|isbn= 978-1-4215-0241-0}}</ref> There, he and Kankuro and Temari easily pass both the first and second phases. In the third phase, Gaara is set to fight against [[Rock Lee]]. Lee is able to pass Gaara's defenses, who, enraged, breaks Lee's arm and leg, claiming victory.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 10|year=2006|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 86|isbn=978-1421502403|url=https://archive.org/details/splendidninjanar10kish}}</ref> [[Sasuke Uchiha]] gives Gaara the first injury he has ever received, causing Gaara to suffer a mental breakdown and nearly manifest his Tailed-Beast powers. This begins the invasion, with his older siblings carrying him off.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 13|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 115|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781421510873/page/136 136–138]|isbn=978-1-4215-1087-3|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781421510873/page/136}}</ref> Both Sasuke and [[Naruto Uzumaki]] confront him, with the latter defeating him.<ref name="New">{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 16|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 136|isbn=978-1-4215-1090-3|url=https://archive.org/details/narutokish16kish}}</ref> Later, Sunagakure sends Gaara to help prevent Sasuke from defecting to Otogakure, which had become an enemy of Sunagakure once it was revealed that Orochimaru had murdered Rasa prior to the attack.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 24|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 213|isbn=978-1-4215-1860-2|page=[https://archive.org/details/narutovol24unort24kish/page/95 95]|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/narutovol24unort24kish/page/95}}</ref> While he helps Lee fight Orochimaru's servant Kimimaro, Gaara is unable to prevent Sasuke from leaving Konoha. He makes amends with the many characters he had alienated, apologizing to those he hurt and improving his relationship with his family.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 24|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 215|pages=[https://archive.org/details/narutovol24unort24kish/page/132 132–133]|isbn=978-1-4215-1860-2|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/narutovol24unort24kish/page/132}}</ref> At the same time, Gaara's fundamental characteristic becomes the desire to protect as many people as he can, as in doing so he believes, like Naruto, he will be able to find true strength. This culminates in his replacing his father as the Fifth Kazekage during Part II of the series.<ref name="protect">{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 28|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 249|isbn=978-1-4215-1864-0|url=https://archive.org/details/naruto00kish_2}}</ref>
In Part II of the series, three years after his mission, [[List of Naruto characters#Deidara|Deidara]], a member of the criminal organization [[List of Naruto characters#Akatsuki|Akatsuki]], is sent to Sunagakure to capture Gaara. Gaara fights Deidara to protect the village, but is defeated. The members of the Akatsuki then kidnap him and extract Shukaku from his body.<ref name="protect"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 29|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 261|isbn=978-1-4215-1865-7|url=https://archive.org/details/narutovol29kakas29kish}}</ref> Gaara dies in the process but an elder from the village named Chiyo sacrifices her own life to revive him.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 31|year=2008 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 280 |isbn=978-1-4215-1943-2}}</ref> Sometime later, he attends the Five Kage Summit, and the Akatsuki's leader, [[List of Naruto characters#Obito Uchiha|Tobi]], breaks into the meeting and announces the Fourth Great Ninja War, to capture the last two Tailed-Beasts.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 50|year=2011 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 464 |isbn=978-1-4215-3497-8}}</ref> Gaara later joins the new Shinobi Alliance as its field commander to protect Naruto and Killer Bee, using Naruto's philosophy of love against the Akatsuki's philosophy of hatred to unite the army, which had nearly imploded from internal strife.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 55|year=2012 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 516 |isbn=978-1-4215-3498-5}}</ref> On the second day of the war, Gaara encounters his reanimated father. Rasa reveals the truth to Gaara: that Yashamaru's final action was his doing, and that Gaara's mother always loved him, and Gaara is moved to tears after learning his mother's will is the force behind his sand. Rasa recognizes his son has surpassed him and entrusts Sunagakure to him after being defeated.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 58|year=2011 |publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 547 |isbn=978-1-4215-4328-4}}</ref> Gaara later defeats and seals the revived Second Mizukage, and joins the other Kage to fight [[Madara Uchiha]], who was reanimated by Kabuto, nearly getting killed as a result.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 59|year=2012 |publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 562 |isbn=978-1-4215-4942-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 63|year=2012 |publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 601 |isbn=978-4-08-870550-7}}</ref> Later healed by Tsunade, Gaara moves to assist in the battle against the Ten-Tails. Before Shukaku is absorbed by the Gedo Statue again, Gaara makes his peace with the tailed beast, thanking it for ensuring that he would meet Naruto.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 69|year=2014|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 662|isbn=978-4-08-880054-7}}</ref> Gaara helps rescue Naruto and briefly holds off Madara before Naruto is successfully revived. Once the Infinite Tsukiyomi is activated, Gaara is caught in the illusion before being freed by Naruto and Sasuke. By the series epilogue, having the Hidden Leaf Village's Nara Clan as in-laws through Temari, Gaara remains active as the Kazekage.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 72|year=2015|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 700|isbn=978-4-08-880220-6}}</ref>
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[[List of Naruto video games|''Naruto'' video games]] commonly feature Gaara, including the [[Naruto: Clash of Ninja (series)|''Clash of Ninja'']] and [[Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (series)|''Ultimate Ninja'' series]].<ref name="IGNCoN2GuidePage2">{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/736/736611p2.html|title=Naruto: The Complete Fighter Profile - Page 2|author=Bozon, Mark|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=2006-09-29|access-date=2007-03-04}}</ref><ref name="GUIDE4">{{cite book |editor=Tomy|title=Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen 4 Japanese instruction manual|year=2005|publisher=Tomy|language=ja|page=5}}</ref><ref name="GUIDE1 26">{{cite book|title=Naruto: Ultimate Ninja English instruction manual|year=2006|publisher=[[Namco Bandai]]|page=26}}</ref> In some games, he uses his Shukaku form for combat, as well as other moves not seen in the anime or manga. ''[[Naruto: Clash of Ninja (series)#Naruto Shippūden: Gekitō Ninja Taisen! EX|Naruto Shippūden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX]]'' marks the first appearance of Gaara in his [[List of Naruto chapters (Part II)|Part II]] appearance in a video game.<ref name="Accel2">{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/naruto/goods/game.html |title=ＮＡＲＵＴＯ－ナルト－ 疾風伝:ＴＶ東京 - Goods |language=ja |publisher=[[TV Tokyo]] |access-date=2008-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080301182416/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/naruto/goods/game.html |archive-date=2008-03-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Gaara also appears in [[light novel]]s from the series. He makes a cameo in ''Kakashi's Story'' alongside the other Kage.<ref>{{cite book|title=Naruto: Kakashi's Story — Lightning in the Frozen Sky|isbn=978-1-42-158440-9|year=2015|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|publisher=VIZ Media LLC }}</ref> In ''Shikamaru Hiden'' he joins his sister Temari and Naruto in the search for the missing [[Shikamaru Nara]] whom Gaara values due to his close relationship with Temari.<ref name="Kishimoto, Masashi 2016">{{cite book|title=Naruto: Sakura's Story — Love Riding the Spring Breeze|isbn=978-1-42-158442-3|year=2016|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|publisher=VIZ Media LLC }}</ref> In ''Sakura's Hiden'', Gaara assists the Konohagakure ninja upon their news that a man resembling Sasuke Uchiha is planning to attack the village.<ref name="Kishimoto, Masashi 2016"/> In ''Konoha Hiden'', Gaara visits Konohagakure to see the wedding of Naruto and [[Hinata Hyuga]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding|isbn=978-4-08-703360-1|year=2015|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|publisher=Shueisha}}</ref> He also appears as the protagonist of ''Gaara Hiden'' which follows his works as the Fifth Kazekage while dealing with his sister's wedding with Shikamaru.<ref>{{cite book|title=Gaara Hiden: A Sandstorm Mirage|isbn=978-4-08-703364-9|year=2015|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|publisher=Shueisha}}</ref>
==Reception==
{{multiple image
| total_width = 300px
Gaara has ranked highly in the popularity polls for the series, continuously placing in the top ten.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 28|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 245|pages=[https://archive.org/details/naruto00kish_2/page/8 8–9]|isbn=978-1-4215-1864-0|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/naruto00kish_2/page/8}}</ref> The last such poll was in 2011, in which Gaara was in 4th place.<ref>{{cite book |author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 56|year=2011|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 531|isbn= 978-1-4215-4207-2}}</ref> Several pieces of Gaara merchandise have been released; including key chains, plush dolls and action figures of his Part I and Part II appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B002BTFH42|title=キーホルダー(ラバー)ナルト疾風伝 NARUTO [我愛羅 風影(チビ)]【並行輸入】|access-date=April 21, 2014|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00292WNRA|title=NARUTO ナルト疾風伝 我愛羅 ＰＶＣキーホルダー 並行輸入品|access-date=April 21, 2014|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00108GNS4|title=Gaara with Gourd Plush: Toys & Games|access-date=March 4, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B002EU42WQ|script-title=ja:ナルト 疾風伝 我愛羅 風影 8インチ ぬいぐるみ|access-date=April 21, 2014|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LOI02U|title=Gaara - Naruto ~8" Action Figure|access-date=April 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YL448Q|title=Toynami Naruto Shippuden 6 Inch Series 2 Action Figure Gaara|access-date=April 21, 2014}}</ref> [[AnimeCentral]] listed him as eighth best villain in anime with comments focused on how flashbacks made him a tragic character and at the same time similar to Naruto Uzumaki.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animecentral.com/news/story.aspx?ID=308|title=Friday Feature|publisher=[[AnimeCentral]]|access-date=November 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013221335/http://animecentral.com/news/story.aspx?ID=308|archive-date=October 13, 2010 }}</ref> Additionally, his fight against [[Rock Lee]] was listed as the second best one in anime for exchanges in moves and its conclusion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animecentral.com/news/story.aspx?ID=281|title=Friday Feature|publisher=[[AnimeCentral]]|access-date=November 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212004140/http://animecentral.com/news/story.aspx?ID=281|archive-date=December 12, 2010}}</ref> In 2014, IGN listed him as the third best ''Naruto'' character when the series ended.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/top-10-naruto-characters?page=2 |title=Top Ten Naruto Characters |date=November 12, 2014 |access-date=June 12, 2017 |publisher=[[IGN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170712135115/http://www.ign.com/articles/top-10-naruto-characters?page=2 |archive-date=July 12, 2017 }}</ref>▼
| footer = [[Akira Ishida]] (''left'') and [[Liam O'Brien]] (right) were praised for voicing Gaara in Japanese and English, respectively
| image1 = Akira Ishida in 2020.jpg
| alt1 =
| image2 = Liam O'Brien (cropped2).jpg
| alt2 =
}}
▲Gaara has ranked highly in the popularity polls for the series, continuously placing in the top ten.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 28|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 245|pages=[https://archive.org/details/naruto00kish_2/page/8 8–9]|isbn=978-1-4215-1864-0|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/naruto00kish_2/page/8}}</ref> The last such poll was in 2011, in which Gaara was in 4th place.<ref>{{cite book |author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 56|year=2011|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|chapter=Chapter 531|isbn= 978-1-4215-4207-2}}</ref> Several pieces of Gaara merchandise have been released; including key chains, plush dolls and action figures of his Part I and Part II appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B002BTFH42|title=キーホルダー(ラバー)ナルト疾風伝 NARUTO [我愛羅 風影(チビ)]【並行輸入】|access-date=April 21, 2014|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00292WNRA|title=NARUTO ナルト疾風伝 我愛羅 ＰＶＣキーホルダー 並行輸入品|access-date=April 21, 2014|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00108GNS4|title=Gaara with Gourd Plush: Toys & Games|website=Amazon |access-date=March 4, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B002EU42WQ|script-title=ja:ナルト 疾風伝 我愛羅 風影 8インチ ぬいぐるみ|access-date=April 21, 2014|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LOI02U|title=Gaara - Naruto ~8" Action Figure|website=Amazon |access-date=April 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YL448Q|title=Toynami Naruto Shippuden 6 Inch Series 2 Action Figure Gaara|website=Amazon |access-date=April 21, 2014}}</ref> [[AnimeCentral]] listed him as eighth best villain in anime with comments focused on how flashbacks made him a tragic character and at the same time similar to Naruto Uzumaki.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animecentral.com/news/story.aspx?ID=308|title=Friday Feature|publisher=[[AnimeCentral]]|access-date=November 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013221335/http://animecentral.com/news/story.aspx?ID=308|archive-date=October 13, 2010 }}</ref> Additionally, his fight against [[Rock Lee]] was listed as the second best one in anime for exchanges in moves and its conclusion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animecentral.com/news/story.aspx?ID=281|title=Friday Feature|publisher=[[AnimeCentral]]|access-date=November 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212004140/http://animecentral.com/news/story.aspx?ID=281|archive-date=December 12, 2010}}</ref> In 2014, IGN listed him as the third best ''Naruto'' character when the series ended.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/top-10-naruto-characters?page=2 |title=Top Ten Naruto Characters |date=November 12, 2014 |access-date=June 12, 2017 |publisher=[[IGN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170712135115/http://www.ign.com/articles/top-10-naruto-characters?page=2 |archive-date=July 12, 2017 }}</ref> ''[[My Hero Academia]]'' author [[Kōhei Horikoshi]] regarded Gaara as his favorite ''Naruto'' character in the Chuunin Exams for his portrayal as the author claimed that most high school students enjoyed his strength.<ref>{{cite web|title=一番最初にガツンときたのは鬼兄弟！【対談】岸本斉史×堀越耕平|url=https://ddnavi.com/news/233992/a/|website=[[Da Vinci (magazine)|Da Vinci News]]|publisher=[[Kadokawa Corporation]]|last=Yoshida|first=Daisuke|date=April 8, 2015|access-date=February 6, 2022|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303184829/https://ddnavi.com/news/233992/a/|archive-date=March 3, 2021}}</ref>
Anime and manga publications have mostly praised Gaara's character. [[IGN]] noted that Gaara was an "anti-Naruto", possessing a "dark, solemn character" as opposed to Naruto's continuous cheer and excitement.<ref name="IGNNarutoReader">{{cite web|url=http://anime.ign.com/articles/834/834323p4.html|title=IGN: Naruto Reader's Guide|publisher=[[IGN]]|author=Sparrow, A.E.|date=2007-11-09|access-date=2008-03-04}}</ref> In another review, IGN also called Gaara's background "emotional" and "a tad creepy" due to the disparity between the development of Naruto's and Gaara's personalities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/767/767826p1.html|title=IGN: An Assassin of the Moonlit Night Review|publisher=[[IGN]]|author=Van Horn, Jason|date=2007-02-26|access-date=2008-03-04}}</ref> [[Anime News Network]] celebrated the "depth and emotion" that Naruto's and Gaara's similarities added to the plot, and commented that "nowhere in the entire series run does ''Naruto'' shine brighter than in the peak period of his battle against Gaara".<ref name="ANNReviewDVD6">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto/dvd-uncut-dvd-box-set-6|title=Naruto Uncut DVD Box Set 6 - Review|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|author=Martin, Theron|date=February 29, 2008|access-date=2008-03-04}}</ref> They also complimented Kishimoto's visual presentation of Gaara in the manga, referring to "chilling [glimpses] of Gaara's crazed, exposed face".<ref name="ANNNarutoManga8-10">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto-gn-8-10|title=Naruto GN 8-10 - Review|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|author=Kimlinger, Karl|date=2006-11-02|access-date=2008-03-04}}</ref> Mania Entertainment noted that Gaara and Sasuke's first fight shows how the former has a "fragile" psyche despite his violent attitude. His backstory was also praised by Mania Entertainment since it includes "a ton of legitimate emotion" allowing viewers from the series to understand more Gaara's personality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/naruto-box-set-06-also-wspecial-edition_article_79870.html |title=Naruto Box Set 06 (also w/special edition) |publisher=Mania Entertainment |author=Rich, Justin |date=June 18, 2008 |access-date=September 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214233412/http://www.mania.com/naruto-box-set-06-also-wspecial-edition_article_79870.html |archive-date=December 14, 2011 }}</ref> [[DVD Talk]] writer Todd Douglass Jr. enjoyed the similarities between Gaara and Naruto as well as the former's state after being defeated by the latter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/33010/naruto-uncut-boxed-set-volume-7-special-edition/|title=Naruto Uncut Boxed Set, Volume 7 (Special Edition)
|publisher=DVD Talk|author=Douglass Jr.; Todd|access-date=July 5, 2017|date=April 21, 2008 }}</ref> His return to aid the Konohagakure ninjas to fight has been praised by Holly Ellingwood from Active Anime who was mostly focused on Gaara's change of hearts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.activeanime.com/html/content/view/3983/57/ |title=
Gaara's promotion to leader from Sunagakure in Part II of the series was deemed as the most surprising development in the series by Briana Lawrence from Mania Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/naruto-vol-28_article_83777.html |title=Naruto Vol. #28 |publisher=Mania Entertainment |author=Lawrence, Briana |date=February 27, 2008 |access-date=November 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025193834/http://www.mania.com/naruto-vol-28_article_83777.html |archive-date=October 25, 2012 }}</ref> UK Anime Network's Kevin Leathers stated that while in the first part of the series, Gaara was a fearsome villain, in the following one he became "much more three-dimensional."<ref name="ukanim">{{cite web|url=http://www.uk-anime.net/anime/Naruto_Shippuden_Box_Set_1.html|title=Anime Review: Naruto Shippuden Box Set 1|publisher=UK Anime Network|author=Leathers, Kevin|date=July 19, 2010|access-date=November 17, 2011}}</ref> Similarly, Douglass Jr. praised Gaara's development in later episodes from ''Naruto: Shippuden'' owing to his relationship's expansion with Naruto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/42122/naruto-shippuden-8/|title=Naruto Shippuden, Vol. 8|publisher=[[DVD Talk]]|author=Douglass Jr., Todd|date=April 6, 2010|access-date=November 17, 2011}}</ref> His fight against Deidara has also received positive response, with critics praising the revisit of Gaara's popular moves and the strategy both fighters employed.<ref name="ukanim"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/848/848479p1.html|title=Naruto Vol. 28 Review|publisher=IGN|author=Sparrow, A.E.|date=January 29, 2008|access-date=November 17, 2011}}</ref> On the other hand, [[Jason Thompson (writer)|Jason Thompson]] from Anime News Network noted that, while Gaara had developed ever since his introduction in Part I, it felt wrong that Gaara was accepted as the new Kazekage due to his previous wishes to kill people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2014-11-13/naruto-part-ii/.80991|title=House of 1000 Manga - Naruto Part II|publisher=Anime News Network|author=Thompson, Jason |date=November 13, 2014|access-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> During the last episodes of Part II's adaptation, Amy McNulty, also from Anime News Network, enjoyed how Gaara was handled as a comic relief alongside other recurring character. Nevertheless, she found important how Gaara now thought of Naruto as a friend rather than as a hero in contrast to the early story arcs of Part II.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto-shippuden/episode-497/.112942|title=Naruto Shippuden Episode 497|publisher=Anime News Network|author=McNulty, Amy |date=March 4, 2017|access-date=July 7, 2017}}</ref>
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