Databooks Rule

Superior · 03-31-2007

As was brought to our attention by SS2 Vegeto, the following rule becomes effective immediately.

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We've had more than a few issues dealing with the accuracy and canonical status of Masashi Kishimoto's databooks. However, for the sake of logic, Masashi Kishimoto is the series mangaka and surely did not produce these books without thought or purpose, so I'm drawing a line in the sand. Being authored by the series creator, information contained within these books is canon by definition, and shares an equal canon status with the manga itself. Although some people might not like to believe it, for whatever reason, Masashi Kishimoto knows more about Naruto than you. When you picture yourself putting pen/pencil to the paper, and assigning a variety of precise, detailed individual statistical rankings to each character, along with whatever other information, think - is this not something that requires thought to do? That Kishimoto was simply utterly careless on one such databook is hardly believable in itself, let alone when confimed by a second databook. If you believe that your analysis shows that the manga begs to differ, then there is clearly a flaw(s) in your analysis. I believe that this is fairly easy to understand.

To get more specific, one thing erronously used on many occasion in an attempt to display the "innaccuracies" of Kishimoto's databooks, are bizarre gross statistical factors that come out when you add the different statistics (ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, intelligence, power, speed, stamina, and hand seals) to get one number, apparantly intending to show the claimed "overall strength" that the databooks depict. Incorrectly, the claim would be. This is equally simple.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS2 Vegeto

1. The Databooks statistical measurements are in tiers. There are five tiers. Sandaime Hokage obviously isn't limited to the same ninjutsu and hand seals ability, for example, as Kakashi, because there are no tiers higher than five - anything over that level falls under tier five. It just means you're top-notch in that area. You could be any amount stronger than that, but you still fall into tier five because tier five is the last tier.

2. You would expect that by adding them up you would get an accurate result? Gai has little ninjutsu and genjutsu ability, less intelligence, and a low level of skill at hand seals - taijutsu, power, and speed are what gets him ahead in his rivalry on occasion....because whereas taking Kakashi on in ninjutsu ability would be a deathwish, which should be completely obvious, he has a huge advantage in close quarters combat - so you think adding up the statistics of a ninja who specializes in one area, and having him come out lower than a more rounded one makes him weaker? That's pretty bad judgement if you ask me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS2 Vegeto

7. Once again, there you go thinking a taijutsu specialist, this time exclusively, should have a higher gross statistic than someone with a little in each area. No.

Further, when making comparisons between character strengths, we must be careful to take into account jutsus and any unique abilities that do not serve to augment any statistical field on the databook charts.

All in all, this is how it is. Whether or not you think it's right is your freedom - but rather than bothering others about how material created by the father of the series is innaccurate and/or non-canon/should be given lower canon status, please separate your self from this type of discussion/avoid the subject. It doesn't contribute to anything, we would rather not deal with it. This especially applies when the topic mainly revolves around the databooks or databook content, as clearly, if your opinion is that they are nonsense for some reason, you'll just derail the whole thing.

Acceptable

- questioning/challenging one's interpretation of the databooks

- politely stating a disagreeance with the databooks (i.e. "I don't believe...")

Unacceptable

- ranting about the alleged "innacuries" of the databooks

- criticizing others for use of the databooks as a valid source of information

We, as moderators, reserve the right to delete any posts and/or topics of the later type without warning or notice. Please do your best to contribute usefully and honestly, and enjoy yourself within the boundaries.

Yours truly, SS2 Vegeto.