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Gaara's background is primarily expanded upon in flashbacks during in ''Naruto'' manga volume fifteen. As a child, Gaara had the {{nihongo|One-Tailed Shukaku|一尾の守鶴|Ichibi no Shukaku|English TV: 'Shukaku the Sand Spirit'}}, a [[World of Naruto#Tailed beasts|tailed beast]], sealed into his body, giving him the power to manipulate sand.<ref name='Beginning'>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 11|year=2006 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 97 |isbn=1-4215-0241-0}}</ref><ref name='Blood'/> The Fourth Kazekage, Gaara's father and the leader of the village of Sunagakure, intended to use Gaara as the village's personal weapon.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 15|year=2007 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 131 |pages=93-95|isbn=1-4215-0240-2}}</ref> Gaara was trained by his father throughout his childhood to help gain control over the abilities granted to him by Shukaku.<ref name='Beginning'/> Despite this, Gaara was ostracized by the Sunagakure villagers, who viewed him as a monster for being the host of a tailed beast. Shukaku would occasionally manipulate sand against Gaara's will to harm other villagers, cementing their perception of him.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 15|year=2007 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 129 |isbn=1-4215-0240-2}}</ref> These attacks on the villagers convinced Gaara's father that he was a failed experiment, and he ordered Gaara's assassination. All of the attempts on Gaara's life failed, as Shukaku would always protect Gaara from harm and kill the assassin.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 15|year=2007 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 131|pages=89-91 |isbn=1-4215-0240-2}}</ref> Realizing that he had been abandoned by his family, Gaara adopted the belief that he could only rely upon himself and Shukaku, and that he had to kill others in order to confirm the value of his own existence.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 15|year=2007 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 131 |pages=98|isbn=1-4215-0240-2}}</ref> |
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Gaara's background is primarily expanded upon in flashbacks during in ''Naruto'' manga volume fifteen. As a child, Gaara had the {{nihongo|One-Tailed Shukaku|一尾の守鶴|Ichibi no Shukaku|English TV: 'Shukaku the Sand Spirit'}}, a [[World of Naruto#Tailed beasts|tailed beast]], sealed into his body, giving him the power to manipulate sand.<ref name='Beginning'>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 11|year=2006 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 97 |isbn=1-4215-0241-0}}</ref><ref name='Blood'/> The Fourth Kazekage, Gaara's father and the leader of the village of Sunagakure, intended to use Gaara as the village's personal weapon.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 15|year=2007 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 131 |pages=93-95|isbn=1-4215-0240-2}}</ref> Gaara was trained by his father throughout his childhood to help gain control over the abilities granted to him by Shukaku.<ref name='Beginning'/> Despite this, Gaara was ostracized by the Sunagakure villagers, who viewed him as a monster for being the host of a tailed beast. Shukaku would occasionally manipulate sand against Gaara's will to harm other villagers, cementing their perception of him.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 15|year=2007 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 129 |isbn=1-4215-0240-2}}</ref> These attacks on the villagers convinced Gaara's father that he was a failed experiment, and he ordered Gaara's assassination. All of the attempts on Gaara's life failed, as Shukaku would always protect Gaara from harm and kill the assassin.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 15|year=2007 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 131|pages=89-91 |isbn=1-4215-0240-2}}</ref> Realizing that he had been abandoned by his family, Gaara adopted the belief that he could only rely upon himself and Shukaku, and that he had to kill others in order to confirm the value of his own existence.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 15|year=2007 |publisher=Viz Media |chapter=Chapter 131 |pages=98|isbn=1-4215-0240-2}}</ref> |
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Gaara has made several appearances outside of the ''Naruto'' anime and manga. He is present in the second ''Naruto'' feature film, ''[[Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel]]''. He protects the Land of Wind from an assault by Haido, the antagonist of the film, and later battles the lightning user Ranke, one of Haido's subordinates, and defeats her.<ref name='ANNNarutotheMovie2'>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=5042|title=Naruto (movie 2)|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> Gaara is also present in the third [[original video animation]] released in the series, in which he participates in a tournament of various characters from across the series.<ref name='ANNNarutoOVA3'>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6057|title=Naruto (OAV)|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> [[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]]|accessdate=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=Japanese|pages=5}}</ref><ref name='GUIDE1 26'>{{cite book|editor=|title=Naruto: Ultimate Ninja English instruction manual|year=2006|publisher=[[Namco Bandai]]|language=English|pages=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: Gekitou 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=Japanese|publisher=[[TV Tokyo]]|accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> |
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Gaara has made several appearances outside of the ''Naruto'' anime and manga. He is present in the second ''Naruto'' feature film, ''[[Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel]]''. He protects the Land of Wind from an assault by Haido, the antagonist of the film, and later battles the lightning user Ranke, one of Haido's subordinates, and defeats her.<ref name='ANNNarutotheMovie2'>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=5042|title=Naruto (movie 2)|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> Gaara is also present in the third [[original video animation]] released in the series, in which he participates in a tournament of various characters from across the series.<ref name='ANNNarutoOVA3'>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6057|title=Naruto (OAV)|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> [[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]]|accessdate=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=Japanese|pages=5}}</ref><ref name='GUIDE1 26'>{{cite book|editor=|title=Naruto: Ultimate Ninja English instruction manual|year=2006|publisher=[[Namco Bandai]]|language=English|pages=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: Gekitou 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=Japanese|publisher=[[TV Tokyo]]|accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> |
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Gaara has ranked highly in the popularity polls for the series, continuously placing in the top ten and reaching seventh place once.<ref name='ShonenJumpPopularityPoll'/> The last such poll was in 2006, in which Gaara was in 7th place.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 33|year=2006 |publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 293|isbn=4-08-874108-6}}</ref> Several pieces of Gaara merchandise been released, including key chains of his Part I and Part II appearance,<ref name='VizMediaKeyChain'/><ref name='AmazonKeyChainPartII'>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Naruto-Shippuden-Gaara-Plush-Chain/dp/B000Y449AE/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1204593692&sr=8-12|title=Amazon.com: Naruto Shippuden: Mini Gaara Plush Key Chain: Apparel|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> plush dolls,<ref name='AmazonPlushDoll'/><ref name='AmazonPlushDoll2'/> and a limited edition figurine.<ref name='VizMediaFigurine'>{{cite web|url=http://store.viz.com/ttp/Naruto-Figures-Gaara-Sand-Coffin-Statue-Only-2-000-Made/products_id/112343.html?keywords=Gaara|title=Naruto - Collectible - Gaara Sand Coffin Figurine|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> |
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Gaara has ranked highly in the popularity polls for the series, continuously placing in the top ten and reaching seventh place once.<ref name='ShonenJumpPopularityPoll'/> The last such poll was in 2006, in which Gaara was in 7th place.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 33|year=2006 |publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 293|isbn=4-08-874108-6}}</ref> Several pieces of Gaara merchandise been released, including key chains of his Part I and Part II appearance,<ref name='VizMediaKeyChain'/><ref name='AmazonKeyChainPartII'>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Naruto-Shippuden-Gaara-Plush-Chain/dp/B000Y449AE/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1204593692&sr=8-12|title=Amazon.com: Naruto Shippuden: Mini Gaara Plush Key Chain: Apparel|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> plush dolls,<ref name='AmazonPlushDoll'/><ref name='AmazonPlushDoll2'/> and a limited edition figurine.<ref name='VizMediaFigurine'>{{cite web|url=http://store.viz.com/ttp/Naruto-Figures-Gaara-Sand-Coffin-Statue-Only-2-000-Made/products_id/112343.html?keywords=Gaara|title=Naruto - Collectible - Gaara Sand Coffin Figurine|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> |
