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Neji Hyuga, who sparked fascination among the hearts of the viewers due to his mysteriousness, plays a vital role throughout the series.
With his destiny sealed early in the series, Neji was a member of the Hyuga clan’s branch house. He would represent the main house, regardless of how much he may achieve in his life. The “customary cursed seal,” branded upon Neji, would prevent the secrets of the Byakugan from being stolen upon his death. However, the seal led him into denial that it served the purpose of reminding him that he is forever bound to the branch house.
His father’s death solidified this belief of his, due to which he soon began to resent the entirety of his clan. He’d take every opportunity to impair Hinata, who was also a member of the Hyuga clan. For years, this carried on as Neji fell into an eternal abyss; he could not escape alone.
A genuinely kind child in his youth, Neji’s drastic development for the worse left him isolated. His sentiments took control over him until his fierce battle with Naruto Uzumaki in the Chunin Exams. Receiving a beat down by Naruto, Neji soon realized that his fate was for him to direct. This change of heart matured him as a person, and his bond with his teammates and comrades began to revamp as he started to believe in Naruto and Rock Lee and what they felt.
Neji became a renowned Shinobi of the Leaf who sacrificed his life in the 4th Shinobi War to protect Naruto and Hinata. With his sacrifice, he engraved his legacy in the years to come.
Notable skills
Neji was a prodigy with limitless potential and exemplified this throughout his life, to the point expectations were that he’d surpass everyone originating from the clan. Despite being a Taijutsu user, he had a sufficient amount of talent in three of the chakra natures: Fire, Water, and Earth.
A staggeringly competent shinobi, Neji was also gifted with the distinctive dojutsu of the Hyuga clan, Byakugan. This ability granted him the terrific ability to see almost 360 degrees upon activation. Byakugan also came in handy for tracking, as such a vigorous dojutsu could spot enemies from anywhere.
Furthermore, his Byakugan complimented his “Gentle fist” fighting style, which he attained in his youth. Gentle Fist’s true potential was only unlocked through the combined use of Byakugan, allowing him to cut off the chakra flow of his opponents using swift pokes.
His versatile fighting style was only able to nurture due to his proficiency in numerous Hyuga clan jutsus. He efficiently developed his “Eight Trigrams Sixty Four Palms” technique throughout the series, which enabled him to not only attack several targets simultaneously but also deflect projectiles launched at him. To divert various amounts of projectiles, Neji used “Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven” to secure himself from all threats. He also became fond of “Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm” and used it whenever he wasn’t in a suitable range for close combat.
Match-ups
Neji’s excellent and unique fighting style, which he gradually developed, sent shivers down the spines of his enemies. You may think that Neji’s death made him look weak, but his will of fire outshone the others through his sacrifice.
One would expect that a Taijutsu user would only be able to excel in short-range, but Neji, being an exception, could fight in medium ranges. Byakugan’s outrageous feat lets him keep track of his opponents and aids in dictating the battle style.
However, Byakugan has a weakness; It’s a blind spot. On the first look, it may seem like a subtle weakness, but upon discovery, it could change the outcome of the fight. Neji knew of this weakness, so he emitted chakra around that blind spot to counter it from being exploited.
Interestingly enough, Neji had a wide variety of bad matchups, especially those that could fight at long ranges, henceforth making a battle problematic for him. A prime example was most evident during the contest between Kidomaru and Neji, where he struggled throughout the battle because of the exposure of his weaknesses.
Neji’s prowess against Taijutsu users is genuinely remarkable, as his valiant fighting style is superior to most Taijutsu fighting styles. You may ponder over the question, “Who could be a good matchup for Neji?”. Analytically speaking, it has to be none other than Hinata. Having fought previously in the Chunin exams, a matured version of both would produce a daunting yet even battle between the two as both possess the same fighting style.
Team Composition
Neji has been a part of Team Guy, Sasuke Recovery Team, Konoha 11, Star Guard Team, and Second Division. His specialty was rightly used among all these teams as he served as a sole Taijutsu user who not only did hand-to-hand combat but also assisted his teammates through his visual prowess.
Not limited to a particular role, Neji had the freedom to provide support to his team according to the situation. This freedom makes him an easy pick for any team due to his versatility and adaptability; He could support through his incredible defense or go head-on with his explosive power.
If teamed with someone with the ability to fight long-range, his weaknesses would be less of a problem. Temari of the sand could be a vital asset to the team, leading to more flexibility as Neji can fight at a short range while Temari can assist him if put up against a long-ranged opponent.
Lacking a Ninjutsu user, the team can greatly benefit from someone like Orochimaru, who had an accord of being proficient purely in Ninjutsu. He will be able to provide a vast amount of move sets to the team through his Ninjutsu. Thus creating the perfect balance.
Lastly, no one in their right mind would want to face such a thunderous team that would cause an unsettling atmosphere among the hearts of the Shinobis.
Neji Hyuga DIY Cosplay Ideas
We’ve gathered a list of Neji Hyuga DIY cosplay ideas that fans can use for piecing together their own cosplay.
- Classic Neji:
- Outfit: Neji’s standard Genin attire, including a black jacket, white shirt, and dark pants.
- Accessories: Forehead protector with the Hyuga clan symbol, white bandages on his arms and legs, and a confident, focused expression.
- Neji in Shippuden:
- Outfit: Neji’s Shippuden appearance, featuring a black jacket with mesh armor, white pants, and ninja sandals.
- Accessories: Forehead protector, white bandages, and a serious demeanor.
- Young Neji:
- Outfit: Neji’s appearance during his childhood, typically seen wearing the traditional Hyuga clan robe and dark pants.
- Accessories: Forehead protector, the Hyuga clan crest on the back, and a determined expression.
- Neji in Battle Mode:
- Outfit: Neji in his Genin or Shippuden attire but in a dynamic combat pose to showcase his Byakugan and taijutsu skills.
- Accessories: Forehead protector, white bandages, and an intense expression.
- Neji with Byakugan Active:
- Outfit: Any of his outfits combined with white contact lenses to mimic his Byakugan eye.
- Accessories: Forehead protector, white bandages, and a focused or determined look.
- Casual Neji:
- Outfit: Neji in casual clothing, such as a t-shirt and jeans, showcasing a more relaxed side of his character.
- Accessories: Forehead protector, bandages, and a friendly demeanor.
- Neji’s Team Gai Appearance:
- Outfit: Coordinate your cosplay with friends who are cosplaying as Lee, Tenten, and Gai to create Team Gai.
- Accessories: Forehead protector, white bandages, and matching poses with your teammates.
- Neji with Gentle Fist Stance:
- Outfit: Neji in any of his outfits, but pose as if he’s about to use his Gentle Fist techniques.
- Accessories: Forehead protector, white bandages, and a determined stance.
- Neji in an Alternate Universe:
- Get creative! Imagine how Neji might look in different settings, timelines, or roles, while keeping his stoic and determined personality intact.
When cosplaying as Neji, focus on his calm and stoic demeanor, as well as the distinct Hyuga clan features, like the Byakugan and the clan symbol on his forehead protector. Whether you’re showcasing his mastery of the Gentle Fist or exploring different facets of his character, there are many ways to capture the essence of this memorable character. Enjoy cosplaying as Neji Hyuga!