Rock Lee interpretation

[PuppetMaster Kankuro]

If you broke your back you would never be able to walk again, right? I thought Bruce Lee just got a strained disc in his back and as a result was confined to bed for like a month...

[supereyebrowplatonic]

dude, it has nothing to do with his hardwork, the orignal rock lee fans, as in when he first came out with his love for sakura, saw his awsomeness and said

" that guy ownz"

thank you


his personality "rocks", he does thunbs up which i think is just too cool and only works in anime, and his teeth shine. that was awsome. and after he fought sasuke was he known to be a badass

so there

rock lee is too cool

[Xeo]

Yup, it's definitely true that Rock has talent which came from hard work. Even Kakashi noted that opening so many gates at once isn't something that "only" hard work can accomplish.
But along the subject of hard work and one of the main themes of Rock Lee. It's true that hard work can take us to our potential (and we never know how high that potential is), but there are many factors that weight into how far we go. Hard work will take us so far, talent (much of which I find is confidence) and luck will do the rest.
Rock has the talent and work ethic to acheive his goal, but the person he ran into... Gaara had more talent and was "worked" hard in the ninja ways as well. If Rock had fought anyone else, he would be laughing his way into the 3rd exam. Now, his failure, brings up an IMPORTANT part of life. We may be great, but sometimes things just DON'T work out. Now, in these situations, what are we going to do? Sit and accept it's done, we're out, there's nothing we can do? Or keep reinventing ourselves and working hard to accomplish our new goals.

It's Rock's resilience that stands out the most. He's down, but by the way he's keeps working, he'll surprise us all like Naruto While he might be a bit on the stubborn side, it's good to see someone like that. For a real life example, look no further than Christopher Reeves.

[SDShamshel]

The original poster does not seem to get the point of Rock Lee at all.

It's not "hard work will get you so far."

The theme of Rock Lee is "if you reach a set back, you just have to work harder."

Rock Lee works harder than any other Gennin right now, but he still suffered a terrible injury by Gaara. Is this saying "this is all Rock Lee will ever get?" No, it's saying that this is just another obstacle Rock Lee has to clear with the power of hard work.

If Rock Lee ended up as a head and a torso, he'd still probably be a great ninja because he can overcome his limitations.

[Insomniac]

yeah its not about hard work will get you anywhere, Lee wasnt all hard work either, he had the ability to remove the 5 gates and that was nothing to do with hard work.

i wouldnt read too much into it, yes he was good but most people like him because of how he fought against all odds it doesnt really matter about the outcome.
the journey is more important then the beginning or the end
also about Lee whincing when he was executing the move, there was no way he could have stopped that seeing as it was a side effect of the move, he came close but there wasnt a way he could win against Gaara unfortunatly
the moral is to try no matter what, even if you dont believe you can do it or even if you cant do it

[Rothman]

just to wrap things up ROCK LEE = OWNZ ASS

for those who don't like Rock Lee, u guys are just sadistic slackers who doesn't believe in hard work....i mean who is going to employ u guys???

PS nuthin too personal

[Beautiful Green Beast]

Yeah,Lee sure owns! And he is one of the most important characters in the whole anime (and manga)!

[SeGee]

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (SeGee @ Dec 3 2003, 03:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> hm I have never heard this paper rock sisors thing.. what episode was this? </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
still no ansswer

[uzuMaki_fox9]

Sory i havn&#39;t had the time to read all replies so I may be repeating some stuff. Firstly Rock Lee does have talent







(SPOILER SPOILERkakashi pointed it out as he opened the 5th gate)





Secondly the fact Rock Lee is inable to be a ninja presently is not due to the fact that the Japanese look down on hardwork and determinantion. Being a race that has succeeded through the hard work of its people (after the tragic hiroshima bomb), I find that actually Rock Lee is a symbol of how hard work can always prosper against the toughest challenges. I think that we have not seen the last of this special character and he will once agian prove everyone wrong.

[RamenNoodles]

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>One thing I could never understand is why people like Rock Lee so much. From my interpretation Rock Lee symbolizes a hard working average American. He is not somebody who is talented, exceptional or special in any way but his drive. His credo is; through hard work and determination, I can advance myself. By basically maiming Rock Lee to the point of inability to perform as a ninja, the people responsible for the manga/anime are saying that hard work and determination will only get you so far, you need to be born talented/elite. This makes much sense since Japanese are very elitist (based purely on personal experience, no stereotyping intended). To me, anybody with interest in Rock Lee is celebrating the fact that the Japanese believe somebody must be born with talent to succeed in life. </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>

I do disagree that this is indeed what Rock Lee represents. This is purely based upon my belief that the creators wouldn&#39;t stoop so low to drag some kind of stupid international insult into what is an excellent anime. I do however, believe that AphexTwinJunkie has a point that it is possible that Rock Lee could be a negative representation of America and just because you don&#39;t believe it to mean that however doesn&#39;t mean that it isn&#39;t a possibility.

[kyuubi]

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Karasu @ Dec 3 2003, 05:25 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Why dont whoever like whatever they want instead sounds much better than analyzing what rock lee is. Lee represents a group of ppl that might not be born with a perticular talent but have a talent for working hard in getting good at something they put their mind too. We saw that Hard work didnt get Lee past gaara and thats the way it should be. But lee can only become better and better but at the same time the ppl lee so desperatly wants to reach will also evolve and become better and better. So a talent for something+training will almost for sure beat someone with moderate talent for something+trainingx20. </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
I kinda agree with what you are saying, but this whole thing about Hardwork and how it cant get you past someone who has talent and works hard is something I definately dont agree with. I look at Rock Lee and I see a person who works hard toward something he believes in. He achieved the goal he was after, all though he doesnt realize it. He definately surpassed Neji. Neji was fast when fighting with Naruto, but he was not hardly as fast as Rock Lee when he opened the life gates. The way I see it, the message is though you work hard, there is always someone better, so you must keep working to become stronger and stronger. Dont stop just because you reach a level you feel comfortable at. Once you achieve it, surpass it. And I hope that Lee realizes this and works hard to surpass Gaara, and anyone else who appears that is stronger than Gaara. Well...I hope that makes sense to somebody here... &lt;----I just love that smiley&#33;&#33;&#33;

[SirCharlesIII]

well, i like him cause....he&#39;s awesome? no, really, he&#39;s the most unique character, i feel, he&#39;s very naive, and thus endearing, and his earnest demeanor is like tha of a young child, he&#39;s easy to love as a result. also, he&#39;s funny as hell