Opinions and interpretations of Naru and Nephrite

[SailorCeti]

This has probably come up in the past, but I didn't want to necro an old thread.

I am curious as to the fanbase's opinions and interpretations of the Naru and Nephrite relationship. For me, it's hard to nail down. For one thing, Nephrite is a being from the Dark Kingdom (Originally from the Moon Kindom, along with the other three Kings and Beryl, before they were corrupted by Metalia). From that standpoint alone, ANY human is too young for him as he's potentially thousands of years old. On the other hand, he'd never experienced love at all. It isn't too surprising that he felt something for the one that opened his eyes. The question remains, however, was he truly in love with her, or did he just have a special bond and fondness for her because of her actions? Was it protective or romantic? What do you think about this?

 

[Star Angel Haruki]

First, honestly, their relationship is far too nasty. Naru is a preteen girl and good Lord, Nephrite is one of my favorites but he's too old for her.

I would prefer if it was like a fatherly or brotherly bond and maybe Naru lost her father or older brother and looked up to Nephrite for protection or something of the like.

I am a mixed because I do know that young people develop crushes on adults all the time so I am fine with her crushing on him but not him looking at her romantically.

Nephrite may not have experienced true love in a long while, but I'm sure he knew that young girls sometimes had moments like this. After all, he and Jadite had plenty of times where they manipulated the emotions of young girls.

He probably was so used to being cut throat that is was a shock someone would risk their life for him.

I think it was more protective than romantic.

Regardless, of how I feel about it I think it is one of the most tragic stories in the 90's anime. The way he disappears in her arms and she cried out is the most saddest thing.

I think even worse was that all Sailor Moon, our shows powerful heroine, hadn't awoken to her full potentia yet and all she could do was just watch him die while crying.

At least for me.

 

[Slowpokeking]

Sure.

Naru was a girl who got bored with normal life, she dreamed to have something truly EXCITING in her life. You can see her make dreams about pianists and all those adventures. Sailor senshi also interested her.

So Nephrite, a mysterious, handsome and intelligent man caught her attention. His danger seems to hurt Naru, but actually made him even more attractive in her eyes. Deep down, she loves such adventure with Nephrite, where she could experience what she dreamed of and get rid of her boring life. This is why she kept to pursue and love Nephrite, and believing that she would get something out of it and play the "savor" role to him. Which did come partly true.

Nephrite was a cunning and powerful villain, he was not "loyal" to Beryl, but more likely work for his own pride. He tried to know humans, even had his alter ego to get into humans' life. And deep down he did feel a bit good because ppl are friendly to him instead of only look him as a tool or want to kill him.

He was using Naru at first, but then he found that she did love him regardless of his usefulness, even to protect him with her life, this shocked him. Someone truly takes him so importantly. When Naru asked him about his daily life he smiled because he never felt such thing before. This is why he would put down his coldness for Naru. His death also showed bad ppl could be redeemed in a reasonable way.

Sure you can pick on them not being a good couple, but their relationship is very well handled and was the first touching point of the anime.

 

[SailorCeti]

Sure.

Naru was a girl who got bored with normal life, she dreamed to have something truly EXCITING in her life. You can see her make dreams about pianists and all those adventures. Sailor senshi also interested her.

So Nephrite, a mysterious, handsome and intelligent man caught her attention. His danger seems to hurt Naru, but actually made him even more attractive in her eyes. Deep down, she loves such adventure with Nephrite, where she could experience what she dreamed of and get rid of her boring life. This is why she kept to pursue and love Nephrite, and believing that she would get something out of it and play the "savor" role to him. Which did come partly true.

Nephrite was a cunning and powerful villain, he was not "loyal" to Beryl, but more likely work for his own pride. He tried to know humans, even had his alter ego to get into humans' life. And deep down he did feel a bit good because ppl are friendly to him instead of only look him as a tool or want to kill him.

He was using Naru at first, but then he found that she did love him regardless of his usefulness, even to protect him with her life, this shocked him. Someone truly takes him so importantly. When Naru asked him about his daily life he smiled because he never felt such thing before. This is why he would put down his coldness for Naru. His death also showed bad ppl could be redeemed in a reasonable way.

Sure you can pick on them not being a good couple, but their relationship is very well handled and was the first touching point of the anime.

Well, true. It was handled well. The question was more along the lines of "would you have approved had he lived and they continued their relationship" rather than "was Naru's behaviour reasonable". Naru really isn't in question. She was a young girl in love/crush. The focus was more on him and the overall aesthetic of the relationship. But I understand what you're saying.

 

[Slowpokeking]

Well, true. It was handled well. The question was more along the lines of "would you have approved had he lived and they continued their relationship" rather than "was Naru's behaviour reasonable". Naru really isn't in question. She was a young girl in love/crush. The focus was more on him and the overall aesthetic of the relationship. But I understand what you're saying.

Storywise what we've got would be the best ending for the climax. Having Nephrite survived would kinda make his character difficult to handle. Nor would we have screentime for her with more senshi join in.

But I don't mind give a scene in the end that Naru grew mature and meet his reincarnation again then let them to be together.

 

[Star Angel Haruki]

I like to imagine in some alternate universe Naru is manipulated by Nephrite similar to how Ami was in Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon.

From there he develops close feelings for her and she for him but she eventually comes back to the side of good thanks to Sailor Moon and this makes him question his ways at some point.

It eventually gets to the point where Naru is still willing to sacrifice herself for him but he ends up doing it for her instead.

After he dies in her arms and she screams in agony she awakens as Sailor Sun, Solider of Radiance and Rejuvenation..lol

This topic just makes me realize how much I wish Naru (even Umino) were still involved throughout the show.

I wonder what the story would be like if Nephrite was reborn as teen boy?

 

[Tsundereshipper]

My problem with Naru/Nephrite is solely the age gap and pedophilic undertones, I love the actual concept of it as it fleshes out both Nephrite & Naru and showcases the humanity of the 90's anime, is an unexpected twist (at least at the time when Classic was first airing) and the story arc itself is one of the best parts of Classic and always manages to tug at my heartstrings (who can ever forget the infamous 'Chocolate Parfait?")

However I think the story would've worked better if Nephrite had been similar to Ail and a boy Usagi & Naru's age who was posing as a student at Juban HIgh, that would've gotten rid of the controversy at least, because the story itself and how it develops really is quite good, it's just that Nephrite's older appearance gives off some uncomfortable grooming undertones.

 

[Nadia]

My opinion is that Nephrite did care for Naru and cared for her in a protective way, but I don't see him loving her romantically. As the OP mentioned, he likely had not felt anything close to love for centuries, if not millennia, so to feel a special sense of protection would be new and unexpected.

That doesn't mean he loved her any less deeply than if his feelings had been romantic, but I definitely see them as platonic on his front. I don't think if he lived, a romantic relationship would have developed; Naru would always be a little girl to him, even after she grew into being a grown woman.

 

[Tsundereshipper]

My opinion is that Nephrite did care for Naru and cared for her in a protective way, but I don't see him loving her romantically. As the OP mentioned, he likely had not felt anything close to love for centuries, if not millennia, so to feel a special sense of protection would be new and unexpected.

That doesn't mean he loved her any less deeply than if his feelings had been romantic, but I definitely see them as platonic on his front. I don't think if he lived, a romantic relationship would have developed; Naru would always be a little girl to him, even after she grew into being a grown woman.

I think a romantic relationship between them & him returning her feelings would've worked and been sweet if only they had just had him be a boy like Ail around Naru's age.