I'm slowly forgetting your face

He’s such a multilayered character, however it’s overshadowed by the way his character is presented and the fact there are other and more important characters to focus on.

His devotion to his art makes him a strangely sad or bittersweet character. His concept is unique and contrary to the most common and popular concept of art; something long lasting.

Deidara’s art is centred around the present, a single moment that can only be experienced once. The present is fleeting, every second that passes is something you can’t get back. A single moment of impact that ensures no future and the destruction of the past; an explosion. Deidara’s art is not only an explosion itself, but both the destruction it causes to what’s in its path, and the destruction of the clay sculptures he uses as its foundation. His art isn’t focused on the past or future. It ensures a single moment in the present (explosion) of destruction (erasing the past).

Considering how the Narutoverse is set around wars and generally full of violence, it would make sense for the art pieces of that verse to be based around telling stories of the wars or advertising for a better future (like Jiraya’s original works), Both of which are based on the past and the future.

It’s easy to see how Deidara’s art would be viewed as ‘unartistic’ or ‘unappealing’. Contrary to popular opinion, Deidara is a smart character who understands other people and how they work. So considering that, why does he seem to assume people look down on him and his art even when they don’t say anything negative (ect; Sasuke, Itachi)? Maybe it’s because of the lack of recognition he’s received. He’s hates people who don’t recognise his work, because that’s what everyone does.

The path of an artist is a path of misery. Most people see artists as people who create, however Deidara is someone who destroys. So what does that make him, in the views of others? Caring about the opinions of those who differ than you is nothing but demeaning. So it’s better to simply view yourself as superior. You’re right and they’re wrong. Deidara’s art is true art, and nobody else’s is. To me, the scene where he aggressively refused his own admiration in Itachi’s abilities, is a clear indication of insecurity and doubt. If he acknowledges someone who doesn’t even share his views on destruction, then he’d be denying the certainty in his own art and be saying ‘my belief and concept can be beaten’.

This is why I believe him to be bittersweet character, whether he himself knows it or not. He’s complicated, maybe because he’s so simple at the same time. Yeah, he’s this short angry blonde dude who likes art- but it’s because of the fact he’s present as that and nothing more, which makes him feel complicated once you actually look at him.

f is for friends who do stuff together-

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Redesign of the Akatsuki robes bc I really like its design but it would have been more interesting if every Akatsuki wore it differently.

More details:

The length of the sleeves and robe depends on the need for mobilty of each character, which in turn depends on their fighting styles and abilities. Characters like Kisame and Sasori have shorter sleeves bc they need their arms free to fight. Itachi wearing a longer robe is bc he usually fights with genjutsu, it is also a sign of shameless pride to boast that he doesn't need movement to defeat an opponent.

Uchiha clothing usually have that same high collar thingy that the base Akatsuki robe gets and Obito and Itachi wear it open on purpose, to show their distance with the clan. Also Obito's collar gets bigger and pointier with each change.

Obito's shift from Tobi to Madara makes it seem like he tore his long sleeves. His silhouette is also hidden until the war where he becomes more reckless and stops caring about hiding his identity so carefully. He also got rid of the sleeve that hid the zetsu arm, the not-human one (both bc of symbolism and bc he tends to lose the arm often).

Hidan and Kakuzu seemingly represent the opposite of their themes, religion and money respectively. Hidan looks like a half naked anarchist (which is kind of way off "orthodoxy vibes") though he still has the Jashin jewlery. On the other hand Kakuzu looks homeless but that's bc he's so greedy and stingy he refuses to buy more clothes.

Pain/Nagato and Konan are the only ones with the basic robe bc they're the ones who feel more emotionally connected to the Akatsuki. They get more red bc of the "blood rain" symbolism.

I tried to add to those few hints at modern vibes in Deidara and Hidan's base designs while keeping the shinobi aesthetic bc it fits their character, and after all they are the youngest.

Overall I also did some small redesigns to everyone's base character design.

Cutie bby cure answerrrr ✨💜