Quote:Given it was originally my thread, I can safely say I don't particularly mind
I'll drop it after your rebuttle, as it is rude for us to continue hi-jacking the thread.
But I think, really, deciding what Naruto tech levels are is really an exercise best left up to the reader.
Because the tech aspect of world-building doesn't seem a priority to Kishimoto, the series creator. He's said that the Naruto world doesn't have guns and missiles, but only because guns would detract from the shinobi focus.
From that and other comments, I'm guessing he's the sort of guy who only thinks about such things in a fairly casual manner, only insofar as they provide a backdrop and set dressing...or directly infringe on the story.
There's also the fact that the Naruto world's an intentional fusion of traditional Japanese ninja stuff with contemporary sensibilities and setting. This is most apparent in fashion...how we see characters dress.
So we intentionally get anachronisms juxtaposed with modern things.
And this is a standard anime device. Naruto isn't the only world/series which does this - I recommend checking out Houshin Engi or Gensomaden Saiyuki for comparative examples.
The latter features Sanzo as a Buddhist Priest with traditional robes...spandex under said robes...evil-sealing scriptures round his neck...and a celestian handgun. Mind, that's nothing, because the second TV season introduces a God with a celestial AK-47.
...
That's how I see the Naruto world. And that in turn, tends to affect how I write about it. It's supposed to be that way, just roll with it, y'know?
And there's a heckova lot of in-jokes and puns with regards to the names of canon characters, jokes and references in the canon jutsu...
-- Acyl