Shikamaru Nara is a fictional character from the popular anime and manga series Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is a member of the Nara clan and is known for his high intelligence and strategic thinking. Shikamaru possesses the ability to manipulate shadows, which he uses in combat to immobilize his opponents. As a ninja, Shikamaru often prefers to avoid conflict and finds most tasks to be troublesome. Despite his laid-back attitude, he is a loyal friend and a skilled leader, eventually becoming a key figure in the Shinobi Alliance during the series' later arcs.