Why Kirimaru is a depressing character || Nintama Analysis || 1
I know that Kirimaru knows how to behave funny lol and that people want to smack him if he causes trouble, but it's not that hard to feel sorry for him, considering what his general situation is like.
The reason why I think Kirimaru is such a tragic character is because Kirimaru does not have enough money to afford resources and so he is struggling to earn it. He is basically that one person who needed financial support from others because he grew up without family, and that he needs money to take care of himself so this explains his money obsession and part-time jobs (and possibly the scarf as a tragic keepsake???).
Speaking of keepsake, the scarf that Kirimaru has been wearing this whole time MIGHT be belong to his parents or just a gift his parents gave to him. Either way, you gotta admit that it's heartbreaking to see him losing his parents. This may be the reason why Kirimaru keeps wearing the same scarf and never remove it unlike the others. He clearly loves them and the scarf REALLY means a lot to him, a memento.
With the help of his friends and peers, Kirimaru is not only able to interact with people but also he sees everyone as his family thanks to the love and care he received. Even if people are annoyed by his antics, they still care for and support him, even being more protective of him such as Doi-sensei, who also had a similar upbringing as him.
I couldn't imagine how Kirimaru would feel if he doesn't come to the Ninjutsu Academy School. He would definitely remain aloof for the rest of his life, with no one else reaching out nor approaching him for his own issues. What drives it home is that he may have to steal money from others as a part of a coping mechanism for being an orphan and he possibly believes that he feels like a burden to anyone. Deep down, Kirimaru may feel depressed about not having anyone to take care nor adopt him and must have put on his facade to not worry others.
When I was younger, I used to think that Kirimaru is just a greedy kid, but now that I grow up, I literally bawl my eyes out when finding out about his life as a whole so I changed my opinion. In truth, Kirimaru is a relatable person imo and is again, a tragic case of a character whose comical behavior is a result of the harsh backstory. Yep, Cerebus Retcon indeed, though I STILL FIND HIM FUNNY!!
Note: this is just my opinion so I don't mind if you share your own thoughts on this as long as you respect it!