by frice2000 » Tue Sep 20, 2011 8:47 pm
He doesn't run around seeking out challenges. The challenges come to him, and then he's confident he can win...And usually does. Answering all challenges is essential to his own martial arts school and personal honor. Is that over the top? Of course but that's who he is, and is the driving narrative force behind most chapters of the manga, so it's purposely exaggerated for comedic or dramatic effect.
He IS NOT some bully walking around challenging everyone he sees to a martial arts competition, which is what you're kind of pointing towards. If you asked me is his self-esteem low. That'd be a stickier situation, but that's not what is being asked. He IS secure. He enters every situation thinking, and usually rightly so, that he's the top fighter or competitor involved or if he isn't that he'll find a way to learn and beat anyone on their own terms...And then he does. So he keeps proving his own security and held beliefs. Does he know he fails at some elements in life? Of course. But in all honesty if there was some martial arts competition or he was challenged to do something academically his own personal code kicks in and he'll dedicate the sole focus of each waking hour to success. He doesn't bemoan his fate and how he's going to lose, he does the opposite and does everything possible to win. That's the very opposite I'd expect from someone who is insecure especially when they know they're totally outclassed in some fashion.
If you want to get into minutiae is he insecure about his romantic relationships? Yes. But really that stems from the specter of death or at least severe pain if he displeases anyone. Is he embarrassed about his curse? Yes, to start. But then he really stops caring about it and it's just something else and he even takes pride in it being the most attractive among the females he knows on occasion. Would he get rid of it? Yes. Does it drive his life? No. I really don't see where this supposed insecurity crops up for the most part as a reoccurring character trait. Which is again why I voted he is as insecure at times as anyone else.