Ok but think about it.
The headbands probably did serve they're function at some point in the timeline.
As time went on, the ninja in training would be more and more skilled with each generation; so kids just graduating at Hashirama's time would have been less skilled than those of Naruto's, for the simple fact that there's more to learn and the learning would have started earlier in their lives.
((Similar to how I didn't have an Algebra class until 8th grade, but my sister only 3 years younger than me had hers in 7th as things get pushed back.))
Besides, I always thought of the ways the kids wore their headbands as just further insight to they're character and style.
Like Lee wearing his around his waist; It reminds me of Wrestling Champion belts, and He's a heavy Taijutsu users who aims to be the top with only that. ((Ino wore hers as a belt, too, but I feel like she used it more as a fashion accessory))
Or Sakura Wearing hers more like a hair accessory. We already know that she's insecure about the size of her forehead, so it makes sense that she wouldn't want to wear a shiny metal rectangle there that would draw attention to it.
Neji, of course, wore his as one is supposed to, but partly to cover his "Caged bird" mark.
Shikamaru, wearing his like and arm-patch. He's just got that "laid-back cool guy" thing going.
But I mean really, most of the characters wear theirs "Properly".
The headbands probably did serve they're function at some point in the timeline.
As time went on, the ninja in training would be more and more skilled with each generation; so kids just graduating at Hashirama's time would have been less skilled than those of Naruto's, for the simple fact that there's more to learn and the learning would have started earlier in their lives.
((Similar to how I didn't have an Algebra class until 8th grade, but my sister only 3 years younger than me had hers in 7th as things get pushed back.))
Besides, I always thought of the ways the kids wore their headbands as just further insight to they're character and style.
Like Lee wearing his around his waist; It reminds me of Wrestling Champion belts, and He's a heavy Taijutsu users who aims to be the top with only that. ((Ino wore hers as a belt, too, but I feel like she used it more as a fashion accessory))
Or Sakura Wearing hers more like a hair accessory. We already know that she's insecure about the size of her forehead, so it makes sense that she wouldn't want to wear a shiny metal rectangle there that would draw attention to it.
Neji, of course, wore his as one is supposed to, but partly to cover his "Caged bird" mark.
Shikamaru, wearing his like and arm-patch. He's just got that "laid-back cool guy" thing going.
But I mean really, most of the characters wear theirs "Properly".
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