Joining a Clan
   An interesting aspect of the 'Naruto' series is clans, and like any self-respecting Naruto World based role playing site, Ninja Academy has clans within it. While some of these clans are from canon, the majority of the clans upon NA are actually original creations, or things players designed without taking something from canon as their crown jewel.

   Because of the importance of clans and heritage within the series, you will notice that a great deal of members focus on clans or clan creation, and as a result, I'll explain these things to you. The first is that anyone with an ample mind, an imagination, and a will to compromise and work hard can create a clan.

   The second thing that I have to say is that clans are for a character's heritage, and are a character's family, they are -not- simple archetypes for a character to cling to. Thirdly is that as with all creations on NA, the creator of a clan is the owner of it, and if the creator (the 'clan head' by terminology involving clans) does not think a character fits into their view of the clan, or simply does not think that you would be a good member of their clan, it is their choice to give you an approval as far as clan membership goes, or not.

   Every clan leader is different, just as every clan is different, but here are some general tips in regards to creating an enjoyable character for both you and your fellow players who might be his or hers relatives or neighbors.

1) Remember that Clans are -not- archetypes. They are families, military families in the case of the majority of them, but still families, extended families or smaller.
2) While you design your character, it is suggested that you ask the clan head for possible permission to join their clan, and ask who are members of the clan already. When you have gotten this information, learn about their characters from their own mouths.
3) With your knowledge of your character's cousins, you should then consider the concept you have for your character, or reconsider the concept you have for them. Factor in how their life might have changed or been affected by your character's relatives and your character's clan's traditions. Remember that being a member of a clan is more than likely going to make your character -not- be the simple 'lives in the village with ordinary parents and just decided to become a ninja for no reason,' type of ninja, who conveniently found out they were apart of so and so clan or suddenly discovered powers (The clan's kekkai genkai if it has one)'. They would have known from the time they were a babe of their heritage, unless their parents were ashamed of it, and then it would likely result in their parents steering them from the path of the shinobi-nin.
4) Try to take the knowledge you have gained and not only use it to carve an unique character with, but also attempt to carve out prior to player character relations with their cousins, as if they're related, they probably know each other since prior to their academy days.
5) Remember to be courteous throughout this entire process, and if you have done these things, there will -likely- be an overwhelming urge to allow your PC to join the ranks of the clan from the leader of whichever clan you are joining.

   If you do all of those things, you will likely be accepted into the clan which you attempt to join, just remember to not take things hard if you -are- told no because many things including clan population limits have to be taken into account by a clan leader's thought processes.

Creating a Clan
   Now that we have covered the process of joining a clan, and tricks and tips to join them, I'll go forward to explain the other possibility you have with making a character. You can, if denied from other clans or simply unable to find a clan you like, make your own clan. Clans are not overly complicated, but neither are they simple.

   Keep these things in mind before you even -begin- to create clans. The first and foremost is that staff will more than likely deny a clan that is a 'duplicate' or 'near duplicate' of another clan in capabilities, culture, or otherwise seem as if they're the same clan with just a different name.

   Clans should do these things, if you want them to be considered well-made, and you want quick approvals of them:

1) They should be original.
2) They should take into account the culture of the country they are from and build that into them or build upon it.
3) They should not be 'unique for unique's sake' or have a power out of no where.
4) When posted, they should have their kekkai genkai already hammered out, and posted in the custom kekkai genkai area of the forums, if you plan to have one.
5) Clans should not and cannot have both kekkai genkai -and- be pet based, as they are 'different types' of clans.
6) Clans should give 'something' to the world, because in the end if they do not they are just another clan for the sake of giving someone a power. By giving something to the world, you should explain the clan's specific 'duties' within the village/country they call their 'sovereign', and/or typical traits and actions the clan might take outside of typical shinobi-nin actions.
7) Do -not- make your clan a 'nearly extinct only 1 or 2 characters left' clan, because in all but a few cases, it's not done correctly, and it gets very annoying and unoriginal very quickly, which will likely make moderators dislike your clan and not approve it or even demand things be fixed. Furthermore, this will and would limit how many PCs could -ever- exist, even if one died or something of that sort.