Naruto's Unplanned Global Success Story"

When considering well-liked anime, “Naruto” is usually one of the first titles that springs to mind. Imagining a world where Naruto Uzumaki’s adventures are not familiar to millions of people worldwide is difficult.

However, what may come as a shock is that Masashi Kishimoto, the creator, did not consider how his story would be perceived outside of Japan. In reality, he never even considered achieving global success when he initially began working on the series. Let’s explore Kishimoto’s insights on Naruto’s global popularity and its impact on the series over time.

Naruto’s Global Popularity Wasn’t Planned

Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, recently discussed the global influence of the series. During a recent interview, he admitted that he never really considered the potential success of Naruto outside of Japan. It’s quite amazing to consider, particularly because Naruto has become one of the most widely loved anime series globally.

From America to Europe and other places, fans everywhere have shown their love for the ninja in an orange jumpsuit. However, it wasn’t until later that Kishimoto realized the extent of Naruto’s popularity.

During a gathering in France titled “Naruto & Boruto: Night at Konoha,” Kishimoto discussed his surprise at the global popularity of Naruto beyond Japan. Although he was aware of its widespread popularity, it didn’t truly sink in until he witnessed fans from all over the world expressing their admiration for the series.

People cosplay, collect merch, and follow every update related to the ninja world. But for Kishimoto, it was more about creating a story for Japanese readers at the start.

[ Also Read: Era Creator Masashi Kishimoto: The Upcoming Masterpiece of Naruto ]

The One Time Naruto Changed for Western Fans

Despite the fact that Kishimoto wasn’t thinking about overseas fans initially, there was one time he did consider their tastes. When Naruto’s anime adaptation came into play, Kishimoto specifically chose an animator who he thought would appeal to Western audiences.

That’s right—this decision wasn’t random. Kishimoto wanted someone whose work might catch the eye of international viewers. But aside from that one decision, Kishimoto stuck to his original plans for Naruto and didn’t change much based on its overseas popularity.

Inspirations from Western Media

While Kishimoto didn’t significantly change Naruto for international audiences, he was certainly impacted by Western media when creating his own work. In interviews, he has said that films such as The Matrix, Star Wars, and Back to the Future greatly influenced him.

On top of that, he also respected the art of French artist Jean Giraud, known as “Mœbius.” The origins of Naruto’s inspiration indicate that while the series was rooted in Japanese culture, Kishimoto found creative ideas from various international sources.

The Difficulty of Writing Sakura

During his interview, Kishimoto discussed the difficulties he encountered when developing Sakura Haruno’s character. If you have been active in the Naruto fandom, you are aware that Sakura has caused a split in opinions. Some fans adore her, while others believe her character growth was insufficient.

Kishimoto acknowledged that he struggled to write Sakura because he had trouble grasping “the essence of a young woman.” He also admitted that perhaps Sakura was not receiving the attention she deserves due to this obstacle.

However, Kishimoto praised Mikio Ikemoto’s efforts in helping to create Boruto and developing the character of Sarada Uchiha, the offspring of Sasuke and Sakura. Kishimoto believed that Ikemoto successfully captured Sarada’s essence through storytelling and artistry.

The Destiny of Naruto and Boruto

Although Kishimoto was leading the way with the original Naruto series, Ikemoto has assumed more responsibility in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the sequel to Naruto’s tale. The pair still work together, but Ikemoto takes the lead creatively in Boruto’s stories. Kishimoto has expressed faith in where the story is heading, even though some aspects might veer off from his original vision.

Anticipation is also growing for the upcoming Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, as it will further delve into the new era of ninjas. Fans are eager to witness how the story will develop, particularly with the collaborative work of Kishimoto and Ikemoto.

[ Also Read: Naruto and Hinata’s Controversial Ending ]

A Live-Action Naruto Movie?

Kishimoto also mentioned his belief in the upcoming live-action Naruto film, which is another intriguing detail he shared. Destin Daniel Cretton is behind the direction of the film, which has been in development for some time, however, an official release date has not been announced.

Fans are cautiously hopeful, given that live-action anime adaptations have had both successes and failures in the past. However, Kishimoto’s trust in Cretton could lead to a good portrayal of Naruto’s universe in cinemas.

Final thoughts

Naruto’s evolution from a niche manga in Japan to a global sensation is remarkable, especially considering Masashi Kishimoto did not have international fame in mind initially. His main focus was on sharing the story he desired to share, and coincidentally, it connected with fans worldwide.

Despite facing obstacles such as character development for Sakura, Kishimoto’s work still manages to inspire a new wave of anime and manga enthusiasts. With Boruto now leading the way and the anticipation of a live-action film, it is evident that Naruto’s influence will continue for a long time.