The Original Creator of Naruto – The beloved anime and manga series Naruto has captured the hearts of fans all over the world with its compelling story and relatable characters. However, many may not know that Masashi Kishimoto is the original creator of this popular franchise.
About Masashi Kishimoto
Born on November 8th, 1974, in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, Kishimoto was raised in a household surrounded by creativity. His twin brother Seishi is also a manga artist, and they often draw and create stories together as children. This early exposure to art and storytelling sparked Kishimoto’s passion for creating his own manga series.
After graduating from college with a degree in fine arts, Kishimoto began working as an assistant to Mangaka Akira Toriyama, known for his work on Dragon Ball. During this time, he honed his skills in drawing action scenes and developing characters. In 1995, Kishimoto created his first one-shot manga titled Karakuri, which received positive feedback from readers.
Early Days of Naruto
However, it wasn’t until 1999 that Kishimoto’s big break came when he submitted his pilot chapter for Naruto to Weekly Shonen Jump’s monthly “Hop Step Award” competition. Although it didn’t win any awards, the editor-in-chief at the time recognized its potential and encouraged Kishimoto to continue developing the story into a full-fledged series.
In September 1999, Naruto debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine and quickly gained popularity among readers. Naruto became a worldwide phenomenon with its unique blend of action-packed ninja battles and heartfelt coming-of-age themes.
Kishimoto’s inspiration for Naruto came from various sources, such as Japanese folklore and Greek mythology. He also drew inspiration from his own childhood experiences as an introverted child who often daydreamed about becoming a ninja.
Many fans have speculated that other popular franchises, such as Dragon Ball and One Piece, influenced certain aspects of Naruto. However, in interviews, Kishimoto stated that he was more influenced by the works of Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astro Boy.
In 2014, after 15 years of serialization, Naruto ended with 700 chapters and 72 volumes. The series has spawned multiple anime adaptations, movies, video games, and a spin-off sequel called Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.
Conclusion
Today, Masashi Kishimoto continues to work on various projects, including writing for the Boruto manga series and collaborating with other artists on new projects. His impact on the world of manga is undeniable, and his creation of Naruto will always be remembered as one of the greatest Shonen series ever.