Decades after it was published for the first time, Naruto maintains its favorable position among the fans. Most fans love to dissect every part of the anime-manga series, delving into the different facets of the intricate storyline. Having a hold this strong is something unique to very few series, Naruto being one of them.
This popularity can be accredited to a multitude of reasons. but Masashi Kishimoto believes two factors played a huge role in the success of Naruto, especially among foreign readers.
Here’s What Appeals to Foreign Readers According to Kishimoto
For many series, it’s hard to garner the same amount of recognition in their homeland as well as overseas. Naruto sets itself apart as an exception that has appealed to fans all over the world. Masashi Kishimoto shared that he owes this success to the famous mangaka that came before him. During an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kishimoto shared that he didn’t begin the story thinking about an international audience.
I didn’t think much about foreign readers when I began ‘Naruto,’ but I knew that many of the artists who influenced me had already been accepted overseas,
With this statement, Kishimoto was probably hinting at the unprecedented success of Naruto manga. When he was just beginning, the author probably didn’t have any clue about Naruto’s potential prominence among the international audience. Kishimoto mentioned the works of Akira Toriyama, Katsuhiro Otomo, Hiroyuki Okiura, Koji Kiriyama, and Masamune Shiro as the inspiration behind Naruto.
The international popularity of these creators and their works laid the foundation for what was about to come with the next generation of anime and manga, including Naruto. Without their contribution, Naruto’s rise to popularity would’ve been more difficult. Kishimoto stated another reason that appealed to his readers, and this reason was Uzumaki Naruto.
Naruto Mirrors What Readers Feel
Kishimoto shared the essence of Naruto’s character and how the readers resonate with him. Naruto is an endearing protagonist with immense willpower and dedication. While strong and cool protagonists are inspiring in their own way, Naruto had his weaknesses that made him more human.
Having characters like Sasuke and Sakura who were exceptionally talented also helped his character. Initially always competing with them, he learned to grow alongside them. In the beginning, he showed signs of an inferiority complex, but he always hated losing.
Although he doesn’t think about it too much, he knows he hates to lose, and we all know what that feels like. I think readers see themselves in Naruto, and that’s what appeals to them: They can empathize with him and his weaknesses.
These characteristics of Naruto made him relatable to fans. He faced a lot of hardships, but kept pushing through. He had imperfections and often fumbled, and who doesn’t? Failures are a part of life and Naruto faced them quite often, but he made it a point to never let the feelings of incompetence linger for too long. His shortcomings made him relatable, whereas his determination acted as a call for action. He was someone who readers could both empathize with and get inspired by.
Until the final war, Naruto was the embodiment of sheer hard work and indomitable will. His impact and influence were explored quite well in the manga, but it was not much different for his fans outside the manga; they also felt a series of positive emotions seeing him on screen.
Naruto is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
