Rivalries and banter between mangaka are more common than you think. Naruto and One Piece mangaka are no exception to this. Both artists have been at the pinnacle of the manga industry.
With their works labeled as the Big Three of Shonen, it all makes sense. Both series are iconic masterpieces in the genre. However, both mangaka are similar in their qualms regarding their fandoms.
This is especially true with Oda’s concerns over Kishimoto’s tribute. We all know how fandoms work. From toxicity to hate, the fanbase is a growing concern for most mangaka.
Regardless of the concerns, both mangaka paid tributes to each other. This further highlights the healthy and heart-rending work relationship between the two artists.
Eiichiro Oda opened up about Masashi Kishimoto’s tribute
Eiichiro Oda is regarded as one of the legendary mangaka. With his record-breaking manga, he set a benchmark in the shonen genre. Not only that, the mangaka has produced several one-shots as well.
Apart from authoring a bestseller manga, Oda has impacted culture and society. His series continues to impact millions of readers worldwide. His rival, Kishimoto isn’t too far behind either.
Masashi Kishimoto carved his space in the shonen genre through his series. He underwent the brutal perils of serialization. Like Oda, Kishimoto faced gargantuan obstacles as a mangaka. Despite the competition and rivalry, their friendship remained intact.
It is evident in both mangaka’s tribute to each other. Both artists go so far as to appreciate each other’s work. This is also reflected in their qualms regarding their respective fandoms.
In an interview, Oda revealed his concerns regarding Kishimoto’s fan art. He quoted:
Oh that. Kishimoto contacted me and told me that (before publication). He asked if it’s appropriate to draw Straw Hats’ mark like a kid’s doodle. Of course not a problem. But it’s Naruto’s final chapter after all, I was worried that Naruto’s fans may be angry at that.
Oda mentioned this while referring to Kishimoto’s doodle. The mangaka drew the Straw Hat’s Jolly Roger in the final chapter. While this didn’t anger the fandom, one thing is for certain.
Even Oda and Kishimoto are aware of the toxicity and hate of their fandoms. This is especially true with the fanbase’s notorious reputation. And there’s more to it.
The curious case of toxic fandoms in Naruto and One Piece
Of all the fandoms in the animeverse, Naruto is considered the most notorious. This isn’t to say other fanbases are lesser evils. Among the hate and trolling culture, the fanbase has a notorious reputation.
Be it review bombing or death threats, fandoms aren’t exempt from cyber law. With Kishimoto’s series, the fans are often labeled as braindead. This is often due to the fanaticism regarding the mangaka’s work. And there’s more to it.
For decades, the fandom has been accused of review bombing and bullying. This also applies to One Piece along with Jujutsu Kaisen fans. With Naruto, however, the fanbase has downplayed other series. This is especially true with fans degrading Black Clover.
In a similar vein, Oda’s fanatics have gone on to review bomb Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War. However, this is not it considering the fanbase’s toxicity. Most fanatics do severe injustice to their idols through this behavior. This gravely affects mangaka which most people do not realize. However, there’s a catch to it.
Amidst the hate between fandoms, the mangaka’s friendship continues to flourish. The healthy rivalry between Oda and Kishimoto exceeds the hate. It only proves the respect both artists hold for each other.
Naruto and One Piece are available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on Viz Media.
