Of all the anime series present out there, Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto is the most recognizable title of all! The show has a 10 out of 10, featuring a masterful blend of emotional depth and characters that tells the gripping tale of Naruto Uzumaki.
Throughout the show, various complex themes have been featured along with multi-layered characters that have attracted multi-generational fans hooked onto the show. The ending was peak fiction, and everyone loved it as it brought the story to a complete circle.
However, after the ending of the series, Kishimoto-Sensei thought of a reboot of the original show, where a different artist would retell the original story. Though that idea never became a reality, had it seen the light at the end of the tunnel, Kakashi would have definitely been a part of the Akatsuki!
Masashi Kishimoto Had Planned to Follow the “American Comic” Way For His Magnum Opus
Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto is the most emotionally resonating series of all of The Big Three, as it knows how to showcase the struggles and goals of the characters. From Naruto’s goal to becoming a Hokage to Kakashi Hatake’s battle with guilt, the show made us shed tears of grief for the characters.
Some fans go to the extent of claiming that each character’s story received a perfect ending, something that even Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece can’t do. However, things could have gone south if a morbid idea following the show took place.
During an exclusive interview in 2016 with Shonen Jump editorial via ScreenRant, Mikio Ikemoto, the assistant of the mangaka, shared how Kishimoto-Sensei wanted to see his magnum opus in a completely different manner, which will give him an inspiration to keep things interesting.
He said,
As the Naruto serialization was coming to an end, we talked about how it would be neat if the series could be rebooted and drawn by a new artist, just like an American comic. At that point, it was just talk, and I hadn’t been working on my own thumbnails for a long time. I think it was presented to me because they thought it would be something that would appeal to me and motivate me.
The assistant further added that a conversation for a “good six months to a year” took place, and with a reboot, the author had complete power over what he wanted to take place in the show.
We talked it over for a good six months to a year. If it was just going to be a sequel, then Kishimoto should definitely draw it. Plus, if it’s a continuation, you’re to bound to whatever came before. But with a reboot, you can do whatever you want and nobody can complain. I really liked that aspect of it. But when I received the story, it was totally just a sequel. And at that point I was in too deep to escape.
Nevertheless, the artist decided to reboot the show, where the biggest what-ifs take place. However, one thing is for sure: had it taken place, then Kakashi Hatake would have definitely been part of the Akatsuki.
Kakashi Hatake Has Every Reason to Join The Akatsuki
In Masashi Kishimoto’s magnum opus, none of the characters have suffered as much as Kakashi Hatake. The Jonin’s life has been shaped by the tragic deaths of his loved ones, including witnessing his father, Sakumo Hatake, commit suicide while watching his friends die as a result of the meaningless Ninja War.
As a result, the community believes that the members of the Anbu Squad had every reason to become a part of the rogue ninja organization called The Akatsuki. In the entire story, Kakashi’s sense of guilt was present, as he had been bittered with the losses and his constant desire to reshape it.
This reinforces the fact that the Shinobi could have been allured by the idea of joining the Akatsuki. However, the character did not follow the dark path like his pupil, Sasuke Itachi.
However, if the reboot had taken place, then the entire storyline would have been definitely different because, in this reality, Kakashi Hatake would have indeed joined the criminal group, and it would have survived because the Copy Ninja would have been there to save the day, and the show would have carried the organization that got perished in the original show!
Naruto: Shippuden can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
