L’histoire de Masashi Kishimoto et la création de Naruto

The Story of Masashi Kishimoto and the Creation of Naruto

1752 words | Reading time: 9 min

Behind the Scenes

72 volumes and more than 700 chapters, born from a single one-shot. Before the global phenomenon, there is Masashi Kishimoto, a mangaka born on November 8, 1974 in Okayama Prefecture, that one-shot published in 1997 in Akamaru Jump, then the series launched in 1999. The account goes back to his beginnings, to his influences, Akira Toriyama, the film Akira, mythology, through to the two anime series and the mark left on popular culture.

Masashi Kishimoto is a Japanese mangaka whose most famous work is unquestionably the series Naruto. This manga, which became a global phenomenon, has touched millions of fans around the world and has influenced popular culture considerably. But how did it all begin? Here is a look at the story of Kishimoto and the creation of Naruto.

Contents

Masashi Kishimoto's Early Years

Masashi Kishimoto was born on November 8, 1974 in Okayama Prefecture, in Japan. From a young age, he developed a passion for drawing and manga. Inspired by the works of Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, and by the film Akira, Kishimoto set out to learn manga drawing.

During his years at school, Kishimoto constantly practiced drawing and developing his style. He entered several manga contests for beginners, but without much success at first. In fact, Kishimoto has even admitted that he nearly gave up after several failures. However, his relentless hard work eventually paid off.

The Birth of Naruto

The first prototype of Naruto appeared in 1997, when he published a one-shot titled Naruto in the magazine Akamaru Jump. This first draft already contained elements of the Naruto we know today, but the story and the characters would change considerably before becoming the hit manga we know.

In 1999, Naruto began serialization in the famous magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump. Very quickly, the series captured readers' attention thanks to its unique blend of action,adventure,emotion and universal themes such as the search for identity, loneliness and friendship. The success was instant.

Naruto's Global Success

What truly made Naruto a success is its rich and complex universe, filled with endearing characters and a captivating story. Readers quickly identified with the main character, Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja rejected by his village because of the Nine-Tailed Fox demon sealed inside him.

Naruto, despite the hardships, pursued his dream of becoming Hokage, the leader of his village, to prove his worth. This coming-of-age journey, marked by epic battles and moving moments, won over the hearts of fans around the world. The series has 72 volumes and more than 700 chapters, not counting the two hit anime series, Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.

Memorable Moments

Fans of Naruto especially remember devastating moments, such as the tragic death of Jiraiya, the fight between Naruto and Pain, or the final showdown between Naruto and Sasuke. These scenes had a profound emotional impact on audiences and helped cement the series' legendary status in manga and anime culture.

Three cosplayers dressed as Tsunade, Naruto and Jiraiya pose side by side during a parade, in a shopping arcade
A cosplay parade in Kuantan, Malaysia: the characters have found their audience far from Japan. Photo: Farhan Ahmad Tajuddin, CC BY 2.0.

Kishimoto's Influences and Inspirations

The work of Masashi Kishimoto on Naruto was influenced by several elements of Japanese culture and of international culture. Ninja, of course, are an essential component of the story, but Kishimoto also drew on Japanese mythology and on other renowned manga . For example, he has cited Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama as a major influence.

The characters in Naruto are also strongly inspired by traditional Japanese values, notably a sense of duty,friendship and honor. Kishimoto also incorporated elements of his own life and personal experiences into the story, which gives the manga an authenticity and a depth that readers have appreciated.

A triptych of Japanese prints: three theater characters in front of waves and a pine tree, a woman in a flowered kimono on the left, a man carrying a chest on his back in the center, a man seated in a light robe on the right, each identified by a cartouche
Tsunade, Orochimaru and Jiraiya, engraved in the 19th century by Kunisada: the three Sannin come from a Japanese tale that Kishimoto only had to pick up. Photo: Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), Public domain.

The End of Naruto and Kishimoto's Legacy

After fifteen years of publication, the manga Naruto came to an end in 2014. The final arc, with the war against Kaguya Otsutsuki and the final confrontation between Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha, was a high point in the story. The manga ended with Naruto fulfilling his dream of becoming Hokage and starting a family of his own.

However, the story of Naruto did not stop there. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, a sequel centered on Naruto's son, appeared shortly after the end of Naruto. Even though Kishimoto is not directly leading the project, he remains its creator and oversees the direction of the series.

Two ninja lunge at each other in midair above a torrent, fists outstretched: one with black hair in gray clothing bound with a purple rope, the other blond in orange clothing
The final duel between Naruto and Sasuke, the climax of the last arc and the culmination of fifteen years of publication.

Naruto's Influence on Popular Culture

Since its creation, Naruto has had an enormous impact on popular culture, both in Japan and in the rest of the world. The manga has inspired many young people to pursue their dreams and never to give up, no matter how many challenges they face. Naruto has become a symbol of perseverance and determination.

Furthermore, Naruto played a key role in the popularization of manga and anime outside Japan, particularly in North America and Europe. Today, the characters and symbols of the series, such as the ninja headband or the Rasengan, are instantly recognizable to fans around the world.

A black forehead protector with a metal plate engraved with the Konoha symbol, photographed lying flat
The ninja headband has moved from the pages of the manga to everyday objects: it is one of the symbols the series has exported. Photo: Afnecors, Public domain.

Summary Table

Aspect Details
Author Masashi Kishimoto, a Japanese mangaka born on November 8, 1974 in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.
Influences Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragon Ball) and the film Akira, along with Japanese mythology and traditional Japanese values.
Naruto's Beginnings Naruto one-shot published in 1997 in Akamaru Jump, then serialized from 1999 in Weekly Shonen Jump.
Scope of the Work 72 volumes and more than 700 chapters, plus two hit anime series: Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.
End of the Manga Series ended in 2014 after fifteen years of publication; Naruto fulfills his dream of becoming Hokage and starts a family.
Legacy Sequel Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, centered on Naruto's son, with Kishimoto remaining its creator and supervisor.

FAQ

  • Who is Masashi Kishimoto?
    He is a Japanese mangaka born on November 8, 1974 in Okayama Prefecture. His most famous work is the series Naruto, which became a global phenomenon.
  • How was Naruto born?
    A first prototype appeared in 1997 with a one-shot titled Naruto in the magazine Akamaru Jump. The series then began in 1999 in Weekly Shonen Jump.
  • What are Kishimoto's influences?
    He cites Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama and the film Akira as major inspirations. He also drew on Japanese mythology and traditional Japanese values such as duty, friendship and honor.
  • How many volumes and chapters does Naruto have?
    The series has 72 volumes and more than 700 chapters, not counting the two hit anime series, Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.
  • How does Naruto end, and what comes next?
    The manga concludes in 2014: Naruto fulfills his dream of becoming Hokage and starts a family. The story continues with Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, centered on his son, with Kishimoto remaining its creator and supervisor.

Conclusion

The story of Masashi Kishimoto and the creation of Naruto are a testament to the passion, perseverance and imagination of a man who captivated the entire world with his story. Naruto remains one of the most influential manga of all time, and its legacy will continue to inspire new generations of readers and creators.

🛍️ Find your favorite ninja in our Naruto figures.

📚 Our complete guides on Naruto

In-depth features to explore the whole shinobi universe.

↑ Back to top
Back to blog