‘Naruto’ creator talks about personal reason for Naruto’s origins

Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of “Naruto,” recently spoke about the reason behind the decision to make his protagonist the “Chosen One” throughout the story. We summarize.

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The official “Naruto” website recently published the questions and answers from last year’s “Konoha Experience” in France, where Masashi Kishimoto and “Boruto” co-creator Mikio Ikemoto answered fans’ questions.

A fan asked whether Kishimoto had ever considered giving Naruto an ordinary background instead of portraying him as a “chosen one.” After all, early on in the plot there was still the idea that hard work was more important than innate talent – until it later turned out that Naruto is the son of the Fourth Hokage.

Kishimoto then explained that he himself came from a small rural town and had always longed for recognition, but found no one to offer him an opportunity. He wanted to transfer these experiences, which had a strong influence on his childhood, to Naruto – which is why he initially designed the character as someone with a humble and disadvantaged background.

Fulfilled desire causes blockage

With the success of the “Naruto” manga, Kishimoto finally received recognition and praise from all over the world, which gradually fulfilled his former wish for appreciation. However, this is exactly what made it increasingly difficult for him to continue writing authentically about the character Naruto:

»As I struggled with this blockage, I thought that perhaps there were some avenues I could explore with family history or blood ties.