Naruto Uzumaki

Lore & Background

Naruto was ostracized because the malevolent Kurama attacked Hidden Leaf Village and was sealed within him. Kishimoto designed Naruto to be "simple and stupid" with a mischievous side, drawing attributes from Goku of Dragon Ball while modeling his human flaws after Krillin. The creator added tragedy to give the character a dark side but kept him optimistic, using the catchphrase "-ttebayo" (or "Believe it!" in early English dubs) to portray a brattish manner. Early chapters focused on Naruto's rejected affections for Sakura and his rivalry with Sasuke Uchiha. A major turning point occurred when Kishimoto decided Naruto would forgive his enemies rather than kill them, specifically during the arc against Pain where he settled differences instead of seeking revenge. This influenced the final confrontation with Sasuke. The story later revealed Minato Namikaze as Naruto's father and Kushina Uzumaki as his mother; their sacrifice allowed him to control Kurama. Kishimoto noted that becoming a father himself helped him write these parental bonds, ensuring Naruto understood he was loved.

In Their Own Story

In the Boruto series, adult Naruto is depicted not as a cool war hero but as a strong father figure, though his role as Seventh Hokage creates distance from his family. Kishimoto developed this dynamic based on his own relationship with his sons, aiming to avoid making the narrative boring by having a perfect leader. Kishimoto emphasized that Naruto's gentle smile remained consistent from his youth to adulthood, even as he grew older. The story explores how Naruto handles conflict and war as a leader, having previously dealt with the tragedy of wars through characters like Nagato, who acted as a nemesis to teach him empathy for victims like Sasuke.

Reader's Guide

Naruto Uzumaki's development is praised for avoiding typical shōnen stereotypes. Initially viewed by some as a standard protagonist, his growth and personality were celebrated for their depth. Scholarly research highlights his traits and growth as unique in fiction. His design was revised for Part II of the storyline, which begins two-and-a-half years after Part I, to fit a younger demographic with simple clothes. Merchandise includes figurines and keychains. Kishimoto's creative process involved writing Naruto as a sign of hope, believing his losses made readers identify with him. The author stated that Naruto's burning desire to be a ninja mirrored his own ambition to succeed as a manga artist. As the series progressed, older incarnations were written as naive idealists who avoided repeating mistakes. In the English dub, the phrase "Believe it!" was eventually replaced by "You know?" to better match lip movements and character effect.

Did You Know?

• Masashi Kishimoto originally wanted to make Naruto a chef before deciding on the ninja concept.
• In early English dubs, Naruto's catchphrase "-ttebayo" was translated as "Believe it!" but later changed to "You know?"
• Kishimoto drew inspiration for Naruto's human flaws from Krillin of Dragon Ball rather than the protagonist Goku.
• The author revised Naruto's design for Part II of the storyline, which begins two-and-a-half years after Part I.
• Mikio Ikemoto stated that drawing a scene where Naruto helps his son create a Massive Rasengan made him feel "the weight of NARUTO series and its long history behind it."

Narrative Focus and Character Dynamics

The source does not provide specific details regarding the plot of the Boruto series beyond Naruto serving as the Seventh Hokage and his son, Boruto Uzumaki, being a main protagonist alongside Kawaki. It notes that Kishimoto developed their relationship based on his own experience with his sons. The text mentions that in the 2015 film, Kishimoto did not want adult Naruto to give a "cool impression" because being a strong father figure would be too boring for the narrative.

Production History and Creative Collaboration

Masashi Kishimoto created Naruto as a one-shot for the summer 1997 issue of Akamaru Jump magazine. He originally considered making him a chef or a child who transforms into a fox. Following the success of another one-shot, Mario, he began the serialized series. In Part II, which starts two-and-a-half years after Part I, Kishimoto revised Naruto's design. For the 2015 film Boruto: Naruto the Movie, Kishimoto developed the father-son dynamic from his personal life. Artist Mikio Ikemoto noted that drawing the scene where Naruto helps Boruto with a Massive Rasengan required him to feel "the weight of NARUTO series and its long history behind it."

Critical Reception and Thematic Analysis

Naruto's character development has been praised by anime and manga publications, drawing scholarly attention. While some initially saw him as typical, others commended his avoidance of stereotypes. Research in literature cites his traits and growth as making him stand out in fiction. Voice actress Junko Takeuchi voiced Naruto in the original series, while Maile Flanagan handled the English adaptations. The source notes that Kishimoto found it "rather awkward" to discuss what makes Naruto appealing but suggested that being a "knucklehead" gives him appeal.

Legacy and Future Implications

The source states that in the Boruto series, Naruto is the Seventh Hokage and his son, Boruto Uzumaki, is the titular character. It also mentions Kawaki as an adopted son of Naruto who shares the spotlight. The text confirms Naruto appears in films, video games, OVAs, and the sequel series. Kishimoto intended for Naruto to be a sign of hope for the audience, writing him as someone who avoids repeating past mistakes despite being a naive idealist.