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.

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.

Narrative Focus and Character Dynamics

Kishimoto developed the father-son relationship from his own experience with his sons. For the 2015 film, Kishimoto did not want the adult Naruto to give a "cool impression", since a strong father figure would make the story boring.

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. Kishimoto found it "rather awkward" to say what makes Naruto appealing, but suggested that being a "knucklehead" is part of it.

Legacy and Future Implications

In the Boruto series, Naruto is the Seventh Hokage and his son Boruto Uzumaki is the title character. Kawaki, Naruto's adopted son, shares that spotlight. Naruto also 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.