Mitsuki (Naruto)
Artificial human created by Orochimaru, seeking his own sun.
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Mitsuki is a fictional character from the Naruto franchise, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He first appears as a transfer student in the spin-off manga Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring, later becoming a ninja on a team with Boruto Uzumaki and Sarada Uchiha. A one-shot reveals he is an artificial human created by Orochimaru, who allowed him to choose his own path.
Creation and conception
Masashi Kishimoto designed Mitsuki to hint at his lineage through snake-themed features, such as his eyes. The author originally gave him a shoulder-length bob but changed it to a short white hairstyle to make him more appealing. Mitsuki wears a kimono with long sleeves; Kishimoto made the outfit suitable for war by hiding the hands, making it difficult to discern his intentions.
He also carries a ninja tool pouch longer than regular ones on his sash fastener. Boruto anime director Hiroyuki Yamashita noted that in the film, Mitsuki was a gentle character, and after reading the character's own story, his image solidified. After the first screening, a scene showing Mitsuki's true form stirred the audience, leading Yamashita to think Mitsuki might be intriguing. The character guidebook described him as an enigma with a composed expression and slightly long, wavy white hair.
Yamashita stated that while Mitsuki and Sarada were initially only classmates, their relationship would develop further. Japanese voice actor Ryuichi Kijima was asked to sound emotionless but gave him a more notable characterization, citing his dynamic with Boruto. English voice actor Robbie Daymond expressed honor at voicing the character.
Appearances
Mitsuki first appears in the spin-off manga Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring as a young child training to become a ninja. In the film Boruto: Naruto the Movie, he is a Genin on a team with Boruto Uzumaki and Sarada Uchiha, led by Konohamaru Sarutobi, and participates in the Chunin Exams. After the credits, he reveals to Boruto and Sarada that he is the son of Orochimaru.
His backstory is explored in Naruto Gaiden: The Road Illuminated by the Full Moon, where he is shown as an artificial human created by Orochimaru who leaves to find Boruto, whom he regards as his sun. In the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations manga, he and Sarada reject a mission to save Boruto from an assassin, and later helps watch over Eida and Daemon. He is affected by Eida's omnipotence and tries to capture Boruto. The anime shows his entrance into the ninja academy and his befriending of Boruto.
He helps find the criminal behind the Ghost attacks, travels to Kirigakure to stop a rebellion, and declares he will become a ninja to keep track of Boruto. After passing a test, he forms Team 7 with Boruto and Sarada. In an anime-exclusive arc, he seemingly defects but is revealed to be a spy against the Fabrications, rejoining his team after defeating their leader Ku.
Reception
Critical reception to Mitsuki has been mixed. Thais Valdivia of Hobby Consolas stated his characterization was not properly executed in the film due to limited appearances, though his post-credit scenes surprised audiences with his heritage reveal. Chris Homer of The Fandom Post expressed a similar belief about limited exploration until the film's ending.
Toon Zone felt Mitsuki and Sarada provided good contrasts to Boruto and praised Robbie Daymond's voice work. Amy McNulty of Anime News Network praised Daymond's calm, collected performance for lending mystery. Sarah Nelkin of Anime Now felt Mitsuki had no development in the film. Once his past was explored in Kishimoto's one-shot, McNulty found his origins engaging but not completely explained.
Melina Dargis of The Fandom Post considered Mitsuki's chapter the best in the first Boruto manga volume due to his connections with Orochimaru. Nik Freeman of Anime News Network found his backstory one of the franchise's best for not rehashing prior arcs. Rebecca Silverman wondered how his origins might clash with Boruto's regarding parent-child relationships.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Mitsuki (Naruto) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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