Behind the global phenomenon Naruto lies a man with a fascinating background: Masashi Kishimoto. This manga enthusiast has, through his talent and perseverance, established himself as one of the greatest mangakas of his generation. From his first sketches of From childhood to the creation of his masterpiece that has conquered millions of readers, Kishimoto followed a path strewn with pitfalls but driven by an uncompromising artistic vision. Discover the portrait of an extraordinary artist, who revolutionized manga and inspired a generation of fans around the world.
The rise of Masashi Kishimoto
A young man passionate about manga
Masashi Kishimoto was born on November 8, 1974 in Nagi, a small, quiet village in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Passionate about the world of Akira Toriyama, his childhood was marked by manga like Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, which fueled his creativity. He was fascinated by how simple drawings could bring entire universes to life.
Young Masashi didn't just read manga, he already started drawing his favorite characters. But unlike other mangakas like Eiichiro Oda, he had never really considered making a career out of it. In high school, his interests were more focused on sports like baseball and basketball. But when he stumbled upon the poster for the anime film Akira, which he found incredible, he decided to get back into drawing.
His debut as a mangaka
While in college, Masashi first attempted to create a samurai manga but quickly gave up, feeling inadequate. During this time, he increasingly read seinen manga, which was generally aimed at a more mature audience. But he eventually realized that his style was better suited to shōnen manga, which was aimed at younger readers.
Then aged 20, he released his first manga, Karakuri in Shueisha's Hop Step Award 18 in 1996, which earned him the prize for encouraging new designers. He then proposed two new mangas but they were rejected: Michikusa and Asian Punk. This does not mean that Masashi Kishimoto is demotivated... on the contrary!
The Creation and Success of Naruto
How Masashi Kishimoto Created Naruto
Kishimoto first introduced the character Naruto in a one-shot manga published in Akamaru Jump in 1997. This first draft already introduced key elements that would persist in the final series, such as the transformation into a girl and the nine-tailed fox. Unfortunately for him, it was not a success.
In December of the same year, Kishimoto launched another Karakuri one-shot for Weekly Shonen Jump, but once again, it was a flop. Faced with these repeated failures, he turned to different genres such as baseball with Yakuo and mafia with Mario . This time again, these attempts were not published.
In 1999, after another failed attempt with the Magic Mushroom manga, his editor Yahagi convinced him to resume his one-shot Naruto. Masashi Kishimito trusted him and Naruto was finally pre-published in Weekly Shonen Jump in October 1999. The original concept had evolved: instead of being a fox transforming into a human, Naruto Uzumaki is now a young ninja with a fox demon sealed inside him.
Naruto: A Global Phenomenon
Naruto has quickly become more than just a manga series, it has become a true cultural phenomenon. The adventures of Naruto Uzumaki, who dreams of becoming the strongest ninja in Konoha, his village, have won the hearts of millions of fans around the world.
Since its publication, the Naruto manga has been a resounding success. In nearly 15 years of publication, more than 700 chapters spread across 72 volumes have been released, with more than 250 million copies sold worldwide. The Naruto franchise also generates impressive revenues (around $11 billion) through various derivative products. Along with One Piece , it is one of the mangas that has contributed the most to popularizing shonen internationally, particularly thanks to the anime.
Other works by Masashi Kishimoto
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Although Kishimoto did not originally write the Boruto manga , he became its supervisor and took a more active role in the series starting in 2020. This manga, drawn by Mikio Ikemoto, continues the Naruto universe by focusing on the new generation of ninja in the village of Konoha, following Boruto, Naruto's son. The series has been well-received by fans of the Naruto universe, continuing the legacy of its predecessor while developing new plots and characters.
Samurai 8: The Legend of Hachimaru
In 2019, Kishimoto released Samurai 8: The Legend of Hachimaru, a science fiction manga that blends samurai elements with a futuristic twist. The story follows Hachimaru, a weak boy who dreams of becoming a powerful samurai. Although the manga is original and has a unique aesthetic, it failed to gain a wide audience and was concluded after 43 chapters. Despite mixed reception, this project showed Kishimoto's willingness to explore new genres and themes beyond the Naruto universe.
All works by Masashi Kishimoto
| Title | Exit | Theme | Summary | Role |
|
Karakuri  |
1998 | Science fiction | Virus-fighting technology is hijacked to create mechanical soldiers. | Author |
|
Naruto  |
1999 - 2014 | Ninja | Iconic series following Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with great ambitions. | Author |
|
Bench  |
2010 | Baseball | Short manga on the theme of baseball, exploring the challenges and triumphs of the sport. | Author |
|
Mario  |
2013 | Mafia | A unique story in the world of the mafia, pre-published in Jump SQ. | Author |
|
Naruto Gaiden  |
2015 | Ninja | Sequel to Naruto, focusing on the new generation of ninjas. | Supervisor, sometimes scriptwriter |
|
Boruto - Naruto the Movie  |
2015 | Ninja | Introduction of the new generation in the Naruto universe, centered on Boruto. | Screenwriter, Supervisor |
|
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations  |
2016 - present | Ninja | Continuation of the Naruto universe with the children of the original characters. | Initial supervision, screenwriter from end of 2020 |
|
Samurai 8: The Legend of Hachimaru  |
2019 | Science fiction / Samurai | A weak young boy dreaming of becoming a samurai in a futuristic world. | Screenwriter |
|
Naruto Gaiden - Uzu No Naka no Tsumujikaze  |
2023 | Ninja | Recent one-shot in the Naruto universe, exploring new stories. | Author |
Masashi Kishimoto's Private Life
Personal life
Masashi Kishimoto has kept his personal life relatively low-key. He married in 2003, but was not able to take his honeymoon until 2015, a delay due to his intense involvement in the development of Naruto. This anecdote reveals the depth of his dedication to his art, often to the detriment of his private life. The couple have a son, and their family life remains largely out of the spotlight.
His twin brother, Seishi Kishimoto
Kishimoto has a twin brother, Seishi Kishimoto, who is also a manga artist. Seishi is known for works such as 666 Satan and Blazer Drive. The brothers share a deep bond, influenced by their shared passion for manga, although each has followed their own paths in the industry.
His fortune
Masashi Kishimoto's net worth is estimated at around $20 million to $25 million. The series has generated substantial revenue not only through manga sales, but also through anime adaptations, films, and a wide range of merchandise. This is a good example of how his work has transcended the manga format to become a lucrative global brand.
Her relationship with Eiichiro Oda
Kishimoto has a friendly but competitive relationship with Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece. The two have often been seen as rivals, as their works have topped the manga popularity charts at the same time. However, this rivalry is friendly, and the two authors respect and admire each other, sharing a common passion for manga and devotion to their fans. This dynamic has been a source of inspiration and motivation for Kishimoto throughout his career.
Masashi Kishimoto's Awards and Recognitions
- Quill Award (2006) - Naruto won a Quill Award for Best Graphic Novel, becoming the first manga to win the award in the United States. The award highlights Naruto's literary quality and popularity in the international market.
- Peng! Award (2009) - Naruto was awarded the Peng! Award for Best Manga by Animexx in Germany. This award recognizes Naruto's excellence and its success among manga fans in Europe.
- Rookie of the Year Award (2015) - This award, presented by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan, is part of the "Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Fine Arts Recommendation Awards". Kishimoto received this award for Naruto, recognizing his significant impact early on in his career.
