Some manga and anime take risks in showing things that would otherwise be considered taboo, Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto was one of them. In terms of heavy violence and gore, the series managed to keep a fine balance. However, certain points in the manga and anime forced the hands of the editors to ensure censorship due to a majority of the audience being young and minors.
At times if there is too much blood, nudity, or even certain things the censorship board of some countries might not approve of, there is a risk in adding it to the work. The chances of it being cut out might increase, being more than likely for it to be completely removed or replaced in one way or another.
Masashi Kishimoto Feared Censorship for One Scene
Masashi Kishimoto has always been great at expressing through Naruto. The growth of a character and the coming of age story brings together the hardships of life, forcing fan-favorite characters into some of the most gruesome terrains. There are some heartbreaking moments, gutwrenching scenes, and tear-jerking sequences; all of which hold significance in the story. However, there are also those that hold symbolism as such.
Speaking in the Kobayashi Interview (via Naruto Fandom), Kishimoto talked about one scene in particular, that later led to a habit that held a lot of significance. According to him, Shikamaru taking on Asuma’s habit of smoking, so much so that even picking up his cigarette and smoking it, held symbolism to not just the scene but also the character, deeply.
There was a looming fear for him, “he didn’t think they’d be able to show this in the anime.” The very reason for this was the much younger audience that followed his manga and anime. For them to see a minor picking up a cigarette and smoking it would seem more so of a cool thing rather than the emotional growth it held.
Shikamaru’s Growth Through Cigarettes
Shikamaru and Asuma were close for as long as they knew each other, so much so that they had a bond unlike any other. When the latter died, it came as a shocking blow to Shikamaru. As a result, Masashi Kishimoto showed him smoking Asuma’s cigarettes. It was not in a sense to make him honor just his legacy but also to show that Shikamaru was no longer a child.
He had grown and entered adulthood. The mangaka’s hesitation towards adding the scene entailed the fact that manga restrictions are heavy and ruled over with an iron fist. His fears were not in vain, seeing that in many places, Shikamaru’s smoking was completely removed or replaced by other scenes.
In some places he was just shown throwing the cigarette and in others he was surrounded by Asuma’s cigarette’s smoke, never to pick it up. The scene was available in many other countries although rarely.
Naruto is available to watch on Netflix.
