The lively and courageous ninja from Hidden Leaf Village, Naruto Uzumaki, is a beloved character worldwide. His iconic journey from an outcast orphan to his village’s Hokage is the evidence of his perseverance and hard work. However, his tragic backstory, which is equivalent of a villain-origin story, could have made him darker as a character.
The creator of the series, Masashi Kishimoto, discussed how Naruto’s character and the story as a whole were drastically changed by the revelation of his parents’ love for him. The importance of these discoveries and their effects on Naruto’s philosophy of life and his bond with the Nine-Tailed Fox are significant parts of this series.
A Look at the Darker Side of Naruto’s Character
In an interview conducted by Misaki C. Kido through Viz Media in 2012, Masashi delved into the psychology of Naruto’s character on a deeper level. At the beginning of the series, Naruto was a lonely child who had been rejected by his tribe and was carrying the weight of the Nine-Tailed Fox inside of him.
His feelings of hatred and wrath are further fueled by the village’s hostility and the absence of parental figures. He was seen as a loser and a troublemaker who lacked a distinct personality or mission.
Naruto’s character would have remained ambiguous if Kishimoto had stuck to his original plan to not include his parents as characters. The story would have centered around themes of hatred, vengeance, and the corrupting nature of power. Naruto’s journey might have been soiled by deception and sorrow, as in Kishimoto’s words,
He had a lot of hate and anger towards the world because he didn’t have an identity.
An important turning point in the anime was to reveal more about Naruto’s parents, Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze. Finding out about his parents’ unconditional love and sacrifice for him becomes a vital part of Naruto’s character development. Naruto gains a new viewpoint on his roots and mission thanks to Minato and Kushina’s capacity to express their emotions to him through their chakra, even if they are physically apart.
The Impact of Naruto’s Evolution
The success and legacy of this series have been greatly impacted by Naruto’s character development. Fans find an immense connection in Naruto’s path from a misunderstood, lonely young boy to a beloved Hokage and hero. Furthermore, the lighter tone and focus on positive themes have made the series more enjoyable for the readers.
For more than two decades, fans have been captivated by the complex universe that the characters’ friendships, rivalries, and personal development have created.
Although it’s interesting to think about a darker version of Naruto’s story, Masashi Kishimoto’s choice to switch to a more positive and inspirational storyline has contributed to the series’ success. Fans around the world are still inspired and fascinated by Naruto’s journey, which is full of overcoming obstacles, victories, and firm belief in a brighter future. Through Naruto’s story, Kishimoto conveys a powerful message about the lasting impact of love, friendship and positivity in the path of self-discovery.
You can read Naruto manga on Viz Media.
