Naruto has become a front face of the anime industry for several years now, not only in Japan but overseas as well. Naruto has a huge fanbase in America and there are several reasons it might be. The series is very easy to get and viewers can enjoy it but according to the author of the series Masashi Kishimoto, the reason Naruto is so famous in America is something else.
Naruto has gained worldwide recognition and has a fanbase of millions. It is one of the series which helped anime grow worldwide and has contributed immensely to the development of several upcoming animes. Recently in an interview, Musashi Kishimoto revealed that according to him the reason for Naruto being famous is his simplicity yet confidence and his constant desire to grow which helps him connect to a large chunk of the audience.
What made Naruto famous in America according to Masashi Kishimoto?
Naruto is one of the most relatable characters in the anime industry. He is also one of the most loved characters and there are several reasons for it. He is humble and eager to learn but at times acts cocky as well.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Masashi Kishimoto shared the reason for Naruto being so popular:
“Perfect heroes are cool, but no one can really empathize or identify with them. Naruto often makes blunders, and he has weaknesses. Naruto feels inferior to his peers, but he hates to be a loser. Although he doesn’t think about it too much, he knows he hates to lose, and we all know what that feels like. I think readers see themselves in Naruto, and that’s what appeals to them: They can empathize with him and his weaknesses.”
We all love Naruto because we all have seen him grow through the years, from a brat who just used to shout at everyone to a man who analyzes the situation and reacts with a calm mind. One main factor is that Naruto was not born tremendously strong but he acknowledged that he was weak and needed to grow and worked hard for it.
Naruto’s success in America
Naruto has served as the entrance to the anime universe for a lot of viewers in America and is one of the most-watched series in the country. The series is very beginner friendly and anyone can understand and enjoy it.
However, Masashi Kishimoto also revealed that he did not have an international audience in mind when he was creating the series. He said:
“All the people I was influenced by have been very successful in other countries, which may be why it was easier for my work to be accepted there. ‘Naruto’ owes a lot to those artists who won acceptance and popularity overseas.”
Despite not his aim Naruto has grown tremendously worldwide and has sold millions of copies internationally and to this tends to be one of the most well-known series in the world.
Source: Los Angeles Times
