Masashi Kishimoto is a master of many things such as storytelling, art, and creating a world captivating enough to entrance the entire world. However, one talent is enough to equal them all at one go; his ability to make some of the most mesmerizing characters. Each and every character introduced by the mangaka is unique, special, and well built in most cases.
It can be argued that some like Sakura weren’t treated as well, but most were given character arcs that can rival the bildungsroman of even the greatest protagonists in other genres and mediums as well. It takes some genius level of understanding to create such exquisite characters and that comes into play when one’s weaknesses and strengths are also laid out for them.
Masashi Kishimoto’s Big Bad Fear
During a Shonen Jump interview in 2006, Masashi Kishimoto opened up about working on Naruto and all that he envisioned for the series, which was then growing exponentially and still is. He went into detail about all the things that he aspired to and those that frightened him. Masashi Kishimoto may be the Indiana Jones of the anime industry because of a trait they both share.
I’m not fond of them. I like the details of the skin, but not the snake itself.
Both Masashi Kishimoto and Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones are terrified of snakes. The author shared in the interview that although the designs, patterns, and scales that come with the variety of snakes intrigue him, the reptile in itself wasn’t something he was fond of.
He found himself getting scared of snakes no matter how beautiful they may seem at first. The overall figure of the snake wasn’t his favorite but it may have also led to another creation.
Born of Hatred and Thus Perfected
Inspiration for a loved character can come from aspects of the creators’ life they love dearly. In a similar manner, aspects of one’s life that seep through into art can be both positive and negative. How do you make a frightening villain if they don’t scare you?
What is it about that villain that scares you? Piling questions upon questions results in the birth of villains who can make people shake in their boots not because of how bad they are but because of how frightening they are.
Hannibal Lecter, Homelander, Anakin Skywalker, and the Joker, are all villains born of aspects that humanity finds itself shaking over. So for a villain like Orochimaru to be born following Masashi Kishimoto’s fear of snakes wouldn’t seem so far-fetched. The best villains are born when they embrace the worst traits.
If someone hates their own villain because of the wrath that follows their path, there has been certain things done the right way. Orochimaru is regarded as one of the best villains in the anime industry with a frightful aura that would have people recognize him regardless of them being fans of the franchise or not. This is not something that can be achieved without the prospects of love or hate combined because, through emotions felt in art, perfection is born.
Naruto is available to watch on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
