Popularly known for Mobile Suit Gundam and an extremely straightforward personality, Yoshiyuki Tomino ranks high among the important figures in the anime industry. His creation, Gundam, can easily top the list of the most influential anime of all time. When someone of his stature says something, it’s bound to draw attention, like a list of his favorite mangaka. Not only will it draw attention, but his opinion in this case will undoubtedly surprise some Naruto Fans.
That’s right! Some Naruto fans will be surprised to discover that Masashi Kishimoto was nowhere to be seen on Yoshiyuki Tomino’s list of best creators. Even though Kishimoto himself is a huge fan of Gundam.
Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Top 3 is a Shocker for Naruto Fans
Yoshiyuki Tomino is always honest, sometimes brutal too. His opinions on the anime industry are unique but he doesn’t shy away from voicing them. But one statement from him is bound to come off as a shocker for Naruto Fans. In an interview (via X), Tomino shared his top 3 mangaka, namely, Osamu Tezuka, Akira Toriyama, and Eiichiro Oda. Tomino called them the most important mangaka in Japan probably hinting at their influence as well as their works.
There was no Masashi Kishimoto on the list. Even though he is the creator of arguably one of the most successful manga works of all time, Kishimoto fans would inevitably be surprised not to see their favorite mangaka on such a list, but in the grand scheme of things, the three names Tomino stated more than justify the honor.
Osamu Tezuka is the ‘God of Manga’. He paved the way for the anime-manga industry to flourish. From Astro Boy to Black Jack, Tezuka’s influence reverberates in the anime industry to this day. Recently released as an anime, Naoki Urasawa’s Pluto was a retelling of Astro Boy. While Tezuka’s contribution to the anime industry is unparalleled, Akira Toriyama has led the Shonen World with the Dragon Ball series.
He inspired generations of mangaka with his works. Goku’s super saiyan is referenced every time a character is fired up whether it’s an anime or a sitcom series. From Teen Titans Go to The Flash, the list of Dragon Ball references is way too long. One such mangaka who was inspired by Toriyama is Eiichiro Oda, who has now become a prominent figure in the industry. From athletes paying tribute to One Piece at the Olympics to over 500 million copies in circulation, both One Piece and Oda have become a worldwide phenomenon.
But No Masashi Kishimoto! How?
Not having Kishimoto on the list might be a bit saddening, but that doesn’t dismiss everything Kishimoto has achieved over the years. Naruto has resonated with millions of fans, and the mere mention of it is enough to spark joy. From great backstories to characters like Jiraiya and Itachi, he has given us a lot to remember.
From Kohei Horikoshi to Takeru Hokazono, Kishimoto has inspired many creators of the newer generation. With accolades and applause alike, Naruto is among the best-selling manga of all time. Kishimoto might not have made it to Tomino’s list but he is for sure the number one for many of us!
Naruto is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
