Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto has consistently revolved around the central character’s fervent desire to establish a profound legacy and attain the status of a formidable ninja, primarily by pursuing his ultimate aspiration of becoming the Hokage.
Within the Konohagakure village, the Hokage serves as the principal political leader, holding the full spectrum of authority and obligations associated with this prestigious role.
Throughout the anime and manga series, as well as its follow-up, Boruto, there have been a total of seven officially recognized Hokages acknowledged in the annals of Konoha’s history. Among the four Hokages of the Leaf Village, the fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, was considered the strongest, but the Hokage title was initially envisioned for a far more improbable candidate.
In the diverse world of shinobi within the series, the notion of a ninja dog assuming leadership of the Hidden Leaf Village might seem absurd. However, according to Masashi Kishimoto, the series creator, this was his original concept.
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Naruto Creator’s Idea: Ninja Dog as Fourth Hokage
In an interview that was translated and posted on Narutopedia by user KirinNOTKarin98, Masashi Kishimoto revealed that he initially conceived the idea of having a ninja dog, or ‘ninken,’ serve as the Fourth Hokage. However, his editor at the time dismissed this concept, suggesting that Kishimoto was “thinking off on a tangent again.”
With the notion of a ninken Hokage rejected, Kishimoto ultimately settled on making Minato the Fourth Hokage instead, and as they say, the rest is history. It’s indeed an interesting tidbit, and in hindsight, the editor’s suggestion may have taken the story in a very different direction.
Ninken, while not a consistently prevalent element in Naruto, unquestionably shines when they make appearances. They are unwavering companions and demonstrate remarkable battle prowess on par with their human counterparts. One clan, in particular, stands out for its deep connection with these canine allies, as epitomized by Kiba Inuzuka and his loyal partner, Akamaru.
These ninja dogs possess both power and distinct personalities, making it entirely plausible that one of them could have been considered for the role of a former Hokage. Exploring more of Masashi Kishimoto’s work provides readers with a glimpse of what the Naruto world might have been like had he stuck to his original concept.
A Nod to Masashi Kishimoto’s Karakuri
Naruto indeed incorporates various ideas and concepts from Masashi Kishimoto’s earlier works. For instance, the protagonist’s love for ramen has its roots in his early role as a chef’s apprentice. In the pilot chapter, Naruto was initially portrayed as a shape-shifting fox before becoming the host of the Nine-Tails.
Additionally, the concept of the ninken can be seen as a nod to Kishimoto’s earlier work, Karakuri, which featured a specialized security enforcer and his talking surveillance pet, offering a glimpse of an alternate version of what Naruto could have been.
Considering the recognition of Karakuri, it’s possible that Kishimoto might draw inspiration from it in the future and create an alternate-universe one-shot featuring the ninken Hokage.
Kishimoto’s editors played a significant role in shaping Naruto behind the scenes. While the story has evolved significantly from its initial concept, there are still Easter eggs and interviews that provide insight into its early stages.
While some changes were undoubtedly beneficial, it’s entertaining to imagine what the series would have been like if certain elements, such as a ninken Hokage, had been retained. Unfortunately, the notion of Naruto‘s fourth Hokage being a ninja dog remains a charming idea in the hearts of readers.
Source: naruto.fandom.com
