The world of manga and anime is filled with legendary series, but few have reached the heights of Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto and Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece. These two shonen giants, both serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, have captivated audiences worldwide, defining the genre for decades. While both series share common themes like friendship and perseverance, a recent revelation from Naruto’s editor, Yahagi Kosuke, sheds light on the profound influence One Piece had on the development of the ninja saga.
The Acknowledgment of a Titan
According to Yahagi Kosuke, the editorial team behind Naruto extensively studied One Piece to understand its immense popularity. This candid admission reveals a level of respect and admiration from Kishimoto and his team towards Oda’s work. Yahagi recounted that Kishimoto himself felt Naruto could not compete with One Piece, acknowledging its superior storytelling. This led the Naruto team to analyze One Piece deeply, breaking down its narrative structure and character development to identify the key ingredients that made it so successful.
The “RPG” Structure of One Piece
One of the main aspects that impressed the Naruto team was One Piece’s unique, “RPG-like” structure. The Straw Hat crew embarks on adventures in various lands, each with its own unique setting and challenges. The Naruto team recognized that each arc in One Piece presents a clear goal and allows for the growth of its characters. This formula of exploring diverse locations while maintaining the focus on the main characters and their overall journey creates an engaging and ever-evolving narrative.
Character Arcs Beyond the Main Protagonist
Another point of admiration was how One Piece dedicated arcs to its main characters. Instead of solely focusing on the journey of Monkey D. Luffy, Oda’s story gives ample space for the development of each crew member. This approach makes the entire ensemble cast feel important, enriching the overall narrative and building strong bonds with the viewers.
Finding a Unique Path
Despite recognizing One Piece’s brilliance, Kishimoto and his team knew they couldn’t simply copy its approach. Yahagi stated that Kishimoto felt he “couldn’t write a story more moving than One Piece.” Instead, they decided to focus on areas where they could excel. This meant finding their own unique strengths and creating a series that, while influenced by One Piece, would ultimately be distinct.
Emphasizing Action and Visual Spectacle
One of the areas where Naruto decided to compete was in the realm of action. Recognizing the appeal of dynamic battles and visually striking ninja techniques, the team put significant effort into creating captivating fight scenes. This focus on high-octane action became a signature of the Naruto series, setting it apart from One Piece’s more adventure-driven narrative.
Creating Nuanced Villains
While One Piece often features villains who are simply “bad,” Kishimoto chose to create more nuanced and complicated antagonists in Naruto. Many villains in the Naruto-verse have their own backstories and motivations that make them more human, blurring the line between good and evil, and allowing for deeper character exploration. The series focuses on the complexities of morality, exploring why characters turn to the dark side and emphasizing that villains also have human stories.
The Importance of Relatable Characters
Another distinction between the two series lies in the relatability of the characters. Naruto’s characters, particularly at the beginning of the series, are younger and their problems, though set in a world of ninjas, are grounded and easier for the audience to connect with. Naruto’s longing for acceptance and Sakura’s journey to become a strong kunoichi resonate with viewers. This focus on characters’ emotional struggles and their personal growth became a major strength for Naruto.
Common Ground: Friendship and Perseverance
Despite their differences, Naruto and One Piece share core themes that have resonated deeply with audiences across the globe. Both series emphasize the importance of friendship, and the power of believing in oneself and never giving up on one’s dreams. Luffy’s Straw Hat Pirates and Naruto’s strong bonds with his comrades demonstrate the power of loyalty and teamwork. These shared themes are part of what makes both series so popular.
A Friendly Rivalry
The relationship between Kishimoto and Oda has been described as a friendly rivalry. Both creators have acknowledged the influence they have had on each other. Oda has even admitted to being fascinated by the character Choji’s ability to expand his body in Naruto, using it as an inspiration for Luffy’s Gear Third form, while another One Piece character’s invisibility powers were inspired by a minor Naruto character. This mutual respect and inspiration highlights the unique and positive relationship between these two manga legends.
The Legacy of Two Giants
Both Naruto and One Piece have left an indelible mark on the manga and anime landscape. They have inspired generations of creators and fans alike. While One Piece is currently the best-selling manga series of all time, Naruto has achieved incredible global success, and is considered one of the most influential manga of all time. The fact that the Naruto team studied One Piece so closely, yet forged its own unique path, is a testament to the dedication and creativity of both teams. Ultimately, the success of both series has enriched the genre and made way for new mangakas.
Different Approaches, Equal Impact
The impact of these two series can also be seen in the different ways they approach storytelling. One Piece is known for its complex and intricate world-building, while Naruto is celebrated for its dramatic and character-driven narratives. Some editors at Shonen Jump believe Naruto’s easier-to-understand action and focus on character drama, made it more accessible to a global audience than the more layered approach taken by One Piece. Both series are incredible stories that have left an impact on countless people all over the world.
The Enduring Popularity
Both manga have been adapted into anime, with One Piece’s anime series still ongoing, while Naruto has concluded with Naruto Shippuden. Both series have also spawned numerous films, video games, and merchandise, solidifying their place in pop culture. The stories continue to inspire new fans today, and their legacies as two of the greatest manga series ever created are secure.
The story of Naruto and its relationship with One Piece is a testament to the power of inspiration and innovation. While initially feeling unable to compete, Masashi Kishimoto and his team took the lessons learned from Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece and created a series that has captivated millions around the globe. In doing so, they have cemented their place alongside One Piece as giants of the shonen genre.
