Naruto Creator Explains How Godzilla Inspired the Tailed Beasts

Naruto Creator Explains How Godzilla Inspired the Tailed Beasts

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of manga and anime under my belt, I can confidently say that Masashi Kishimoto’s nod to Godzilla in Naruto has left an indelible mark on the series. Growing up in the 80s, I too was captivated by the towering kaiju and their larger-than-life personalities.


In regards to Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto poured all his skills into elevating the Hidden Leaf Village. From its characters to its battles, Naruto subjected its ninja to numerous trials. One of the most formidable challenges our heroes encountered took shape as colossal Tailed Beasts. Now, Kishimoto is disclosing how Godzilla served as an inspiration for these monsters

More recently, Masashi Kishimoto visited France for discussions centering on Naruto with his collaborator Mikio Ikemoto, the illustrator of Boruto. During this trip, they had an interview with La Nouvelle Republique, where Kishimoto elaborated on the link between Godzilla and the beloved Tailed Beasts

The creator revealed that his enthusiasm for Godzilla began during his elementary years. With a desire to sketch monsters, he incorporated some into his narrative. He is fond of Godzilla, Mothra, Ghidorah, and Rodan. These creatures served as inspiration for the Tailed Beasts in Naruto

It’s clear that Kishimoto has a deep affection for monsters, with Godzilla leading the pack, joined by both allies and adversaries. In their prime, Toho’s kaiju were more than just action heroes; they each had unique personalities that made them stand out. This diverse cast of characters was what motivated Kishimoto to design the Tailed Beasts, each one distinct from the other in terms of power, appearance, and temperament. In essence, the Nine-Tailed Fox is quite unlike the Two-Tailed Cat in every aspect

Godzilla’s Impact on Naruto

This reference to Godzilla is not a new one from Kishimoto; back in 2014, during the conclusion of the manga’s original run, Kishimoto mentioned Godzilla as an inspiration in an interview with Nippon. At that time, the creator of Naruto revealed that the concept of the tailed beasts was initially a straightforward means for him to incorporate the fox into his manga

“I had a fondness for Godzilla and wished to create a massive creature for combat scenarios. So, I devised the Summoning Jutsu – a skill that allows ninja to summon whatever they require in battle, be it weapons or creatures. My aim was always to conjure up titanic beings using this ability.”

If you’re keen on re-exploring the Tailed Beasts, it’s quite simple to locate Naruto these days. You can delve into the original manga and its subsequent series right on the Shonen Jump app. For comprehensive insights about Naruto, here’s a brief overview of its official plot:

2 years past, the secluded Village Concealed in Forests faced an ominous peril. A formidable nine-tailed spirit fox took the life of its leader, the Hokage, along with numerous others. Now, tranquility prevails over the village, yet a mischievous adolescent named Naruto grapples with graduating from Ninja School. His aspiration might be to become the future Hokage, but his ultimate fate will prove far more intricate. The journey commences here!

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2024-09-04 18:40