Naruto Creator Says One Piece’s Villains Inspired His Own Bad Guys

Naruto Creator Says One Piece's Villains Inspired His Own Bad Guys

As a gamer with a deep appreciation for both Naruto and One Piece, I can’t help but marvel at the intricate tapestry of villainy woven by their creators. The duo of Masashi Kishimoto and Eiichiro Oda have crafted some truly unforgettable antagonists that have kept us on the edge of our seats for years.


In a nutshell, having an outstanding hero without a formidable adversary to test their mettle is rather unusual, as seen in series such as Naruto and One Piece. These popular anime franchises, despite their distinct settings of pirates and ninjas, possess certain similarities due to the influence of their creators. In a recent discussion with Masashi Kishimoto, creator of Naruto, and Mikio Ikemoto, artist for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, they touched upon how villains like Orochimaru and the Divine Trees were shaped by Eiichiro Oda’s methodology in constructing the Grand Line.

As a gamer putting my thoughts into words, let me share why I chose to develop complex villains instead of traditional ‘super villains’. You see, I’m all about weaving human tales. Initially, I had the chance to present characters as supervillains, but with One Piece taking that route, I wanted Naruto to offer something unique. My villainous characters also had their own narratives. In this creative field, it’s essential to produce the unprecedented, which drives us to explore diverse methods.

Naruto Creator Says One Piece's Villains Inspired His Own Bad Guys

Boruto: Two Blue Villainy

Expanding on Kishimoto’s ideas, Mikio Ikemoto, now the artist for “Boruto: Two Blue Vortex,” discussed the villains in the ongoing series. He stated, “I strive to avoid repeating what was established in Naruto. Consequently, Boruto has a higher number of truly malevolent villains.” In the current manga, it’s evident that entities like the “Divine Trees” – the advanced beings born from the Ten-Tails and the Otsutsuki’s energy-absorbing flora – possess very little resemblance to humans.

Weekly episodes of “One Piece” are still being aired, but for now, there’s no sign of “Boruto”. Studio Pierrot paused the anime after the battle against Code, opting to adopt a more seasonal production strategy. Previously, they mentioned coming back with four episodes focusing on the original “Naruto” series, but these have been indefinitely delayed.

Keep yourself informed about the antagonists in both Konoha and the Grand Line? Make sure to follow Team Anime on ComicBook for the most recent news on Naruto and One Piece, and feel free to reach out to me directly @EVComedy to discuss all aspects of comics and anime.

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2024-08-28 20:09