Shonen Jump Editor Explains Why Naruto Surpassed One Piece Overseas

Shonen Jump Editor Explains Why Naruto Surpassed One Piece Overseas

As a gamer who’s been navigating through the vast digital world since the dawn of the 21st century, I’ve had my fair share of epic battles, heart-wrenching stories, and intricate plots. Yet, nothing quite compares to the timeless journey that is One Piece.


Boasting over 500 million copies, “One Piece” is an undeniable giant in the world of manga. This popular “Shonen Jump” series has navigated the seas for many years, and during its tenure, other series have risen to fame. For example, “Naruto” entered the scene after “One Piece” had started, and somehow managed to achieve global success even before Eiichiro Oda’s pirate story. Interestingly, some prominent editors at “Shonen Jump” attribute “Naruto’s” success over “One Piece” to its more dramatic narrative.

At Shonen Jump, a meeting took place between Naruto and One Piece, where editors Yahagi Kosuke and Kazuhiko Torishima discussed these popular franchises. During this discussion, Yahagi, who has worked on Naruto with creator Masashi Kishimoto, expressed that the series is more straightforward compared to the complex layers of One Piece.

In an interview, Yahagi shared that “One Piece” has an engaging storyline, but “Naruto” stands out for being more straightforward due to its action and various elements instead of its dramatic aspects. He mentioned that what confuses his kids the most when he shows these series to them is the drama.

As a dedicated gamer and avid manga reader, I’ve spent countless hours immersed in the world of Japanese comics. Over time, I’ve developed an eye for what makes these stories captivating. However, many people outside Japan might find it challenging to fully appreciate Japanese manga due to language barriers or reading comprehension issues. In essence, I believe that the beloved series, Naruto, doesn’t demand the same level of intricate reading skills.

Takashi Matsuyama, who has edited works such as Dragon Ball, shared his thoughts on Naruto. From his point of view, Matsuyama compares One Piece to a timeless yakuza movie and Naruto to a high-energy Hollywood blockbuster.

As someone who has spent years immersed in both Western and Eastern pop culture, I find myself captivated by the unique storytelling styles of two iconic anime series: “One Piece” and “Naruto.” While both have gained global recognition, they cater to distinct audiences due to their different narrative approaches.

In recent times, the popularity of One Piece has grown significantly on a global scale. This is largely due to a resurgence in anime and its live-action adaptation on Netflix, which has expanded its fanbase beyond Asia. If you’re interested in learning more about this seafaring series, you can check out the official synopsis of One Piece below:

“Twelve years past, the Village Shrouded in Green encountered a formidable peril. A nine-tailed spirit fox took the life of its leader, the Hokage, along with numerous others. Presently, this village enjoys tranquility, yet one mischievous youth named Naruto grapples with his graduation from Ninja School. His ambition might be to become the next Hokage, but his ultimate fate holds a complexity far beyond that role. The journey commences now!”

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2024-08-15 23:40