Entertainment · K-Culture & Anime · 1 day ago
Classic Anime Influences Helped Shape Naruto
Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto studied earlier anime and manga as he developed the series.
Two works highlighted as influences are Yu Yu Hakusho and Ghost in the Shell.
Kishimoto said the self-duplication ability of Suzaku in Yu Yu Hakusho helped inspire Naruto’s Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Yu Yu Hakusho’s battles also use difficult abilities that opponents must figure out how to overcome, a pattern Naruto uses in its fights.
Ghost in the Shell, a science-fiction series, was part of Kishimoto’s broader visual education.
Its carefully staged animation showed how complex movement could be made clear, an approach Naruto applied to ninja battles.
These influences helped Kishimoto build on established ideas while developing a style of his own.
Masashi Kishimoto drew on earlier anime and manga while developing Naruto.
Yu Yu Hakusho influenced Naruto’s Shadow Clone Jutsu, Kishimoto said.
The series also drew on Yu Yu Hakusho’s battles, which reveal seemingly unbeatable abilities.
Kishimoto cited Ghost in the Shell as an influence on his visual education.
Naruto’s fight scenes use clear movement and staging, an approach the article connects to Kishimoto’s range of influences.
- Who
- Masashi Kishimoto, creator of Naruto, studied earlier manga and anime.
- What
- Classic anime influences helped shape Naruto’s techniques, battles and visual storytelling.
- When
- Before and during Naruto’s creation. The article was published on Oct 10, 2026, EDT.
- Where
- Japan; the article discusses Japanese anime and manga.
- Why
- Kishimoto studied other artists to understand why their work was effective and develop a style of his own.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
long before it was cool
Kishimoto studied earlier manga and anime, including Yu Yu Hakusho and Ghost in the Shell.
Kishimoto drew on those influences while developing the series.
- Creator
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Technique
- Naruto’s Shadow Clone Jutsu was influenced by Suzaku’s ability to create real copies in Yu Yu Hakusho.
- Visual influence
- Kishimoto cited Ghost in the Shell as an inspiration.
- Publication
- CBR article published Oct 10, 2026, EDT
Sources
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