Naruto: Kishimoto Reveals The Reason Behind The Shippuden Timeskip

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As a seasoned manga enthusiast who has traversed the vast landscapes of anime and manga for decades, I must say that Masashi Kishimoto’s masterpiece, Naruto, holds a special place in my heart. The story’s evolution, particularly during the timeskip, was nothing short of remarkable.

Kishimoto’s decision to skip over two years was not just about making our beloved characters stronger, although that was certainly an important aspect. It was also about giving them a fresh look, something that even the most talented manga artists can appreciate. As an artist myself, I understand the struggle of balancing intricate character designs with the need for clarity and focus in certain panels.

The timeskip allowed Kishimoto to refine his characters’ appearances, addressing minor design flaws that may have hindered his artistic expression. For instance, who wouldn’t want to eliminate a spiral on Naruto’s shoulder or a thick collar that obscures our hero’s face? It’s these little details that can make all the difference in a manga artist’s work.

But let’s not forget the most crucial aspect of the timeskip – the characters’ growth. Naruto, once a boisterous ninja-wannabe, transformed into a mature and powerful Hokage. His journey was not just about becoming stronger; it was about personal development, resilience, and the power of friendship.

In closing, I must say that Kishimoto’s decision to skip over two years in Naruto was a brilliant move. It allowed for character growth, design refinement, and provided us with a story that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. And as they say, “Better outfits make for better shinobi!

This article contains spoilers from Naruto’s Final War.

Summary

  • Timeskip happened post-Sasuke battle in Naruto’s journey
  • Naruto and others grew stronger from training and experiences
  • Timeskip made to elevate characters’ strength and simplify designs

The “Naruto” series, undeniably, ranks among the most acclaimed manga ever created. Written by Masashi Kishimoto, this timeless masterpiece has consistently grown in popularity among its dedicated fanbase. “Naruto” narrates the tale of a young boy named Naruto Uzumaki, who strives to gain recognition from those around him despite being shunned and facing adversity throughout his life. Fans found it effortless to cheer for this underdog character, making his journey one that has been cherished since its inception. The series is marked by thrilling action sequences as well as unwavering resilience and determination, which are key factors contributing to the enduring love fans have for it.

Naruto’s tale took him from being a young boy to a fully grown individual. Throughout this narrative, there were numerous instances where time was skipped ahead, with the most substantial leap occurring between Part 1 and Part 2 of the Naruto series. This jump in time resulted in Naruto reappearing as a transformed character, and it’s been disclosed by Kishimoto that this timeskip holds a crucial explanation.

The Naruto Timeskip Was Significant For Many Reasons

  • Naruto Timeskip Happened Shortly After The Sasuke Retrieval Arc
  • Naruto And The Others Grew Stronger

After the epic battle between Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, a significant gap in the Naruto series occurred. By this point, Sasuke was resolute on leaving the village, while Naruto was determined to prevent his best friend from joining Orochimaru. Their intense fight took place at the Valley of the End, and it was an unforgettable spectacle for viewers. At the end of this fierce battle, it was Sasuke Uchiha who came out victorious, leaving Naruto with a bitter taste of defeat and loss of a cherished friend. However, Naruto, known for his perseverance, swore to bring back Sasuke, no matter the cost. To achieve this, Naruto embarked on a journey alongside Jiraiya, growing and maturing over the next two years, ultimately returning as a ninja worthy of Kakashi’s admiration. During the time skip, fans watched as the yellow-haired ninja mastered various techniques and evolved not only in skills but also in character.

I’ll never give up on Sasuke, because I never go back on my word. – Naruto

While Sasuke Uchiha persistently honed his skills and mastered the techniques of the Curse Mark, he was simultaneously subjected to drugs that fueled his development at an extraordinary pace. His ambition was to amass sufficient strength to confront Itachi Uchiha, a goal which he undoubtedly achieved, to a considerable extent. Meanwhile, Sakura was learning under Tsunade and acquired an impressive array of abilities too.

In Konoha and beyond, nearly every ninja had been meticulously trained to reach peak performance, mastering new skills and growing stronger than ever before. Following the timeskip in Naruto, fans were introduced to a transformed version of their beloved characters, marking the beginning of the series’ most significant phase. This period brought forth formidable villains, while also delving into pivotal events such as the 4th Great Ninja War.

Kishimoto Reveals Two Key Reasons For The Timeskip

The Strength Of The Ninjas Was Not The Only Factor

It’s clear that the time jump in the Naruto series was crucial, given the incredible transformation of Naruto Uzumaki from a young boy into a fully-grown adult by the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War. The progression of his character was astounding, and there were valid reasons for this development. Manga artist Kishimoto has discussed the reasoning behind the 2+ year time jump in Naruto, and his explanation is fascinating. While we might anticipate one aspect of his answer, there are some surprising elements as well that no fan would have predicted. In essence, Kishimoto explains that there were two primary reasons for the Naruto time jump. The first reason aligns with our expectations – it was necessary for the ninjas to become stronger.

At the current stage, Naruto Uzumaki and his companions lacked the strength necessary to confront the challenges of the ninja realm. To help them grow and advance further, it was essential for Kishimoto to introduce a leap in time.

Today, we’re stronger than we were yesterday! – Rock Lee

By this stage in the story, the Akatsuki members were crucial figures, each possessing Jonin-level abilities or even surpassing them. This necessitated Kishimoto to elevate the young ninjas too, ensuring they could stand against formidable foes. Consequently, every character embarked on individual training journeys, and after the time skip, they all became stronger. For example, Naruto learned to fight with maturity, enhanced his Rasengan control, and managed to manifest more tails than ever. Even secondary characters like Neji advanced to Jonin rank, while Gaara reached Kage status. It’s evident that these ninjas had progressed significantly following the Naruto time skip, making it as vital as it was.

Kishimoto Needed To Make The Character Designs Less Complicated

Apart from the narrative reasons, Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, also introduced a timeskip to give most characters a new appearance. Initially, he was still learning to draw weekly manga, and the original outfits were not entirely satisfactory to him. As the story progressed, he found certain character designs limiting his artistic freedom. For example, the spiral on Naruto Uzumaki’s shoulder was a design element that Kishimoto did not prefer. To eliminate this spiral, he felt it necessary to change Naruto’s outfit, and for that, a time skip proved useful. Essentially, he wanted to give the characters a fresh look and simplify his drawing process at the same time.

In the early stages of Naruto, his collar was overly bulky, often covering his face in crucial panels that emphasized his expressions. According to the creator Kishimoto, this issue arose because the thick collar hindered clear depiction of Naruto’s face. As a result, Kishimoto felt compelled to design a new outfit for Naruto with a less prominent collar, ensuring his face wouldn’t be obscured again. The necessity for a redesign, among other minor factors, eventually led Kishimoto to introduce a timeskip in the Naruto series. During this period, he revamped many characters’ outfits and made them even stronger than before.

You can find Naruto on both MangaPlus and the Shonen Jump application for reading. By accessing it there, fans are able to enjoy the authentic version and contribute to the author’s success.

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2024-12-31 02:34