Kishimoto’s Shocking Original Plan: Naruto Was Meant to Be a Shape-Shifting Fox!

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This article contains spoilers from the Naruto series.

Summary

  • Naruto Uzumaki was originally planned to be a shape-shifting fox.
  • Kishimoto eventually changed his mind, turning the fox into a human.
  • Kishimoto’s changes led to Naruto’s success as a popular and relatable character.

Naruto Uzumaki, the main character from the “Naruto” series, is exceptionally well-loved, a fact that doesn’t come as a shock given his role. However, what might surprise fans is that Naruto Uzumaki transcends the realm of being merely a “Naruto” character. He has become one of the most popular fictional characters globally, inspiring millions worldwide, even though he is simply a drawing on paper.

Naruto Uzumaki, a character known for overcoming numerous hardships, is adored by many due to his relatability. Interestingly, though, Naruto wasn’t always destined to be as he is today. Instead, his development and transformation were influenced by Masashi Kishimoto’s ideas as the series progressed. In fact, the initial concept of Naruto was significantly different from the character we eventually came to know, a difference that Kishimoto has acknowledged in previous discussions.

Kishimoto’s Original Plan For Naruto Was Very Different

  • Naruto Uzumaki Was Supposed to be A Shape-Shifting Fox
  • Kishimoto Eventually Changed His Mind

Initially, the character of Naruto Uzumaki, known for his unyielding spirit and seemingly empty background as a ninja, had a distinctly different conception according to creator Kishimoto. In fact, Kishimoto’s original concept for Naruto was truly unique.

I never back down or retreat, and I always keep my promises. This is the Ninja way within me, as Naruto Uzumaki would say.

Masashi Kishimoto initially conceived Naruto as a story featuring mythical Japanese creatures rather than ninjas. Originally, Naruto Uzumaki was envisioned as a shapeshifting fox, not a ninja. The ideas of secret villages and the ninja profession were absent in his early plans.

Masashi Kishimoto initially wanted to create a story about Japanese folklore creatures instead of ninjas. He originally planned for Naruto Uzumaki to be a shapeshifting fox, not a ninja. The concepts of hidden villages and the ninja lifestyle were not part of his initial ideas.

It’s not at all unexpected that Kishimoto originally conceived the Third Hokage as a monkey character in his narrative. Similarly, the Fourth Hokage was initially intended to be canine, much like Kakashi’s ninken. This suggests that Kishimoto had a penchant for incorporating animals into significant roles and placing them at the forefront of the storyline.

How Kishimoto’s Original Plan Evolved Over The Years

Over time, Kishimoto revised his tale, transforming the fox he’d initially sketched into a human. This is how Naruto Uzumaki, a character fans are familiar with, came to be. When submitting his story, Kishimoto was aware that there were many manga about ninjas already out there. To make his story distinctive, he decided to give Naruto Uzumaki blond hair, making him more noticeable and giving the impression of a foreigner rather than a typical ninja.

Are Shinobi nothing more than mere tools to you? — Naruto Uzumaki to Zabuza

Kishimoto creatively reimagined the essence of a ninja. Unlike traditional portrayals where a ninja dies in battle, his depiction featured a ninja who lived to aid and safeguard. Rather than keeping them secretive, Kishimoto integrated them into society, making them as accepted as any respected figure within a nation. Initially, he thought he was deviating from the norm, but eventually, this unconventional approach proved to be very effective.

Would Kishimoto’s Plan Have Worked?

The Original Plan Might Not Have Been As Good

Kishimoto’s initial concept for Naruto will remain shrouded in mystery for fans, but one thing is certain: it underwent significant transformations throughout the years. If Kishimoto felt compelled to make these alterations, they were likely critical. The tale of a boy harboring a fox spirit is more captivating than that of a shapeshifting fox, and every change Kishimoto made on his own was undoubtedly for the better. This evolution is what propelled Naruto to its current level of popularity.

You can find Naruto on both MangaPlus and the Shonen Jump app for reading. By choosing this platform, fans are not only able to access the official version but also contribute to supporting the author.

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2025-04-08 23:35