Naruto Author Kishimoto Reveals His Top 3 Manga Of All Time

Naruto Author Kishimoto Reveals His Top 3 Manga Of All Time

As a fellow manga artist and admirer of your work, I can truly relate to the sentiments expressed by Kishimoto. Just like him, I too found solace in following my teacher’s footsteps, finding new joy in emulating their craft. My teacher, much like yours, has been my guiding light, a beacon of inspiration and wisdom.


This article contains spoilers from the Naruto series.

Key Takeaways

  • Kishimoto’s favorite manga is Dragon Ball, which greatly inspired him in creating Naruto.
  • He also loves Blade of the Immortal and Akira, showing his diverse taste in manga.
  • Kishimoto plans to work on a new manga, leaving fans eager to see his next creation.

Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, recently had an engaging conversation about both Naruto and Boruto series, which was highly valued by fans. After the conclusion of Naruto series, Kishimoto has mostly kept a low profile, living life to the fullest. However, occasionally, he would get chances to discuss the captivating tale he crafted that resonated with people worldwide.

More recently, he had another chance to discuss the Naruto series at a convention, leaving fans thrilled with the wealth of information Kishimoto shared. Although much of it centered on the Naruto universe, there were also tidbits about his personal life and preferences in media, including manga. For those curious about Kishimoto’s favorite manga, he has now disclosed this personally, and his choices are quite intriguing.

Kishimoto’s Favorite Manga Of All Time

  • Kishimoto Is A Big Fan Of Dragon Ball
  • Kishimoto Loves Blade Of The Immortal

As a dedicated gamer and manga enthusiast, it’s no secret that when asked about Akira Toriyama’s favorite manga, the answer is universally known: Dragon Ball. This iconic series has been the blueprint for countless Shonen series we’ve grown up with over the past few decades. Dragon Ball was masterfully crafted by the legendary creator, Akira Toriyama, who pioneered a distinctive formula that continues to influence many authors today. The impact of Toriyama’s Dragon Ball on manga as a whole cannot be overstated – it truly revolutionized the genre. This story transcended borders, becoming a global phenomenon. Many anime and Shonen manga today owe their existence to Dragon Ball, and its success has paved the way for contemporary series to thrive.

Toriyama Sensei is a god!

Kishimoto Leaves Toriyama A Deep Message

Naruto Author Kishimoto Reveals His Top 3 Manga Of All Time

It’s no secret that fans consider Akira Toriyama as a highly respected figure in the world of anime and manga, given that many beloved series today wouldn’t exist without Dragon Ball. This esteem is shared by Kishimoto, who admires Toriyama as one of the greatest authors, and was inspired to create Naruto due to his work. In fact, upon Toriyama’s passing, Kishimoto expressed his feelings profoundly, which left fans in no doubt about the impact of his demise. For those curious, here is Kishimoto’s tribute to Toriyama:

To be honest, I’m at a loss as to how to approach such a sudden topic. But in this moment, I’d like to share some thoughts and emotions that I’ve held dear, feelings I wished Toriyama-sensei might have asked me about one day.

As a child, Dr. Slump and Dragon Ball were constants in my elementary school years – the former during lower grades, and the latter during upper grades. Having these mangas by my side felt like an integral part of my life. Even when I encountered difficult times, watching Dragon Ball each week would help me momentarily forget about my troubles. It was a comforting escape for me, a rural boy who had little, as Dragon Ball was simply entertaining!

During my university years, the Dragon Ball that had been a significant part of my life came to an abrupt end. This sudden change left me feeling a profound sense of loss and uncertainty about the future. Yet, it also provided me with a unique opportunity to fully appreciate the genius of the creator who brought Dragon Ball to life. Incidentally, this experience has sparked a desire within me to emulate my teacher’s work and create pieces similar to yours! I aspire to be just like him!

In my journey to emulate my esteemed teacher and fulfill my dream as a manga artist, the sense of grief gradually faded away. That’s because diving into the world of comics brought me immense joy. My teacher, who has been my mentor, guided me through this exciting new realm. I have always admired his wisdom and skill. I want to take this moment to express my deepest gratitude to him. To me, he is not just a teacher, but a divine savior of my artistic aspirations, the deity of manga.

During our initial encounter, I was so anxious that I remained silent. Yet, after multiple encounters at the Tezuka Prize screening committee, we grew comfortable enough to engage in conversation. Reminiscing about Dragon Ball with Mr. Oda felt like stepping back into childhood days. Our shared enthusiasm made us seem as if we were vying against each other, causing me to overlook his slight embarrassment and share a warm smile with him instead. I can’t express it any better.

I’ve recently learned that my beloved teacher has passed away. The void left behind feels much larger than the gap created by the conclusion of Dragon Ball. I’m still struggling to find a way to cope with this emotional wound, and now, reading my cherished Dragon Ball comics seems impossible.

I don’t feel like I’ve been able to properly write this sentence that I want to convey to my teacher. Everyone around the world was still looking forward to seeing your work.

If granted, Dragon Ball’s one wish…I must apologize… Perhaps it’s selfish, but it’s disheartening, sensei. Nonetheless, a heartfelt thank you to Akira Toriyama-sensei for the joy you’ve brought us over four and a half decades. Your dedication is truly appreciated. It’s evident that your loved ones are still grieving. Please prioritize your wellbeing. May Akira Toriyama rest in peace, our sincere condolences.

Kishimoto’s Other Favorite Manga’s

Kishimoto Loves Stories Aside From Dragon Ball As Well

Apart from Dragon Ball, Kishimoto also named two other mangas as his favorites. One of them is Akira, which many fans already know. This story set in a post-apocalyptic and futuristic world significantly influenced Kishimoto. Interestingly, Kishimoto has expressed his desire to explore more science fiction themes and settings in future works. In fact, his second manga, Samurai 8, was significantly impacted by the genre of science fiction.

To conclude, Kishimoto named Blade of the Immortal as one of his top three favorites. This heartfelt tale follows a samurai named Manji who embarks on a quest to end his immortality and safeguards an orphan named Rin along the way. Given that the creator of Naruto found such a profound and moving narrative appealing, it’s no surprise that fans would too. Blade of the Immortal stands out as one of Kishimoto’s all-time favorite stories, with some predictable choices like Dragon Ball, but also unique and intriguing picks, such as Blade of the Immortal.

At the recent event, Kishimoto hinted at potentially starting a new manga project, which has left fans excited about the prospect of him giving manga another shot following his previous attempts with Samurai 8. Here’s hoping this time around, he delivers an outstanding story for us all to appreciate, considering his undeniable talent as a writer. Fans are eagerly waiting to see what he comes up with next, but the exact release date remains uncertain.

Naruto and Boruto series are available to read on Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps.

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2024-09-07 02:33