More than a year has passed since the conclusion of the manga series Naruto, yet devoted fans still express their lingering nostalgia and hope for the return of this beloved comic. With the recent announcement from its creator, Masashi Kishimoto, revealing that he is working on a new project, let’s revisit some intriguing facts you may not know about him up until now.
1. Masashi Kishimoto Has a Twin Brother Who is Also a Manga Artist
Few people know that Masashi Kishimoto has a twin brother who shares his passion for manga and anime. Both of them were fans of Kinnikuman and Dragon Ball. As they grew up, they pursued careers in manga creation. While Masashi Kishimoto gained worldwide fame with Naruto, his brother is less known, having created works like O-Parts Hunter and Sukedachi 09.
2. Akira Was the Anime That Inspired Kishimoto to Become a Mangaka
The anime and its manga adaptation, Akira, served as a significant inspiration for Kishimoto while he was still in school. There was a time when he dropped out of his job to pursue his passion for manga and sports, but after seeing a poster of Akira, he decided to dedicate himself to this creative path.
3. The Ramen Shop in Naruto is Real and Kishimoto Loves Eating Ramen
Kishimoto’s favorite food is ramen, which he creatively incorporated into Naruto. In fact, the name “Naruto” is derived from a type of ramen ingredient. Additionally, he drew inspiration from a ramen shop near Kyushu Sangyo University, where he enjoyed dining during his studies.
4. Kishimoto is a Big Fan of Gundam Anime
Kishimoto enjoys watching Kinnikuman, Akira, and Doraemon, but he is also a fan of the Gundam anime. As a child, he spent considerable time sketching characters and robots from this series. He even named some of the ninja techniques in Naruto after Gundam models, like “Jiongu” from MSN-02 Zeong, “Zukokku” from Z’Gok, and “YMS-15 Gyan,” among others.
5. Kishimoto Rarely Includes Romantic Elements in His Works Because… He is Awkward
Many dedicated fans have observed that in Naruto, the protagonist shows more interest in his friend Sasuke than in his romantic interest Sakura. This unique brotherly bond often overshadows other romantic feelings. In a candid interview, Kishimoto admitted feeling quite awkward when creating romantic scenes, so he tends to avoid them altogether.
6. Kishimoto’s Net Worth is Estimated at… 20 Million USD
According to statistics from the United States, this famous manga artist’s net worth is estimated at around 20 million USD (over 400 billion VND). Although his manga series has concluded, animated films and Naruto-related merchandise continue to be released consistently.
