Every author usually has their favorite characters in their works. Sometimes these characters are the main protagonists, while at other times they may play supporting roles.
In the case of Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, he has openly stated that Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke are his two favorite characters. However, another character he admires is Killer Bee, despite the challenges he faced while crafting the dialogue for the Jinchuuriki of the Eight-Tails.
How does Killer Bee stand out in Naruto?
Killer Bee is a shinobi from the Village of Clouds and serves as a Jinchuuriki. He first appeared in Naruto Shippuden, Chapter 408 of the manga (2008) and Episode 142 of the anime (2009).
Although he only appears towards the end of the story, Killer Bee quickly became one of Kishimoto’s favorite characters… and also a character that brought a lot of challenges for the author.
The challenge did not stem from the complexity of the character itself or the difficulty of integrating him into the plot, but rather from Killer Bee’s unique speaking style, which is reminiscent of a rapper. As a result, Kishimoto had to think more creatively about Bee’s dialogue to ensure it flowed well and maintained rhythm.
Kishimoto mentioned in a 2012 interview with Viz Media: “Writing Killer Bee’s dialogue is quite difficult because he always speaks in rhyme. However, that’s the character trait I wanted to convey to him… Even though it’s challenging, I will always strive to bring him to life as a character with substance.”
Creating Killer Bee was quite a feat, as Kishimoto designed him partly to challenge the conventions of comic book storytelling, reflecting the struggles of a professional rapper. Therefore, despite being a ninja, every line of Killer Bee’s dialogue is inspired by rap.
“He raps a lot, but he still fights. I want him to be one of the most entertaining characters, as well as one of the strongest ninjas in the Naruto universe,” Kishimoto said.
Indeed, Killer Bee is one of the most notable and beloved characters in Naruto. He leaves a strong impression with his distinctive fighting style and humorous personality.
According to IGN
