The story of Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto is undoubtedly one of the most iconic manga/anime series, largely due to the author’s incredible talent for character development, particularly in creating compelling antagonists. He has crafted some extraordinary narratives with captivating plot twists, including the introduction of some unforgettable villainous characters.
Kishimoto’s Creativity in the Chunin Exam Arc of Naruto
In the realm of Shonen Jump, mangaka often receive support from the editorial staff, as well as from the various editorial teams at Jump. While this assistance can be beneficial, it sometimes presents challenges for the creators. Occasionally, mangaka, particularly newcomers, may feel pressured to adapt a story that they do not fully agree with. This scenario emerged for Kishimoto during the early stages of Naruto.
After completing the Land of Waves arc, Kishimoto’s initial concept for the story diverged significantly from what ultimately unfolded; it was initially intended to be the Chunin Exam arc. He had no plans for the Chunin Exam. Instead, he envisioned Naruto and his team traveling across the ninja world, encountering various Shinobi. However, they would primarily face the team led by Kakashi, and of course, Naruto’s own team as well.
Unfortunately, despite this brilliant idea, it did not gain the acceptance of the Jump editorial staff. Kishimoto’s editorial team merely allowed him to maintain a storyline that would lead to an arc that would replace it. The author was undoubtedly aware that he could not proceed in that direction, as he had already established all the subsequent plot lines. Transitioning to realize a grand arc would likely undermine his initial vision.
However, the editorial team was not very interested and compelled him to pursue an arc in the style of a competition, which ultimately became the foundation for the Chunin Exam arc. Kishimoto later reflected on this, publicly stating that he enjoyed the Chunin Exam arc, but if given a choice, he would still choose to follow his original narrative.
Orochimaru was first introduced during the Chunin Exam arc, making this a crucial point in the creation of this dangerous character. Naturally, the author could argue that Kishimoto played a significant role in creating Orochimaru. However, the reality of the situation is quite different.
How Did Kishimoto’s Editorial Team Help Create Orochimaru in Naruto?
As the Chunin Exam arc unfolded, Kishimoto was actively involved in enhancing this storyline, even though at the beginning he was somewhat resistant. However, as he prepared the concluding chapters, he announced his own victory as a creator, while Kishimoto’s editorial team suggested an unexpected twist in the story. According to them, this was a perfect opportunity to introduce characters like Orochimaru into the narrative.
Essentially, Kishimoto’s editorial team requested that the author utilize the Chunin Exam arc to introduce a character named Orochimaru. This is precisely what transpired, and as the author has noted, the attack on the Leaf Village was initiated. Orochimaru had orchestrated this major invasion into Konoha, leading to devastating consequences. Even the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, fell victim during this attack, while characters like Uzumaki Naruto shone brightly in this battle.
During this arc, Orochimaru was established as a key antagonist within the story. Despite the failure of his plans, he remained persistent and fixated on Sasuke. From that point onward, it was clear that Orochimaru became a critical character in the overall narrative of Naruto. In fact, much of Naruto Part 1 revolves around Orochimaru as a primary antagonist, and it is unnecessary to state that he is a compelling character in his own right.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru did not receive the best treatment in the future of Naruto, and the character development during those years was never fully realized. Instead, the focus shifted more towards characters like Uchiha Madara and other Akatsuki members in the second part of Naruto.
