Anime/manga Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto has become one of the most popular stories ever released. One of the main reasons for Naruto’s widespread appeal is its rich character development. Without the supporting characters in Naruto, the story would certainly not have resonated as deeply.
Additionally, there are certain characters that have become so beloved that even Kishimoto himself is baffled by their popularity among fans.
Rock Lee and Jiraiya Surprised Kishimoto with Their Fame
In the Naruto series, Kishimoto created a number of extraordinary characters that garnered significant affection from fans. Among these, some characters became unexpectedly popular, and Kishimoto has previously mentioned this phenomenon.
Interviewer: Both Naruto and Boruto feature characters that are engaging beyond the main ones.
Kishimoto: In the short story arc Gaiden, ChouChou is a standout character, and I have a fondness for her and those around her. Regarding Sarada’s scenes, I thought I would make them brighter, so I introduced her character (ChouChou), but everyone speaks very positively about her. I never thought she would be so beloved, which surprised me. In Naruto, Rock Lee and Jiraiya were also such characters that I never expected to gain this much popularity. Creating characters can be quite challenging, which is why I don’t understand when characters that the author creates for the purpose of becoming popular don’t receive that love, but the characters I created unexpectedly became famous.
Clearly, Rock Lee and Jiraiya are two characters in Naruto who surprised Kishimoto with their popularity. The reason for their fame is not entirely unexpected, but the author himself cannot grasp why they became so beloved.
For Rock Lee, it’s easy to see why fans are drawn to him. After all, he is one of the most developed characters in a series filled with strong ninja. Rock Lee cannot use any ninjutsu, yet he consistently strives for glory. He has trained his body to the utmost limits and has faced numerous challenges and pain with incredible resilience.
He has become a staple character due to his determination and has become one of the strongest warriors in the Naruto universe. Lee continues to work hard despite facing significant setbacks, and this is one of the main reasons fans adore him.
Similarly, the character Jiraiya has also gained a significant fanbase. Jiraiya plays a crucial role as Naruto’s mentor, guiding him to become a formidable ninja. He has trained Naruto and ensured that the young boy becomes a powerful shinobi with great strength. Moreover, Jiraiya introduced Naruto to the world, allowing him to gain the understanding and recognition he deserves.
If it weren’t for him, the character Naruto would likely not be as exceptional as he is today. Additionally, Jiraiya’s own character possesses many qualities that fans genuinely appreciate. Although Kishimoto may not have anticipated this much, it is clear that Jiraiya has had a significant impact on the audience.
