Sasuke is one of the most iconic characters in the Naruto series. While his appearance has continuously evolved throughout the story, his hairstyle and outfit consistently feature distinct characteristics.
This is a natural phenomenon, as costume changes are essential to complement each character’s development throughout the narrative. This reflects the growth of Sasuke, Naruto, or any other character in the story. However, regarding Sasuke’s unique circumstances, his outfits have particularly distinct features.
Initially, the creator Masashi Kishimoto wanted to give Sasuke a symbolic outfit during the Chunin Exams. However, due to the intricate details, he felt it was “too much” each time Sasuke appeared and had to tone it down a bit. Therefore, during this process, the author often “simplified” a bit and, unexpectedly, a different outfit emerged…
If we look at the visuals below, we can see the initial design for Sasuke’s character in Naruto: Shippuden, which is quite different from the final version depicted in both the manga and anime.
It turns out that the author of the series, Masashi Kishimoto, faced challenges in deciding Sasuke’s outfit. To explain his choices for Sasuke’s appearance, he stated:
“I wanted to make him cool!”
“Sasuke has gone through many changes to reach the level I desired. I tried to combine elements and have connections with Orochimaru by wearing a traditional clothing style. I made him look like a ninja by changing his clothing. Ultimately, I decided on a Japanese-style outfit with a loose-fitting shirt.”
The mangaka remains committed to the importance and challenges of designing Sasuke’s character. He emphasizes the necessity of making this character look distinct yet aligned with Naruto. Kishimoto attempted more elaborate designs, but since the character needed to remain consistent, he decided to choose a simpler design, referencing a classic Japanese warrior.
