Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Borutois a vital addition to the Naruto franchise, starting in May 2016 asBoruto: Naruto Next Generations.Ukyō Kodachi initially wrote it, with Masashi Kishimoto as the editorial supervisor in Weekly Shōnen Jump. In November 2020, Kodachi stepped down, and Kishimoto assumed the role of the writer.
Kishimoto’s return toBorutomarked a pivotal moment, infusing the series with a new direction and fresh perspectives. In April 2023, the first part of Boruto’s journey concluded, offering fans an exciting ending to that arc. After a short break, the series made a much-anticipated return in August of the same year withBoruto: Two Blue Vortex.
Borutoserves as both a spin-off and a sequel to Masashi Kishimoto’s iconicNarutoseries. It follows the adventures of Naruto Uzumaki’s son, Boruto Uzumaki, and his ninja team. It’s worth noting that whileBorutois a part of theNarutoworld, it also draws inspiration from other influential anime.
Mikio Ikemoto, the illustrator of Boruto, mentioned that his art was influenced not only by Naruto but also by another legendary anime that has generated over $24 billion since its launch. It would be interesting to know which specific anime he was referring to.
Also Read:“Is this how it is?”: Naruto Voice Actor Admits Making the Orange Hokage “Emotionally Grounded” in Boruto Unlike His Cheerful Self in Shippuden
Mikio Ikemoto’s Artistic Influence BeyondNaruto
In an interview conducted byAnime News Network,Boruto’sillustrator Mikio Ikemoto was asked about his favorite manga besidesNarutothat had influenced his art. He replied:
I really likeKinnikuman. As for what influenced me a lot, I would sayDragon Ball.Akira Toriyamahas a tendency not to use tones in his art. That makes it easier to draw.
Ikemoto mentioned that in addition to being influenced byNaruto, his artistic style was also shaped byKinnikumanand notablyDragon Ball. He highlighted thatAkira Toriyama‘s art, characterized by its absence of shading or tone, simplifies the drawing process. Furthermore, Ikemoto noted that he continues to useDragon Ballas a reference for crafting action scenes in his own work.
The dynamic action sequences and character designs inDragon Ballhave long been celebrated in the world of manga and anime, and it’s clear that this series continues to be a valuable source of inspiration for artists like Ikemoto, contributing to the visual appeal and excitement of series likeBoruto.
Also Read:“Much more talented than Naruto”: Anime Fans are Finally Acknowledging Boruto after Viral Action Sequence
Mikio Ikemoto’s Challenges with Boruto’s Character Design
In the interview, Mikio Ikemoto shared his favorite character to draw and the challenges he faces with that character. Ikemoto mentioned that:
“Well,Boruto‘s a relatively hard character to draw…,”He said.“There are a lot of things I have to think about, like his facial features and expressions. His design is intricate. With other characters I don’t have to think that hard about such things while drawing them, but if I don’t do that withBoruto, it gets harder to distinguish him fromNaruto.”
Ikemoto also explained that while Boruto physically resembles his young father Naruto, there are significant differences. Boruto is determined to establish his own identity and not live in his father’s shadow.
This determination is evident in his clothing and style choices, which are distinct from Naruto’s. These differences in character development and design help set Boruto apart, adding depth to the series and highlighting his desire to forge his own path.
Also Read:Naruto Fans Were So Fed Up of Boruto’s Sarada Timeskip Design They Re-did it – And Did it Better
Source:Anime News Network
Tanmay Jha
Articles Published :312
Tanmay writes about anime for FandomWire. He’s currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. With a passion for animation and graphics, he has authored over 240 articles on anime, sharing insights and reviews with fellow fans, seamlessly combining his love for animation with journalism.
