It has been nicely over two years since Kagurabachi made its debut in Shonen Bounce, and since then, the collection has grown into one of many predominant pillars of the publication, particularly since collection like My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen concluded final yr.
Kagurabachi’s meteoric rise to the highest is unforgettable, with the collection rising into a worldwide hit virtually in a single day when it first debuted. On the time, readers had been fast to attract comparisons to different up to date Shonen Bounce collection like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen, however Kagurabachi’s actual inspiration could shock followers.
Naruto Closely Influenced Kagurabachi and My Hero Academia
Whereas Kagurabachi’s artwork type immediately reminded followers of collection like Demon Slayer and the fights of Jujutsu Kaisen, the collection that really influenced the collection probably the most is, in fact, a lot older and with a extra enduring legacy— Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto.
In a current interview in Bounce Giga’s Autumn 2025 challenge, Takeru Hokazono, the creator of Kagurabachi, surprisingly revealed he was fairly closely influenced by Naruto. When requested about his opinion of My Hero Academia, Hokazono revealed that he collected volumes of My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and, after all, Naruto even earlier than he had any intentions of changing into a mangaka himself.
Even Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia, factors out the similarities between Kagurabachi and Naruto within the interview, saying,
Kagurabachi’s type is so strongly influenced by Naruto that I assumed that you simply would not actually like My Hero Academia, which is in a very completely different style.
To which Hokazono responded:
Regardless that Naruto had an enormous affect on me, I additionally love My Hero Academia.
Although the response is considerably cheeky, it does not get any clearer than that. Having stated that, Naruto’s affect on Hokazono and even on Horikoshi goes far deeper than merely gathering manga volumes. Kishimoto’s inventive type and scenic composition, particularly with two-page spreads. The 2 have even acknowledged Naruto’s large affect on their respective works.
My Hero Academia and Kagurabachi’s Creators Reward Naruto’s Artwork A long time Later
In a subsequent part of the interview in Fall 2025’s Bounce Giga challenge, Hokazono and Horikoshi had been requested about how they improved their drawing expertise. But once more, the 2 mangaka turned to Naruto, praising Kishimoto’s artwork extensively.
Horikoshi, specifically, praised Naruto’s surroundings and compositions, saying:
I nonetheless be taught by learning the shoulders of giants that we stand on. To be extra particular, Naruto is unmatched in its potential to compose a complete scenic show. I am consistently in awe, considering to myself, ‘Oh, in order that’s how they drew it!’ whereas taking a look at Naruto, like what a scene would appear like, if it was shot with an ultra-wide-angle lens.
Takeru Hokazano additionally had equally excessive reward for Naruto’s artwork, particularly the collection’ crisp linework, including,
I am at all times in awe at how correct his strains should be, as a result of despite the fact that there’s barely any screentones used, and it is drawn largely with linework, the panels do not look ‘low-cost’ within the slightest. Then again, I take advantage of filling methods and shading to point out gentle on a regular basis, so if I attempted drawing like Kishimoto-sensei does, I really feel like my panelwork would instantly look boring by comparability.
Whether or not you are a fan of Naruto or not, it is onerous to disclaim that each Horikoshi and Hokazono’s observations are merely spot on. Whereas Naruto’s anime leaves extra to be desired, particularly earlier on, the manga, particularly Kishimoto’s artwork has at all times been in a league of its personal, and it is no shock that it leaves even probably the most prolific up to date mangaka like Horikoshi and Hokazono in awe.
Like Horikoshi identified, a few of Naruto’s most memorable manga panels are its sprawling panorama pictures, equivalent to of the Hidden Leaf Village earlier than Ache’s Assault, and even Sasuke’s view of the village when he returns through the conflict. As for Kishimoto’s dynamic compositions, there are too many cases to listing out.
Naruto Has Left Behind An Enduring Legacy
All issues thought-about, Naruto has definitely left behind fairly an everlasting legacy, and it is no shock the collection has influenced the 2 new Shonen Bounce creators so significantly. In fact, it is solely pure to attract comparisons to up to date hits like Demon Slayer when analyzing newer collection like Kagurabachi. It is fairly probably the collection can have affect nicely into the long run.
Anime has just lately been thrust into the mainstream, particularly relating to franchises like Demon Slayer. Nevertheless, with out discrediting Demon Slayer and Koyoharu Gotouge’s craft, reputation is not the be-all end-all. As nice as Demon Slayer is, for now, it merely doesn’t possess the identical enduring legacy as giants like Naruto and Dragon Ball, nor the affect.
That sort of affect will little question include time and continued success, however for now, this can be an indication that up to date audiences must broaden their horizons past the mainstream and perhaps admire older gems like Naruto that paved the way in which and function the true blueprint for a lot of mangaka to at the present time.
- Created by
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Takeru Hokazono
- Character(s)
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Chihiro Rokuhira, Kunishige Rokuhira, Togo Shiba, Gaku Ichimonji, Ayame (Kagurabachi), Hikobe (Kagurabachi), Hifumi (Kagurabachi), Shinnosuke (Kagurabachi)
