In the world of anime and manga, few series have garnered as much attention as One Piece. Celebrated for over two decades, Eiichiro Oda’s creation continues to captivate audiences and maintains a dominant presence at Shueisha. Amidst this, Naruto, another monumental series, also made its mark. According to Yahagi Kosuke, the editor who closely oversaw Naruto from its inception, the team behind the ninja saga extensively studied One Piece.
In a revealing discussion during a 2019 roundtable with Shonen Jump editors, Yahagi opened up about how One Piece influenced the development of Naruto. He recounted how both he and Naruto’s creator, Masashi Kishimoto, were initially daunted by the success of One Piece. “One Piece began serialization before Naruto. [Kishimoto] once remarked, ‘It can never compete with One Piece. One Piece is too interesting.’ I shared this sentiment but advised against such comparisons,” Yahagi explained.
Yahagi highlighted several key aspects of One Piece that left a profound impact on Naruto. He admired Oda’s approach to storytelling, particularly how One Piece mimics an RPG with its diverse settings and episodic adventures. Yahagi noted that One Piece excels by dedicating entire arcs to its characters, rather than focusing solely on its protagonist, Luffy.
“The more I delve into One Piece, the more impressive it becomes. Competing with this level of storytelling is challenging. To make an impact, Naruto needed to carve out its own path. Kishimoto himself acknowledged that he couldn’t craft a tale as moving as One Piece,” Yahagi remarked. As a result, Naruto took a distinct direction, showcasing unique elements in its storytelling and character development.
While Naruto and One Piece both adhere to shonen conventions, each series follows its unique trajectory. For those unfamiliar with Naruto, the series, including its sequel, is readily available on the Shonen Jump app. Here’s a brief synopsis of the series:
“Twelve years ago, the Village Hidden in the Leaves was ravaged by a formidable foe. The nine-tailed fox spirit claimed the life of the village leader, the Hokage, and many others. Today, the village is peaceful, but a mischievous boy named Naruto is struggling to graduate from Ninja Academy. His dream of becoming the next Hokage is only the beginning of his complex destiny. The adventure starts now!”