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Naruto has achieved great heights throughout its run. It has even attained a cult status and following post its completion. Every character in the series has left a deep impact on the fans. One cannot imagine the series even if one single character was missing. But did you know the creator Masashi Kishimoto didn’t think of a very important character in the series until he hit writer’s block?
In a 2002 Naruto Fanbook interview, Masashi Kishimoto agreed that while laying out the base of the series he had only thought of Naruto, the character and with him came the theme of his search for acceptance.
This further led to the creation of Iruka, one who would eventually accept Naruto. Also, since the village needed a chief and the protagonist needed a teacher, it led to the creation of the Hokage and Kakashi, respectively. However, despite having these important characters and a theme at his disposal, Kishimoto felt stuck and felt the series would just end in 10 weeks!
The Naruto Character Without Whom The Manga Will Be Over In 10 Weeks
Sasuke in Naruto Shippuden | Credit: Studio PierrotAfter hitting writer’s block, Kishimoto reached out to his editor for a piece of advice and he told him to create a rival for Naruto. This became a moment of awakening for Kishimoto and we fans got our beloved Sasuke!
In the interview, Kishimoto also mentioned that after creating Sasuke, he had the idea of creating a heroine for the series which became Sakura.
Sasuke balanced out Naruto’s flamboyant attitude with his demure nature. In addition, both the characters are two sides of the same coin, facing similar issues that come with being an orphan.
However, their philosophy differs due to their different approach to life. This was further explained by Masashi Kishimoto in another interview.
Why Is Sasuke So Important?
Sasuke in Naruto | Credit: Studio PierrotIn an interview with Kana, the French distributor of the series, Kishimoto explained why there is a difference between the two characters. And how they both influenced each other and the plot.
This was deliberate of me that those two characters would oppose each other by how they think. The difference is that Naruto is orphan by birth, but Sasuke still has his parents. Sasuke suffers from their presence before discovering, when they die, that he suffers much more because of their disappearance.
And it is there that the opposition with Naruto increases for the first time: Sasuke criticizes the latter for his inability to understand the pain of mourning, because Naruto has never known filial love.
This difference in philosophy became the driving force of the narrative of the story. Furthermore, this is what Kishimoto wanted to highlight throughout the series.
Kishimoto began and ended the series with Naruto and Sasuke clashing, almost like a symbolic metaphorical battle between the two characters and their philosophies. He further goes on to explain why either character cannot exist without the other.
Naruto & Sasuke in Naruto Shippuden | Credit: Studio PierrotAs far as I’m concerned, Naruto can’t exist without Sasuke, his opposite. Like with complementary colors, they can’t exist without each other. Naruto want to be acknowledged and Sasuke doesn’t acknowledge anyone but himself.
If they manage to sort out their problems, their bonds will likely come to a close and this story won’t have any reason to continue. That was what I had in mind with Naruto handing back Sasuke’s headband to him at the ending of the manga.
What do you think of Sasuke’s inclusion in the series? Do you think Naruto would have been better if Sasuke was just a deuteragonist and not an Anti-Hero? Let us know in the comments.
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