Summary
Ikemoto's designs helped Kishimoto create Zabuza and Haku, two important characters in the pre-timeskip era of Naruto. Zabuza and Haku serve as important early villains, highlighting Naruto's need to grow and become stronger. Ikemoto's contributions to the manga began early on, influencing major events in Naruto.
The artist behind BorutoMikio Ikemoto, was a part of Naruto franchise for over a decade. His contributions as Masashi Kishimoto's assistant are often overlooked because he was not the main artist on the project at the time. However, an interview published in Weekly Shonen Jump with both Kishimoto and Ikemoto demonstrated that Boruto's main artist has played an important role in the series from the beginning.
At one point in the interview, Kishimoto was asked about his thoughts on Ikemoto's art, to which he replied that he admired it. It is thanks to this admiration he asked his assistant to help him design two fan-favorite characters, Zabuza and Haku. The interview goes a long way in showing how much Ikemoto's work contributed to the creation of the world of Naruto.
Ikemoto's designs helped Kishimoto in difficult times
The original series was created by Masashi Kishimoto; anime adaptation produced by Studio Pierrot
During the interview, Kishimoto revealed that he felt overwhelmed while working on the Chunin Exams. The need to create many different characters for the story left him with little or no time to do background characters. When it came time to work on Zabuza and Haku, Kishimoto asked his trusted assistant to create their designs. While Naruto's creator remained involved in the creative process, he left Ikemoto to work almost entirely on his own with the belief that his assistant would create something incredible.
“[Ikeoto] designed quite a lot [Zabuza and Haku]. Zabuza changed his outfit at some point and I also asked Mikio to handle that along with the Third Hokage's battle outfit.”
Kishimoto said, “A big contribution of his was Zabuza and Haku. He did quite a bit of design for those two characters. Zabuza changed his outfit at some point and I also asked Mikio to handle that along with the Third Hokage's battle outfit.” Furthermore, the interview revealed that Ikemoto's contributions to the manga began several chapters before Zabuza and Haku were introduced. He started working with Kishimoto around chapter 7, meaning he was involved in most of the major events. that happened in Naruto.
The Importance of Zabuza & Haku
This pair was one of Team 7's earliest major threats that has bigger implications than most fans realize
Naruto's Land of the Waves storyline is one of the most important moments in the early stages of the series. Up until that point, the blonde ninja had fought challenging but unrelated enemies, as he had never left Konoha. He had no idea how powerful and dangerous a Shinobi could truly be. Zabuza and Haku were a wake-up call for the future Hokage, who then realized how weak he still was. While the villains' skills are important in this lesson, their design also helps convey that lesson.
Zabuza is a powerful opponent, causing fear at first sight. His bandage gives the impression that he is willing to continue fighting despite his injuries. Haku, on the other hand, looks discreet, as if he could blend into the crowd and strike when you least expect it. They work together perfectly as the first true villains that Naruto faces on his journey to becoming a ninja, and this is achieved thanks to Ikemoto's incredible work.
Naruto available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Source: Interview with Weekly Shonen Jump (Translated)