Naruto is filled with spectacular battles, but the final battle between Naruto and Sasuke is considered by many to be the best in the series, which is why it’s surprising that this iconic battle is almost so different. much. The fight was the culmination of hundreds of episodes and it resolved a long-standing feud between the two. However, series creator Masashi Kishimoto originally had a different plan for how the fight would go and it could have been much more brutal.
The final battle between Naruto and Sasuke showcases everything they have both learned over the series’ 500+ episodes. It was truly a sight to see. From the dynamic choreography, beautiful visuals, and diverse ninjutsu, the battle is the perfect way to end the critically acclaimed series. However, if left to Kishimoto, the war would not be a spectacular display of strength but instead a realistic and tragic struggle.
Kishimoto wanted a duel between Naruto and Sasuke
In a 2014 Fuji TV interview, Masashi Kishimoto said that he did not want Naruto and Sasuke to use any Ninjutsu in their final battle. He wanted to have them fight instead but changed his plans after being pressured by Shueisha’s editorial staff. He decided to compromise with the start of the fight being mostly an exchange of punches and kicks and as the fight progressed more and more complex jutsu like Sasuke’s Unicorn were used. After exhausting all their chakra and power, they returned to a brawl, which ended in both losing an arm and Sasuke admitting defeat.
This isn’t the first time Masashi Kishimito has been forced to change an aspect of the series. He was forced to write Naruto’s Chunin Exams in the first part of the series. It seems like he doesn’t have full control over the manga’s progression. Shueisha has strict guidelines for all of its manga, especially big series like Naruto. In both of these cases, the editors’ persistence was a good thing for the series. The Chunin Exam arc is considered by many to be one of the best arcs, and the final battle between Naruto and Sasuke is a fan favorite, showing how much Naruto and Sasuke have grown as Shinobi. from their earliest days. However, the realism of these two young men fighting each other to the death is brutal in a way that is only slightly lost when using their more fantastical jutsu.
Naruto and Sasuke’s fight would still be effective without Ninjutsu
If Shueisha decides to follow Kishimoto’s plan, the fight could still go down as one of the best. Naruto boasts some of the best artwork in manga and anime does it justice. There are other battles that have little or no ninjutsu involved. Most notable is the fight between Kakashi and Obito in Naruto Shippuden Episode 375. It has the same emotional level as the fight between Naruto and Sasuke; two childhood rivals and one of them turns evil. The fight has some stunning hand-to-hand combat and the use of sound effects is top notch. There’s no doubt that Studio Pierrot would have recreated the same quality if the final battle had been a hand-to-hand fight. Naruto The final battle with Sasuke certainly would have felt different if Kishimoto had his way.
Source: Interview with Kobayashi Witk Kishimoto: Extended Summary
