Actor Keanu Reeves has achieved success at different stages throughout his career. Keanu Reeves is primarily recognized for his role as John Wick in the film of the same name. However, before that he captured the public’s hearts with his iconic role – Neo in the movie The Matrix, released in 1999.
Kishimoto took the idea from The Matrix – his favorite movie as inspiration for Gaara’s new outfit.
The influence of “The Matrix” spread around the world, even affecting Japanese culture. This influence is reflected in the design changes of the character Gaara in the popular anime/manga Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto used art elements from the film The Matrix to develop a new design for Gaara in Naruto Shippuden. This is thanks to Keanu Reeves’ memorable performance in The Matrix.
In fact, Gaara’s original outfit or changing the character’s outfit were both difficult for Kishimoto to draw. So the result of Gaara’s outfit change in the ‘Sasuke Rescue’ arc is a suit with a straight collar. Not only does it make it easier for the author to draw, the new outfit also shows the change in the relationship between Gaara and Naruto since their battle.
Gaara’s new outfit in the Naruto anime.
During the Sasuke Rescue arc and pre-Shippuden addendum, Gaara changed all his clothing from black to brown with longer sleeves and a straight collar. He also wears this outfit in Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel. In part 2, during his battle with Deidara, he wore dark pants and a red long-sleeved jacket.
The author also thinks it is his favorite outfit among the three sisters’ outfits: Gaara, Kankuro, Temmari.
The Naruto creator despite the challenge of drawing his characters every week for Shonen Jump magazine, remained dedicated to creating detailed designs as a form of homage to The Matrix. Even if it means his work is delayed. His efforts were recognized when Gaara reached 15th place in the most recent anime character popularity poll, conducted in January 2023.
