While NarutoThe Chunin Exams were blindsided by invasions from Sunagakure and Orochimaru, and there were plans to see who would be the ultimate winner. In a 2014 interview for FujiTV, series creator Masashi Kishimoto revealed how he initially plotted the plot. For fans of the series, his selection of the tournament champion may come as a surprise.
The Chunin Exams are an important milestone, introducing important players in the story to come. It also marked an increase in interest among readers, who became interested in seeing the ultimate winner of the tournament. While the plot went off the rails, Kishimoto’s interview provided insights into his original plan, including why it happened, who would win, and even why in the end. The same author happily did not follow that path.
Shikamaru would win the Chunin exam according to Naruto’s creator
While Naruto revolves around both the eponymous ninja and his rival Sasuke Sasuke, neither was ultimately the ultimate winner of the tournament. If Kishimoto had his way, the dark horse would win: Shikamaru Nara would come out on top, aided only by his brain and his ability to manipulate darkness. Elements of these can still be seen in the story, with Shikamaru still abandoning both of his opponents before suddenly choosing to retreat against Temari. Meanwhile, in the Search for Sasuke arc, Kishimoto still chooses to promote ninja based on his performance, if not victory.
While the Chunin Exams were beloved by readers, it also symbolized how Kishimoto had to follow his editor’s decisions. During the interview, he revealed that Naruto’s mission-driven story was too slow for his editors, who requested a tournament to feature more Hidden Villages at once. Despite his objections, the author ultimately preferred writing the arc, until he was told that he needed to include a new main villain – Orochimaru – who would disrupt the tournament. . However, Kishimoto admitted to being both relieved and disappointed: while he wanted to show Shikamaru’s victory, it was probably too difficult to make it plausible.
With an IQ of 200, Shikamaru will have to continuously win with “genius” strategies when confronting many different powers, including Gaara. While it’s not impossible, the tight time constraints all manga creators are experiencing might be too much to choreograph so many fight scenes, while also planning out the story afterward. Ironically, Shikamaru’s admission of defeat turned out to be a demonstration of his better intelligence, surprising the audience with his mature and level-headed assessments. While Kishimoto didn’t get the chance to write the battles he wanted, Shikamaru continued to prove his intelligence again and again in Narutoand more.
