Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, is famous for creating characters with complex backgrounds. However, when Naruto first started, Kishimoto was still honing his mangaka skills.
This is exemplified by the introduction of Zabuza Momochi, a powerful shinobi introduced at the beginning of the series and quickly destroyed after demonstrating his power.
Zabuza Momochi, introduced in the Wave Wave arc, was a formidable character who fought Hatake Kakashi. In an interview, Kishimoto explained that Zabuza's initial introduction was mainly to highlight Kakashi's strength. Despite Zabuza's power,
Zabuza Momochi: Sets the stage for Naruto's initial excitement
Kakashi's Sharingan quickly gained the upper hand, leading to Zabuza's defeat. Kishimoto crafted Zabuza's death to be bittersweet, revealing that Zabuza cared deeply for Haku, the boy he raised as a powerful tool. In his final moments, Zabuza expressed his wish to die beside Haku, which Kakashi honored.
Zabuza's quick defeat despite being very strong made fans question his early debut. Kishimoto makes it clear that Zabuza's purpose is to establish Kakashi's superiority from the beginning of the series, helping the audience understand that Kakashi is not just an ordinary teacher but also a highly skilled shinobi.
At the start of Naruto, Kishimoto, now an experienced writer and mangaka, was not as seasoned. He admitted that many elements introduced in the early installments, including Zabuza, were created to create immediate excitement and suspense.
For example, powers like Kekkei Genkai and Sharingan, first seen in the Land of Waves arc, have become an integral part of the series. Zabuza himself was later reincarnated during the Fourth Shinobi World War to fight against the Allied Shinobi Forces, demonstrating Kishimoto's ability to revisit and integrate previous plot elements.
Kishimoto admitted that he often introduced characters and concepts without a clear plan for their long-term use. He made these additions to create momentary suspense, which sometimes led to later integration or revision into the plot.
Even Sasuke's backstory was developed at the last minute; Initially, Kishimoto only knew Sasuke would have an older brother with a dark past.
Only after introducing Itachi did Kishimoto decide to make him a character who, despite his cruel actions, has good intentions shaped by tragic circumstances.
Despite these initial uncertainties, Kishimoto eventually masters the art of connecting these narrative threads, delivering a complex and emotionally compelling story.
This journey from spontaneous creativity to structured storytelling reflects Kishimoto's growth as a mangaka and contributes to Naruto's enduring appeal.
