Summary
Naruto popularized the idea of ninjas as skilled martial artists, while One-Punch Man portrayed them as ruthless killers with no attachments. The ninjas in One-Punch Man are portrayed as more realistic and brutal than the kinder, gentler shinobi of Naruto that focuses on friendship and emotions. The contrasting depictions of ninjas in One-Punch Man and Naruto highlight the different moralities, professional focuses, and training regimens within the ninja world.
Man one punch may be widely known for its satirical commentary on classic superhero stories, but its most recent focus is on ninjas like Flashy Flash, Speed-o-Sound Sonic and the fearsome Chief Ninja, brings a distinct premise and analysis to the world of silent assassins made famous by Naruto.
No other manga helped define the popular idea of ninjas more than Naruto. Over 15 years and 700 chapters, Naruto has helped popularize the idea of ninjas as highly skilled fighters, adept at stealth, evasion, and assassination. More importantly, Naruto expanded the idea of ninjas to include individuals with otherworldly powers and mystical abilities that made them superhuman.
In addition to his physical abilities, Naruto also talked a lot about what it means to be a ninja. This conversation includes moral standards, interpersonal relationships, and personal desires to become a talented ninja. Certainly, Naruto was instrumental in developing the concept of the ninja superhero, who, like all heroes, is committed to fighting for truth, justice, and a happy ending.
The ninjas in One-Punch Man live a much more brutal life than those in Naruto
One Punch Man by ONE and Yusuke Murata
On the other hand, One-Punch Man provides a surprisingly realistic analysis of the ninja manga genre something even Naruto couldn’t do. While One-Punch Man is known for its superhero-based storylines, its latest story arc – appropriately titled Ninjas Arc – includes some pretty deep and heavy discussions about ninjas. . This is based on a plot focusing on Saitama’s colleague Flashy Flash and his first rival Speed-o-Sound Sonic – both of whom were raised and trained in a “hidden ninja village” similar to five hidden ninja villages in Naruto.
Flash and Sonic thus provide a detailed overview of the training regimen that eventually leads to the birth of elite level ninjas. However, their depictions of “ninja life” contrast in Naruto. Indeed, One-Punch Man’s Ninja seems more accurate to what may be the actual image of a ninja. While there are predictable differences between stories in terms of ninja powers and abilities, the most important and intriguing differences between ninja groups are found in their morality, ethics and focus on their profession.
Naruto’s Kinder Gentler Shinobi vs. One-Punch Man’s Cold-Blooded Ninja
Despite the popular idea of ninjas as assassins and mercenaries, Naruto always emphasized friendship, teamwork, and emotional connection. Therefore, The image of ninjas as brutal, emotionless killers has been downplayed, create awareness that being a ninja is an exciting job. In contrast, in One-Punch Man, Flash, Sonic, and their classmates are trained to become ruthless killers, devoid of attachments and emotions. They are not even allowed to make friends with each other. Furthermore, while high-ranking shinobi in Naruto are expected to care for and protect their disciples as well as younger colleagues, in One-Punch Man, all ninja are considered food for the leader as he sees fit.
What’s interesting is that the more realistic version of the ninja will be delivered in a superhero parody instead of a massive and intricately detailed story where shinobi are at the center of the story. The life of a ninja in Man one punch certainly seems harder than shinobi life in Narutobut it’s also close to what the public imagines the real life of a ninja is like.
Man one punch available from Viz Media.