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{{Short description|Main character of the manga and anime series Naruto}}
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{{featured article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Naruto Uzumaki
| series = [[Naruto]]
| creator = [[Masashi Kishimoto]]
|
| alt = The three incarnations of the character Naruto Uzumaki together. They include the child at the left, the teenager in the right, and the adult in the middle
| caption = From left to right: Part I, ''Boruto'' franchise, and Part II designs by [[Masashi Kishimoto]]
| first = ''Naruto'' chapter 1: ''Uzumaki Naruto!'' (1999)
| voice = '''Japanese'''<br />[[Junko Takeuchi]]<br />'''English'''<br />[[Maile Flanagan]]
}}
{{nihongo|'''Naruto Uzumaki'''|うずまき ナルト|Uzumaki Naruto|lead=yes}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ɑː|r|u|t|oʊ}}) is the [[title character|titular protagonist]] of the [[manga]] series ''[[Naruto]]'', created by [[Masashi Kishimoto]]. He is a [[ninja]] from the fictional {{nihongo|Hidden Leaf Village|木ノ葉隠れ|''konohagakure'' |lead=yes}}. As a boy, Naruto is ridiculed and ostracized on account of the [[Kurama (Naruto)|Nine-Tailed Demon Fox]]—a malevolent creature that attacked Konohagakure—that was sealed away in his body. Despite this, he aspires to become his village's leader, the Hokage, in order to receive their approval. His carefree, optimistic, and boisterous personality enables him to befriend other Konohagakure ninja, as well as ninja from other villages. Naruto appears in the series's films and in other media related to the franchise, including video games and [[original video animation]]s (OVA), as well as the sequel ''[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]]'', where he is the Hokage, and his son, [[Boruto Uzumaki]], is the protagonist.
When creating Naruto for the [[List of Naruto chapters (Part I)|initial part]] of the series, Kishimoto kept the character "simple and stupid" while giving him many attributes of an ideal hero. Kishimoto gave Naruto a dark side by adding tragedy to the character's past. He has revised Naruto's image many times, providing the character with simple clothes to fit the young demography. Kishimoto changed his design for [[List of Naruto chapters (Part II)|Part II]] of the storyline, which starts two-and-a-half years after Part I. Naruto is voiced by [[Junko Takeuchi]] in the original animated series and [[Maile Flanagan]] in the English adaptations.
Merchandise based on Naruto includes [[Action figure|figurines]] and [[keychain]]s. Naruto's character development has been praised by anime and manga publications and has drawn scholarly attention. Although some initially saw him as a typical manga and anime protagonist comparable to those in other ''shōnen'' manga, others have praised his personality and character development as he avoids stereotypes typically seen in similar media. The character has also been the subject of research in literature, making him stand out in fiction based on his traits and growth.
==Creation and conception==
===Original concept and influences===
[[File:NarutoUzumakiKishimoto.jpg|alt=Naruto Uzumaki in his regular orange jumpsuit doing a handsign|thumb|upright|Original sketch for Naruto in Kishimoto's one-shot, ''Naruto'' (1997), which went through several alterations for the manga series due to its amount of detail.|left]]
During the 1990s, new manga author [[Masashi Kishimoto]] sought to write a one-shot chapter that would feature Naruto as a chef, but this version never made it to print. Kishimoto originally wanted to make Naruto a child who could transform into a fox, so he created a one-shot of ''Naruto'' for the summer 1997 issue of ''[[Akamaru Jump]]'' magazine based on the idea.<ref name="kizuna">{{cite book|title=Naruto – ナルト – 名言集 絆 – Kizuna – 天ノ巻|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|year=2013|isbn=978-4087206814|pages=188–195|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|language=ja|trans-title=Naruto Kizuna: The Words That Bind – Scroll of Heaven}}</ref> When comparing both the ''Naruto'' one-shot and his other work, ''Karakuri'', Kishimoto realized that the former's title character was more appealing than the lead of ''Karakuri''. Kishimoto reflects that Naruto's "honest" smile was well received in contrast to the sly look the main character from ''Karakuri'' had. Following the success of another one-shot, ''Mario'', Kishimoto started working on the ''Naruto'' series, where he wanted to reuse the title character from his earlier one-shot. Kishimoto wrote the first two chapters to show his appeal to the readers and then focus on the other protagonists despite difficulties. Following the second chapter, Kishimoto introduced the other protagonists, but with bad relationships, including with [[Sasuke Uchiha]] and Naruto's constant rejected affections for [[Sakura Haruno]]. The manga story was planned to show Naruto's coming-of-age through multiple fights, and he looked forward to seeing the conclusion.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Jump Square]]|title=Naruto: The Beginning|language=ja|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|issue=12–14|date=December 2014}}</ref>
For the serialized version, Kishimoto incorporated traits he felt made an ideal hero in the creation of Naruto: a straightforward way of thinking, a mischievous side, and attributes possessed by [[Goku]] from the ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' franchise, aiming to keep Naruto "simple and stupid".<ref name="Design" /> Although Goku was a major influence to Naruto, Kishimoto was more attracted by ''Dragon Ball'' character [[Krillin]], as he comes across as more human than the protagonist for displaying flaws that made the readers easier to accept in a similar fashion to his mentor Iruka Umino.<ref name="fanbook">{{Cite book |last=Kishimoto, Masashi |title=Naruto: The Official Fanbook |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |year=2002 |isbn=978-1421518442 |page=199}}</ref> Kishimoto avoided modeling him after anyone in particular, instead conceiving of him as naïve with a dark side resulting from his harsh past. Despite this, he is always optimistic, a trait Kishimoto said makes this character unique.<ref name="Design">{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto|year=2007 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |pages=138–139 |isbn=978-1421514079}}</ref> By and large, Naruto's personality is childish; the creator tried to convey this trait in his illustrations. Kishimoto notes the cover of volume 10 as an example of this, where Kishimoto depicts Naruto mimicking a turtle as a child might do.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=Uzumaki: The Art of Naruto|year=2007 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |page=130 |isbn=978-1421514079}}</ref> ''Naruto'' was Kishimoto's first published manga, and he focused on making Naruto's facial expressions consistent in difficult situations.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kishimoto |first=Masashi |author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=Naruto―ナルト―[秘伝·皆の書]オフィシャルプレミアムファンBook |date=December 4, 2009 |publisher=[[Shueisha]] |isbn=978-4088748344 |___location=Japan |pages=74–81 |language=ja |trans-title=Naruto―ナルト―[Secret · Everyone's Book] Official Premium Fanbook}}</ref> He commented, "It's rather awkward to talk about what makes Naruto appealing to audiences, but I think his being a knucklehead gives him an appeal". He believed it was Naruto's losses that made readers identify with him, although he wanted Naruto not to feel defeated again, which was his primary aim when writing the series.<ref name="latimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-etw-naruto17-2008dec17-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009123047/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-etw-naruto17-2008dec17-story.html |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |title=Interview: The man behind ''Naruto'' |date=December 17, 2008 |author=Solomon, Charles |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> Kishimoto has said that Naruto's burning desire to be a ninja was based on his own ambition to succeed as a [[manga artist]].<ref name="nippon.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nippon.com/en/views/b00114/ |title=Farewell, Naruto: The Curtain Closes on the World's Best-Loved Ninja |date=December 26, 2014 |publisher=Nippon Communications Foundation |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150113014354/http://www.nippon.com/en/views/b00114/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref> As the series went on, Kishimoto wrote the older incarnations of Naruto to be naïve idealists due to how Naruto was written to continuously avoid repeating previous mistakes. However, at the same time, Kishimoto wrote him as a sign of hope, something important in regard to the series's audience.<ref name="Ka Boom">{{Cite web |date=April 15, 2015 |title=L' interview with Masashi Kishimoto Ka Boom |trans-title=Interview with Masashi Kishimoto Ka Boom |url=https://www.kana.fr/linterview-de-masashi-kishimoto-kaboom/#.X5CmyVhKiJB |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317003727/https://www.kana.fr/linterview-de-masashi-kishimoto-kaboom/#.X5CmyVhKiJB |archive-date=March 17, 2021 |language=fr}}</ref>
In the original Japanese versions of ''Naruto'', Naruto often ends his sentences with the addendum "''-ttebayo''" (which achieves an effect similar to ending a sentence with "you know?" in English). Kishimoto wanted to give Naruto a childlike [[catchphrase]], and "''dattebayo''" came to mind; he believed that the phrase complemented Naruto's character and served as a verbal [[tic]] that portrayed him in a brattish manner.<ref name="Ora-bayo" /> Throughout the first episodes of the English [[Dubbing (filmmaking)|dub]] version, "''dattebayo''" and "''-ttebayo''" were replaced with the phrase "Believe it!", both to mirror the effect and to match the character's lip movements, although later in the English dub, Naruto stopped saying "Believe it!" and the phrase was replaced with "You know?".<ref name="ANNAnimeReview">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto/dub.dvd-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203165901/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto/dub.dvd-1 |archive-date=December 3, 2016 |title=''Naruto'' Dub.DVD 1 – Review |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |author=Bertschy, Zac |date=March 24, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Development===
[[File:NarutoUzumakiPartIIKishimoto.jpg|thumb|upright|Naruto as a young adult. His red scarf, created by [[Hinata Hyuga]], is a reference to [[Masashi Kishimoto]]'s wife.|alt=Naruto Uzumaki in his young adult design]]
After fans likened Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to the three main characters from the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' fantasy books, Kishimoto noted that both trios began their careers in a classroom, though he added that the similarity was unintentional.<ref name="nippon.com" /> During the series's publication, Kishimoto married and had children. This influenced how he viewed Naruto's character. Naruto met his parents and learned of their sacrifices in order to help him to control the Fox inside him so that he could protect their world. As a result, Naruto appreciated his life more and learned that his parents loved him, something the author wanted the character to feel based on his own experience as a father.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha]]|title=Interview with Masashi Kishimoto (Creator of ''Naruto'')|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|issue=1–30–12|date=January 2012|author=Kido, Misaki C.|pages=118–121}}</ref> In the first chapters of the series, Kishimoto did not conceive the idea that Naruto would be the son of [[Minato Namikaze]]. However, as time passed on, the manga author made touches to Minato's face shown in the Hokage Mountain in Konoha to make them more similar to Naruto with an emphasis on their spiky hairs. However, in order to reduce too many similarities, [[Kushina Uzumaki]]'s character was made to look like Naruto's face.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kishimoto, Masashi |author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=Naruto―ナルト―キャラクターオフィシャルデータBook 秘伝・陣の書 |publisher=[[Shueisha]] |year=2014 |isbn=978-4088802633 |pages=378–387 |language=ja |trans-title=''Naruto'' Character Official Data Book: Secret Formation Book}}</ref>
Out of all the student-teacher relationships Kishimoto has created in the ''Naruto'' series, the one between Naruto and [[Jiraiya (Naruto)|Jiraiya]] is his favorite.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi |title=Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto|year=2007 |publisher=Viz Media |isbn=978-1421514079 |page=143|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref> Right before Jiraiya's death in his fight against Pain in his last moments, he discovers the origin of Pain's multiple bodies and uses his last forces to send that message as a piece of advice to Naruto so that Naruto could defeat him in his place.<ref name="kizuna"/> This arc was the most difficult one to write; he felt this because Naruto truly forgave his enemy. Instead of having the protagonist kill the enemy he hates, as it happens in other series, Kishimoto found the idea of the two characters interacting and settling their differences more challenging.<ref name="comiconinter">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2015-10-14/masashi-kishimoto-at-new-york-comic-con/.94186 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112043651/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2015-10-14/masashi-kishimoto-at-new-york-comic-con/.94186 |archive-date=January 12, 2017 |title=Masashi Kishimoto at New York Comic-con The ''Anime News Network'' Interview |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |author=Aoki, Deb |date=October 14, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This had a major impact on the writer, and he decided to have Naruto forgive Sasuke during their final fight in a similar manner as he interacted with Nagato.<ref name="comiconinter"/> Kishimoto felt the need to create a story arc that would emphasize the tragedy of wars, leading to the final arc, which would include a war. The principal reason for this was a significant difference between the two main characters, Naruto who had no knowledge of wars, and Sasuke who was a victim of one; his entire clan had been annihilated to avoid a potential civil war. As a result, Kishimoto created Nagato as a war victim who would kill Jiraiya, and act as Naruto's nemesis so he would understand the tragedy that Sasuke had experienced.<ref name="Koba"/> As a result, Naruto's coming-of-age would have been completed in this arc and the final arc, where Naruto deals with world war and develops a vision of the shinobi world as well as how he should handle the conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2014 |title=【インタビュー／前編】「NARUTO-ナルト-」原作者・岸本斉史が語る 忍の世界の設計図 |trans-title=[Interview/Part 1] Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of ''Naruto'', talks about the blueprint for the ninja world |url=https://www.cinemacafe.net/article/2014/12/04/27837.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017012136/https://www.cinemacafe.net/article/2014/12/04/27837.html |archive-date=October 17, 2019 |publisher=Cinema Cafe |language=ja}}</ref>
In the 2015 film, ''[[Boruto: Naruto the Movie]]'', Kishimoto developed Boruto and Naruto's relationship from his relationship with his sons.<ref name="comiconinter"/> In portraying the adult Naruto, Kishimoto did not want to make the character give a cool impression in contrast to his younger days as a war hero because Naruto being a strong father figure to Boruto would be too boring for the narrative.<ref name="filmfather">{{cite video|title=[[Boruto: Naruto the Movie]]|year=2015|medium=DVD}} Studio: [[Pierrot (company)|Pierrot]].</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=「Boruto: Naruto the Movie – 」剧场版上映前特别节目|trans-title=Movie Version Before Screening Special Separation Clause|publisher=ACFun|url=http://www.acfun.cn/v/ac2074543|date=August 5, 2015|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107000915/http://www.acfun.cn/v/ac2074543|archive-date=January 7, 2018}}</ref> Similarly, Chengxi Huang wanted to properly display Naruto's facial expression during this scene, stating that while Naruto has grown up ever since his introduction, his gentle smile was the same.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1050046375906369537 |user=cekibeing |title=「変わったのは歳月、変わってないのはこの笑顔だ」当時、螺旋丸のシーンは見てくれる人々にこう伝えたかったです〜 少し遅れたが、ナルト誕生日おめでとう！！！！本当に19歳、大人になったよね〜#ナルト生誕祭2018 #naruto |first=Chengxi |last=Huang |date=October 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210202608/https://twitter.com/cekibeing/status/1050046375906369537#expand |archive-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> Manga author [[Mikio Ikemoto]] claimed the scene in which Naruto helps his son to create a large Rasengan was his favorite at the time of drawing ''Boruto'', as across this moment, he had to draw Naruto's past to the point he "felt the weight of ''NARUTO'' series and its long history behind it."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shonenjump.com/mangaplus/sp/1902/interview_boruto/|title=''Boruto - Naruto The Movie -'' was the beginning of Boruto's story|website=[[Shonen Jump (magazine)|Shonen Jump]]|archive-date=September 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909212117/https://www.shonenjump.com/mangaplus/sp/1902/interview_boruto/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==== Rivalry ====
Early in the making of the series, Kishimoto had poor faith in the manga as he believed the series was lacking something to become popular. After being recommended by his editor to give the protagonist a rival, Kishimoto wrote Sasuke with influences from [[Takehiko Inoue]]'s ''[[Slam Dunk (manga)|Slam Dunk]]'' manga, which was famous for dealing with rivalries.<ref name="fanbook" /> When first introducing Sasuke, Kishimoto wrote him as a rival who never noticed Naruto. However, as the series continued, Naruto became strong enough to finally be recognized by Sasuke as a rival. He also intended for both of them to be brother-like due to the fact that both characters suffered loneliness, something that made the readers relate to them, as he noted through fan letters. By Part I's ending, the bond between Naruto and Sasuke was weakened as a result of their fight but still expected from the time when Sasuke accepted Naruto as an equal.<ref name="kizuna"/> Kishimoto compared Sasuke and Naruto to the concept of [[yin and yang]] because of their notable differences. When one of the two progressed, Kishimoto made sure the other did too.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha]]|title=Interview with Masashi Kishimoto (Creator of ''Naruto'')|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|issue=2–06–12|date=February 2012|author=Kido, Misaki C.|pages=120–123}}</ref> During the climax of Part I, Naruto and Sasuke engage in a mortal fight, which was directed by Atsushi Wakabayashi from Pierrot. In an interview, the director claimed that the animation was based on a journey to [[Lake Mashu]] from Hokkaido to come up with new ideas. Wakabayashi aimed for the characters to move stilted based on storyboards he made, leading to entertaining sequences. When Naruto became berserk due to the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's influence, Norio Matsumoto aimed to make Naruto behave like a beast, with Wakabayashi aiming to make Naruto look like an equal to his rival. The staff was inspired by 1970s series, like the boxing series ''[[Ashita no Joe]]'', most notably its lead character, [[Joe Yabuki]], who was often seen as an underdog the audience rooted for. However, the team still worked carefully to make the two ninjas be equals without overpowering each other.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Newtype|title=Newtype Shonen|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|date=August 2005}}</ref>
Before the serialization began, Kishimoto had decided the ending would feature a fight between Naruto and Sasuke.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2014 |title=Masashi Kishimoto: Fan Letters from Overseas Made Me Realize the Popularity of ''Naruto'' |url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/style/AJ201411100007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313160514/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/style/AJ201411100007 |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |publisher=The Asahi Shimbun}}</ref> He wanted the conflict to end with Naruto forgiving Sasuke as he had forgiven Nagato while also aiming it as their final battle in the manga.<ref name="comiconinter" /><ref name="kizuna"/> In regard to the fight, Kishimoto wanted to focus on [[hand-to-hand combat]] rather than ninja techniques.<ref name="Koba">{{Cite AV media |title=漫道コバヤシ第13号「Naruto完結！岸本斉史SP」 |date=December 13, 2014 |language=ja |publisher=[[Fuji Television]] |trans-title=Kobayashi No. 13 'Completion of Naruto! Masashi Kishimoto SP'}}</ref> Anime staff Chengxi Huang said that for the animated adaptation of this fight, the group worked carefully to depict the action in every scene by showing changes on Sasuke and Naruto's clothes and hair. Huang added he felt fatigued by working so much into this fight due to reaching 70 successive cuts at a time.<ref name="Asashi">{{Cite web |last=Dunham |first=Josh |date=August 8, 2017 |title=Interview with Naruto Animator Chengxi Huang (Part 2/2) |url=https://wavemotioncannon.com/2017/08/08/interview-with-naruto-animator-chengxi-huang-part-22/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107032713/https://wavemotioncannon.com/2017/08/08/interview-with-naruto-animator-chengxi-huang-part-22/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |publisher=Wave Motion}}</ref>
The final fight between Sasuke and Naruto was considered one of the biggest challenges by the staff from Pierrot, as it took an entire month to adapt it from the manga. Director Hiroyuki Yamashita elected himself in charge of the battle, which left most of the anime members relieved due to his experience. For the scene, Pierrot received assistance from [[CyberConnect2]], who had already adapted this battle through the fighting game ''[[Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4]]''. There was a need to make every movement in the fight look realistic, giving Sasuke a scary look as well as the hair movement in order to express the idea of both fighters willing to do anything to kill each other, which confused some due to Naruto's wish to avoid this fate. The final clash between Sasuke's Chidori and Naruto's Rasengan moves involved references from other scenes of the series to give the viewer a bigger emotional impact. The staff noted that following this fight, Sasuke's face became calmer despite his initial look, giving room to explore his redemption.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pierrot2.com/naruto/2016/10/03/%E3%83%A9%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%E3%83%90%E3%83%88%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AE%E8%A3%8F%E8%A9%B1/|title=ラストバトルの裏話|publisher=[[Pierrot (company)|Pierrot]]|language=ja|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630162750/http://pierrot2.com/naruto/2016/10/03/%E3%83%A9%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%E3%83%90%E3%83%88%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AE%E8%A3%8F%E8%A9%B1/|url-status=live}}</ref> A symbolism Kishimoto used in the series finale following the final battle was Naruto returning Sasuke his original bandana, representing how their bonds are tied again and no longer having a reason to kill each other.<ref name="Ka Boom"/>
==== Love interests ====
Naruto's romantic partner was decided during the early stages of the manga. Since [[Hinata Hyuga]] always respected Naruto, even before the series's beginning, even before his academy mentor [[Iruka Umino]], Kishimoto felt they were meant to be. This angered his wife, who wanted Naruto to marry Sakura Haruno.<ref name="comiconinter" /> When Sakura was introduced, Kishimoto did not think of her as Naruto's future wife: he saw them as being friends and teammates, although once Hinata had appeared, the author thought of forming a [[love triangle]] between the three characters. He later regretted the love triangle as he considered ''Naruto'' a fighting series with little focus on romance, and he reiterated that "[i]t was all about Naruto and Hinata getting married from an early stage."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Scott |date=January 31, 2017 |title=Viz Presents ''Naruto'' Author's Comments On Tone Of ''Boruto'', Hinata Marriage And More |url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/01/30/viz-presents-naruto-authors-comments-on-tone-of-boruto-hinata-marriage-and-more |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202220011/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/01/30/viz-presents-naruto-authors-comments-on-tone-of-boruto-hinata-marriage-and-more |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |publisher=[[Crunchyroll]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Oneal |first=Justin |date=January 31, 2017 |title=Jump Festa 2017 Interview – Masashi Kishimoto And The Future Of ''Boruto: Naruto Next Generations''! |url=http://otakukart.com/animeblog/2017/01/31/jump-festa-2017-interview-masashi-kishimoto-future-boruto-naruto-next-generations/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701041705/http://otakukart.com/animeblog/2017/01/31/jump-festa-2017-interview-masashi-kishimoto-future-boruto-naruto-next-generations/ |archive-date=July 1, 2017 |publisher=Otakukart}}</ref>
When seeing the staff's work to focus a film on Naruto's relationship with Hinata, ''The Last: Naruto the Movie'', Kishimoto decided to oversee the project.<ref name="nippon.com" /> Nevertheless, he enjoyed seeing Naruto and Hinata's romantic scenes that he did not write. In regard to Naruto's rank, which remains as the lowest one, Genin, due to Naruto spending most of his time in Part II fighting and training, Kishimoto decided Naruto would skip the following ranks to become the Hokage, which he felt was appealing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinematoday.jp/page/A0004639|title=Boruto: Naruto the Movie|date=August 5, 2015 |language=ja|publisher=Cinema Today|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617171917/http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/A0004639|archive-date=June 17, 2016}}</ref> In the making of ''The Last: Naruto the Movie'', Hinata makes a red scarf for Naruto. This was based on something Kishimoto's wife actually once did, which brought laughs to the staff developing the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-12-03/naruto-kishimoto-unveils-secrets-of-the-manga-in-tv-interview/.81708/|title=Naruto's Kishimoto Unveils Secrets of the Manga in TV Interview|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=December 3, 2014|author=Nelkin, Sarah|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806145840/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-12-03/naruto-kishimoto-unveils-secrets-of-the-manga-in-tv-interview/.81708|archive-date=August 6, 2017}}</ref>
Screenwriter Maruo Kyozuka said that he wanted to depict a love triangle between Naruto, Hinata, and Toneri Otsutsuki in the film. Although Naruto is initially clueless about Hinata's feelings for him, during the film, he begins to acknowledge and respond to them. Hinata's character was also developed in the film, with Kyozuka saying that she had to put aside her feelings for Naruto to accept Toneri's proposal so she could find Hanabi. During this scene, Kyozuka wanted to depict Naruto at his lowest after his rejection by Hinata. He then returned Naruto to his brave self, with the character resolving to continue his mission regardless of the cost.<ref>{{cite book|trans-title=The Last: Naruto the Movie The Last's Program Guide|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|year=2015|page=14|title=【映画パンフレット】The Last: Naruto the Movie}}</ref> Animator Chengxi Huang, who worked on multiple ''Naruto'' series, took a liking to this couple ever since he started working on ''Naruto Shippuden'', often aiming to draw scenes of the two and most notably a scene from the final arc when Hinata slaps Naruto to calm him following the death of [[Neji Hyuga]].<ref name="Asashi" /> In the making of the film, he thanked Kishimoto for accepting to do ''The Last'', where the couple was explored furthermore.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=541843588561129473 |user=cekibeing |title=昨日はようやくthe last観に行った。物語の中でも、現実でも、この恋も十数年間続いてきた、ようやくこの二人は一緒なる。本当、本当感動しました。ありがとうございます！ナルトとヒナタ！岸本先生もありがとうございます！ |first=Chengxi |last=Huang |date=December 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406032334/https://twitter.com/cekibeing/status/541843588561129473 |archive-date=2021-04-06}}</ref> He looked at their adult selves as an appealing married couple but had to remove a video he made that received backlash for being inappropriate for the demographic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schley |first=Matt |date=January 10, 2018 |title=Animator Apologizes After Posting Adult ''Naruto'' Animation |url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/animator-apologizes-posting-adult-naruto-animation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911225605/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/animator-apologizes-posting-adult-naruto-animation/ |archive-date=September 11, 2018 |publisher=Otaku Usa}}</ref>
===Design===
Although a real ninja wears blue to be inconspicuous, Kishimoto gave Naruto an orange jumpsuit to fit the ''shōnen'' genre.<ref name="comiconinter"/> His wardrobe is based on clothing that Kishimoto wore when he was younger. According to him, a pre-existing design would not have made Naruto unique, whereas something original would have made him too distinctive.<ref name="Ora-bayo">{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto|year=2007 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |page=139 |isbn=978-1421514079}}</ref> Because Naruto is associated with spirals in terms of objects he uses, the designer incorporated swirl patterns into the costume.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto|year=2007 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |page=135 |isbn=978-1421514079}}</ref> Initial illustrations depicted Naruto in boots, but Kishimoto replaced these with sandals because he enjoys drawing toes.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto|year=2007 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |page=117 |isbn=978-1421514079}}</ref> The goggles Naruto used to wear were replaced with a hitai-ite, or shinobi headband, because they were too time-consuming to draw.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=Naruto, Volume 1|year=2006|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781421528434/page/60 60]|isbn=1569319006|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781421528434}}</ref> One of the most difficult design choices was the color palette of Naruto's outfit.<ref name="AnimeProfiles" /> The orange in his costume makes Naruto pop, and the blue parts are [[Complementary colors|complementary]].<ref name="Kishimoto2007" /> Kishimoto apologized to the anime staff for Naruto's design, as he considered it too difficult to animate.<ref name="AnimeProfiles">{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=Naruto Anime Profiles, Volume 1: Episodes 1–37|year=2006|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=1421506572|url=https://archive.org/details/narutoanimeprofi0000unse}}</ref>
Kishimoto was satisfied with his character having blond hair and blue eyes, something rarely seen in Japanese anime or manga. This also appealed to an international readership, something the editor of the American magazine ''[[Shonen Jump (magazine)|Shonen Jump]]'' has noted.<ref name="shonenjump"/> Of all his series' characters, Kishimoto most identified with Naruto.<ref name="shonenjump"/> When asked why Naruto's favorite food was [[ramen]] instead of [[kitsune udon]], Kishimoto said that he himself likes eating ramen.<ref name="shonenjump">{{cite journal|title=[[Shonen Jump (magazine)|Shonen Jump.#33]] |journal=Shonen Jump |volume=3 |issue=9 |date=September 2005|publisher=[[Viz Media]] |page=8|issn=1545-7818}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Shonen Jump Special Collector Edition (Free Collector's Edition). No. 00 |journal=Shonen Jump|year=2005|publisher=[[Viz Media]] |page=13|issn=1545-7818}}</ref> In the [[Naruto: Clash of Ninja (series)|''Naruto: Clash of Ninja'' video game series]], Naruto is playable in various stages of the Demon Fox's manifestation, characterized by a red [[chakra]]. Kishimoto took inspiration from the games' presentation of these forms, imitating one of them for the manga cover of volume 26.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=Naruto, Volume 26|year=2007|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781421528434/page/1 1]|isbn=978-1421518626|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781421528434}}</ref>
When designing Naruto for his [[List of Naruto chapters (Part II)|Part II]] appearance, Kishimoto changed his character's clothing to an orange and black top, orange pants, and black sandals.<ref name="Kishimoto200822">{{cite book|title=Naruto, Volume 28|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|year=2008|isbn=978-1421518640|chapter=Chapter 245|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781421528434}}</ref> He also gave him a red cape with black flames at the bottom when fighting Pain, a member of the Akatsuki.<ref name="Kishimoto20082">{{cite book|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=46|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|year=2009|isbn=978-1421533049|chapter=Chapter 430|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref> He drew Naruto's forehead protector wider to make his eyebrows easier to draw, something that had bothered him with his previous design. He also noted that Naruto's pants made the character look too childish. To remedy this, Kishimoto designed them to roll up, giving him a more mature appearance.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto Character Official Data Book Hiden Sha no Sho|year=2008|page=342|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|isbn=978-4088742472|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref> He gave Naruto this look in order to make him stand out during action scenes.<ref name="Koba"/>
For the events of the film ''[[The Last: Naruto the Movie]]'' (2014) as well as the final episodes of [[Naruto#Naruto: Shippuden|''Naruto: Shippuden'']], Naruto was given a young adult appearance. His hair was made shorter, while his height was expanded notably in contrast to his Part II design. He was given two different outfits, a casual look consisting of an orange shirt as well as a design consisting of a black shirt with orange pants specifically meant for his missions. Due to his growth, Naruto wears a different headband, while his new ninja appearance was created with the purpose of being able to carry weapons more easily. Nevertheless, both looks keep the character's spiralling logo that was carried from his late mother's gone group, the Uzumaki clan.<ref>{{cite book|title=Naruto – ナルト – 秘伝・列の書 オフィシャルムービーガイドBook|trans-title=Naruto Secret: Scroll of Line Official Movie Guidebook|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|pages=42–43|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|year=2014}}</ref>
===Voice actors===
{{multiple image
| footer = [[Junko Takeuchi]] (left) and [[Maile Flanagan]] (right) voiced Naruto Uzumaki in the anime's Japanese and English versions, respectively.
| image1 = Junko Takeuchi - Dimanche - Japan Expo 2013 - P1670498.jpg
| alt1 = Junko Takeuchi holding two peace signs while smiling
| caption1 =
| width1 = 150
| image2 = Maile Flanagan (7271365994) - cropped.jpg
| alt2 = Maile Flanagan speaking into a microphone
| caption2 =
| width2 = 150
}}
Although a male voice actor was sought for the role of Naruto in the Japanese adaptation, actress [[Junko Takeuchi]] was chosen instead over many male applicants.<ref name="aboutinter">{{cite web|url=http://anime.about.com/od/nycc/a/Junko-Takeuchi-New-York-Comic-Con-Anime-Festival-2011-Interview.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216052801/http://anime.about.com/od/nycc/a/Junko-Takeuchi-New-York-Comic-Con-Anime-Festival-2011-Interview.htm |archive-date=February 16, 2017 |publisher=[[About.com]] |title=Junko Takeuchi: New York Comic-Con / Anime Festival 2011 Interview |date=October 14, 2011 |author=Yegulalp, Serdar |page=1 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Before recording the first episode, Takeuchi noticed several lines from the script that ended with exclamation marks, which helped her to define Naruto's voice. She noted difficulties in transitioning from the young Naruto to the older Naruto in the animated adaptation of Part II. She had to record the first episode of Part II when Naruto's character was older and more mature, only one week after voicing the younger, immature character.<ref name="annpanel">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2011/new-york-comic-con/6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216094037/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2011/new-york-comic-con/6 |archive-date=February 16, 2017 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |title=''Naruto Shippuden'' Panel |date=October 14, 2011 |author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://anime.about.com/od/nycc/a/Junko-Takeuchi-New-York-Comic-Con-Anime-Festival-2011-Interview_2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216044225/http://anime.about.com/od/nycc/a/Junko-Takeuchi-New-York-Comic-Con-Anime-Festival-2011-Interview_2.htm |archive-date=February 16, 2017 |publisher=[[About.com]] |title=Junko Takeuchi: New York Comic-Con / Anime Festival 2011 Interview |page=2 |date=October 14, 2011 |author=Yegulalp, Serdar |url-status=dead}}</ref> Nine years after first voicing the character, while still finding it tough to voice Naruto, Takeuchi's opinion of him changed, with her feeling he was "a very reliable young man" compared to the "loud-mouthed obnoxious brat" he was before.<ref name="animenews"/> She admired his ability to prioritize and calmly make important decisions and believes these traits will inspire viewers worldwide.<ref name="animenews">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2011-11-01/interview-junko-takeuchi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216094049/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2011-11-01/interview-junko-takeuchi |archive-date=February 16, 2017 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |title=Interview: Junko Takeuchi |date=October 31, 2011 |author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn |url-status=dead}}</ref>
In regard to Naruto's growth, Takeuchi was happy with the story and had hoped that Naruto would end up in a relationship with Hinata. Takeuchi was reminded of Naruto's late godfather, [[Jiraiya (Naruto)|Jiraiya]], when she read the script. She thought that although Naruto's declaration of love was the most important part of the character's growth, his true nature had not changed at that point. Satisfied with the story, Takeuchi thought that the audience would agree with her view.<ref>{{cite book|trans-title=The Last: Naruto the Movie The Last's Program Guide|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|year=2015|asin=B00QNBNRR8<!-- https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%9D%B1%E5%AE%9D%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%A9-%E3%80%90%E6%98%A0%E7%94%BB%E3%83%91%E3%83%B3%E3%83%95%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%80%91-%EF%BC%B4%EF%BC%A8%EF%BC%A5-%EF%BC%AC%EF%BC%A1%EF%BC%B3%EF%BC%B4%EF%BC%8D%EF%BC%AE%EF%BC%A1%EF%BC%B2%EF%BC%B5%EF%BC%B4%EF%BC%AF-%EF%BC%B4%EF%BC%A8%EF%BC%A5-%EF%BC%AD%EF%BC%AF%EF%BC%B6%EF%BC%A9%EF%BC%A5%EF%BC%8D-%EF%BC%88%E3%83%8A%E3%83%AB%E3%83%88%EF%BC%89-%E7%9B%A3%E7%9D%A3-%E5%B0%8F%E6%9E%97%E5%B8%B8%E5%A4%AB-%E5%A3%B0-%E7%AB%B9%E5%86%85%E9%A0%86%E5%AD%90%E3%80%81%E4%B8%AD%E6%9D%91%E5%8D%83%E7%B5%B5%E3%80%81%E6%A3%AE%E4%B9%85%E4%BF%9D%E7%A5%A5%E5%A4%AA%E9%83%8E%E3%80%81%E6%97%A5%E9%87%8E%E8%81%A1%E3%80%81%E6%B0%B4%E6%A8%B9%E5%A5%88%E3%80%85%E3%80%81%E4%BA%95%E4%B8%8A%E5%92%8C%E5%BD%A6%E3%80%81%E6%9D%89%E5%B1%B1%E7%B4%80%E5%BD%B0/dp/B00QNBNRR8 -->|title=【映画パンフレット】The Last: Naruto the Movie|page=3}}</ref> For the film ''Boruto: Naruto the Movie'', Takeuchi was surprised with how Naruto has grown up ever since she first voiced him, not only in the idea of age or new job but also the fact that he has become a father. As a result, she befriended [[Yūko Sanpei]], the voice actress behind Boruto. Takeuchi felt the writing for the adult Naruto was different from his younger days, as his mannerisms had changed too, joking that she never saw such growth in the story when first voicing him. As a result, she mentions having had some inner complications with how she should show the character's growth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1438664276|title=幼馴染の親友の次は「親子」で共演!? 竹内順子さんと三瓶由布子さん二度目の奇跡を語る！――映画『BORUTO -NARUTO THE MOVIE-』インタビュー|website=AnimateTimes|language=ja|date=August 4, 2015|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608192308/https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1438664276|url-status=live}}</ref>
The producers of the English version of the anime stated that Naruto was the most difficult character to cast, adding that [[Maile Flanagan]] "has Naruto down, from the mischievous side, that precocious 12-year-old we learn to love, to the serious side."<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Shonen Jump (magazine)|Shonen Jump]] |volume=3|issue=8|date=August 2005|publisher=[[Viz Media]] |page=4|issn=1545-7818}}</ref> Her performance has been praised for showing Naruto's brashness and later growth in confidence.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Camp|first1=Brian|last2=Davis|first2=Julie|title=Anime Classics Zettai! : 100 must-see Japanese animation masterpieces|date=2007|publisher=[[Stone Bridge Press]]|___location=Berkeley, California|isbn=978-1933330228|page=[https://archive.org/details/animeclassicszet0000camp/page/238 238]|url=https://archive.org/details/animeclassicszet0000camp/page/238}}</ref> In a 2014 interview, Flanagan claimed she had never heard of ''Naruto'' before her audition. She looked the show up after being chosen and felt the release of the English dub would be popular. She is recognized more for her work voicing Naruto than from the other roles she has done in her career, although some fans did not expect that Naruto would be voiced by a woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westernherald.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_4ec6984e-0e14-5caa-b207-111db70c7f5a.html |title=Voice of ''Naruto'', Maile Flanagan speaks about her career as a famous actress |last=Anger |first=Jax |date=November 24, 2014 |work=[[Western Herald (Western Michigan University)|Western Herald]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170219205558/http://www.westernherald.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_4ec6984e-0e14-5caa-b207-111db70c7f5a.html |archive-date=February 19, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Flanagan and [[Amanda C. Miller]] (the voice actress of Boruto) found the two family members similar in nature despite having different backgrounds. Flanagan was surprised by how her character changed across the years but felt he was still the same for her, finding it challenging to voice Naruto again when coming back to voice the younger Naruto. In regard to the change of tone, Flanagan was surprised by the fact that the dubbers did not replace her despite Naruto's age but felt it was something common in Japanese series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOeqqZiowOw <!-- https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-nu4ur-a41b0f -->| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/kOeqqZiowOw| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=''Naruto'' X ''Boruto'': The interview with Maile Flanagan and Amanda C. Miller|work=PodBean|publisher=Youtube|date=January 10, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
==Synopsis==
Introduced as a 12-year-old orphan boy with blond, spiky hair and blue eyes, Naruto Uzumaki graduates as a ninja from Konohagakure while bonding with his teacher, [[Iruka Umino]].<ref name="Kishimoto2007">{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto|year=2007 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |page=116 |isbn=978-1421514079}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=4|year=2004 |publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 28|isbn=978-1591163589}}</ref> Naruto seeks attention as he was ridiculed during his childhood. To be accepted and respected, he resolves to become Konohagakure's [[Hokage (Naruto)#Hokage|Hokage]] and surpass all previous leaders, no matter the difficulties.<ref name="Uno">{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=1|year=2003 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |chapter=Chapter 1 |isbn=1569319006}}</ref> While becoming a ninja, Naruto forms friendships that he initially lacked, linking some of them to family relationships.<ref name="family"/> Although Naruto sometimes finds himself unable to accomplish the tasks he proposes to do, other characters believe that he will be an excellent Hokage because of his positive impact on their lives.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=12|year=2006 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |chapter=Chapter 98 |isbn=978-1421502410}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kishimoto |first=Masashi |author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=[[Naruto]] |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1421516547 |volume=19 |page=131 |chapter=Chapter 169}}</ref> As an adult, Naruto claims that the Konohagakure village became his family due to his job of being the new Hokage, something he learned from the Third Hokage, [[Hiruzen Sarutobi]]. As a result, he initially suffered a poor relationship with his son, Boruto, due to the little time he spent with his bloodline family.<ref name="scarlet"/>
==
===In ''Naruto''===
====Part I====
<!-- until Part II Naruto's heritage is not revealed, so this should be kept in an out-of-universe perspective. -->
Naruto is an orphan who has a dangerous fox-like entity known as Kurama the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within his body by his father, the [[Fourth Hokage]] Minato Namikaze, the leader of the Hidden Leaf Village, at the cost of his own life and that of his wife, [[Kushina Uzumaki]].<ref name="Uno" /> This possession led to Naruto being ridiculed frequently by the rest of Konoha; being associated with him was considered taboo.<ref name="Uno" /> As a youth, Naruto makes jokes and plays pranks to attract attention.<ref name="Uno"/> Desiring what he lacked in his early life, Naruto dreams of becoming a Hokage himself with the hope that it will bring him the villagers' recognition and respect.<ref name="Dos">{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]] |volume=1|year=2003 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |chapter=Chapter 2 |isbn=1569319006}}</ref><ref name="Rasengan">{{Cite book |last=Kishimoto |first=Masashi |author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=[[Naruto]] |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1421516523 |volume=17 |pages=139 |chapter=Chapter 151}}</ref> In an attempt to become a ninja, Naruto is horrified to learn of his ''Jinchuriki'' nature but finds acceptance from his teacher, [[Iruka Umino]], whom he views as a father figure. After learning the powerful [[Shadow Clone|Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu]], an ability to create physical copies of the user, Naruto becomes a ninja.<ref name="Uno"/><ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=35|year=2009 |publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 315|isbn=978-1421520032}}</ref> He joins a ninja group under the leadership of [[Kakashi Hatake]], where he makes friends with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno. These are his classmates who are also assigned to [[List of Naruto characters#Team 7|Team 7]]: [[Sasuke Uchiha]], with whom he has had a rivalry since they first met at the ninja academy, and [[Sakura Haruno]], who he has a crush on, which is not reciprocated by her as she is infatuated with Sasuke.<ref name="family">{{Cite book |last=Kishimoto |first=Masashi |author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=[[Naruto]] |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1421518626 |volume=26 |pages=58–60 |chapter=Chapter 234}}</ref><ref name="promise">{{Cite book |last=Kishimoto |first=Masashi |author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=[[Naruto]] |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1421518558 |volume=21 |pages=58–60 |chapter=Chapter 183}}</ref>
While being examined to increase his ninja rank, Naruto meets the legendary ninja [[Jiraiya (Naruto)|Jiraiya]] and learns how to [[Naruto summons|summon]] toads to aid him in battle and to control part of the Nine Tails's chakra energy.<ref name="gift">{{Cite book |last=Kishimoto |first=Masashi |author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=[[Naruto]] |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |year=2006 |isbn=1421502410 |volume=11 |pages=99–105 |chapter=Chapter 95}}</ref> The exams are interrupted by the invasion of Konohagakure by the criminal [[Orochimaru (Naruto)|Orochimaru]] and the ninja of Sunagakure. Naruto defeats the sand village's One-Tail ''jinchuriki'', [[Gaara]], and convinces him there is a better way to live. Shortly afterward, Naruto discovers the [[Akatsuki (Naruto)|Akatsuki]], a criminal organization that seeks to extract the Nine-Tails from his body. Though Jiraiya drives them off during this first meeting, he learns that one of its members, Itachi, is both Sasuke's brother and the man who killed their family, and that the Akatsuki plans to kidnap him.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=17|year=2007 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |chapter=Chapter 150 |isbn=978-1421516523}}</ref> While accompanying Jiraiya to find a new village leader, Naruto also learns the {{nihongo|Rasengan|螺旋丸}}, a sphere of chakra for offensive purposes.<ref name="Rasengan" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kishimoto |first=Masashi |author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=[[Naruto]] |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1421516547 |volume=19 |pages=102–103 |chapter=Chapter 167}}</ref> When Sasuke leaves the village to join Orochimaru's forces to obtain the power to kill Itachi, Naruto, on his insistence and promise to Sakura, becomes part of a rescue team to retrieve him.<ref name="promise" /> Naruto and Sasuke ultimately have a one-on-one battle, and after a close battle, Sasuke comes out as the victor. He, however, can not bring himself to kill Naruto and instead leaves.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=26|year=2007 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |chapter=Chapter 234 |isbn=978-1421518626}}</ref> The two go their separate ways, but Naruto does not give up on Sasuke, leaving with Jiraiya for two and a half years to prepare himself for his next encounter with Sasuke and the Akatsuki.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=27|year=2007 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |chapter=Chapter 238 |isbn=978-1421518633}}</ref>
====Part II====
After his two and a half years of training, Naruto returns to Konoha (the Leaf Village) and begins to deal more actively with the Akatsuki by saving Gaara from their clutches.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=31|year=2008 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |chapter=Chapter 279|isbn=978-1421519432}}</ref> To fight them, Naruto trains with Kakashi to infuse the Rasengan with his own wind-element chakra, creating the {{nihongo|Wind Release: Rasenshuriken|風遁・螺旋手裏剣|Fūton: Rasenshuriken}} attack that proves instrumental in the downfall of the Akatsuki member [[Kakuzu]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=38|year=2009 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |chapter=Chapter 341|isbn=978-4088743646 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=46|year=2009 |publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 432 |isbn= 978-1421533049}}</ref> Despite being targeted by the Akatsuki, Naruto dedicates himself to finding and retrieving Sasuke, who eventually disposes of Orochimaru and starts acting on his vengeance-driven whims.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=34|year=2009 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |chapter=Chapter 309|isbn=978-1421520025}}</ref> Over time, though resisting the urge to use the creature's power, the Nine Tails's influence over him expands, and Naruto begins to lose his rationality as more chakra manifests in the form of tails to the point the Tailed Beast can take control of his body. This ultimately causes him to go on a rampage, destroying everything in his path.<ref name="Kishimoto2008">{{Cite book |last=Kishimoto |first=Masashi |author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=[[Naruto]] |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |year=2008 |isbn=978-1421520018 |volume=33 |chapter=Chapter 291}}</ref>
After learning that Jiraiya has been killed by the Akatsuki leader, [[Nagato (Naruto)|Pain]], Naruto prepares for a future encounter by learning toad-style {{nihongo|Senjutsu|仙術||lit. "sage techniques"}}, a power-enhancing ability involving the gathering of natural energy through stillness, while also perfecting Naruto's Rasenshuriken in the process.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]] |volume=45|year=2009 |publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 417 |isbn= 978-1421531359}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kishimoto |first=Masashi |author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=[[Naruto]] |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-1421533056 |volume=46 |chapter=Chapter 433}}</ref> When they face off, Naruto is pinned to the ground with iron rods and loses control of the Fox's chakra when [[Hinata Hyuga]] nearly dies protecting him. At that time, Naruto meets his father, Minato Namikaze, who had sealed his chakra imprint into Naruto, and learns about his parentage and that his father sealed the Fox into him so that he could use it to defeat the Akatsuki founder, [[Obito Uchiha|Tobi]], who was behind the Fox's attack on Konohagakure.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=47|year=2010 |publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 440 |isbn= 978-1421533056}}</ref> With Minato stopping the Fox, Naruto regains control of his body and defeats Pain. Learning that they are both Jiraiya's students, Naruto convinces him to cease his plans, seeking to take Jiraiya's path to create a better ninja world.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=48|year=2010 |publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 449 |isbn= 978-1421534749}}</ref>
When Naruto discovers Sasuke's plan to attack the Leaf Village, he decides to confront him in a battle that could end both their lives should Naruto be unable to save him.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=52|year=2011 |publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 486 |isbn= 978-1421539577}}</ref> He prepares himself for the upcoming fight by becoming a student of the ''jinchuriki'' of the Eight-Tails, [[List of Naruto characters#Killer Bee|Killer B]], in order to take full control of Kurama's powers. He succeeds with help from his late mother, Kushina Uzumaki, who placed a chakra imprint of herself within the seal so that she could have a chance to see her son again.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume= 52|year=2011 |publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 490 |isbn= 978-1421539577}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume= 53|year=2011|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 499 |isbn= 978-1421540498}}</ref> When Naruto learns that all his comrades are battling Tobi's army to protect him, he takes Killer B to join him in the battle, eventually cooperating with Kurama.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume= 57|year=2011|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 536 |isbn= 978-4088702711}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=[[Naruto]]|volume= 60|year=2013|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|chapter=Chapter 570 |isbn= 978-1421549439}}</ref> As he fights, Naruto meets [[List of Naruto characters#Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki|Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki]], the Sage of the Six Paths, who grants him a sealing technique to take down the Ten-Tails.<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=70|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|year=2015|isbn=978-1421579757|chapter=Chapter 673|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=70|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|year=2015|isbn=978-1421579757|chapter=Chapter 675|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref> After he and Sasuke join forces to face both Tobi and Madara, who are using the Ten-Tails, they have to seal a bigger threat named [[List of Naruto characters#Kaguya Ōtsutsuki|Kaguya Ōtsutsuki]], who is in her Ten-Tails form.<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Naruto]]|volume= 70|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|year=2015|isbn=978-1421579757|chapter=Chapter 679|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref> After sealing Kaguya with the cooperation of the rest of Team 7, Naruto ends up having to fight Sasuke due to their conflicting views regarding the ninja world's future.<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=72|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|year=2015|isbn=978-1421582849|chapter=Chapter 692|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref> As both end up losing an arm, Naruto and Sasuke reconcile.<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Naruto]]|volume= 72|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|year=2015|isbn=978-1421582849|chapter=Chapter 698|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref> He receives a new arm created from the First Hokage's cells later.<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Naruto]]|volume= 72|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|year=2015|isbn=978-1421582849|chapter=Chapter 699|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref> Years later, Naruto is married to Hinata, with whom he has had two children – [[Boruto Uzumaki|Boruto]] and [[List of Naruto characters#Himawari Uzumaki|Himawari Uzumaki]]. He becomes the {{nihongo|Seventh Hokage|七代目火影|Nanadaime Hokage}} in the epilogue.<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Naruto]]|volume=72|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|year=2015|isbn=978-1421582849|chapter=Chapter 700|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref>
===In the ''Boruto'' series===
In the spin-off manga ''[[Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring]]'', Naruto and his allies go to defeat a new Akatsuki organization led by the so-called Uchiha known as [[List of Naruto characters#Shin Uchiha|Shin Uchiha]], as Sasuke fears Kaguya's allies might try to attack them.<ref name="scarlet">{{cite book |last=Kishimoto |first=Masashi |author-link=Masashi Kishimoto |title=[[Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring]]|year=2015|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1421514079}}</ref> In ''[[Boruto: Naruto the Movie]]'' (2015), which takes place after the series' epilogue, Naruto's Hokage status strains his relationship with his son Boruto as his duties often kept him from his family. During the ninja examinations, Naruto is abducted by Kaguya's clanmates, Momoshiki and Kinshiki, and then saved by his son Boruto, Sasuke, and the Kage, before helping his son to destroy Momoshiki. Across this fight, Naruto and Boruto reconcile. In ''[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]]'', the manga starts in a distant future where Naruto is implied to be dead or missing in action by an enemy of Boruto, [[Kawaki]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kodachi, Ukyō |title=[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]] |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-1421514079}}</ref> In the anime, before Boruto became a ninja, Naruto often made appearances with his new family.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Dream's Revelation |series=[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]] |date=May 24, 2017 |season=1 |number=8 |publisher=[[TV Tokyo]]}}</ref> In the manga, a younger Kawaki is adopted by Naruto when the teenager becomes a fugitive from the group Kara.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kodachi |first=Ukyo |title=[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]]|volume=7|date=2019|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-9747-0699-0}}</ref> Naruto clashes with the members from Kara to protect his children,<ref>{{cite book |last=Kodachi |first=Ukyo |title=[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]]|volume=9|chapter=34|date=2019|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-4-08-882081-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Kodachi |first=Ukyo |title=[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]]|volume=10|chapter=36|date=2020|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-4-08-882193-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Kodachi |first=Ukyo |title=[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]]|volume=10|chapter=38|date=2020|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-4-08-882193-1}}</ref> to which the village fears the Ōtsutsuki clan is planning to attack again through Kara's members as well, like Boruto and Kawaki, who share a cursed mark known as Karma.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kodachi |first=Ukyo |title=[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]]|volume=11|chapter=43|date=2020|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|isbn=978-4-08-882290-7}}</ref> In the fight against Kara's leader, Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, Naruto and Kurama combine their chakra together at the cost of their possible death.<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]]|publisher=Shueisha|year=2021|chapter=52|volume=14|isbn=978-4-08-882645-5|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref> In the aftermath, Kurama reveals that he lied to Naruto about this combination, knowing that he would refuse to use their newfound power if it meant that Kurama would die, and he goes to the afterlife. Naruto continues to fight against the remaining Kara members.<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]]|publisher=Shueisha|year=2021|chapter=55|volume=14|isbn=978-4-08-882645-5|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto}}</ref> Kawaki's desire to protect Naruto results in sending him alongside Hinata to another dimension where the two will be trapped without aging until he believes the current fights are over.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Kishimoto|first1=Masashi|title=[[Boruto: Naruto Next Generations]]|last2=Ikemoto|first2=Mikio|last3=Morimoto|first3=Mari|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|year=2023|isbn=978-4-08-883532-7|volume=20|author1-link=Masashi Kishimoto|author2-link=Mikio Ikemoto}}</ref>
===In
Naruto also appears in the epilogue [[light novel]]s of the series. In the first one, despite still not having obtained his prosthetic arm, he goes on a mission with his friend [[List of Naruto characters#Sai|Sai]] to capture a dangerous ninja named Garyō.<ref>{{cite book|title=Naruto: Kakashi's Story – Lightning in the Frozen Sky|isbn=978-1421584409|year=2015|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|publisher=[[Viz Media]] }}</ref> In the second one, he allies with Sunagakure ninja [[List of Naruto characters#Temari|Temari]]'s team to find the missing [[Shikamaru Nara]], who made a promise to him to work together once Naruto became the Hokage.<ref>{{cite book|title=Shikamaru Hiden: A Cloud Drifting in Silent Darkness|isbn=978-1421584416|year=2016|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|publisher=[[Viz Media]] }}</ref> He makes a brief appearance in ''Sakura Hiden'', where he and Hinata try to aid Sakura from a group of enemies.<ref>{{cite book|title=Naruto: Sakura's Story – Love Riding the Spring Breeze|isbn=978-1421584423|year=2016|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|publisher=[[Viz Media]] }}</ref> In ''Sasuke Hiden'', he sends a message to Sasuke, which convinces him to return to Konohagakure.<ref>{{cite book|title=Naruto: Sasuke's Story – Sunrise|isbn=978-1421591292|year=2017|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|publisher=Viz Media}}</ref> In the final one, ''Konoha Hiden'', Naruto marries Hinata after asking his former mentor, Iruka Umino, to take the place of his father for the wedding.<ref>{{cite book|title=Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding|isbn=978-4087033601|year=2015|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|publisher=Shueisha}}</ref> A novel by Mirei Miyamoto focuses on Naruto's life as a father.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Bayleigh |date=April 5, 2018 |title=Naruto Gets New 3-Book Novel Series |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-04-05/naruto-gets-new-3-book-novel-series/.129928 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406121818/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-04-05/naruto-gets-new-3-book-novel-series/.129928 |archive-date=April 6, 2018 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> Another novel, ''Naruto Retsuden'', explores Naruto having fallen ill as a result of relying on Kurama's chakra across his entire life.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Esaka |first1=June |title=Naruto Retsuden: Naruto Uzumaki and the Spiral Destiny |last2=Kishimoto |first2=Masashi |author-link2=Masashi Kishimoto |publisher=[[Shueisha]] |year=2019 |isbn=978-4-08-703486-8 |language=ja}}</ref>
===In
<!-- Do not turn this into a list of entries. Use general descriptions of Naruto and focus on how what he does in movie/games differs from the anime and manga -->
As the series's title character, Naruto appears in every [[Naruto#Films|movie in the series]]. He typically appears as the lead character on a mission with comrades from Konohagakure. ''[[Naruto: Shippūden the Movie]]'' marks the first appearance of Naruto in his Part II form.<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.viz.com/watch/dvd/naruto-the-movie-video-volume-1/6828 |title=Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow |date=2007 |publisher=Viz Video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202001350/https://www.viz.com/watch/dvd/naruto-the-movie-video-volume-1/6828 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |medium=[[DVD]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|date=2009 |title=Naruto Shippuden: the Movie |medium=[[DVD]] |publisher=Viz Video |url=http://www.viz.com/watch/dvd/naruto-shippuden-movie-video-volume-1/8376 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612110929/http://www.viz.com/watch/dvd/naruto-shippuden-movie-video-volume-1/8376 |archive-date=June 12, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In ''[[Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie]]'', an alternate version of the character named Menma appears as the main antagonist of the film.<ref>{{cite AV media|date=2012|title=Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie|format=[[DVD]]|publisher=[[Viz Video]]|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q4F7FDK/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212013938/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q4F7FDK/|archive-date=December 12, 2017}}</ref> In ''[[The Last: Naruto the Movie]]'', which takes place after the events of the series, Naruto faces Toneri Otsutsuki; at the movie's climax, Naruto and Hinata enter a relationship that eventually leads to their marriage.<ref>{{cite AV media |date = 2015 |title = The Last: Naruto the Movie|medium = [[DVD]] |publisher = [[TV Tokyo]]}}</ref> Kishimoto, the film's chief story supervisor, admitted that he was embarrassed writing romance scenes in the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-list/2016-08-20/.105504 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116031339/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-list/2016-08-20/.105504 |archive-date=November 16, 2016 |title=6 Things You Might Not Know About Masashi Kishimoto |website=[[Anime News Network]] |date=August 20, 2016 |author=Loveridge, Lynzee |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, upon watching Naruto and Hinata share their first kiss, he felt a mixture of satisfaction and sadness due to the two characters' [[Character arc|growth]] since ''[[Naruto]]''{{'}}s beginning; they had become like his own children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp1-20141124-1400446.html|title=岸本斉史氏、15年連載ナルトへの思い語る|trans-title=Mr. Masashi Kishimoto, 15 years to talk about ''Naruto's'' serialization|website=[[Nikkan Sports]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230225936/http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp1-20141124-1400446.html|archive-date=30 December 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Naruto also appears in all four [[Naruto#Original Video Animations|OVAs]] produced for the series: helping his friend [[Konohamaru Sarutobi]] find a [[four-leaf clover]] in the first,<ref>{{cite AV media|date=2003 |title=紅き四つ葉のクローバーを探せ |trans-title=Find the Four-Leaf Red Clover! |medium=[[DVD]] |publisher=[[TV Tokyo]] |url=http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalogue.do?releaseId=8723&method=view |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406120711/http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalogue.do?releaseId=8723&method=view |archive-date=April 6, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> escorting a ninja to his village and fighting the criminal who stole the village's "Hero's Water" in the second,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalogue.do?method=view&releaseId=8722 |title=Naruto OVA – The Lost Story |date=2007 |publisher=[[Madman Entertainment]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217110548/http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalogue.do?method=view&releaseId=8722 |archive-date=December 17, 2007 |url-status=dead |medium=[[DVD]] }}</ref> participating in a tournament in the third, and working with Team 7 in the fourth.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=2005 |title=ついに激突！上忍VS下忍！！無差別大乱戦大会開催！！ |trans-title=Finally a clash! Jonin VS Genin!! Indiscriminately Championships battle royal!! |medium=[[DVD]] |publisher=[[TV Tokyo]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Loo |first=Egan |date=November 30, 2009 |title=''Naruto'', ''Toriko'', ''One Piece'' Event Anime Shorts Streamed |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-11-30/naruto-toriko-one-piece-event-anime-shorts-streamed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129223815/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-11-30/naruto-toriko-one-piece-event-anime-shorts-streamed |archive-date=January 29, 2017 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> He appears as a supporting character in the spin-off manga titled ''Rock Lee and his Ninja Pals'', where his fellow Konohagakure ninja Rock Lee is the main character.<ref>{{cite book|title=ロック・リーの青春フルパワー忍伝 1|trans-title=Rock Lee and his Ninja Pals|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|last=Taira |first=Kenji|isbn=978-4088704425|year=2012}}</ref>
Naruto is a [[Player character|playable character]] in the [[List of Naruto video games|''Naruto'' video games]]. In several titles, it is possible to [[Secret character (video games)|access a special version]] of him enhanced with the power from the Nine-Tailed Fox. In several games from the [[Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (series)|''Ultimate Ninja'' series]], he is playable with his own versions of [[Rock Lee]] and [[Might Guy]]'s techniques while wearing their costumes.<ref name="GUIDE1 26">{{cite book|title=Naruto: Ultimate Ninja English instruction manual|year=2006|publisher=[[Namco Bandai]]}}</ref> ''[[Naruto: Clash of Ninja (series)#Naruto Shippūden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX|Naruto Shippūden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX]]'' marks the first appearance of Naruto in his Part II form in a video game.<ref name="Accel2">{{cite web |url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/naruto/goods/game.html |title=''Naruto'' – ナルト – 疾風伝:ＴＶ東京 – Goods |publisher=[[TV Tokyo]] |trans-title=''Naruto'' – ナルト – Shippuden: TV Tokyo – Goods |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205014149/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/naruto/goods/game.html |archive-date=February 5, 2008 }}</ref> For the series' 10th anniversary, Masashi Kishimoto drew an illustration of Naruto as Hokage.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kishimoto|first=Masashi|author-link=Masashi Kishimoto|title=Naruto ― ナルト―[秘伝·皆の書]オフィシャルプレミアムファンBook|trans-title=Naruto: The Official Premium Fanbook|date=December 4, 2009|publisher=Shueisha|___location=Japan|language=ja|isbn=978-4088748344|page=5}}</ref> This portrayal of Naruto later appears as a secret character in the game ''[[Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/10/15/naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-2-review-2|author=Anthony Gallegos|title=''Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja: Storm 2'' Review|website=[[IGN]]|date=May 4, 2012|access-date=January 4, 2025|archive-date=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129235100/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/10/15/naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-2-review-2|url-status=live}}</ref> Naruto also appears in the iOS and Android mobile game ''Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Games {{!}} ''Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing'' |url=https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-blazing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510200606/https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-blazing |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |publisher=[[Bandai Namco Entertainment]]}}</ref> Outside ''Naruto'', he appears in several [[gaming crossovers|crossover]] video games that feature Naruto fighting against characters from other manga; these games include ''[[Battle Stadium D.O.N]]'', ''[[Jump Super Stars]],'' and ''[[Jump Ultimate Stars]]''.<ref name="Stadium">{{cite web|url=http://battlestadium.com |language=ja |title=バトルスタジアム D.O.N |trans-title=Battle Stadium D.O.N |publisher=[[Namco Bandai]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227030056/http://battlestadium.com/ |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Jump">{{cite web|url=http://www.ganbarion.co.jp/game/jss/g_jss_page.html|language=ja|title=ガンバリオン公式ホームページ 開発タイトル一覧 Jump Super Stars (ジャンプスーパースターズ)|trans-title=Gambarion Official Website Development Title List (Jump Superstars)|publisher=[[Ganbarion]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080703190348/http://www.ganbarion.co.jp/game/jss/g_jss_page.html |archive-date = July 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Ultimate">{{cite web|url=http://www.ganbarion.co.jp/game/jus/g_jus_page.html |language=ja |title=ガンバリオン公式ホームページ 開発タイトル一覧 Jump Ultimate Stars (ジャンプアルティメットスターズ) |trans-title=Gambarion Official Website Development Title List (Jump Ultimate Superstars) |publisher=[[Ganbarion]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522155524/http://www.ganbarion.co.jp/game/jus/g_jus_page.html |archive-date=May 22, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A Naruto avatar made a guest appearance in the MMORPG ''[[Second Life]]'' for a ''Jump Festa'' promotion titled ''Jumpland@Second Life''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Loo |first=Egan |date=August 13, 2011 |title=''Dragon Ball'', ''Naruto'', ''One Piece'' to Enter Second Life |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-12-21/dragon-ball-naruto-one-piece-to-enter-second-life |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225204744/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-12-21/dragon-ball-naruto-one-piece-to-enter-second-life |archive-date=December 25, 2016 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> In ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z]]'', Naruto's costume appears as an alternate costume for Goku.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ressler |first=Karen |date=September 10, 2013 |title=Goku Gets Naruto Costume in ''Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z'' Game |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-09-10/goku-gets-naruto-costume-in-dragon-ball-z/battle-of-z-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211184500/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-09-10/goku-gets-naruto-costume-in-dragon-ball-z/battle-of-z-game |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> Naruto was added to ''[[Fortnite Battle Royale]]'' in November 2021 as an alternate skin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=November 11, 2021 |title=Yep, ''Naruto'' is coming to ''Fortnite'' |url=https://www.polygon.com/22775204/naruto-fortnite-epic-battle-royale-new-character |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111000657/https://www.polygon.com/22775204/naruto-fortnite-epic-battle-royale-new-character |archive-date=November 11, 2021 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref>
The character also appeared in the first popularity poll from the manga ''[[My Hero Academia]]'' by [[Kōhei Horikoshi]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Horikoshi, Kōhei |author-link=Kōhei Horikoshi |title=[[My Hero Academia]] |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-1421590400 |volume=7 |chapter=Chapter 62}}</ref> When the ''Naruto'' manga ended, [[Eiichiro Oda]] drew a cover of a ''[[One Piece]]'' manga chapter where Naruto is seen eating with the ''One Piece'' characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-11-06/one-piece-manga-sends-off-naruto-with-a-classy-secret-message/.80738|title=''One Piece'' Manga Sends Off ''Naruto'' With a Classy Secret Message|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 6, 2014|author=Nelkin, Sarah|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227202301/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-11-06/one-piece-manga-sends-off-naruto-with-a-classy-secret-message/.80738|archive-date=February 27, 2017}}</ref> Naruto also makes an appearance in ''Live Spectacle Naruto'' (2015) and ''Live Spectacle Naruto: Song of the Akatsuki'' (2017), two stage plays based on the manga.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Luster |first=Joseph |date=April 10, 2019 |title=''Naruto'' Stage Play Cast Looks Perfect in Second Run Visuals |url=https://www.otakuusamagazine.com/naruto-stage-play-cast-looks-perfect-new-visuals/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510022657/https://www.otakuusamagazine.com/naruto-stage-play-cast-looks-perfect-new-visuals/ |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |website=[[Otaku USA]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Naruto is played by Koudai Matsouka.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2019/04/09/live-spectacle-naruto-song-of-the-akatsuki-rerun-reveals-its-stunning-cast-visuals|title="Live Spectacle ''NARUTO'' ~Song of the Akatsuki~" Rerun Reveals Its Stunning Cast Visuals|last=Komatsu|first=Mikikazu|website=Crunchyroll|language=en-us|archive-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410055037/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2019/04/09/live-spectacle-naruto-song-of-the-akatsuki-rerun-reveals-its-stunning-cast-visuals|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception==
=== Characterization and themes ===
{{multiple image
| perrow = 1/2
| total_width = 320px
| footer = Clockwise:{{Bulleted list|
|According to Franziska Ehmcke, Naruto's name emphasizes his energetic personality, reminiscent of the [[Naruto whirlpools]].<ref name="Ehmcke"/>
|Franziska Ehmcke regards the inclusion of [[narutomaki]] (pictured as a garnish in a bowl of ramen) as the origin of the character's name to be a humorous addition.<ref name="Ehmcke">{{cite book|last=Ehmcke|first=Franziska|chapter=The Traditional Naruto (Maelstrom) Motif in Japanese Culture|pages=216–217|editor1-last=Berndt|editor1-first=Jacqueline|editor2-last=Kümmerling-Meibauer|editor2-first=Bettina|title=Manga's Cultural Crossroads|date=2013|publisher=[[Taylor and Francis]]|___location=Hoboken|isbn=978-1134102839}}</ref>
|Amy Plumb relates Naruto's development to the mythology of the [[kitsune]].<ref name="Plumb"/>}}
| image1 = Naruto Whirlpools taken 4-21-2008.jpg
| alt1 = Photograph of the Naruto whirlpools
| image2 = 南山經-九尾狐.svg
| alt2 = Ancient Japanese sketch of a nine-tailed fox
| image3 = Ramen Tamari 001.jpg
| alt3 = Bowl of ramen with narutomaki garnish
}}
Naruto's character has received mostly positive critical response in printed and online publications. Praise was given by Joseph Szadkowski of ''[[The Washington Times]]'', who noted that Naruto "has become a pop-culture sensation".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Szadkowski |first=Joseph |date=December 13, 2007 |title=Ninjas, rabbids heat up games. |url=https://business.highbeam.com/409663/article-1G1-172400383/ninjas-rabbids-heat-up-games |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709170912/http://business.highbeam.com/409663/article-1G1-172400383/ninjas-rabbids-heat-up-games |archive-date=2012-07-09 |website=[[The Washington Times]] |publisher=[[Gale (publisher)|Goliath]] |via=[[HighBeam Business]]}}</ref> Naruto's character was analyzed by ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s Joe Dodson, who noted that despite having an "ideal" life, he still suffered from severe isolation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/franchise-player-naruto/1100-6181360/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113025049/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/franchise-player-naruto/1100-6181360/ |archive-date=November 13, 2015 |title=Franchise Player: ''Naruto'' |website=[[GameSpot]] |author=Dodson, Joe |date=October 13, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> although he was praised for his optimistic personality by Carl Kimlinger of ''[[Anime News Network]]'' (ANN).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto/dvd-uncut-dvd-box-set-9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203190305/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto/dvd-uncut-dvd-box-set-9 |archive-date=December 3, 2016 |title=''Naruto'' DVD Box Set 9 – Review |date=August 4, 2008 |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |author=Kimlinger, Carl |url-status=dead}}</ref> Writers for Mania Entertainment labeled him a "good lead character" with good overall development despite certain problems at the beginning.<ref name="dani">{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/naruto-unleashed-set-11_article_78617.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014190225/http://www.mania.com/naruto-unleashed-set-11_article_78617.html |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |title=''Naruto'' Unleashed Set 1.1 |date=September 1, 2006 |publisher=Mania Entertainment |author=Moure, Dani |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rich, Justin |date=January 4, 2007 |title=''Naruto'' Box Set 02 (also w/ Special Edition) |url=http://www.mania.com/naruto-box-set-02-also-wspecial-edition_article_78860.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923094615/http://www.mania.com/naruto-box-set-02-also-wspecial-edition_article_78860.html |archive-date=September 23, 2011 |publisher=Mania Entertainment}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/naruto-unleashed-set-12_article_78904.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522192526/http://www.mania.com/naruto-unleashed-set-12_article_78904.html |archive-date=May 22, 2011 |title=''Naruto'' Unleashed Set 1.2 |date=January 5, 2007 |publisher=Mania Entertainment |author=Moure, Dani |url-status=dead}}</ref> Christina Carpenter of T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews disagreed with other writers, noting that while Naruto is a "likable enough scamp," his type of character has been done before in many anime and manga series.<ref name="THEM Review">{{cite web|url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=120 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113210839/http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=120 |archive-date=November 13, 2016 |title=THEM Anime Reviews 4.0 – ''Naruto'' |publisher=T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews |author=Carpenter, Christina |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Yukari Fujimoto]], a professor at [[Meiji University]], sees Naruto himself as the manga's weakness.<ref>{{cite book|title=Manga's Cultural Crossroads|first=Yukari|last=Fujimoto|date=2013|publisher=[[Taylor and Francis]]|isbn=978-1134102839|___location=Hoboken|pages=172–175|chapter=Women in ''Naruto'', Women Reading ''Naruto''|editor1-last=Berndt|editor1-first=Jacqueline|editor2-last=Kümmerling-Meibauer|editor2-first=Bettina}}</ref> Manga author [[Nobuhiro Watsuki]] compared Naruto with [[Himura Kenshin]] and [[Monkey D. Luffy]] due to how they follow the ideals of not killing their opponents.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2021 |title=和月伸宏インタビュー 『るろうに剣心 最終章』に至る、実写と漫画が歩んだ10年 |trans-title=An interview with Nobuhiro Watsuki: 10 years of live-action and manga leading up to "Rurouni Kenshin: The Final Chapter" |url=https://kai-you.net/article/80090/page/2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810051837/https://kai-you.net/article/80090/page/2 |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Kai You}}</ref> ''[[My Hero Academia]]'' author [[Kōhei Horikoshi]] praised the portrayal of Naruto in the manga for his parallels with Sasuke, with an early example being the protagonist's inferiority complex over his teammate for feeling weaker, which leads to him stabbing himself in the hand to remember not to run away from his fears.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yoshida |first=Daisuke |date=April 8, 2015 |title=一番最初にガツンときたのは鬼兄弟！【対談】岸本斉史×堀越耕平 |trans-title=The first thing that hit me was the Oni Brothers! [Interview] Masashi Kishimoto x Kohei Horikoshi |url=https://ddnavi.com/news/233992/a/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303184829/https://ddnavi.com/news/233992/a/ |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |website=[[Da Vinci (magazine)|Da Vinci News]] |publisher=[[Kadokawa Corporation]] |language=ja}}</ref>
Writing for ''Popular Culture in Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Play-Based Interventions'', Lawrence Rubin states that while Naruto has an optimistic and hyperactive personality, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox (Kurama) within his body symbolizes his negative emotions. He comments that Naruto has a [[wikt:malevolent|malevolent]] attitude when dealing with intense conflicts and emotions. He also states that Naruto would use Kurama's chakra for battles he can not handle with his own chakra. Rubin further notes that the more Naruto uses Kurama's chakra, the more he puts his comrades and himself in danger. Rubin feels the reason Naruto is a troublemaker is because some villagers avoid him and others mistreat him. He states that children growing up in the real world who have development issues can relate to his character. Rubin states that the search for [[acceptance]] and being acknowledged by his peers is what motivates Naruto to keep going until he reaches his life's goal, becoming the Hokage. Rubin feels that Naruto's fights with enemies who try to bring harm to the Leaf Village further motivate him to become a powerful [[shinobi]] and a "complete and mature person." Rubin concludes that Naruto's character development is similar to that of a modern American [[hero]], the type who accidentally becomes better during a series and is able to build or restore peace.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rubin|first=Lawrence C. |title=Popular Culture in Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Play-Based Interventions|url=https://archive.org/details/popularcultureco00rubi|url-access=limited|chapter=Big Heroes on the Small Screen: Naruto and the Struggle Within|publisher=Springer Pub|year=2008|pages=[https://archive.org/details/popularcultureco00rubi/page/n274 232]–234|isbn=978-0826101181}}</ref>
Christopher A. Born, writing for [[DOAJ]] journal ''ASIANetwork Exchange'', regards Naruto as a complex [[post-modern]] hero, showing "great heart." From Naruto's beginning, Born comments that the character is a [[wikt:nuisance|nuisance]], suggesting Naruto is the very definition of the word, given how he is characterized in the series, including how he interacts and his behavior. Born argues that ''Naruto'' as a whole shows [[Confucian values]] and that Naruto himself unsettles [[Wa (Japanese culture)|harmony in society]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Born |first1=Christopher A. |title=In the Footsteps of the Master: Confucian Values in Anime and Manga |journal=ASIANetwork Exchange |date=1 April 2010 |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=39–53 |doi=10.16995/ane.206 |doi-access=free |issn=1943-9938}}</ref> Amy Plumb, a PhD candidate at [[Macquarie University]], states that Kishimoto used the mythology of the [[kitsune]] for Naruto's development throughout the series. She notes that at the beginning of the series, Naruto was a prankster and always causing trouble, the same as the kitsune. Plumb describes the Kyuubi (Demon) seal on Naruto's stomach as a [[wikt:catalyst|catalyst]] for how he develops.<ref name="Plumb">{{cite journal |last1=Plumb |first1=Amy |title=Japanese Religion, Mythology, and the Supernatural in Anime and Manga |journal=The International Journal of the Humanities: Annual Review |date=2010 |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=237–246 |doi=10.18848/1447-9508/CGP/v08i05/42930 }}</ref> Writing for ''Manga's Cultural Crossroads'', Omote Tomoyuki compliments Naruto's character, saying that he has great ambition to achieve a tragic destiny. He comments on how the character has matured over the course of the series, stating how after he became a ''shinobi'', he had let go of his childish ways that happened in the beginning of the series and how he rarely joked around in Part II of the series when he became a teenager.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tomoyuki|first=Omote|chapter=Naruto as a Typical Weekly Magazine Manga|pages=167–169|editor1-last=Berndt|editor1-first=Jacqueline|editor2-last=Kümmerling-Meibauer|editor2-first=Bettina|title=Manga's Cultural Crossroads|date=2013|publisher=[[Taylor and Francis]]|___location=Hoboken|isbn=978-1134102839}}</ref> Franziska Ehmcke, professor of Japanese studies at Cologne University, theorized that Naruto was named after whirlpools of the sea landscape of the [[Naruto whirlpools|Awa no Naruto]] and compared his behavior to that natural feature, as both figures have uncontrollable energy within them.<ref name="Ehmcke" /> Mike Hale compared Naruto to [[Buffy Summers]] of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', praising the series's portrayal of childhood loneliness.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/15/arts/television/just-watch-out-for-the-fox-demon-in-the-ninjas-body.html |title=Just Watch Out for the Fox Demon in the Ninja's Body |last=Hale |first=Mike |date=January 15, 2006 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518105230/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/15/arts/television/just-watch-out-for-the-fox-demon-in-the-ninjas-body.html |archive-date=May 18, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rik Spanjers regards Naruto's childishness as one of his strengths because it gives him a well of resoluteness from which to draw on in his goal to end the ninja wars.<ref name="Spanjers">{{cite book|last1=Spanjers|first1=Rik|editor1-last=Beaty|editor1-first=Bart H.|editor2-last=Weiner|editor2-first=Stephen|title=Critical Survey of Graphic Novels : Manga|date=2013|publisher=Salem Press|___location=Ipswich, Mass.|isbn=978-1-58765-955-3|pages=215–221 |chapter=Naruto }}</ref>
Analyzing Naruto's [[coming-of-age]] story, ''[[The Lawrentian]]'' found that Naruto's development embodies the idea of ''[[Bildungsroman]]'', the idea of how important Naruto's growth across the narrative is to move on the arc. Due to lacking parenting as a result of his parents' age during his birth, Naruto's personality starts fragile. Unaware of them, Naruto seeks to accomplish his mother's wish of becoming a hero and leader of the village, the Hokage. While initially portrayed as a weak character, Naruto finds strength in his mentors, Kakashi and Jiraiya, as well as his connections with Sakura and Sasuke. As a result of losing Jiraiya, Naruto seeks to accomplish his mentor's wish of ending wars and the cycling of hatred, making Kishimoto capable of embodying the character more with the reader while maturing in the process. As a result, ''The Lawrentian'' finds that Naruto's character fills the concept of ''Bildungsroman'', something other fictional characters fail to accomplish.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levy |first=Simone |date=February 2, 2018 |title=''Naruto'' is the quintessential Bildungsroman |url=https://www.lawrentian.com/archives/1011992 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608014125/https://www.lawrentian.com/archives/1011992 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |website=[[The Lawrentian]]}}</ref>
Tejal Suhas Bagwe from Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Degree of Masters of Arts in English describes Jiraiya's death as the "loss of innocence" Naruto goes through, paralleling his life with Gaara, Sasuke, and Madara. However, unlike these three characters who seek revenge and chaos for their losses, Naruto instead chooses another path derivative from these types of narratives, becoming more unique. Another aspect noted by the writer in regard to Naruto's character is how he becomes Kurama's companion despite the creature bearing hatred towards mankind for being used, resulting into multiple references to Japanese mythology based on its name and the new skills Naruto acquires when befriending the fox.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.academia.edu/42126244|date=February 2020|publisher=Department of Languages|pages=17–20|chapter=Chapter 2|title=The relevance of the Japanese myth of creation and the Tale of Jiraiya in the anime manga series Naruto|author=Tejal Suhas Bagwe|author2=Shweta Salian|archive-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031130619/https://www.academia.edu/42126244|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, ''Anime News Network'' stated that thanks to Naruto's newfound pacifism when dealing with his quest of revenge and the rejection of violence, the story managed to become a "masterpiece".<ref>{{Cite web |last= Santos |first=Carlo |title=''Naruto Shippūden'' DVD Set 14 Review |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto-shippuden/dvd-set-14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526065446/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/naruto-shippuden/dvd-set-14 |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref>
Naruto was also analyzed in regards to his adult characterization. ''[[Midwest Book Review]]'' noted the love story between Naruto and Hinata from ''The Last'' to have been properly written enough to appeal to casual fans of romance.<ref>{{Citation | title=The Last: Naruto the Movie.(Video recording review)(Brief article) | journal=[[Internet Bookwatch]] | publication-date=1 December 2015 | publisher=[[Midwest Book Review]] | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/202339771 | access-date=24 March 2018 }}</ref> Antônio Guilherme Bernardes Galletti from the [[University of São Paulo]] notes ''Boruto: Naruto the Movie'' becomes complex when the protagonist learns of the shinobi code his father and master use, which was also compared to the samurais' [[bushido]] while developing a sense of individuality when deciding what to do with his life when growing up.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Galletti, Antônio Guilherme Bernardes |year=2022 |title=''Naruto'' e ''Boruto'': entre a modernidade e a tradição japonesa |trans-title=''Naruto'' and ''Boruto'': between modernity and Japanese tradition |url=https://repositorio.unifesp.br/handle/11600/63517 |url-status=live |journal=Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Politik Dan |publisher=Univesidade Nacional de Sao Paulo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813222223/https://repositorio.unifesp.br/handle/11600/63517 |archive-date=August 13, 2023}}</ref> Tata Ardiansyah from [[Universitas Islam Negeri]] said Pierrot expanded Naruto's family life in ''Boruto'' not only with the characters from the 2015 movie but also his new adopted son Kawaki, who grows to admire and love him despite his initial antiheroic characterization.<ref>{{cite thesis|url=https://repository.uinjkt.ac.id/dspace/handle/123456789/74383|title=Soft Power Budaya Jepang Dalam Film Animasi Boruto (Kawaki And Himawari Academy ARC) Di Indonesia Tahun 2022|year=2022|publisher=Universitas Islam Negeri|access-date=November 12, 2023 |last1=Ardiansyah |first1=Tata }}</ref> ''Anime News Network'' also addressed how in ''Boruto'', Naruto's adult characterization resulted in admiration from new characters such as Sarada, who wishes to succeed him as the leader of the village and protector of the younger ninjas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2017-10-20/why-sarada-would-be-a-better-hokage-than-boruto/.122960|title=Why Sarada Would Be a Better Hokage Than Boruto|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=October 20, 2017|access-date=October 20, 2017|last=McNulty|first=Amy}}</ref> In "Through the Eyes of Child Soldiers: On War, Violence, and Trauma in Popular Entertainment Fictions", Benjamin Nickl compared Naruto and Boruto's dynamic to ''[[Harry Potter and the Cursed Child]]'', as the latter has not experienced the same war that Naruto felt in the original series. The former was compared to a traditional war soldier, with the anime having Naruto remember fallen comrades or meet fellow survivors who are his friends.<ref>{{cite web|title=Through the Eyes of Child Soldiers: On War, Violence, and Trauma in Popular Entertainment Fictions|author=Nickl, Benjamin|url=https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/57881588/Issue_n._1_-_Close_encounters_in_irregular_and_asymmetric_war_2018-libre.pdf?1543489822=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3D2018_Close_Encounters_in_War_Journal_Iss.pdf&Expires=1736023126&Signature=eBJB8o-qrwDv2GMhlo07qI9CIk5P44Bi1wXMBnP3hwnCfpzRDbEwwYKIX4f-3ih~gqLbe0gOdVIHwr0xKuWCa5I-DqlC7yWlCxzXmQ3KV9yGYo6gKJzai4SIr-8LG8pU~IZy4XVw8b56u9BCyu4jFXwaWwYRpj9-QDW-2SSAibvw9VT9Mqa1N1clb4T3uCI0wZgREqYsk5HK70bzMrvBY7I7hUUqpSOhNGFMlpP7SDk2IvUrmSb-lM5dGxjPNh9xHc6EXLSsJUlGXFt-lWotHf4geqpX-5N8kSd5nX0whdZeyF58ETDZlg7g5pXfdsZPL-BeOdYE2crX2jNChHZP3g__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA#page=84|year=2018|page=90|work=Wahe Hypermedia}}</ref>
===Cultural
[[File:Paris Manga 13 - Hiroshi Matsuyama - 001.jpg|thumb|In order to promote games from the series, [[CyberConnect2]] CEO [[Hiroshi Matsuyama]] cosplayed as Naruto Uzumaki.<ref name=Hiroshi/>]]
Several journalists, including ''[[Guinness World Records]]'', have rated Naruto among the most popular characters.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Isler |first=Ramsey |date=November 12, 2014 |title=Top 10 ''Naruto'' Characters |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/top-10-naruto-characters?page=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170712135115/http://www.ign.com/articles/top-10-naruto-characters?page=2 |archive-date=July 12, 2017 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/21/top-25-anime-characters-of-all-time?page=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714060553/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/21/top-25-anime-characters-of-all-time?page=4 |archive-date=July 14, 2016 |title=Top 25 Anime Characters of All Time |date=October 20, 2009 |author=Mackenzie, Chris |website=[[IGN]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/68759/TOP_50_VIDEO_GAME_CHARACTERS_OF_ALL_TIME_ANNOUNCED_inGUINNESS_WORLD_RECORDS_2011_GAMERrsquoS_EDITION.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192336/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/68759/TOP_50_VIDEO_GAME_CHARACTERS_OF_ALL_TIME_ANNOUNCED_inGUINNESS_WORLD_RECORDS_2011_GAMERrsquoS_EDITION.php |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |title=Top 50 video game characters of all time announced in ''Guinness World Records 2011 Gamer's Edition'' |website=[[Gamasutra]] |date=February 16, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In a poll from Anime! Anime!, Naruto and Sasuke were voted as one of the best rivals turned into allies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Katsunori |first=Takahashi |date=January 23, 2020 |title=Results for Survey on the best Rivals that Turned Into Comrades |url=https://animeanime.global/2020/01/23/51046.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718164322/https://animeanime.global/2020/01/23/51046.html |archive-date=July 18, 2020 |website=AnimeAnime}}</ref> Ramsey Isler from ''[[IGN]]'' lists Naruto's "unshakable persistence" as his strongest trait, "and although he is a flawed and somewhat limited character by himself, that stubborn optimism of his makes for some great storytelling with other characters."<ref name=":0" /> In a Japanese TV special from August 2017, Naruto was voted as the 13th "strongest hero" from the [[Heisei Era]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anime-now.com/entry/2017/09/09/230012|title=12,000 Japanese Fans Vote on Japan's Top Heroes and Heroines|website=Anime Now|date=September 9, 2017|author=Nakamura, Toshi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909234452/http://www.anime-now.com/entry/2017/09/09/230012|archive-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> In the 2009 Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation Awards, Junko Takeuchi won Best Voice Actress (Japanese) for her work as Naruto.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Loo |first=Egan |date=July 3, 2009 |title=SPJA Industry Award Winners Announced at Anime Expo |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-07-03/2009-spja-industry-award-winners-announced |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203223913/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-07-03/2009-spja-industry-award-winners-announced |archive-date=December 3, 2016 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref>
The character has inspired other works, including ''[[.hack]]''{{'}}s protagonist, [[Kite (.hack)|Kite]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=おしえて！貞本さん |trans-title=Tell me Mr. Sadamoto! |url=http://www.cyberconnect2.jp/hack/event/gff2003/gff2003.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130224144412/http://web.archive.org/web/20081216092950/http://www.cyberconnect2.jp/hack/event/gff2003/gff2003.html |archive-date=2013-02-24 |publisher=[[CyberConnect2]] |language=ja}}</ref> and [[Yuji Itadori]] from ''[[Jujutsu Kaisen]]''; its author, [[Gege Akutami]], enjoyed the story of how Naruto deals with a demon-like creature inside his body and decided to give Itadori a similar aura when eating the remains of the demon [[Ryomen Sukuna]], with whom he has a poor relationship.<ref>{{cite book|last=Akutami|first=Gege|script-title=ja:呪術廻戦 公式ファンブック|trans-title=Jujutsu Kaisen Official Fanbook|language=ja|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|date=2021a|isbn=978-4-08-882636-3|page=181}}</ref> [[CyberConnect2]] CEO [[Hiroshi Matsuyama]] also participated in the 2012 [[Paris Marathon]] while [[cosplaying]] as Naruto to celebrate the release of a new video game.<ref name="Hiroshi">{{Cite web |last=Ransom |first=Ko |title=Video of CyberConnect2 CEO Running Paris Marathon in Naruto Cosplay |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-05-11/video-of-cyberconnect2-ceo-running-paris-marathon-in-naruto-cosplay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806220535/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-05-11/video-of-cyberconnect2-ceo-running-paris-marathon-in-naruto-cosplay |archive-date=August 6, 2016 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> Matsuyama also said that Naruto's Rasenshuriken was his favorite technique in the entire series due to its sounds as well as how the character executes it.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Sahdev |first=Ishaan |date=October 2, 2010 |title=Behind The Scenes Of ''Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2'' |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/10/01/see-cyberconnect2s-naruto-media-collection/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629055646/http://www.siliconera.com/2010/10/01/see-cyberconnect2s-naruto-media-collection/ |archive-date=June 29, 2017 |website=[[Siliconera]]}}</ref> Upon seeing the final fight between Naruto and Sasuke in ''Storm 4'', Matsuyama felt emotional over seeing the final fight between Naruto and Sasuke.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matsuyama |first=Hiroshi |date=January 28, 2016 |title=The Sound Four Join ''Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4'' on PS4 |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2016/01/28/the-sound-four-join-naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-4-on-ps4/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630234917/https://blog.playstation.com/2016/01/28/the-sound-four-join-naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-4-on-ps4/ |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref> Matsuyama further reflected that the anime's 133rd episode is one of his favorites, not only for the action sequences between Naruto and Sasuke but also for the emotional value displayed.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1308084892966608896 |user=PIROSHI_CC2 |title=定期的にテレビアニメ『NARUTO－ナルト－』133話を観返して自分自身の原点に立ち戻る。いくつもある神作画回がオレを強くしてくれる。こうした映像を「たまらない」と感じるオレが正しいって気付かせてくれる。やっぱりたまらない。涙の咆哮！ オマエはオレの友達だ |author=Hiroshi Matsuyama |date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921164536/https://twitter.com/PIROSHI_CC2/status/1308084892966608896 |archive-date=2020-09-21}}</ref> Voice actress [[Mariya Ise]], famous for [[Killua Zoldyck]] from ''[[Hunter × Hunter]]'', stated Naruto was one of her favorite characters, to the point she often would try cosplaying as him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cardine |first=Kyle |date=August 24, 2022 |title=Interview: ''Hunter x Hunter'' Killua VA Mariya Ise was Just as Excited After Togashi Opened a Twitter Account |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/interviews/2022/8/24/interview-hunter-x-hunter-killua-va-mariya-ise-was-just-as-excited-after-togashi-opened-a-twitter-account?srsltid=AfmBOop8Ua9oaDH14UpKV0kHErMUjhy76Usn3gb41IZMjVzIXDpMTWRZ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822185025/https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/interviews/2022/8/24/interview-hunter-x-hunter-killua-va-mariya-ise-was-just-as-excited-after-togashi-opened-a-twitter-account?srsltid=AfmBOop8Ua9oaDH14UpKV0kHErMUjhy76Usn3gb41IZMjVzIXDpMTWRZ |archive-date=August 22, 2024 |website=[[Crunchyroll, LLC|Crunchyroll]]}}</ref>
The Shanghai New World mall made an announcement in the beginning of 2019 that it planned on opening an indoor theme park on its eleventh floor, which would be called "Naruto World". The theme park was 7,000 square meters in size and would be based on the ''Naruto'' manga.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pineda |first=Rafael Antonio |title=''Naruto'' Indoor Theme Park to Open in Shanghai |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-02-11/naruto-indoor-theme-park-to-open-in-shanghai/.143298 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506222047/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-02-11/naruto-indoor-theme-park-to-open-in-shanghai/.143298 |archive-date=May 6, 2019 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |language=en}}</ref> As part of an official Naruto Ramen Takeover, [[Viz Media]] has partnered with Los Angeles' Silverlake Ramen to create Ramen Ichiraku.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Rosie |date=March 29, 2024|title=Believe It! The First Ever ''Naruto''-Themed Restaurant Collaboration Arrives This Weekend|url=https://sea.ign.com/naruto-1/213848/news/believe-it-the-first-ever-naruto-themed-restaurant-collaboration-arrives-this-weekend|website=[[IGN]] |language=en|access-date=March 12, 2025}}</ref> In June 2019, a life-size statue designed by Tetsuya Nishio was developed for display at the Wonder Festival 2019 [[Shanghai]] event.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Loveridge |first=Lynzee |title=''Naruto'' Gets Life-Size Figure in China |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2019-06-03/naruto-gets-life-size-figure-in-china/.147441 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607140432/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2019-06-03/naruto-gets-life-size-figure-in-china/.147441 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> For the [[2020 Summer Olympics]], Naruto's image was used as a character to represent the event.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Melnick |first=Kyle |date=2021-07-22 |title=Anime and manga will take center stage at the Olympics. It could fuel a boom in interest. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2021/07/22/japanese-anime-manga-olympics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210723143140/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2021/07/22/japanese-anime-manga-olympics/ |archive-date=2021-07-23 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2025, Google created an [[Easter egg (media)|easter egg]] showing the character and his shadow clones in [[Pixel art|8-bit]] performing the [[Naruto run|''Naruto'' run]] when users search "Naruto" to celebrate the 25th manga anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sayyed|first=Rayan|date=February 28, 2025|title=Search ''Naruto'' on Google For a Fun Easter Egg |url=https://in.ign.com/naruto-1/225613/news/search-naruto-on-google-for-a-fun-easter-egg|website=[[IGN]] |language=en|access-date=March 12, 2025}}</ref>
''Naruto'' has had an influence on hip-hop music. Many rappers, both underground and mainstream, have sprinkled Naruto references throughout their songs.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Pearce |first=Sheldon |date=November 7, 2018 |title=Why Is Rap Obsessed with ''Naruto''? |url=https://pitchfork.com/levels/raps-obsession-with-naruto-father-sahbabii/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107201420/https://pitchfork.com/levels/raps-obsession-with-naruto-father-sahbabii/ |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |language=en}}</ref> Singer [[Diana Garnet]] expressed her pleasure at recording one of the ending theme songs for the animated series of ''Naruto Shippuden'', stating that not only has she been a fan of the series ever since she was younger, but she was also motivated by Naruto's character because of his determination not to give up no matter what challenge he faced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anime-now.com/entry/2016/12/22/000006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223132318/http://www.anime-now.com/entry/2016/12/22/000006 |archive-date=December 23, 2016 |title=From Typical American Anime Fan to ''Naruto'' Theme Song Singer |date=July 6, 2010 |website=Anime Now |author=Nelkin, Sarah |url-status=dead}}</ref> Similarly, in an analysis involving [[stereotypes of African Americans]] created by the British newspaper ''[[The Guardian]]'', Naruto's character is viewed as a relatable character due to the prejudicial treatment the character receives early in the series. As a result, Naruto's life achievements he makes across the narrative, ending to his portrayal as the Seventh Hokage, are seen as inspiring by the audience.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Osmond |author-link=Andrew Osmond (journalist) |first=Andrew |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Video on Black Representation in Anime Posted By Guardian Newspaper |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-10-01/video-on-black-representation-in-anime-posted-by-guardian-newspaper/.164782 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122222358/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-10-01/video-on-black-representation-in-anime-posted-by-guardian-newspaper/.164782 |archive-date=November 22, 2020 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref>
==References==
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==External links==
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