Both Naruto and One Piece coexisted and competed within the pages of Shonen Jump for many years. Eiichiro Oda’s manga started in 1997 and is still ongoing, whereas Masashi Kishimoto’s manga started in 1999 and concluded ten years ago.
Their rivalry overseas has seen a shift in perspective over time, with Naruto initially being more popular internationally than in Japan compared to One Piece, which came as a big surprise to everyone. Now, some of the editors at Shonen Jump have given their own professional opinions on why this happened.
Naruto’s Overseas Popularity Is Due to Its Straightforward Plot
An old interview by Naruto’s editor Kosuke Yahagi, who worked hand in hand with Masashi Kishimoto, recently resurfaced, where he gave his personal view about Naruto’s popularity over One Piece overseas.
During a breakdown session at Shonen Jump, editors Yahagi Kosuke and Kazuhiko Torishima delved into the essence of Naruto and One Piece. Kosuke, who edited Naruto with creator Masashi Kishimoto, revealed that Naruto’s popularity abroad can be attributed to its straightforward plot. He believes that Naruto’s storyline, being less complex than One Piece, is easier for international audiences to grasp, contributing to its popularity abroad.
Kosuke appeared on the radio show Izakaya: Denfaminicogamer in 2019 alongside Matsuyama Hiroshi, a manga editor. During the television program, he was questioned about why Naruto is more popular overseas than One Piece, and the cause for this difference. The host inquired about the reason for Naruto’s higher popularity than One Piece overseas. To this, Kosuke responded:
“The One Piece drama is very interesting. On the other hand, Naruto is easier to understand for the action and other aspects than for the drama. I have children, and when I show it to them, the thing they understand the least is the drama. We’ve been reading manga for a long time, so we tend to delve into what makes manga interesting. But many people abroad don’t understand Japanese manga. I think that’s probably because they don’t have literacy or reading comprehension. So, ultimately, I think that Naruto doesn’t require that kind of reading comprehension.”
Objectively, this comment makes sense. One Piece features complex and extensive lore set in an expanding universe, while Naruto’s story is more straightforward and universal and, thus, easy to understand for casual or younger viewers.
The Difference Between Naruto and One Piece According to Manga Professionals
Takashi Matsuyama, who was involved in Dragon Ball, also shared his perspective on why Naruto achieved success in the Western market compared to Eiichiro Oda’s work:
“This is just my feeling, but what One Piece is doing is, although it sounds strange to call it kabuki, in the chivalrous way, right? Like the old movies yakuza. It’s like a play or drama, including the tear-jerking parts that appeal to the Japanese. Naruto is Hollywood-oriented in some ways, including development. So I think the nature of it selling well around the world is different.”
Naruto is believed to be more Hollywood-centric, while One Piece is a drama with inner meaning. Yahagi Kosuke also used an example of paintings, likening Naruto to a clear sky image, which is easier to understand by the children. One Piece features emotional scenes that tug at heartstrings and resonate predominantly with Japanese viewers.
Current Predicament of Naruto and One Piece
Naruto and One Piece are among the manga industry’s most renowned titles. These two manga, created by Masashi Kishimoto and Eiichiro Oda, have dominated the market for over twenty years, along with Tite Kubo’s Bleach, collectively known as the ‘Big Three.’
As peers and competitors, Naruto and One Piece have experienced various highs and lows. Although One Piece is currently one of the most popular manga and anime series, Naruto dominated the American market during its original run before Naruto Shippuden concluded in 2017.
While Naruto has undoubtedly achieved global success, it’s worth noting that One Piece’s popularity has been on the rise. With the resurgence of anime and the anticipation for the sequel of its live-action adaptation on Netflix, One Piece is gaining recognition beyond Asia.
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