For many years, both Naruto and One Piece coexisted and competed in the pages of Shonen Jump. Eiichiro Oda’s manga began in 1997 and is still ongoing, while Masashi Kishimoto’s manga started in 1999 and ended ten years ago.
Over time, the perspective on their rivalry abroad has changed, with Naruto initially gaining more popularity internationally than One Piece in Japan, which came as a surprise to many. In response, some editors at Shonen Jump have shared their professional opinions on the reasons behind this.
Reasons for Naruto’s Overseas Popularity
An old interview with Naruto’s editor, Kosuke Yahagi, who collaborated closely with Masashi Kishimoto, has resurfaced. In the interview, Yahagi shared his personal perspective on the overseas popularity of Naruto compared to One Piece.
During a breakdown session at Shonen Jump, editors Yahagi Kosuke and Kazuhiko Torishima discussed the core elements of Naruto and One Piece. Kosuke, who worked on Naruto alongside creator Masashi Kishimoto, shared that Naruto’s popularity overseas can be attributed to its simple plot. He believes that compared to One Piece, Naruto’s storyline is more straightforward and easier for international audiences to understand, which has contributed to its success abroad.
In 2019, Kosuke was a guest on the radio show Izakaya: Denfaminicogamer, where he was joined by manga editor Matsuyama Hiroshi. The topic of discussion was the varying popularity of Naruto and One Piece in overseas markets. During the program, the host asked Kosuke to explain the reason behind Naruto’s greater popularity compared to One Piece. In response, Kosuke stated:
From Yahagi Kosuke a editor at Weekly Shonen Jump. Western manga fans lack reading comprehension. 😂🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/Kqr1seuOs7
— DBZimran (@DBZimran) August 17, 2024
“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.”
Upon examination, this statement remains coherent. One Piece has a rich and intricate backstory that spans a vast universe, while Naruto’s plot is more straightforward and relatable, making it easily comprehensible for casual or younger audiences.
The Difference Between Naruto and One Piece
Takashi Matsuyama, who worked on Dragon Ball, also offered his viewpoint on the reasons behind Naruto’s success in the Western market, in contrast 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.”
Despite both being popular anime series, many view Naruto as more focused on Hollywood-style action, while One Piece is seen as a more complex drama with deeper underlying themes. Yahagi Kosuke even compared the two to paintings, describing Naruto as a clear and simple sky image that is easily comprehensible to children. In contrast, One Piece is known for its emotional and heartfelt moments that deeply resonate with Japanese audiences.
Current Status of Naruto and One Piece
Naruto and One Piece, both created by Masashi Kishimoto and Eiichiro Oda, have been highly acclaimed titles in the manga industry. For over two decades, these two manga, along with Tite Kubo’s Bleach, collectively referred to as the ‘Big Three,’ have been dominating the market.
Despite facing both successes and challenges, Naruto and One Piece have stood as peers and competitors. While One Piece currently holds immense popularity as a manga and anime series, Naruto reigned over the American market during its initial run until the conclusion of Naruto Shippuden in 2017.
Despite Naruto’s undeniable global success, it should be acknowledged that One Piece’s popularity has been steadily increasing. With the recent surge in popularity of anime and the excitement surrounding its upcoming live-action adaptation on Netflix, One Piece’s fame is expanding beyond Asia.
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