While there are many reasons for the global success of theNarutoseries, there is one core aspect that made the ninja series the icon it is and relevant even more than ten years after it ended. The reason might be very obvious but the creator, Masashi Kishimoto, put it perfectly as to why the story works. In an interview with Yoshihiro Togashi, creator ofHunter X Hunter, Masashi Kishimoto talked about the complexities of creating a fictional fantasy world and how hard it is to get readers to be interested in it.
As they talked about how they try to sprinkle real-world elements into the fantasy one, Kishimoto said that for a reader to be immersed in the world that you created,the most important thing was to have the reader be emotionally connected to the characters, either through empathy or relatability. Togashi agreed and elaborated that human interactions and empathy are what make a reader continue reading a manga.
NarutoandHunter X Hunter, have a lot going for them, such as an interesting world, great fights, and more, but the main reason that people love them is because of their interesting characters, which make a reader sympathize with them and keep up with their journey.
Two of Manga’s Best Writers Reveal the Most Important Thing in a Story
Kishimoto continued to elaborate that once a writer can get a reader to empathize with a character’s situation, they will continue reading even if they don’t quite relate to or understand their future problems. His protagonist is a great example of this, as the first chapter introduced him as someone who suffered alienation and loneliness, something many can sympathize with.
This wasthe hook of Naruto’s character, and as the story progressed, he went through many deadly predicaments such as being hunted down by a terrorist organization, something most can’t relate to. However, since readers already feel emotionally connected to him through the mutual experience of loneliness, they continued reading and following Naruto’s journey.
It’s amazing how, if the drama is compelling, the audience can come to appreciate any sport from zero. They don’t even need to know the rules. I consider that a real strength.
- Yoshihiro Togashi.
Kishimoto used another great example thatexplains the popularity of sports manga even if the sports are niche. Readers might not be familiar with the rules of a sport and its intricacies, so the writer must hone in on the characters and revolve the sport around them, and not vice versa. The reader, who is clueless about the sport, will continue reading because of the character, and as they continue to read, they gradually learn about the rules of the sport. The best example of this isthe volleyball iconHaikyuu!!, a series that revolves around a relatively unpopular sport but hooks the readers with one of the best overall casts in shonen manga.
Naruto and Hunter X Hunter’s Casts Are the Core of Their Series
The Manga Are Beloved Because of Their Excellent Characters
The creators ofNarutoandHunter X Hunteragree that above all, good and emotional character writing takes priority when writing not just fantasy stories, but stories in general. DespiteNarutoending more than 10 years ago andHunter X Hunterhaving many hiatuses, these series are very relevant many years later and continue to live in the hearts of fans because they managed to make their characters lovable and interesting.
Furthermore, both manga are some of the best when it comes to producing emotional moments that have the readers' hearts on a string. FromMeruem and Komugi’s deaths, Naruto meeting his mother, Killua apologizing to Nanika, Itachi’s farewell to Sasuke, Kurapika wallowing in sadness and many more,NarutoandHunter X Huntermasterfully evoke all types of emotions from readers, which is why these series will continue to live on for years to come.
Emotional Character Writing Is the Biggest Hook
While there are many things like worldbuilding, plot, fights, and more than one can look for in a story, it is an undeniable fact that characters can make or break a series. A character that one can emotionally connect to is a gate into the story itself, and this is why most pilots and first chapters usually focus on trying to get the reader to empathize or relate to a character first. Kishimoto and Togashi understand this very well, and the character writing ofNarutoandHunter X Hunterspeaks for itself.
Hunter X Hunter
Hunter × Hunteris a Japanese manga and anime franchise created by Yoshihiro Togashi. The story follows Gon Freecss, a boy who discovers his father is a legendary Hunter, and embarks on a journey to become one himself. Along the way, he encounters friends and foes in a world filled with martial arts, adventure, and paranormal elements. The franchise spans manga, multiple anime adaptations, films, OVAs, and video games.
