Masashi Kishimoto is one of the most popular and biggest mangakas on the planet. His popular shonen series, Naruto, has sold over 250 million copies worldwide and is considered one of the Big Three Shonen’s on the planet. However, despite his major success, there are still some creative minds that the incredible mangaka looks up to.
Quentin Tarantino is a genius in his own right when it comes to making movies. Arguably the best director when it comes to action movies, it’s not surprising to see another genius such as Masashi Kishimoto himself draw inspiration from the mastermind behind Pulp Fiction.
A meeting of Creative Minds as Tarantino’s legacy lives strong in the world of Naruto
Quentin Tarantino could possibly be the most influential director of his time, having directed instant cult classics such as Pulp Fiction, Inglorious Basterds, Kill Bill, and Django Unchained, to name a few. Refined violence paired with incredible visual work is what earned him his 2 Academy Awards.
Given his success in the film industry, it’s no surprise that other creative minds look up to and admire his works. Masashi Kishimoto, being one of them. During an interview with the Los Angeles Times back in 2008, the mastermind behind Naruto spoke really highly of Tarantino and his works.
Kishimoto explained that being a fan of Cenima, he was in awe of Quentin Tarantino shooting his iconic trademark slow-motion scenes in his movies, such as Kill Bill or Reservoir Dogs. But having to work with just black and white tones, Kishimoto claimed that he found it difficult to truly incorporate the effects of Tarantino’s magic.
During the interview with Los Angeles Times, Kishimoto stated;
I watch a lot of movies, and I tend to be influenced by scenes that intrigue me, that make me want to use the same effects or technique…I like the way Quentin Tarantino creates a scene using a series of close-ups or showing very cool images of a person or people walking on some ordinary street in slow motion. I wish I could achieve that kind of slow-motion effect in manga, but it’s rather difficult to draw; the only things we can play with are tones of black and white.
However, Kishimoto in his own right is a savant when it comes to drawing fight scenes in Naruto. And there are some scenes in the series where we can somewhat experience Tarantino’s trademark action scenes that have a ton of refined violence. Here are some examples of fights in Naruto that could have had slight hints of Tarantino’s influence that had fans speechless, especially given how well they were animated.
From Chunin Exams to the Final Valley: Some of the fights in Naruto revisited
Kakashi vs. Obito: The fight between Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha could possibly be the best-choreographed fight in the entire Naruto series. It was certainly more than just a clash between two Ninjas. The fight was a heartbreaking duel between former teammates driven by divergent paths. They perfectly showed the effects of war and how true friendship can save someone, even in the face of darkness, as the two former teammates fought to take the lives of each other.
Might Guy opens the 8th Gate against Madara: Might Guy’s battle against Madara Uchiha was a testament to the hard work he put in throughout his whole life. By pushing his body to its absolute limits through the Eight Gates, Guy unleashed a power that dominated even that of a God. The fight between Guy and Madara was certainly a visual spectacle and an emotional rollercoaster, for all the viewers who watched the clash. Especially seeing one of the most beloved characters battle through the pain to beat the most feared shinobi on the planet.
The final showdown between Naruto and Sasuke: The final battle between Naruto and Sasuke was the culmination of years of rivalry and friendship. This epic clash between the two rivals showed just how different their mastery of ninjutsu and characters strayed from each other from their path. The outcome of the fight would determine the fate of the ninja world, making it one of the most intense and emotionally driven showdowns, not only in the Naruto Series but in the whole of anime.
You can stream the Naruto series on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu.
Frequently asked questions
What did Masashi Kishimoto say about Quentin Tarantino?
In a 2008 Los Angeles Times interview, Kishimoto said he admired how Tarantino builds scenes with close-ups and slow-motion shots, pointing to films like Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs. He added that he wished he could achieve that slow-motion effect in manga but found it difficult, since the only things he can play with are tones of black and white.
Which Naruto fights does the article say echo Tarantino’s style?
The article points to three battles that fans feel carry hints of Tarantino’s refined, stylish action: Kakashi Hatake versus Obito Uchiha, Might Guy opening the Eighth Gate against Madara Uchiha, and the final showdown between Naruto and Sasuke. The piece frames these as fan interpretations, not scenes Kishimoto explicitly modeled on Tarantino.
Where can you stream the Naruto series?
According to the article, Naruto is available on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu. Availability varies by region and changes over time, so check each platform’s current catalog for your country.
