Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Masashi Kishimoto hasn’t been one to shy away from the surrounding array of inspiration that could help improveNaruto.Ever since the series first started, there had been some or the other way through which inspiration was taken. To create something of such a grand scale, or anything at all, inspiration and motivation are the most important.
Out of all the unique characters present in the story, one Akatsuki member stands to be the black sheep even amongst the villains. His quest to achieve immortality came with horrid means. Enraged by his own failures, he did the unthinkable just to make sure his own life force was increasing as the days went by. However, much to everyone’s surprise, Kishimoto based a lot of Kakuzu onMobile Suit Gundam.
Masashi Kishimoto was Inspired by Mobile Suit Gundam
Masashi Kishimotohad always been a fan ofMobile Suit Gundam,so much so that he had a habit of drawing the mechs all the time when he was a kid. He enjoyed illustrating the characters and was even captivated by them. So it would only make sense that bits of his passionate work made it intoNarutoas well. Through Kakuzu, the mangaka paid homage to one of his favorite shows.
As brought to attention byCBR, a lot of the Akatsuki member’s attacks were similar to that of Gundam Units. Attacks like the Earth Grudge Fear, Earth Release: Earth Spear, and Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work are all moves with some or the other connection to the iconic series. Being named after the Zeong unit, Dom, and even Z’Gok, many of Kakuzu’s iconic attacks represent the hit series.
“Naruto Shippuden ended in reconciliation”: Gege Akutami Thinks of Sukuna as the Kurama of Jujutsu Kaisen After Rejecting Masashi Kishimoto’s Most Infamous Technique
There are many who found themselves captivated byMobile Suit Gundam,and Masashi Kishimoto was no different. As a result, his wanting to pay a lovely tribute like that was more than fair. However, many of Kakuzu’s deeds could state otherwise.
Kakuzu and His Horrid Immortality
Kakuzu had always been one to boldly claim that he was tasked to assassinate the first Hokage. While he did fail to do so, the very act of trying to assassinate someone so powerful could lead him to be battered and bruised. However, he seemed to be doing just fine. The claim almost seems too good to be true. The people of Takigakure, the Village Hidden by the Waterfall, saw him as a failure because his attempt had gone in vain.
As a result, he killed the village heads and even consumed their hearts, gaining immortality in the process. The morbid way in which he found immortality had more to do with taking other people’s life force away than finding eternal life for himself. The Earth Grudge Fear may give him eternal life but the cost is always too heavy on everyone else.
“You’re going to get archetypal characters”: Masashi Kishimoto Warned Naruto Fans About the ‘Clone-like’ Characters Boruto Wouldn’t be Able to Avoid
Moreover, his anger issues made him a hostile partner and teammate to have even for the Akatsuki themselves. Many of them perished at his hands because of his own uncontrollable anger.
Narutois available to watch on Netflix andMobile Suit Gundamis available to watch on Crunchyroll.
Adya Godboley
Anime Content Manager
Articles Published :1879
Adya Godboley is the Anime Content Lead at FandomWire with over 1800 published articles. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-certified critic with a background in literature. From The Case Study of Vanitas to Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, her anime knowledge is one she’s gathered with years of experience. She also enjoys Marvel, DC and Superhero media with her works having been recognized by prominent figures such as Dwayne Johnson, Abby Trott and the Blood of Zeus creators.
More from Adya Godboley
EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Trumble Dives Into the Inspiration Behind Batman: Broken Promise
To Be Hero X Episode 18 Review: Little Johnny’s Trust Comes with the Price to Pay
To Be Hero X Episode 17 Review: Little Johnny’s Arc Is a Little Too Tainted By Spoilers
Recommended
2 Reasons Why the Helldivers 2 x Halo ODST Warbond Isn’t Perfect
Who Is Jasveen Sangha: Ketamine Queen Connected to Matthew Perry’s Death
Sean McLaughlin’s Dad Just Became the Unlikely Villain (or Hero) of ‘Bachelor in Paradise’
Madison Beer’s Boyfriend: Who Is She Dating?
Helldivers 2 X Halo ODST Legendary Warbond Crossover: Complete Rundown
Good Boy Director Explains How He Made His Dog Act in 2025’s Most Inventive Horror Movie
Masashi KishimotoNaruto
