An essential figure in the Naruto manga, Sasuke Uchiha is considered by many fans to be the strongest and classiest fighter in the ninja universe. But did you know that its original design was radically different?
Do you think you know anything about Naruto? The manga, which is part of Big 3 works of Japanese comicsdominated the shōnen landscape for almost two decades, and particularly during the 2000s. Reissued this year in a ultimate hokage editionthe work centered on the world of ninjas is always popular with the public.
Naruto, a worldwide popular success
Born from the mangaka’s enlightened drawing Masashi KishimotoNaruto quickly won over Japanese comic fans with his gallery of cult characters and its combats as brilliant from a tactical point of view as from an aesthetic point of view. With more than 250 million copies printed worldwideNaruto ranks 4th among the best-selling manga in history.
Renowned for his life lessons, the work respects traditional Japanese values, especially those that highlight the qualities of Naruto, the manga’s main character. As Japan specialist Valérie Harvey says, “if the purpose is to form a savior, the construction of the Japanese hero is done differently than in the West, the boy associating true strength with his connections to others.“ Despite this difference in interpretation, the manga’s message has attracted international attention.
Sasuke Uchiha, THE badass character from Naruto
If there is a character built in opposition to the ideal pursued by Masashi Kishimoto, it is Sasuke. Shattered by the sudden loss of his parents and cousins from the Uchiha clan, as well as the betrayal of his brother Itachi against which he swore revenge, the young orphan preferred cut the ties that tied him to the village of Konoha to gain power with Orochimaru, a mentor driven by dark intentions.
With his next-level techniques, laid-back genius attitude and fearsome Sharingan — that red pupil that allows you to read and copy moves made by your opponent (among other benefits) — the tortured boy quickly became a fan-favorite character. The efficiency of its design (light face, brown hair, simple costume) also contributed to her success. Could the same have been said if one of his first sketches had been preserved? Nothing is less sure…
Here is one of the first versions of Sasuke
Hang on, because the shock could be violent. In this image depicting Team 7 (composed of Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke), the Uchiha clan’s prodigy displays a very different look from the final result. Her brown hair is longer and spiky, the lower part of her face is partially hidden by a scarf, and her features are definitely reminiscent of those of Shino Aburamethe insect expert from Konoha village, and also renowned for his taciturn side.
Would Sasuke have been a credible rival drawn this way? We let you be the judge.
Source used: The representation of Japanese values in the manga Naruto