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Naruto creator says Marvel’s Spider-Man ‘left a huge impression on me’
Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto has revealed himself to be a lifelong Spider-Man fan in a new Disney Plus documentary, Generations: The Evolution of Spider-Man, released to promote the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Kishimoto explains that Spider-Man's influence shaped key themes in his own manga, particularly the emotional burden of a double identity and the idea that villains are shaped by circumstance rather than being inherently evil, both recurring motifs in Naruto.
Kishimoto recalls that Spider-Man was the first film he saw with his wife when they were dating, and he appears in the documentary wearing an Amazing Fantasy #15 T-shirt and a rare Spider-Man pin from a Japanese box set tied to Sam Raimi's 2002 film. Somewhat unexpectedly, he names The Amazing Spider-Man 2, starring Andrew Garfield, as his favourite instalment. His appearance is notable given that Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton is also attached to a live-action Naruto film for Lionsgate, which Kishimoto praised him for. Brand New Day opens in cinemas on 31 July, and the documentary is streaming now on Disney Plus.
In short
- Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto is a devoted Spider-Man fan
- He credits Spider-Man's themes with shaping Naruto's storytelling
- Favours The Amazing Spider-Man 2; Brand New Day director is making a Naruto film
Explained simply
Masashi Kishimoto is the creator of Naruto, a Japanese manga series that became a global cultural phenomenon after launching in 1999, spawning television adaptations, films and merchandise worldwide. The series follows a young ninja's journey and has been hugely influential on subsequent creators.
Spider-Man is one of Marvel Comics' most recognisable and enduring characters, created in the 1960s and adapted into countless films, television series and other media that have made him a cornerstone of popular culture. The character is known for exploring themes of responsibility, identity and the tension between personal desires and heroic duty.
Understanding which works inspire accomplished creators offers insight into how popular culture is interconnected across different countries and mediums. When established artists acknowledge their influences, it demonstrates how storytelling transcends cultural boundaries and reveals the web of artistic inspiration that shapes major creative works.