The
Naruto anime and
manga series features an extensive cast of characters created by
Masashi Kishimoto. The series takes place in a
fictional universe where different countries vie for power by using
ninja who can use
supernatural abilities in combat. The
Naruto storyline is divided into two parts, simply named
Part I and
Part II, with the latter taking place two-and-a-half years after the conclusion of Part I. The series' storyline follows the adventures of a group of young ninja from the village of
Konohagakure.
The
titular character of the series is
Naruto Uzumaki, an energetic ninja who wishes to become
Hokage, the leader of Konohagakure. During the early part of the series, he is assigned to Team 7, during which he meets
Sasuke Uchiha, a taciturn and highly skilled "genius" of the Uchiha clan;
Sakura Haruno, who is infatuated with Sasuke yet has Naruto's affection; and
Kakashi Hatake, the quiet and mysterious leader of the team. Over the course of the series, Naruto interacts with and befriends several of his fellow ninja in Konohagakure as well as other villages. He also encounters the series' antagonists, including
Orochimaru, a former ninja of Konohagakure scheming to destroy his former home, and the elite ninja of the criminal organization
Akatsuki.
While developing the series, Kishimoto created the three primary characters as a basis for the designs of the other three-person teams.
[1] He also utilized characters in other
shōnen manga as references in his design of the characters, a decision that was criticized by several anime and manga publications.
[2][3] The characters that Kishimoto developed were however praised for incorporating many of the better aspects of previous
shōnen characters, although many publications lamented the perceived lack of growth beyond such stereotypes.
[4][5] The visual presentation of the characters was commented on by reviewers, with praise and criticism given to Kishimoto's work in the manga and anime adaptation.