Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-30323490-20181031181855/@comment-26107879-20181108065647

Q : What does that make for you to be the writer of one of the most popular manga in the world ?

Kishi : Well, it didn't really occured to me that Naruto was known all over the world. I very rarely travel oversea since I always work on the manga, this is not something I realised. I almost feel overwhelmed by this celebrity.

Q : What about when you come to events like Jump Festa ?

Kishi : Yes, when I come to events like this I realise a little bit more. Since I receive mails from all over the world, this was a proof of it. Though, I still have a hard time to realise that my manga is THAT popular.

Q : If you could go back in time, when everything started, what would you say to your past self ?

Kishi : Something like "Dude, you should really plan some more ideas that could be develloped later or else this is gonna bite you in the ass."

Q : How do you manage to have a heathly family life with such a strict schedule ?

Kishi : My family is very important to me. I really want to spend special moments with them like Xmas and birthdays, but my job is such a important part of my life that I often spent nights in my studio. ( Where he writes Naruto. ) Other mangakas can get a lot of various help and supports once they become famous but most of Shonen Jump mangakas wants to do most of the job themselves. This is the case for me too. My job really keeps getting in the way of my family life, I realise it. I fear my kids will revolts because of this.

Q : What's the main quality anyone needs if he wants to become mangaka ?

Kishi : I'd say "The Guts". Being a mangaka means you gotta work hard everytime. A lot of people in japan wants to write mangas, but only thoses wuth guts will actually achieve it. Skill is important of course, but the guts to never give up is something that is even more important to my eyes.

Q : After 10 years, how do you keep the passion, the spirit to continue ?

Kishi : Well, for me. It's my indentity, my reason to live. Writing a manga is the only thing I can do. I'm scared to lose all of that, my guts are linked to that. That's what keeps me going. It's like my fear to lose to keeping me going and I don't want that to change.

Q : how do you feel when you take a break and don't draw for a while ?

Kishi : To be honest, I don't think "I must draw." I don't have that need. But if I take a long break like 2 or 3 days without drawing I feel uneasy and I'm thinking :"I shouldn't waste my time like this." It's kinda became sort of a phobia to me.

Q : You did some one shots like "Mario" or "Bensh" who were published in the english version of Shonen Jump. Did you do this to test the field for possible new manga or just for fun ?

Kishi : Mostly for the hell of it, but it was them who pushed me to do that ... Thoses EDITORS ! (laugh.) It was quite a change of pace after years of drawing Naruto, I worked on thoses one shots while working on Naruto, it was such a mess in my head. I really wanted to have some sort of big break to deal with all of it but it couldn't be done.

Q : Did you go to New York to do some research for Mario ?

Kishi : I really wanted to. But I couldn't, so I did a lot of researches and read books on everything I could find about New York. I'm sure a lot of New-Yorkers will say "What the hell is that ?". I'm not even sure they still have swings over there.

Q : Did some members of your family or friends inspired you to create some character ?

Kishi : Let's see. Naruto's mother, Kushina is kinda based on my wife. She's kinda like that, a little scary sometime.

Q : How much time does it take to finish one single manga page ?

Kishi : Drawing takes around 90 mn, then 45 mn to 1h to put ink on the page.

Q : What do you think of Sasuke ? Good or Evil ?

Kishi : In the end, Sasuke is a very genuine person, he doesn't think whether what he does is good or bad. He does what he wants to do without thinking about problems he causes for others. He's very self-centered, only thinking about himself. Some people might think what he does is good, like avenging his parents or trying to realize his brother's ideals. But he keeps creating problems for others in his way, this is where lies the bad aspect of this character. So it's kinda hard to put a word on him. It's all about knowing if it's good or evil to be self-centered about your goals. I'd say he's not really good or evil, just genuine.

Q : Will we see Kakashi without his mask ?

Kishi : I want to show that, but I'm still not really sure about how I'm gonna do it. He might be revealed in the manga or in a movie, there's nothing really planned about that.

Q : What character surprised you with his progression/growth ?

Kishi : I'd say Naruto. Well, Naruto is ... No, I'd say Naruto really progressed and matured since the beginning. Now he's aknowledged by everyone and this aknowledgement will open the door for an even better development.

Q : Except Naruto, which character would do a great Hokage ?

Kishi : Hmm ... Surprisingly ... I think it's ... Hmm ... Great, I choosed a character which might become a great Hokage and I can't even remember his name ! ( Laugh ) It's Konohamaru ! He's the grand son of the third. I think he would be a great Hokage !

Q : What about Kiba ?

Kishi : Kiba ? huh ... Well, he like dogs. He could be really bad for anyone who like cats. ( Laugh ) There was a general like that in the Edo Period who liked dogs. He was sentencing to death anyone who hurt dogs. Kiba might be like this.

Q : What's the first thing you're gonna do after Naruto ends ?

Kishi : The first thing I'm gonna do, even though I got married 10 years ago, is finally going on my honeymoon. We still didn't went on it and it really want this to happen.

Q : Do you have a message for fans to what they should expect in Naruto ?

Kishi : Naruto is heading to its end, and on very intense ending I hope. I would like for everyone to keep reading it until the end. After that, I want to do something new and I hope people will like it as much. I intend to end Naruto definitively. Please, do NOT let him go before. --- That's what I found on Jump Festa 2014. It's also the only interview I can find word for word on it. I don't see anything about Madara mentioned here.