Naruto Author’s Interview Response Causes Confusion Online
Can Naruto fans invoke “death of the author” over a questionable remark on girl character designs?
As the author of the hit-series Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto has often come under fire for how he has depicted the female cast, whether it is in Sakura having less spotlight than the male leads Naruto and Sasuke or the use of fanservice common in many anime. However, Kishimoto currently faces an issue where some of his thoughts get lost in translation.
During the signing event in France organized by manga publisher Kana, Masashi Kishimoto and Boruto artist Mikio Ikemoto were asked about their preferences in character design. Here, Kishimoto was asked about his favorite design of Ikemoto’s and Kishimoto commented that it is Sarada Uchiha, Sasuke’s daughter.
However, things take a strange turn when translated into French by the translator during the event, with the translator using the word “sexy” in reference to Sarada’s design. In the story of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, the sequel to Boruto, Sarada is just 15-16 years old.
Those who were in attendance during the event also corroborate this translation happening live, including a French-speaking content creator in this deleted tweet.
To note, this tweet has been deleted due to how it has been applied by other users and she has intended to release a full video to elaborate the context.
Je suis explosée les gens qui font des posts sur les « révélations » de Kishimoto, que ça tourne les réponses de façon à faire liker mais c’est très loin de la vérité, c’est modifié, sur-interprétés, c’est vraiment dommage.
Très hâte de vous sortir ma vidéo, j’ai vraiment envie…— Lisez Boruto (@MlleSoso_) August 26, 2024
Some have also used the incident to make fans recall Kishomoto’s connection to the author of Rurouni Kenshin, Nobuhiro Watsuki, who was found to have owned about a hundred child pornography DVDs.
Oda's friend and Naruto author Kishimoto's recent remarks in France are trending on Twitter. In 2021, Kishimoto praised Watuki, saying that he feels Watsuki's pen is more powerful than a sword when drawing manga.🥰 pic.twitter.com/LY9plOStzy
— sandman (@sandman_AP) August 27, 2024
This would lead to others suggesting that the use of “sexy” was as directly intended. This would come mostly from those who read the tweets and second-hand information, rather than attending the event themselves.
Some Twitter users have come to clarify the context of the line spoken, saying the fans heard “kakkoi” (cool) instead of “sekushi” (sexy).
About the Kishimoto statement:
This may very well be a mistranslation on Julian B's part. One of the people at the interview stated that they heard Kishimoto use the word "Kakkoi (cool)" and not "Sekushi (sexy)". Please wait for the official interview to come out.
— sskwarai (@sskwarai) August 26, 2024
The user Luana Rocha (who did not attend the event) also brings up how a Japanese word usually means multiple things but can be clear depending on tone and context clues.
There it is, a matter of contextualisation
When people realize that all languages don't work the same way English does pic.twitter.com/tjnqSaH2hF
— Hσwl (@howlxithree) August 26, 2024
For example, in Japan, you might hear a car, an outfit, or even a character design described as "sexy." It’s a way to praise something that stands out or has a strong visual impact, without any inappropriate connotation.
— Vortexoo (@vortexo0) August 27, 2024
However, others would also point out the frequent use of Sexy Jutsu when Naruto was 12-13 years old, with particular concern given to the perverted reactions of Jiraya, who is in his 50s.
Why are so many celebrities being outed as predators? I mean kishimoto was already weird for making kid #NARUTO for preforming the sexy jutsu, but now he’s saying this shit???? We really can’t trust anyone nowadays. This world is overpopulated with pedos. Let’s all hope this is a… https://t.co/Yz2jx6663E pic.twitter.com/ygYjdQVN79
— dess (@gtfoweirdo0) August 26, 2024
As early as 2010 through the Naruto Illustration Book, Kishimoto has also been outspoken against the sexualization of young girls.
🚨 KISHIMOTO HAS ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST SEXUALISING GIRLS SO TAKE THE FRENCH INTERVIEW STATEMENT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT ‼️ pic.twitter.com/kyMJLamfKB
— 𝗚𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗧 • 🍥 (@HillLevelIchigo) August 26, 2024
Given the storm caused by this translation issue, fans have recommended that they wait for the full interview to be out with English subtitles and more context given.
Source: Twitter
