Naruto and One Piece: Two Iconic Manga Series
Naruto and One Piece are two of the biggest names in the manga industry. Created by Masashi Kishimoto and Eiichiro Oda, these two series have dominated the market for over two decades, forming the “Big Three” alongside Tite Kubo’s Bleach.
As contemporaries and rivals, both Naruto and One Piece have experienced their ups and downs. While One Piece continues to reign as one of the leading manga and anime franchises, Naruto captured the entire U.S. market during its airing, concluding with Naruto Shippuden in 2017.
In 2019, Yahagi appeared on the radio show Izakaya: Denfaminicogamer alongside fellow manga editor Matsuyama Hiroshi. During the show, he was asked about why Naruto was more popular overseas than One Piece and the reasons behind this phenomenon. The host inquired: “Why is Naruto more popular than One Piece abroad?”
Controversial Statement from Naruto Editor on One Piece’s Popularity
Yahagi responded, stating: “The series looks really cool even to people abroad.” He elaborated: “One Piece has a very interesting plot. On the other hand, Naruto is more understandable because of the action and other aspects rather than the storyline. I have children, and when I show them the series, what they struggle to understand the most is the dramatic elements.”
Objectively speaking, this commentary makes sense. One Piece boasts a deep and detailed storyline with an expansive world. In contrast, Naruto’s narrative is simpler and more universal, making it easier for a general or younger audience to grasp.
However, One Piece fans were not pleased with the editor’s remarks. Many attributed the series’ lack of popularity at one point to the American 4kids adaptation, which significantly altered much of the original dialogue and censored many important scenes.
One fan commented: “The obvious reason OP wasn’t favored at that time is due to the 4kids dub and the fact that the entire adaptation was flawed.”
Another user pointed out: “I love Naruto and the depth of its main characters, but in terms of storyline, One Piece is unmatched.”
“While Naruto showcases much of its complexity right from the start, One Piece often leaves many details in the background of the main story, allowing for plot development in later arcs,” another user added.
Despite the differences in popularity between Naruto and One Piece in various parts of the world, one thing is undeniable: both are iconic and have an unparalleled legacy.
