Masashi Kishimoto

Masashi Kishimoto, born November 8, 1974, in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, is the manga artist and writer best known for creating *Naruto*, one of the best-selling manga series of all time. Serialized from 1999 to 2014, *Naruto* sold over 250 million copies worldwide and spawned two anime adaptations, multiple films, video games, and a vast media franchise. Kishimoto personally supervised three anime films—*Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie*, *The Last: Naruto the Movie*, and *Boruto: Naruto the Movie*—and wrote several one-shot stories. A lifelong manga reader, he was inspired by Akira Toriyama and Katsuhiro Otomo, and spent years honing his craft for *Weekly Shōnen Jump*. His signature style blends dynamic action, intricate character designs, and emotional storytelling, with key collaborators including Ukyō Kodachi and Mikio Ikemoto on the *Boruto* sequel series. After *Naruto* concluded, he wrote *Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru* (2019–2020) and supervised *Boruto: Naruto Next Generations*, taking over as writer in 2020. Kishimoto’s work has earned him numerous awards, including the Quill Award for Best Graphic Novel and multiple Harvey Award nominations. He remains a defining figure in shōnen manga, with *Naruto*’s legacy enduring through its themes of perseverance and friendship.