It’s at times like these when the cultural impact ofNarutoaround the globe really starts to sink in, as people from around the world cross international divides through fan-made tributes. One such tribute came on December 1, when Thiago PantaleaÌo, a queer Brazilian pop star, released a music video called “Konoha”, named after Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf Village from the anime.It’s been a big year of celebration forNaruto; October 3 marked the 20th anniversary of the anime, whichStudio Pierrot celebrated with a 10-minute animated remakeof the show’s biggest moments. The discourse online has reflected on all the good memories, with plenty of fans indulging - somewhat playfully - in the idea that Naruto and Sasuke should have gotten together, to which PantaleaÌo must have replied: “game on.“RELATED:Masashi Kishimoto To Draw A Manga For The Winner Of A Naruto’s Popularity Poll
“Konoha” By Thiago PantaleaÌo
Even without the romantic hook of this music video that undoubtedly drew many people to it, the entire production couldn’t be a more beautiful tribute to such a beloved series. Now and again, artists create gorgeous animations or art pieces that borrow heavily from the iconic elements of anime likeNarutobut also inject their own country’s culture.
The end result ends upnot only celebrating the art itselfbut how much that art means to a particular subculture wherever that fan comes from. In PantaleaÌo’s case, it carries such a distinct pride in Brazilian culture and gives the impression thatNarutowas a formative piece of media to the singer.
The younger trio of characters in the video are clear analogs for Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, running around the winding streets and hills of Brazil as if it were their own Konohagakure. About a minute in, it starts to focus on Naruto and Sasuke fighting one another, just as they did inNaruto Shippuden.
The Return of SasuNaru With A Vengeance
It carries similar emotions as the anime,but this time, it is decidedly romantic. A collage of the characters' pasts paints a familiar portrait of friendship between them and Sakura but richly marries it to South American culture in everything from architecture to fashion. It’s eclectic for certain, but the passion comes through clearly even to viewers who can’t relate.
It reimagines the conclusion of Naruto and Sasuke’s battle in Shippuden as a release of sexual frustration that makes their separation at the end of the music video even more tragic. Altogether, gayNarutofans were being well and truly fed, and it has contributed only further to one of the most popular ships, and one that is making a little more sense with every passing year.
Obviously,none of this is explicitly canon, but the relationship between the two has been interesting nonetheless and there’s no harm in a gay reading that imagines what might have been. Still, as this year has been big on reflecting onNaruto, this music video has had people reminiscing about this ship’s history.
One Twitter user even pointed out that a SasuNaru doujinshi,By My Side, by author “i” predicted the end of the duo’s final fight in Shippuden two years before the manga chapter was ever released. And it wasn’t even the first time that author predicted a moment like this inNarutoseemingly by random chance. Some joked that perhaps Kishimoto got some inspiration for his work from doujins
The canon relationships inNarutohave often come under so much scrutiny that - to many in the fandom -the bond between Naruto and Sasukefeels like it makes a tad more sense. Their bond is wrought with plenty of conflicts, but also some of the most intense visual metaphors for their friendship. Shonen rivalries are often said to make the most appealing romances because these friendships are so intense as to border on romance.
Rather than let this ignite a shipping debate, however, it’s important to focus on how awesome it is thatNarutohas touched so many hearts around the world to inspire something like this. There are plenty of artists who have reimagined everything fromNarutotoBleach, toDragonballandCowboy Bebop, within their own corners of the world.
Anime itself findstons of inspiration from classic films and literature, but in return, communities have intersected their own cultures with anime to produce some truly unexpected mixes. The results speak for themselves: heartfelt tributes that say just as much about the talent and spirit of the fans as the art itself.
