The creator ofNaruto,Masashi Kishimoto, made interesting comments regarding the character design ofBoruto: Two Blue Vortex’s main heroine,Sarada Uchiha, but it was unfortunately misinterpreted and led to a controversy on the internet.
Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto were invited to France by the French publisher ofNaruto, Kana, and participated in events such as a press conference, meet-and-greet, and interviews. In an interview, in front of many people, a reporter asked Kishimoto what his favorite design inBoruto: Two Blue Vortexis, andthe internet wildly misinterpreted his answer.
Kishimoto mentioned that Sarada was his favorite character in terms of design, and that he found her to be “sekushii,” which can be translated to “sexy” in English. Considering that Sarada’s age inBoruto: Two Blue Vortexis 16, that caused a huge uproar. However, it’s important to note that the Japanese language is not always a direct 1:1 translation, andcertain words can carry a few interpretations, including the word “sekushii”.
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Kishimoto’s Words Were Unfortunately Misunderstood
A Translation Error Sparks Wild Accusations
While multiple sources have confirmed that Kishimoto did use the word “sexy,” it has been revealed thatthe tone in which he used it implies something different. As explained in a brilliant thread by fan Vortexoo (@vortexo0 on X), the Japanese word “sekushii” can have a range of meanings, including “cool,” depending on the context and manner in which it’s used. In fact, various Japanese translators and native speakers have also verified that this word can change meaning. They have explained that Kishimoto intended to convey that he found Sarada to be cool rather than sexy.
Kishimoto has consistently demonstrated a conservative approach to fanservice in the manga. He has expressed a protective attitude towards his female characters, onceadmitting to feeling uncomfortable drawing Sakura in a bikiniand opting for shorts instead. Additionally,he has been hesitant to depict romance inNarutountil the characters are 18. Given Kishimoto’s statements in various interviews and his established approach, it seems unlikely that his recent portrayal of Sarada can be interpreted as anything finding her cool.
Unfortunately, there has been a lot of misinterpretation surrounding the Kishimoto and Ikemoto interview. Hopefully, an official version will come out soon. French streamer and anime journalist Mademoiselle Soso (@MlleSoso_), who was present at the even, has promised to release the full video of the interview with English subtitles, which will surely clear the air.
An important aspect of this incident is the role of social media in amplifying potential disinformation. The anime community is also well-known for its factionalism, and those who have never seenNarutopositively were ready to jump at the author’s throat. It is true, however, thatBoruto’s artist and author Ikemoto has oftenportrayed Sarada with outfits and poses that excessively sexualize herconsidering her age, but Kishimoto himself had nothing to do with it.
The Japanese language is known for its nuance, where subtle shifts in attitude and tone can completely alter the meaning of a word or phrase. It’s highly likely that this was the case in this particular instance. We’ll gain a better understanding of the true meaning of whatNaruto’s creator said once the official version of the interview is available, and a more precise translation is released.
