Narutois one of the most popular anime series in the world, and now it’s being fast tracked for a live-action adaptation. ThoughMasashi Kishimoto’s ninja epic had been optioned for the silver screen, it wasn’t until recently thatTasha Huoannounced that she would be writing the screenplay for the live-actionNarutomovie. News of this magnitude often results in fandom celebrating, butanime hasn’t had a good track record when it comes to live-action adaptations. Too often, the film or television show that’s adapting an anime will swerve wildly from the source material, or cut out the core of what made an anime great. This is slowly starting to change, if the reception to Netflix’s live action adaptation ofOne Pieceis any indication, but there’s still a long way to go.
When it comes to thelive-action adaptation ofNaruto, the person directing it needs to approach the film with an eye for what worked in the series: namely, the drama that arose from Naruto Uzumaki’s drive to become the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, as well as Kishimoto’s kinetic fight sequences. One name manages to fit all of those criteria:Michael B. Jordan. Though he only made his directorial debut this year withCreed III, Jordan’s love of anime — specificallyNaruto—proves that he would be the perfect fit for a live-action adaptation ofNaruto.
Naruto Uzumaki, a mischievous adolescent ninja, struggles as he searches for recognition and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the village’s leader and strongest ninja.
‘Creed III’ Pays Homage To Various Anime — Including a Vital ‘Naruto’ Moment
WhenCreed IIIpicks up, Adonis Creed (Jordan) has retired from boxing and spends time with his family while managing up-and-coming fighters. But things take a turn when Creed’s old friend Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors) catches up with him. Soon, Damian’s long-buried resentment over not getting his shot at a heavyweight title trickles out. This rivalry serves as the emotional core ofCreed III, andNarutohad a major role in influencing it.Speaking to Polygon, Jordan went into detail about how the relationship between Damian and Creedwas shaped by the bond between Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha. “But for me, [theCreed IIIscene] was about the relationship between two brothers, so the relationship between Naruto and Sasuke was where the inspiration for that relationship kind of stemmed from,” he said.
Much like Creed and Damian, Naruto and Sasuke have a rivalry that’s fraught with emotion. Though the duo become friends throughout their various trials,Sasuke ends up defecting from the Hidden Leaf Villagein order to master his abilities and gain vengeance for the death of his clan. Naruto becomes equally determined to redeem Sasuke; this conflict is mirrored throughout Creed and Damian’s escalating confrontations. Jordan wasn’t just inspired byNaruto’s emotional conversations, as he attempts to translate the same hyperkinetic fight scenes that defined the series intoCreed III. The standout example comes from when Creed and Damian both deliver a massive punch to each other’s face that sends them reeling, which isa moment lifted directly from Naruto and Sasuke’s final fight. Jordan shows a keen eye for understanding that fight scenes — whether in anime or in live-action — need that emotion to keep viewers invested in the violence.
The Best Hokage in ‘Naruto’ Isn’t Who You Expect
Some Hokage get all the hype, but this one deserves much more credit for their lasting impact on the Hidden Leaf.
Michael B. Jordan’s Love for Anime Permeates All of His Projects, Including ‘Black Panther’
Narutoisn’t the only anime that Jordan has shown love for; he’s also shown a love forDragon Ball Zand drawn comparisons to the trials that Goku went through to what Creed has experienced throughout theCreedfilms. “It’s Goku’s resilience. No matter how much pain and struggle he goes through, every battle, a Saiyan only gets stronger. They could even lose, but they’re gonna come back stronger until they eventually beat you. Like, it doesn’t even matter.” Indeed, Creed grows stronger and stronger with every fight he partakes in, until he eventually becomes the heavyweight champion of the world.Dragon Ball Zalso had a major influence on Jordan’s portrayal of Erik Killmonger inBlack Panther, specifically the Saiyan prince Vegeta. Like Vegeta, Killmonger is proud and willing to go to any length to prove he’s worthy of the throne of Wakanda. Killmonger’s blue shirt and armored vest even serve as a homage to Vegeta’s Saiyan armor. InWhat If…?Season 1, this is even given a tongue-in-cheek approach when Tony Stark (Mick Wingert) points out that one of Killmonger’s drones looks like something out ofMobile Suit Gundam. “What? I like anime?” Killmonger replies.
Other anime influences are sprinkled throughout Jordan’s work, most notably ingen: LOCK. The Rooster Teeth animated series features a number of giant mecha, and Jordan portrays a pilot who suffers a life-changing injury and has to defend the world while grappling with his place in it — similar to Shinji Ikari inNeon Genesis Evangelion. Evenhis breakout role inChroniclehas ties to anime, asdirectorJosh Trankand screenwriterMax Landiscompared it toAkira. While there are more direct parallels between Andrew Detmer (Dane DeHaan) and Tetsuo,specifically how their great power drives them insane, it’s not hard to see why the appeal of a connection toAkiramay have jumped out at Jordan.Creed IIIeven received an anime short for its premiere in Japan— a testament to how the medium has influenced Jordan.
Jordan hasn’t ruled out directing a live-action anime, ashe hinted that he might be up to directing alive-action adaptation ofDragon Ball Zif the opportunity arose. He is fairly busy as he’s slated to star in an adaption ofTom Clancy’sRainbow SixalongsidedirectingCreed IV. Still, his passion for the medium of anime and his understanding of how it can translate to live-action storytelling would make for a greatNarutomovie. If nothing else, future directorial efforts by Jordan should continue to have an anime flair and encourage viewers to check out the works that inspired him.
