I wonder if it's to try to boost legitimacy and sales for Boruto. And also a deep dislike for Sakura and 'modern' girls. That's why in the end, Naruto went for a traditional girl, gave up all of his 'I'm going usher in a new peaceful era' crap, and Sakura was abandoned at home as a housekeeper. (There is a subtle punishment in Sakura's ending in the manga, while the traditional girl gets a Cinderella-esque ending, despite having virtually no part in the story.)
In Japan right now, there is such deep distress about the state of marriage and family. The population is aging, and the younger generations aren't marrying early and having children to bolster the population. It's a serious issue. And I really think Kishimoto responded to this by making Naruto go for the most traditional Japanese female character of the series. Their marriage is exactly what is being campaigned for right now.
Fifteen panels over fifteen years does NOT make Hinata a third of a love triangle. No matter what Kishimoto says. But I have a feeling that's not the reason why he's still blathering on about her.
I think him talking about Hinata again, trying to justify their marriage and retcon her importance over Sakura, is his way of pushing not just the Boruto series but also this "don't wait, get married" mindset a little farther.
Hi everyone, how's it going? It's been a while and I hope all of you are doing well.
First off, I prefer not to rain in other people's parade. So, whatever news or interviews that come in and supports NH/SS at this point, by all means, let them enjoy :)
On a note about Japanese current state of marriage, I think it's way overstretched. While I appreciate the thoughts, but remember the common misunderstanding that people have about Japanese and anime: Not all Japanese watch anime. In fact, only minor segment of the society watches anime.
The population aging has been there since the longest time indeed, but I would say nowadays more people opt to embark marriage and having their family as compared to majority in the 80s / 90s.
All of my Japanese friends are happily married, very few are married but decided not to have kids.
Hinata is also not the most traditional Japanese female character of the series. God forbid, that kind of character to be associated with Japanese women... "Shy" maybe a perceived feature by the rest of the world where women opt to silently observe and talk as needed in the quest to honor the counter party. But once you know them personally, "shy" won't be in your mind at all when it comes to Japanese women. Try to google "the world's first novel" and see who is actually behind it.
Whatever happens in Naruto series is purely a business decision mistake. There's nothing more, nothing less.
The NS fans have moved on 2-3 years ago, yet, they still want to poke us by providing these interviews and news. hahaha... are they so desperate to get our attention?
let me guess, a new game is to be launched? or a new anime series? No surprise, since if any of these are on the horizon to be launched, for sure the producer will try their best to get attention. Especially from ex-fandom (NS) who probably was the largest group financing the series before the ending.
What's the best way to get attention nowadays? well, media opt to feature controversial statements, deliberately stupid acts, etc.
My advise? "Stop making stupid people famous".
Kishi's interviews are no exception.
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