Masashi Kishimoto Born November 8, 1974 Okayama, Japan. Who is Masashi Kishimoto you ask? He is the creator of the hugely popular manga series known as Naruto.

Born in the Katsuta county of Okayama, Japan Kishimoto has been drawing from a very early age. But it wasn't until he was older that he recognized his dream to become a Mangaka (Mangaka is the Japanese meaning for cartoonist).

While in art college Kishimoto created a manga called "Karakuri" which he then submitted to the Hop Step award (Monthly award given by Shonen Jump for amateur Mangaka). Karakuri wins the award and sets Kishimoto on the path to his dream of becoming a Mangaka.

Upon graduation of art college, Kishimoto works hard on his next manga "Naruto" which is then published in Akamaru Jump. Two years down the line and a new final version of Naruto is published in the weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 and becomes the Naruto you know and crave today.

Related Links
- Naruto Character Biographies