The world of anime is full of surprising connections, but few are as fascinating as how Naruto inspired One Piece‘s most dangerous villain – Shiryu of the Blackbeard Pirates. Eiichiro Oda revealed in a 2015 interview that a specific scene from Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto directly inspired the creation of Shiryu’s terrifying invisible Devil Fruit power, making this cross-series influence one of the most intriguing examples of manga creators inspiring each other.
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One Piece Invisible Inspiration: From Iwagakure to Blackbeard Pirates
In the interview, Oda specifically mentioned: “The one that surprised me the most was when one of Kishimoto-san’s bad guys turned invisible and went underwater. All you saw was this silhouette, and I thought that was really well done.” This scene featured an Iwagakure ninja using invisibility jutsu during an underwater sequence, leaving only a menacing silhouette visible to readers.
Character Profile: Shiryu of the Rain
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shiryu of the Rain |
| Affiliation | Blackbeard Pirates (Second Ship Captain) |
| Devil Fruit | Suke Suke no Mi (Clear-Clear Fruit) |
| Origin | Former Head Jailer of Impel Down |
| Weapon | Raiu (Famous Grade Sword) |
| Inspiration | Naruto’s Iwagakure ninja invisibility technique |
The Cross-Series Creative Exchange
The relationship between One Piece and Naruto creators goes beyond simple admiration. Rather than repeat One Piece’s formula of pure villains, Kishimoto had Naruto go up against more nuanced, complicated characters, while Oda took visual inspiration from Naruto’s jutsu techniques to enhance his own storytelling.
This creative exchange demonstrates the collaborative spirit within the manga industry, where even competing series can inspire improvements and innovations.
Why Shiryu Became So Dangerous
Oda found the concept of characters going invisible with only their silhouettes visible particularly intriguing, leading to the development of one of the most feared powers in the One Piece universe. The Suke Suke no Mi grants its user:
- Complete Invisibility: User becomes completely transparent
- Object Transparency: Can make anything they touch invisible
- Psychological Warfare: Creates fear through unseen presence
- Tactical Advantage: Perfect for assassinations and surprise attacks
The power’s terrifying potential makes Shiryu a formidable opponent, especially considering his already impressive swordsmanship and ruthless personality from his time as Impel Down’s head jailer.
The Zoro Connection
Given Shiryu’s powers and position in the Blackbeard crew, he’s bound to face Zoro at some point in the story. This anticipated matchup has fans excited, as it will pit Zoro’s exceptional observation skills against an opponent who can completely disappear from sight.
The battle would represent more than just a sword fight – it’s a clash between visibility and invisibility, honor and treachery, representing the broader conflict between the Straw Hats and Blackbeard Pirates.
For more insights into upcoming One Piece battles and character matchups, check out our detailed battle predictions at Technosports.
The Broader Impact on Manga Creation
This inspiration showcases how successful manga artists continuously learn from each other’s work. The creation of Shiryu from One Piece was based on a Water Style jutsu in Naruto that turned a character invisible, proving that even established creators find new ideas in their peers’ work.
The cross-pollination between series has enriched both narratives, with Naruto’s influence helping create one of One Piece’s most anticipated future antagonists.
What Makes This Villain Special
Unlike traditional One Piece villains who rely on raw power or Devil Fruit abilities, Shiryu combines:
- Stealth mastery inherited from Naruto’s ninja techniques
- Swordsmanship prowess rivaling the world’s best
- Psychological intimidation through his invisible presence
- Strategic positioning as Blackbeard’s right-hand man
For comprehensive coverage of anime villain analysis and character development, visit our anime character guides for in-depth breakdowns.
Looking Forward: The Ultimate Showdown
As One Piece approaches its final saga, Shiryu’s Naruto-inspired abilities will likely play a crucial role in determining the series’ outcome. His confrontation with Zoro promises to be one of the most technically challenging fights in the series, combining swordsmanship with supernatural stealth.
Stay updated with the latest One Piece developments and official announcements by following Shueisha’s official manga portal for breaking news and chapter releases.
The creative exchange between Naruto and One Piece continues to shape both series, proving that great storytelling often comes from mutual inspiration and respect between creators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which specific Naruto character inspired Shiryu’s Devil Fruit power?
A: Eiichiro Oda was inspired by an Iwagakure ninja from Naruto who used invisibility jutsu underwater, creating a striking silhouette effect that Oda found particularly well-executed and memorable.
Q: Will Shiryu’s fight with Zoro be influenced by Naruto’s combat style?
A: While Shiryu’s invisibility power draws inspiration from Naruto’s ninja techniques, his fighting style remains rooted in One Piece’s swordsmanship tradition. However, the stealth elements will likely create a unique battle dynamic unlike typical One Piece sword fights.
