Naruto Concept Art Shows the Third Hokage Was Originally a Dog
Though it’s well known that the conception of Naruto is deeply rooted in an admiration of Dragon Ball, one character’s earliest concept art rips an idea straight out of Toriyama’s series. In Masashi Kishimoto’s first sketch of what the Hokages were originally intended to look like, the Third Hokage looks completely unfamiliar. Similar to the “World President” of Dragon Ball, the Third Hokage was initially designed to be an anthropomorphic dog.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was first introduced in Naruto chapter 1 as an old man in charge of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Only later do readers find out that the Hokage is widely regarded as the most powerful ninja in the entire village. With such a seemingly ordinary appearance, this reveal was no doubt a shock to many first-time readers. However, the original design for Hiruzen Sarutobi would have made this revelation even more jaw-dropping.
Related: Naruto: Itachi's Original Design Makes The Anti-Hero Much More Sinister
In Naruto Secret: Scroll of Facing Character Official Databook, Kishimoto’s concept art reveals that Hiruzen Sarutobi was originally an anthropomorphic dog character. It's unclear at what point Kishimoto began to move away from this idea. The Third Hokage that made it to Naruto's official serialization was a much more worldly old man than the intimidating dog-like figure in Kishimoto’s concept art. This change may have come about because of the Third Hokage’s role in the Leaf Village Invasion arc. It seems as if the Third Hokage was always destined to sacrifice his life in order to stop Orochimaru, and so perhaps Kishimoto believed that a more feeble looking man past his prime was better suited in this role.
The Third Hokage’s original design is a
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