THE IMPACT OF THE EAST
For anyone who has lived in the United States and indulges in their usual servings of pop culture, it’s noticeable that Japanese culture has dwelled in the U.S. mainstream for quite some time. Japanese culture has always popped up in the U.S. zeitgeist with clothing brands and artists who have received co-signs from figures such as Pharrell, Kanye West, and many more in the early 2000s. With Takashi Murakami becoming a highly sought-after designer and AKIRA (anime film) being the main inspiration of Kanye West’s second #1 song in America, Stronger, the Japanese influence was only growing larger and faster. Naruto makes it to the states as it showed widespread reception in Japan, easily comparable to Batman or Spider-Man in the United States. Finding a slot on Cartoon Network’s Miguzi and Toonami block, they grew a fanbase not only in the states but worldwide. Its rising popularity around the world made it clear that the plot needed longevity to allow its audience to grow the series and the characters they loved.
BIRTH OF A DEFINITION
With the series hitting a point that the story couldn’t progress without significant character growth off-screen (or off the books for manga readers), Masashi Kishimoto needed to create a new era for the beloved characters. The manga kept the same name it always had. The only difference to tell the two timelines apart was having the time jump labeled as Part II. However, the anime needed a new title to prove the significance of the time jump and how it’s a major propeller in the anime’s story direction. With the weight of a cultural behemoth weighing on Kishimoto’s shoulders, he needed a name subtitle that stood significant not only in Japanese but for English viewers to become accustomed to as well.
THE HURRICANE CHRONICLES
Kishimoto came up with the phrase Shippuden, which was pretty much the first time term was utilized in anything. In Japanese, the subtitle doesn’t translate right away for the western masses. Shippuden has no translation when put into Google translator, and a part is rather strange. “Shippu” is translated as a poultice in English, a cataplasm or soft, moist mass utilized to treat soreness and aching. The definition is not one that aligns with a series described as epic, and “Den” translates to, well, Den. According to actual Japanese terminologies, we get the Shippuden that defines as “a swift, strong wind” and “legend,” which come together as “The Hurricane Chronicles” for western programming. Of course, the series is marketed as Naruto Shippuden in the States as it would benefit Shonen Jump (Naruto’s Publisher) to have a universally known title. Keeping a subtitle in Japanese was not a problem as the titular character was already a Japanese food item usually served in ramen. It was already a stretch in Japan to have a main character named after a rice cake while having their name as the title. With fans all over the world loving the rice-caked named character who has an affinity for ramen while holding a nine-tailed demon fox inside of them, keeping a Japanese subtitle was not too much of a stretch once it’s thought out.
IT’S DEEPER THAN THAT
Shippuden quickly became recognizable on TV guides everywhere, especially with the first 98 episodes on Disney XD. A departure from their usual spot on Cartoon Network’s late-night block, Toonami, the series would air with a bit more censorship. The series would benefit from this move as it introduced the Demon-Fox possessor to a wider audience, which would later benefit them in the long run. Even though it gained popularity, not that many understood the phrase Shippuden until they would look up the creator’s translation. “The Hurricane Chronicles” has a deeper meaning than presented as there are connections to the story many may not consider within its translation.
A FAST ONE
The characters in the Japanese spelling happen to have different variations of the term. “Shippu” would be along the lines of “Fast blowing wind,” which could serve as a metaphor for the time jump taken from the time of the first series and when it concluded. The series and its characters grew off-screen as the Shippuden continuation aired only a week after its predecessor showcased its series finale in Japan. The fast blowing wind could very well stand for how fast time flew in the anime’s universe and how, in a week, the audience saw the character’s age two years from when they last they were on-screen. The fast blowing wind could also stand for how characters dove into more mature settings dealing with loss and defeat. The prior series did show characters face hardship, yet Shippuden pushed them into a much harsher world, forcing them to grow up even faster.
LEGENDS IN THE MAKING
“Den” in the Japanese dictionary translates to “stories handed down orally from ancient times.” The main character, Naruto, is always made up to be a legend to everyone inspired by his stubborn optimism. The series also dives more into other characters and their own stories as they earn the same respect as the titular character, some even more. Shippuden seems to represent the story of growth that characters face as time progress leading them to make sacrifices along the way. It becomes relatable as the audience who keeps up with the series happens to grow with them in their own lives.
EVERYONE’S SHIPPUDEN
The series and its subtitle can stand for more than the story told through its characters. The audience faces their trials and tribulations along with keeping up every week to see their favorites overcome challenges they couldn’t even imagine facing. The audience may not even realize their lives serve as a parallel to what they view as life keeps going. The Hurricane Chronicles of turbulent life journeys is much more than an anime full of action as it may also serve as a timestamp for whoever is watching. Shippuden has many varying definitions, but they all translate to what the viewer may be facing alongside their animated heroes.
