Kisame Hoshigaki: Why Does This Character Resemble a Shark? For those who are fans of the Naruto anime and manga, the character Kisame Hoshigaki is undoubtedly familiar. He is an antagonist from the Akatsuki organization, where he partners with Itachi Uchiha. What stands out about Kisame is his striking resemblance to a shark.
Kisame possesses a distinct appearance compared to other characters in the Naruto series. Firstly, he has sharp, serrated teeth similar to a shark’s. Secondly, his skin has a bluish hue reminiscent of a fish. Thirdly, he has gill-like structures on his face, fish-like eyes, and additional fins on his arms.
Kisame’s past is not extensively explored in the manga and anime, making it difficult to determine how he acquired his shark-like features. The only information available about Kisame’s past is that he was a rogue ninja from Kirigakure who killed his comrades during a mission.
Possible Origins of Kisame’s Shark-like Appearance
In Naruto, characters with abnormal physical forms often inherit them through their lineage or forbidden jutsu performed on them. In Kisame’s case, it is possible that his family lineage influenced his physical condition.
In a storyline in the Boruto anime, a character named Shizuma Hoshigaki appears, who is related to Kisame. This character shares the same physical features as Kisame but does not have blue skin. It is plausible that the Hoshigaki clan’s bloodline has inherited the fish-like physical traits. Unfortunately, not much is revealed about the Hoshigaki clan in the series.
Additionally, members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, including Zabuza, Suigetsu, and Chojuro, also have sharp triangular teeth similar to Kisame’s. It seems to be a tradition among the group and its potential recruits to modify their teeth to resemble those of a fish.
This tradition may have several reasons behind it. For instance, it could serve as a tactic of intimidation to instill fear in their enemies, or it may be a form of homage to the sharks that inhabit the waters surrounding their village. However, these are mere speculations.
Furthermore, there is speculation that Kisame’s shark-like appearance is a side effect of using the sword Samehada. Fuguki Suikazan, the previous owner of Samehada, also possessed characteristics resembling a shark. However, Kisame resembled a shark long before taking Samehada from Fuguki.
Interestingly, Fuguki also had fish-like eyes and lines resembling gills on his face, just like Kisame. Whether through jutsu or surgical enhancements, those destined to become the next master of Samehada appear to willingly transform their bodies into sharks, much like their swords.
Is Kisame an Early Design?
Naruto manga author Masashi Kishimoto once mentioned that the initial concept for the Akatsuki members was a group of monsters devoid of human characteristics. Several original ideas can be seen in various Akatsuki members who possess non-human features. For example, Deidara has a mouth in his hand, Sasori is entirely composed of puppets, and Kakuzu’s body is stitched together, able to store stolen hearts.
Kisame’s character aligns with Kishimoto’s early concept. He is a towering, shark-like figure fitting the description of a monster. Furthermore, when Kisame merges with Samehada, as depicted above, he becomes even more terrifying. The fusion with Samehada allows Kisame to grow tails and fins on his body, resembling a sea monster from a horror film.
Kisame’s inclusion in Kishimoto’s original concept of monstrous Akatsuki members may be accurate. After all, Kisame’s name itself means “demon shark,” and Samehada translates to “shark skin.” Additionally, Samehada’s unconventional appearance as a sentient sword complements the desired monster-like image envisioned by Kishimoto.
While the exact reason behind Kisame’s unique and distinctive characteristics remains uncertain, his extraordinary design has made him an iconic figure in the Naruto manga and anime.
Kisame Hoshigaki possesses a captivating and distinctive appearance reminiscent of a shark. Whether his shark-like features stem from his family lineage, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist influence, or the potential side effects of using Samehada, the character’s design remains fascinating. Masashi Kishimoto’s early concept of creating monstrous Akatsuki members further intrigues Kisame’s portrayal.
Despite the limited information surrounding Kisame’s backstory, his unforgettable appearance has solidified his status as an iconic character within the Naruto universe.
Overall, Kisame Hoshigaki’s shark-like design continues to captivate fans, contributing to the enduring popularity of the Naruto series.