Greetings, fellow Naruto fans! Prepare to be blown away by a Rasengan-sized whirlwind of excitement! The results of the “Narutop 99” worldwide character popularity poll are in, and we’re here to give you the full scoop. So, dust off your Konoha headbands, and let’s dive into the incredible world of Naruto and its unforgettable characters!
The Road to Narutop 99
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Naruto franchise, fans from around the globe were invited to cast their votes for their favorite characters in the first-ever worldwide character poll (Source 1). Running from December 17th, 2022, to January 31st, 2023, the poll saw an astounding 4.6 million votes pour in from dedicated fans (Source 2).
As if the excitement of voting wasn’t enough, it was announced that the legendary creator of Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto, would draw an original one-shot manga featuring the poll’s winner (Source 1). The stakes were high, and fans were eager to see their beloved characters emerge victorious.
And the Winner is…Minato Namikaze!
The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, known as the Yellow Flash, stole the show and the hearts of fans, securing the top spot with a whopping 792,257 votes (Source 1). With his incredible jutsu and tragic backstory, it’s no surprise that Minato was a fan favorite (Source 2).
Kishimoto himself was both shocked and delighted to see Minato claim first place, and he is “fired up” to create the promised one-shot manga featuring the character (Source 2). The enthusiasm from fans has even led to an increased page count for the upcoming one-shot (Source 2).
Top Three: Minato, Itachi, and…Sakura?
While Minato dominated the poll, fan-favorite Itachi Uchiha claimed second place with 505,014 votes (Source 2). The real surprise, however, came in the form of Sakura Haruno’s last-minute surge to secure third place with 489,619 votes (Source 2). She managed to overtake Shisui Uchiha and secure her spot in the top three.
Even Kishimoto was proud to see Sakura’s popularity around the world and shared a heartfelt message of gratitude for the incredible number of votes (Source 3). He also mentioned that he was secretly rooting for Kurama, the Nine-Tails, who ranked 22nd (Source 3).
Age Groups, Comebacks, and Perfect Attendance
The official Narutop 99 website provided fans with fascinating insights into the poll results, such as rankings by age group and regional popularity (Source 3). Minato took the top spot among fans in their 20s, who made up over 60% of the total votes (Source 3). However, the 40-49 age group showered their love on Kakashi Hatake (Source 3).
The site also showcased a “Comeback Ranking,” which highlighted characters whose positions improved between the Midterm Report and the end of the voting period (Source 3). Yamato took the lead in this ranking, leaping up an impressive nine places (Source 3).
In addition, the “Perfect Attendance Ranking” celebrated fans who voted for the same character every day (Source 3). This ranking was limited to characters outside the top 20, with Iruka Umino taking first place, followed by Tenten and Orochimaru (Source 3).
Regional Spotlight and the Future of Naruto
The Narutop 99 poll results also shed light on the regional popularity of certain characters. In Japan, Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke made the ranking, while Sakumo Hatake was popular in Oceania, and Shisui Uchiha received a lot of love in Europe (Source 3).
With the poll results in and the one-shot manga featuring Minato in the works, fans have plenty to look forward to in the world of Naruto. The franchise will celebrate its 20th anniversary with four brand-new episodes, ensuring that the legacy of Naruto continues to thrive (Source 2). Additionally, the sequel series, BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS, is available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, keeping the adventure alive for fans old and new (Source 2).
A Heartfelt Message from Naruto’s Creator, Masashi Kishimoto
Masashi Kishimoto addressed fans of his series directly in a message.
In Conclusion: Naruto’s Unbreakable Bond with Fans
The overwhelming response to the Narutop 99 character poll is a testament to the enduring love and passion fans have for the Naruto franchise. As Kishimoto himself said, “It was fun seeing how results varied from region to region” (Source 3). The poll not only brought fans together in celebration but also showcased the incredible depth and variety of characters in the Naruto universe.
With a one-shot manga featuring Minato on the horizon, fans can look forward to even more amazing Naruto content in the future. So, grab your kunai and hold on tight, because the adventures of Naruto, Minato, and the rest of the unforgettable characters are far from over!
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