Yasuharu Takanashi Felt Immense Pressure Taking Over As Naruto Shippuden's Composer

The reasons one may come up with to justify the unbelievable success of the "Naruto" anime series are countless. From the riveting story arcs, to the epic action sequences, to the heartfelt voice-acting, to the originality behind the power system, there are many reasons the show became popular. Fans agree that the soundtrack is one of the best aspects of "Naruto." Without a shadow of a doubt, the music in "Naruto" is memorable, so much so that it has gained a life of its own separate from the series, by being incorporated into meme culture. Considering how recognizable the music of "Naruto" is in fan culture, taking on the job of composing it is understandably a daunting task.

There are two names behind the series' musical composition that are the main influence on its prestige. These two composers are Toshio Masuda and Yasuharu Takanashi. Masuda was the main composer for the original 2002 TV series, as well as some of the "Naruto" movies. Some of his most well-known themes include "Sadness and Sorrow" and "I said I'm Naruto." On the other hand, Takanashi took over from Masuda as the composer for the music in "Naruto Shippuden" and the "Naruto Shippuden" movies. The latter explained that he felt like he had to live up to greatness by taking on the role.

Having to continue the composing work done by Masuda in "Naruto" was no simple feat. Masuda was revered and admired for his work on the series prior to the Shippuden era. From the get-go, Takanashi knew that he had to live up to incredibly high expectations and was pressured not to disappoint the numerous fans from all across the globe.

In an interview with Crunchyroll, the Japanese composer said, "Naruto is a work that is enjoyed by many people all over the world — I have to live up to their expectations! So of course I was under a lot of pressure. I also knew that the story was going to become more serious when it became Naruto Shippuden, so I tried to keep that in mind when working on it."

Even after Shippuden ended, Takanashi continued to compose music in the sequel "Boruto: Next Generations." The fact that his music is appreciated by fans from all over the world is the most rewarding factor for him. Takanashi told AnimeNewsNetwork in 2021: "I've started to receive various messages directly from people in different countries around the world, and feeling that so many people are enjoying my music together is the driving force behind my music activities, so being able to connect with people around the world through the Naruto series is the biggest thing for me."

Regardless of whether you prefer the music in early or later "Naruto" it is undeniable that the two composers, Masuda and Takanashi, did an amazing job creating music that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Shōnen series.