AnimeNYC Panel Recap: Naruto 20th Anniversary Celebration Presented by VIZ

 

One of the big panels at AnimeNYC was without a doubt the Naruto anniversary panel. Urian Brown from Viz lead the panel, and provided structure for the Q&A session. The panel started out with some nostalgic replays of the fan favorite opening sequences, iconic moments in the show, along with some prize giveaways, but then Brown introduced the key speakers: Maile Flanagan, the voice of Naruto, and Amanda Miller, the voice of Boruto. Brown fielded most of the questions, and left some time for fans to give a few of their own at the end of the panel. 

The first question was about the show, and why the two thought people found the franchise inspiring. Miller pointed out that there’s a lot about tenacity, and a can-do spirit. Flanagan responded that the show is about never giving up. “It’s about the family you make, and the family you choose… Also, he went through a hard time, and a lot of people went through a hard time, and Naruto helped them get through it.” 

Brown then asked the both of them for their memorable moments in the recording booth. Flanagan joked that it would have to be the time she acted like she had to have diarrhea for a whole episode in one of the early portions of the show, definitely something she considered humiliating. Miller explained that all the voice recordings are done separately, but she likes to leave some bits in there– enough that they could easily do a whole episode of just outtakes. On scripts, Flanagan said that script reading has now transitioned to being read off iPads, but back when they were still print, Yuri Lowenthal (who voices Sasuke) used to leave teasing notes for her. 

When asked about a favorite scene in the whole series, both found it hard to answer. Miller said there were so many good scenes, but the scene where Naruto congrats Boruto on a good job for his exams, and Boruto pretends to be unaffected but is happy the moment he’s alone, shows the real spirit of Boruto. Flanagan said she liked several scenes, but she really liked the Jiraiya arc, the first fight with Pain, the first fight with Sasuke, and when Naruto sees his parents. Uriah said his favorite scene, which he showed on screen, was the Reverse Harem Jutsu against Kaguya. The humor and unpredictability of that scene shows off Kishimoto’s talent, an idea that both panelists agreed with him on. 

Then there was a bit of ‘reverse acting’ where Flanagan would act as Naruto if he was Boruto’s son, and Miller would be Boruto, if he was Naruto’s dad. The two read off a prepared script, which was shown on the screen to the audience. The bit earned quite a few laughs, with the exception of the audience worriedly pausing when Flanagan said, “I wish Mitsuki was my dad!” Both noted that it was the first time that they had ever read a scene together, as usually lines are recorded individually.

To Miller, Brown asked that Boruto had started off as an angry little boy, but did she think he had grown as a character. To that, Miller said yes. “If your dad sent a shadow clone to your birthday, you wouldn’t be happy either.” She revealed that he’s bitter, but only because he remembers the time before Naruto became hokage. Once the show catches up to the movie arc, Boruto starts to empathize with what Naruto had been through and starts to build up a respect for him. Brown joked that, “Naruto’s still a better dad than Sasuke. And they’re both better dads than Goku.”

Brown said he’s mad that there isn’t an Oscar for voice acting, and wondered how could they change this. “Burn it down, start over,” Miller joked, to some applause from the crowd. On a more serious note, she went on to say how there aren’t Academy Awards for a lot of key categories, such as casting and stunts, and how there should be more. Flanagan cut in to say how there are Emmys for voice acting– and she has won one. 

Brown asked the two of them that if they couldn’t voice Naruto or Boruto, what other roles they’d be interested in. Miller quickly responded, “Naruto.” Flanagan chose Chouji, but when she was asked to do an impromptu impression, she ended up cycling to Konohamaru instead. Miller explained that in the scripts, the scenes would be very briefly described, and she’d sometimes see ‘public works ninja’ and ‘postal worker ninja’. She wants to be one of those, a civil servant ninja. 

During one of the giveaway portions, the two were asked to come up with a question for the audience to answer. Flanagan’s question was that she has always voiced Naruto, except for one episode, where she only did one line. This question completely stumped the audience. The answer, as it turned out, was episode 500. She wasn’t initially going to be in that episode, but 500 was such an important number, so she slid in as one of the background characters. There was a campfire scene, and she was one of the old ladies. Later on, Miller had a tough question of her own, about how one time, Boruto was drawn without his headband, and what was the reason for it. The audience gave mostly story-aligned reasons, but Miller later explained that it was simply because the creators had forgotten to draw it. 

About what it’s like playing the same character for so many years, Flanagan joked that ‘believe it’ has been almost ingrained into her vocabulary. She agreed that she probably has his gung-ho qualities, but Naruto is definitely a part of her now. 

To Miller, Brown asked if it’s harder to play the son of a famous character, because she’d have to almost sound like them, even if it’s not perfect. To that, Miller said no, because Flanagan has such an iconic voice, and her own voice doesn’t have the same texture. Flanagan pushed her to try it, and she gave her own impression. Miller said that her journey actually mirrors Boruto’s as it’s a legendary show that’s been running for so long, “the Harry Potter of the anime world” that people have grown up with. “His journey and my journey are to make our own ninja way, while still honoring what came before.” Flanagan pointed out that it’s similar to what they do overall, as the dubs don’t try to mimic the Japanese voice actors. They try to honor it, but they’re not trying to do an impersonation.

To Flanagan, Brown wondered if she prefers voice acting older or younger Naruto, and Flanagan said she enjoys both equally. Miller asked which she thought was the closest to her own natural voice, to which Flanagan said it was probably Shippuden. “Don’t ask me to do baby Naruto,” she admitted, but gave an impression when pushed to. “Like a newborn dinosaur,” Miller noted. 

On how Sasuke eventually became Boruto’s mentor, Miller was asked if she thought that choice was to make a jab at Naruto, or if Boruto thought Sasuke was just a cool dangerous guy to emulate. Miller responded instantly yes, “All of the above.” She thought that Boruto definitely believes Sasuke is cool, but also doing so would anger Naruto so much. 

About Naruto’s rivalry with Sasuke, Flanagan said that it’s iconic and took so many twists and turns. She appreciated how in-depth it went, but that it’s well-developed and the two of them are well-matched. Sasuke ended up transforming into something he didn’t start off as, and the fight scenes were some of the best parts of the show. Brown followed up with a question if she thought Sasuke would be redeemed or not, and Flanagan quickly said no. The audience seemed to be 50/50 split on this. 

When asked about what was it like meeting each other for the first time. Miller explained that she’d met Flanagan before when she was still a student at the University of Maryland. Her then-boyfriend brought her to Otakon, and she attended Flanagan’s voice acting panel, where she asked how to get into voice acting. Later, they ran into each other in the hall at the studio, and Miller excitedly introduced herself. 

Miller was asked if she is worried that Flanagan might be a clone. “That’s always a concern, really,” Miller said. “This could be a shadow clone right now.” Flanagan admitted that she’s currently at an Irish bar. Miller joked that Flanagan sends her clones to give autographs too. 

To the both of them, Brown wondered if they could hang out with anyone from the Naruto world in real life, who would it be. Flanagan answered Kakashi, because he’d probably know how to have a good time. Miller said Choji or Cho-cho, because they wouldn’t judge her for eating a lot, and also they’d know all the best places to eat in town.

Brown inquired about the climactic face off, and wondered if they thought the final face off the only way it could have ended. Flanagan wondered about that, for Kishimoto is so inventive, the show’s endings could’ve gone in many directions. “I don’t know if he would’ve married Hinata.” Miller asked if there were any other potential Boruto’s moms, to which Flanagan affirmed. A few members of the audience yelled out “Sasuke”, and Flanagan agreed. Miller commented, “So Boruto would have two dads, one who lives in the woods, and the other who lives at work.” Brown joked, “I don’t know if that’s a jutsu– well, I guess Orochimaru kind of did it, and if he can do it, then anyone can–”

Miller was asked in what ways is Boruto like his dad and in what ways do they differ. “Tenacity of spirit,” Miller said, which would get him far in life. She specifically pointed out plowing ahead in spite of obstacles, and how they’re also very loyal to their friends. “But I feel Naruto had a little too much coffee, “ whereas Boruto pretends to be a little more laid-back. 

Since who would Naruto end up with was already asked, Brown posed who should Sasuke end up with. Flanagan gave a surprise answer of Temari- because in real life, their voice actors are married. Miller wondered what Sasuke and Orochimaru would be like, “a couple of people who watch their crime stories and don’t talk to each other.” 

Lastly, Brown asked them for a message for fans of the show who have watched it all. Flanagan gave a thanks, since she’d met people from all around the world. She noted that the fans know so much, which is admirable, and she’s impressed that the show has persisted over time. “Also, I love your tattoos. The people who do costumes too, I love it.” Miller joked, “People haven’t watched all of Boruto, don’t lie. I’ve seen your tweets.” Still, she said it’s cool to be part of the franchise and that she looks forward to seeing the people who will grow up with Boruto, especially since a lot of kids come up to her.

Then the audience Q&A. one person asked Flanagan how she felt working on the last Naruto movie, to which she replied that it told her a little of what would happen in the future of the show.
Another fan commented on Sakura, and asked if the two of them had a direction they wish she went in. “She still seems like a badass.” Miller noted. “Being a doctor and a single mom when your husband lives in the woods?”
A young girl asked that Bushy-brows (Lee) is a nickname, but what would Naruto’s be? Flanagan said first, “No. 1 knuckleheaded ninja”, but then changed to “‘Ruto”.
A fourth fan asked that if both were at their strongest forms, who would win, Naruto or Goku. The crowd had a lot to say to that, but Flanagan responded, “Who’s Goku?”
Another person wondered if Naruto hadn’t become Hokage, what would he have done with his life? “A public works ninja,” Miller said. “He’d work at the DMV.”
The last question was if either of them had ever cried watching Naruto. Flanagan said she did when Naruto saw his mom again, especially because she had to record that episode a week after her mom died. Miller said the episode where Boruto is trying to figure out why Mitsuki is abandoning him. On that, Flanagan said that acting out sad scenes requires you to “phone it in”, and if you don’t, it sounds flat. 

With that, the panel came to a close, and the two thanked the audience, and invited the audience to come visit them at their autograph tables. The crowd finished with a round of applause.