Naruto Anime Director Says He “Completely Ignored” Overseas Audience Demands to Preserve the Series’ Japanese Identity

Naruto director Hayato Date has revealed that he deliberately ignored demands from overseas audiences while working on the anime, believing that constantly catering to international preferences could compromise what made the series feel authentically Japanese. Date discussed his approach during a panel at Anime India Mumbai 2026, held at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon from August 28 to 30. The event marked the director’s first official visit to India and gave fans an opportunity to hear directly from one…