<P> The producers of the English version of the anime stated that Naruto was the most difficult character to cast, adding that Maile Flanagan "has Naruto down, from the mischievous side, that precocious twelve - year - old we learn to love, to the serious side". Flanagan avoided listening to Junko Takeuchi's performance as she did not want to imitate it, stating she wanted to develop her own voice for the character . Her performance has been praised as showing Naruto's brashness and later growth in confidence . In a 2014 interview, Flanagan claimed she had never heard of Naruto before her audition . She looked the show up after being chosen and felt the release of the English dub would be popular . She is recognized more for her work voicing Naruto than from other roles she has done in her career, although some fans did not expect that Naruto would be voiced by a woman . </P> <P> Introduced as a young man with blond, spiky hair, blue eyes and goggles, Naruto Uzumaki frequently wears an orange tracksuit . Following his ninja graduation he also wore a headband that denotes his position as a ninja from Konohagakure . In Part II of the manga, the now older and larger Naruto wears a different outfit . The Nine - Tailed Demon Fox within influences his body, causing Naruto to resemble the Fox over the course of his battles . While Naruto only shows small changes such as sharp teeth and claws initially, he later develops a red tail made of the Fox's vital energy, or chakra . The red chakra starts by surrounding his body; once four tails are manifested, Naruto's blood begins to merge with the chakra, coloring his entire body red . As the sixth tail appears, Naruto appears to wear the Fox's skeleton, but once Naruto takes control of the fox's chakra, he is able to maintain his regular form while using it . As a ninja, Naruto carries many weapons, but relies mostly on his ninja techniques while fighting, specializing in making clones of himself . Nevertheless, late in the series Naruto starts wielding a pair of bō in combat . </P> <P> Introduced as a childish clown, Naruto seeks attention as he was ridiculed during his childhood . To be accepted and respected, he resolves to become Konohagakure's Hokage and surpass all previous leaders, no matter the difficulties . While becoming a ninja, Naruto forms friendships that he initially lacked, linking some of them to family relationships . Although Naruto sometimes finds himself unable to accomplish the tasks he proposes to do, other characters believe that he will be an excellent Hokage because of his positive impact on their lives . </P> <P> Naruto is an orphan who has a dangerous fox - like entity known as Kurama the Nine - Tailed Fox sealed within his body by his father, the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, the leader of Konoha's ninja force, at the cost of his own life and that of his wife, Kushina Uzumaki . This possession led to Naruto being ridiculed frequently by the rest of Konoha; being associated with him was considered taboo . As a youth, Naruto makes jokes and plays pranks to attract attention . Desiring what he lacked in his early life, Naruto dreams of becoming a Hokage himself with the hope that it will bring him the villagers' recognition and respect . In an attempt to become a ninja, Naruto is horrified to learn of his Jinchuriki nature, but finds acceptance from his teacher Iruka Umino, whom he views as a father . After learning the powerful Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, an ability to create physical copies of the user, Naruto becomes a ninja . He joins a ninja group under the leadership of Kakashi Hatake where he gains the friends he lacked during his childhood . These are his classmates who are also assigned to Team 7: Sasuke Uchiha, with whom he has had a rivalry since they first met at the ninja academy, and Sakura Haruno . </P>

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