HeavenShallBurn said:
After almost a day of searching I give up. I was certain I remembered seeing an interview in which Exalted was specifically mentioned as an inspiration and later that he did play RPGs. I'm still certain I saw it but I can't find it so I'll concede lack of proof.
The authors According to co-creator Bryan Konietzko, the concept of the program was initially conceived when he took an old sketch of his—a balding, middle-aged man—and turned the character into a child. Bryan then did a drawing in which the boy was shepherding bison through the sky. At the time, Mike DiMartino was studying a documentary about explorers who were trapped in the South Pole. The various aspects all seemed to gradually come together. The two thought:
"There's an air guy along with these water people trapped in a snowy wasteland... and maybe some fire people are pressing down on them..."
The co-creators proceeded to successfully pitch the idea to Nickelodeon VP and executive producer Eric Coleman just two weeks later.[/quote]
As for Naruto, Bleach and Dragonball Z...they all have several elements in common, known as 'Shonen' (i.e. boys) comics. It is a genre in Japan, just like any other. Facets of this genre include multiple heroes with different powers, although the title character is usually the strongest or blessed in some way. Often this genre will feature a major quest and characters full of some particular (often single-minded) conviction. The heroes will often have long battles with victory going back and forth between either side as each one pulls out a desperate and often self-sacrificing move. Further, characters will almost invariably pair off when fighting. A major focus of shonen manga is usually the camaraderie of men/boys. I should note that combat is not necessary for a shonen manga, just competition. Manga like Eyeshield 21, Captain Tsubasa, Prince of Tennis and others qualify just as much (where instead of ninja, you have sports teams).
Dragonball is unique in that it started as a comedy series (before the 'Z' was added) with martial arts elements and inspiration from Buddhist mythology. It was so immensely popular that Toriyama simply couldn't end it. The problem was that the power curve kept increasing until it was ridiculous, and the comic elements fell away over time (instead of being the central focus). While fighting was always there, it went from a Jackie Chan-like focus (one character actually becoming 'Jackie Chun' in disguise at one point) to more of a straight fighting match series.
Naruto's focus is more on its characters and the changes they experience as they grow older and wiser. While there's a lot of comedy, a major focus of the story is on Naruto himself, and how his 'never give up' attitude inspires and affects everyone around him. Many of the other characters in the series start as enemies, but after their battles with Naruto, discover that they share much in common (such as Neji, Gaara and others) and that for all of his bluster and foolhardiness, Naruto can sometimes see things that they can't...and he simply wants to fit-in and be a part of the community.
Bleach's focus is much more on the meta-plot and straight ass-kicking. While it has comedic moments, the focus is solidly dramatic and focuses on the main character's desire to protect those around him, mostly by force of his indomitable will. If Naruto is about not giving up, Bleach is about not giving in. Superficially, Ichigo and Naruto are alike...but in practice they are very different. Naruto wants to be loved, but Ichigo often just wants to be left alone. Naruto has no family, Ichigo has a whole houseful.
An interesting point is how each handles technology. Dragonball has plenty of guns...but they tend to be useless against the big threats (though they are dangerous early on). Overall, the technology is futuristic and unapologetically so. Science fiction and mysticism walk hand-in-hand, with nary a batted eye. Naruto never really shows guns or motorized vehicles that often. No real explanation is ever given for this, even though things like air conditioners and heavy building equipment are seen. It's possible that with the proliferation of taijutsu powers of travel, that other forms of transport are considered unnecessary. Bleach, meanwhile, takes place in a thoroughly modern world. Characters all have cell-phones (even in the spirit world) and technology is everywhere. All of which has no practical application against evil spirits or magical opponents, generally...so again, it's ignored.
Each series has it's own 'magic' power resource. Dragonball Z has their power rating, which reflects their 'Chi' power. Naruto has Chakra, which is their mana, essentially. Unlike DBZ, they have five different colleges of abilities, of which different characters excel. Bleach has 'Reiatsu' or 'spirit pressure', which is a measure of raw power, and has several magical spell abilities as well as magic technology.
From a D&D standpoint, Dragonball Z is probably Exalted while Bleach and Naruto are Mutants & Masterminds, IMHO.
