Jiraiya | |
---|---|
Naruto character | |
First appearance | Naruto, Volume #10, Chapter #90: Whaddabout My Training?! (2001) Naruto episode 52: Ebisu Returns: Naruto's Toughest Training Yet! (anime) |
Created by | Masashi Kishimoto |
Voiced by | Japanese Hōchū Ōtsuka Tōru Nara (as a child) English David Lodge Brad MacDonald (as a child) Todd Haberkorn (Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals) Richard Cansino (Naruto: Ultimate Ninja) Wally Wingert (Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress) |
Jiraiya (自来也) is a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. Introduced in the series' first part, he was a student of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and one of the three "Legendary Three Ninjas"(Legendary Sanin)—along with Orochimaru and Lady Tsunade, his former teammates. Jiraiya appears as a perverted old man who occasionally returns to the village Konohagakure, reporting the activities of Orochimaru and the organization Akatsuki. Referred to as the "Toad Sage" and "Pervy Sage", he mentors Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze and later becomes the godfather and mentor of Minato's son, Naruto Uzumaki.
Jiraiya appears in two Naruto films, and as a playable character in most of the franchise's video games. Various pieces of merchandise based on him have been released. He has received positive critical reception. Reviewers have praised Jiraiya's introduction in the story and his relation with Naruto as his mentor. Out of all student-teacher relationships in Naruto, Jiraiya and Naruto's is the one Kishimoto liked the most. He served as a strong father-figure to Naruto.