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Summary
Black Cloveris a successful and long-running shonen series, but despite its accolades, Yuki Tabata’s work inevitably attracts criticism for the many similarities to other famous shonen predecessors, especiallyNaruto. However, after diving into the series to prepare forthe unannouncedBlack Cloverfifth season,I fail to see the problem.
I’ve only recently begun properly diving intoBlack Clover, but knowing how much I enjoy shonen battle manga and anime, primarilyNaruto, alongside a magic-focused gimmick, I knew I’d enjoy it. I was not disappointed, immediately being charmed by the manga’s wonderful background art, and Yūki Tabata’s character designs, alongside a thrilling anime adaptation.
Black Cloverbegan its run as aWeekly Shonen Jumpseries in 2015, beforechanging to a seasonal publication schedule withJump Gigastarting on August 24, 2025. Since then, the series has generated millions in sales, amassed a dedicated fan base, and even dominated the streaming airwaves.
Given its position as a shonen battle series, it’s prone to comparisons with others in this popular genre, especially as many of those, includingBlack CloverandNaruto, are the best-selling stories in the medium.
Black Clover and Naruto’s Similarities Are Instantly Apparent
However, That’s Not the Bigger Picture
BothNarutoandBlack Cloverheavily feature themes of empathy and social acceptance, and on the surface, it can be easy to draw conclusions.
As aNarutofan since basically the time the series made its way to North America, I fully acknowledge my viewer bias and innate tendency to compare other shonen battle anime to it, andBlack Cloveris no exception.The similarities are legion, from its plucky, idealistic outcast protagonist Asta, to his more talented rival, Yuno, and they expand outward from there. Asta wishes to be the Wizard King, Naruto wishes to be the Hokage. BothNarutoandBlack Cloverheavily feature themes of empathy and social acceptance, and on the surface, it can be easy to draw conclusions.
Still, the similarities don’t end there;plenty of other comparisons can be made if you look hard enough. Yami teaching Asta about ki in chapter #48 smacks of Asuma teaching Naruto about wind release techniques in the Akatsuki Suppression Mission Arc. Naruto begins the series as hopelessly incompetent, while Asta is seemingly devoid of magic in a society where magic is everything. There are even parallels drawn betweenYami fromBlack Cloverand Itachi Uchiha fromNaruto, but his characteristics, and these other similarities, are completely coincidental for a pretty good reason.
Black Clover and Naruto Are Examples of the Shonen Formula
Similarities Are Everywhere in the Genre, and They Work For a Reason
Black Cloveris loaded with lovable characters who, despite being well-drawn and charmingly executed, are examples of common anime tropes, especially Asta. The series can easily be defined byTV Tropes archetypesas “a young man from the countryside who wants to be a master of whatever his universe deems Serious Business”.Black Cloveris not derivative of other series for this in any disingenuous way or form, andNarutoowes a lot of its success to a similar appeal.
Black Clover’sformulaic tricks extend to broadly common tropes found in countless manga and anime, including a beach episode in chapter #57.
Without going too far into detail, these components, combined with a gimmick sure to appeal to mass audiences (inBlack Clover’s case, magic knights), ensure longevity and popularity. Luffy fromOne Piece’s desire to be the King of the Pirates is a classic example. This is part of a common trend alluded to in other popular series, wheremanga authors are pushed to create manga that are big sellers,and not letting a popular manga come to an end.
Calling Black Clover Derivative Is Short-Sighted
Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Game
Black Cloveris another manga and anime created to embody tropes and portray relatable, endearing characters becausethat’s the recipe for success in many ways. However, the pressure to create and maintain a weekly release schedule showed its negative effects inBlack Clover, especially by the Elf Reincarnation Arc onward, limiting the detailed backgrounds, changing line work, and prioritizing larger panels, as keenly observed byShonen Oujion YouTube. In fact, Mikio Ikemoto,Boruto’sillustrator, feels the same way, as is evident in the switch fromWeekly Shonen Jumpto the monthlyV Jump, somethingBorutoandBlack Cloverhave in common.
To sayBlack Cloveris derivative is to fail to see the forest for the trees, as these comparisons are easy between shonen series.
Black CloverresemblingNarutois a consequence of the latter helping consolidate the success of the shonen formula, andit’ll only get more frequent as more series are introduced, with anime and manga becoming more mainstream. To sayBlack Cloveris derivative is to fail to see the forest for the trees, as these comparisons are easy between shonen series.Black Clover’snarrative execution and distinctive, detailed art can be seen as appealing toNarutofans, not a pale imitation. In fact, its exceedingly idealistic protagonists are easy draws for readers, and they’re common in more than anime and manga.
Asta and Naruto: The Modern Don Quixote
The Well-Intentioned Fool Archetype
Asta and Naruto are examples of the “Idiot Hero”, but their exceedingly idealistic traits, such as befriending even the most dangerous potential enemies, come across as quixotic. The origin of this trait,Don Quixote, refers to its protagonist, Alonso Quijano, whose chivalry drives him to good-natured deeds, but is seen as delusional by those around him. This trend, mixed with some comedic buffoonery,makes for a common manga and anime hero archetypethat presents itself in other Japanese media, such as Ichiban Kasuga fromLike a Dragon.
Naruto is an outcast with the deadly Nine-Tailed Fox Kurama sealed in him, while Asta is born without magic and harbors the ominous Liebe, yet neither falls to despair. The potential for this trait to be popular is unsurprising,as people love comedic and idealistic heroes, and throw millions at the box office every year to see the latest formulaic delivery from a certain cinematic universe. It’s what sets the shonen battle anime formula apart from, say, the seinen manga world, whose formulas dance somewhere along the line of gorgeous artwork, and philosophical musings serving as video essayist fodder.
Black Clover Creatively Uses Archetypes Found in Naruto
A Familiar Recipe With Some Spice
ComparingBlack ClovertoNarutounfairly can distort our view of the former, but seeinghow it actively improves or redistributes the formula is fascinating.I’d argue that Noelle’s character borrows Naruto’s traits, such as her immense magic reserve, status as a reject in society despite her noteworthy lineage, and her realization about the friends who believe in her by chapter #58. Asta is thoroughly untalented in magic, honing himself for close combat instead, making him an ace once he gets his grimoire,making me think more of Rock Lee as the protagonist, but again, that’s a short-sighted perspective.
Any unfavorable comparison between manga unravels quickly when we understand that this is the nature of popular series, asBlack CloverandNarutoare hardly the only examples. In fact,Naruto’screator, Masashi Kishimoto, has stated the influence ofGodzillaand evencitingYu Yu Hakushofor inspiring Naruto’s shadow clone technique.In the creative sphere, this is a common occurrence, and dwelling on static facts like the similarities betweenNarutoandBlack Cloveris far less interesting than the unique substance of their stories and art.
Black Clover
Cast
Black Clover, released in 2017, follows orphans Asta and Yuno who aspire to become the Wizard King in a world where magic is paramount. Despite Asta’s lack of powers, their journey unfolds as they receive their grimoires and embark on individual paths towards their ultimate goal.
