Masashi Kishimoto (, "Kishimoto Masashi") (born 8 November 1974) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for creating the manga series "Naruto". He has been drawing from a very early age. Osamu Kajisa ("Tattoo Hearts") and Yuuichi Itakura ("Hand's") served as his assistants. Kishimoto was born in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. His brother is Seishi Kishimoto.