Melting Snow by Imabboy: The 2010 Doujinshi that Predicted the End of Naruto
This is easily my favorite SasuNaru doujinshi, tied with Freak by the same author, honestly, all of their work is top tier!! I feel like this one isn't talked about nearly enough and it is criminally underrated!!😭
Artist : 醸ここ/ (Twitter) monstercake2/ Imabboy
Published : 2010.10.10 (on Naruto’s birthday!!)
I’m only going to translate a few parts, specifically the bits that impressed me the most. It’s wild how they were able to predict the story way back in 2010!! They talk about how this is a 50 pages one-shot that tries to analyze and capture Naruto’s and Sasuke’s relationship through the series.
“…As for the motivation behind publishing this book... well, actually, it’s because =3= I know many people have grown more and more disheartened as the plot develops, losing hope for a “Grand Finale” happy ending. So, this book is a way to cheer up everyone who loves these characters. (laughs)
As for the Grand Finale... whatever ending Kishimoto draws, we as readers have to accept it. But after a work has been drawn for ten years, it doesn't just belong to the creator anymore; it contains the youthful dreams of so, so many people.
So, at least until that day arrives, I hope to wait with a heart that believes in miracles—…”
“Severe winter will eventually pass the tips of the branches.
Hey, but speaking of which, the war is about to start again soon. Maybe by the time this book reaches your hands, those two will have already made up and teamed up to fight the boss (laughs).
Anyway, if this brought you any joy or moved you, I would be beyond grateful.
See you next time~ (waves hand)
— 2010.10.10 (Naruto’s Birthday, wow!)”
They literally apologized for Kishimoto using his own logic!!😭 Both Kishi and Oda have mentioned that their stories belong to the fans now, and this dj called it years ago. I’ve lost the exact source for the quote, but the parallel is definitely there!!!
They ALSO predicted that the war would lead to an ultimate villain, forcing Naruto and Sasuke to team up and take them down together.
Imabboy also perfectly captured Naruto as the romantically naive type. We saw this play out exactly in the series finale when Sasuke questioned what Naruto really meant by “friend” (the same happened to Sarada in Boruto!!), and Naruto couldn't quite label the intensity of that feeling. It’s the same struggle we saw in The Last, where he famously couldn't distinguish between different kinds of love. This dj understood his emotional complexity years before it became canon!!! It is quite insane to me honestly the level of understanding the author shows!!!!
Okay, but here’s the thing!!! They even drew Naruto and Sasuke reconciling by holding hands, mirroring the exact iconic imagery from the manga’s finale.
From chapter 233 and 699.
AND get this, the doujinshi was published on Naruto’s birthday (Oct 10th), just like how the final chapters of the series take place on his 17th birthday. The level of foresight is actually terrifying!!😭
Wait, it gets even better!! The entire theme of this doujinshi was practically mirrored in Naruto Shippuden Ending 20, “By My Side” realized in 2012. The focus on them always being by each other's side, reaching through the darkness... it’s all there!!
The reason Hidari’s colour is YELLOW.
Naruto was always Sasuke’s sun and light🤧
By the way my fave quote from the dj is:
“…THE MOUNTAIN IS CRYING.”