Although it bears one of the legendary Sannin of ‘Naruto’, it was another Japanese production that inspired the expression ‘turned into Jiraiya’; Find out!
Do you know how the expression “turned into jiraiya” came about? There are those who think that this phrase, used in a colloquial way in Brazil to describe someone with explosive behavior, whether by fury or excitement, has connection with the character of the same name of the anime “Naruto” – but the origin of this expression comes from another Japanese production that also won the hearts of Brazilian fans.
Turned in Jiraiya?
No, one of the legendary Sannin of “Naruto” was not the one who inspired this phrase that is part of the popular vocabulary! It turns out that the expression was created in reference to “Jiraiya, the Incredible Ninja”, a Japanese series that aired on the old TV Manchete in the late 1980s, as determined by Folha de Londrina.
It is worth mentioning that, in production, Takumi TsutsuiHe is the actor who gave life to Toha Yamaji, Jiraya, a ninja warrior known for his determination and courage, as he makes no effort to make the world a safer place – characteristics that may result in the creation of the expression.
This is because, it is speculated that “turned into Jiraiya” has emerged as a way of expressing, through common everyday situations, the intensity with which the character in the series faced their enemies, such as when someone is extremely annoyed with something or when someone shows a lot of excitement doing several things at the same time.
The expression even became known by the character’s interpreter, since Tsutsui He revealed the magazine who in 2019 which, four years earlier, had heard the phrase “turned into jiraiya”, and would like to understand the origin of the expression: “I wanted to know why the word Jiraiya was marked.”
Already at G1, in 2023, he said that some Brazilian fans asked him to repeat the sentence, although the actor did not know his correct use in national vocabulary: “After a few times I came to Brazil, I was surprised to learn about the expression ‘turned in Jiraiya’. Some people ask me to talk, but I do not know how I talk, how is the intonation, whether it is to be happy or sad.”
The actor will even be at Anime Friends 2025, which takes place on July 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the Anhembi district, in São Paulo.
More about ‘Jiraiya, the amazing ninja’
Of the genus Tokusatsu (Japanese term for live-action movies or series using special effects), “Jiraiya, the incredible ninja” stands out for the ninja theme wrapped in a narrative format that resembles superhero stories, as there are beings with extraordinary powers and the constant struggle against evil.
Produced by Toei Company, the series has 50 episodes, which are available for streaming on the Amazon platform, Prime Video, with the following synopsis: “Toha Yamashi is a disciple and adopted son of Tetsuzan, representative of the ninja togakure clan. To defend the location of Pako, a gift from the heavens, toha, toha. Ninjas from all over the world and prevent them from using this great power to evil. “
Source: Recreio
