Here’s what I’ve been up to for the last week - every Naruto genin drawn as a pichu in one 1040 by 768 image (As well as Shikamaru, newly made a Chuunin in the anime). You can find Naruto (“Naruchu,” as I like to call him), Sasuke (“Sachuke”) and Shikamaru already in my gallery, and a few of the others in my montage of class-note-doodles. After picking up the tablet pen for the first time, I’ve been able to sketch in Painter like I could never do with a mouse. This drawing could not be possible without a layout sketch for the size and position of each character. That said, this was done entirely in Painter 8 with a tablet.

I had a lot of fun finding good stills of the characters from the show, and finding out how to represent each character while keeping to the basic design of a pichu intact. I kept all the hair yellow, because I think otherwise their hair would look too artificial, like a wig.

The background is based on the roof Sakura, backed by several of the others, is looking out from in the current opening for the anime, as of writing. I had a lot of trouble with the buildings, so I just crudely painted them from a blurry still from the opening, and then blurred the result. I think it gets the job done, at least. The roof itself got a little more attention, but I left it somewhat faded looking.

All of the characters are dressed as they have most recently been shown in the anime. Those who are fans of Naruto and have keen eyes may notice the characters are arranged so that they neighbor their fellow team members.

So on to the characters! Starting from the back, left to right, back to front.

Inuzuka Kiba, shown here wondering where Akamaru is. I did this because the truth is that during conception of this piece I realized that if Kiba is a Pichu, a baby Pokemon that is two inches from the smallest Pokemon in height, there is no Pokemon that could be like a little dog to him. Azurill was considered, since it is one of the smallest, at eight inches, and therefore either part of it is probably around four inches tall, depending on how they measure Pokemon (I picture a lot of eyeballing from ten-year-old trainers). So that would almost work, if it didn’t also say in the Pokedex that Azurill weights the same as a pichu. That, of course, makes Azurill denser than Pichu, but we’ll let that curiosity slide.

Hyūga Hinata, shown eyeing Naruchu loving, although it may look like she’s eyeing Chōji, or Shikamaru.

Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura, respectively, pissing one another off.

Uchiha Sasuke, looking away from his friends, which I thought was fitting given that currently in the anime he has ran away from the village.

Tenten, doing a handstand

Kankurō and Temari, just looking

Aburame Shino, depicted with a leaping flea, since I figure he would have an epic flea “problem” as a pichu, given his nature.

Akimichi Chōji and Nara Shikamaru, with Shikamaru taking an un-offered potato chip from Chōji, while gazing at the sky.

Uzumaki Naruto, giving the thumbs up

Hyūga Neji is looking at Rock Lee, who is displaying the nice-guy-pose in all its glory.

and Sabaku no Gaara, who I made pale even as a pichu.

Pichu © Nintendo
All Naruto characters © Masashi Kishimoto