Onomatopoeia of Fire Element Ninjutsu in The Naruto Manga

Abstract

This study examines the forms of onomatopoeia fire-element ninjutsu in Naruto manga, specifically volumes 55-68. Onomatopoeia in Japanese language used to represent sounds and specific conditions in visual media such as manga. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method, which aims to describe or analyze research findings without drawing broader conclusions. The study classifies onomatopoeic forms based on Akimoto (2024) theory and meanings according to Ono (2016). The findings identify four primary forms of onomatopoeia fire-element ninjutsu: basic words (Gokon), sound compression (Sokuon), repetition forms, and sound extension (Chouon), with sound extension being most dominant form. Not all onomatopoeia directly symbolize fire; some merely depict the sound effects of the techniques. The variations in onomatopoeia influence readers' perception of intensity and power of attacks in manga. These findings contribute to linguistic studies and Japanese language learners. Further research is recommended to expand the scope of onomatopoeia usage across various manga.