When Moira was announced at BlizzCon 2017, players were super excited for a new Overwatch healer. But the next thing they noticed? Her weird run.
Moira’s run is extremely similar to anime hero Naruto, arms flailing in the wind as the head leads. And apparently, it’s not a coincidence. “One thing I would say broadly, the development team, the artists, we’re all big anime fans,” Overwatch lead writer Michael Chu told PCGamesN. “I certainly could not deny some of the references in her sprays and stuff.”
Related: New Overwatch hero Moira announced at BlizzCon 2017
But it’s not only because the crew likes anime. Blizzard wanted to give her a run that was immediately recognizable—well, it achieved that.
“We thought that with the cloth and the hip panels she has, having her have some of these exaggerated movements really looked good and also helped her be distinct and identifiable on the battlefield,” Chu added. “There’s no question, when you’re playing Overwatch and Moira’s running around, that you have seen Moira.”
It’s not the only Naruto reference in Overwatch, though the next one is likely much more accidental.
One of the new skins for Overwatch League team Philadelphia Fusion gives Soldier: 76 an orange hue. The coloring mimics Naruto’s iconic orange jumpsuit closely. Soldier: 76 might as well be cosplaying the anime ninja.
H/T PCGamesN
