Fans of Naruto have two major reasons to celebrate after a New York Comic Con panel confirmed both a new anime series and a fresh manga from creator Masashi Kishimoto.
One of the big reveals came in the form of NARUTOxNINKŪ, a crossover anime that unites Kishimoto's ninja world with the cult manga NINKŪ. The project is being supervised by Kishimoto alongside NINKŪ creator Koji Kiriyama, and it is understood to be a limited, four-episode run.
According to the official description, the story sends Team 7 tumbling into unfamiliar territory: "Team 7 members Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are given a mission by Kakashi.
"Since Kakashi cannot participate himself, Naruto is appointed acting leader. As a result of this decision, Naruto is fully motivated to make the mission a success.
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"However, on the way, Team 7 finds themselves lost in another world. What appears before the bewildered trio is a boy with a face resembling a frog's, named Fūsuke. What awaits them in this strange new world?"
No release date for the crossover has been announced just yet - but fans will surely be keeping a close eye on any updates.
Meanwhile, a teaser video unveiled a brand-new Naruto manga titled Shadow Rising, again drawn by Kishimoto. Details remain under wraps, with the reveal noting that more will be shared at Jump Festa 2027 in December.
The double announcement lands as the franchise's live-action ambitions continue to take shape. A Lionsgate film is in the works with director Destin Daniel Cretton, who recently helmed Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, at the helm, and a worldwide casting search is underway for the trio of Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura.
A message from Cretton was shared during the panel, offering reassurance to fans about the care being taken with the adaptation. "When we kicked off our worldwide search for Team 7 this summer, I talked about what an honor it is to bring Kishimoto-sensei's incredible world and characters to life," he said.
"What I've always loved about Naruto is that he's the character who might normally get sidelined as a sidekick. He's excitable, he tries too hard, and people underestimate him. But he has an incredible heart," Cretton added, promising more news "soon".
Naruto began as a manga in 1999 before becoming one of the best-known anime franchises in the world, later continuing through the Boruto series centred on the next generation of ninja. For now, fans will have to wait until December's Jump Festa 2027 to learn what Shadow Rising has in store.
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