Naruto Returns After 12 Years: Original Creator Announces New Manga and Anime

Naruto Is Back, and Its Original Creator Is Taking Charge Again

Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto is returning with a new manga titled Naruto: Shadow Rising, alongside a four-episode anime crossover called Naruto × NINKŪ. Both projects were announced on October 10, 2026, during the "NARUTO: What's Next?" panel at New York Comic Con in the United States. The announcements are part of a larger initiative called PROJECT RASENGAN, which will introduce new Naruto stories, anime, games, and other projects to expand the franchise for audiences around the world.

Kishimoto Returns Nearly 12 Years After Naruto Ended

For longtime fans, the biggest announcement was Kishimoto's return to drawing an original Naruto manga.

The original Naruto manga began publication in 1999 and ended in November 2014 after 700 chapters, becoming one of the world's best-known Japanese manga series. Although the story continued through the Boruto franchise and Kishimoto remained involved in the Naruto universe, Shadow Rising represents a major return to creating and illustrating a new Naruto story himself.

The manga's announcement came through a special teaser shown during the event. The video revealed familiar characters and locations, including Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi and the Hidden Leaf Village.

The teaser also showed the Hokage monument with its seventh face under construction, raising questions about when the story will take place.

What Will Happen in Naruto: Shadow Rising?

The teaser offered several interesting clues but did not reveal the complete storyline.

Naruto was shown holding a Hokage hat, Kakashi appeared smiling, Sasuke was shown standing confidently, and Sakura appeared holding a baby. Another moment showed Naruto and Sasuke facing each other in a confrontation.

These scenes have led to speculation that the new manga may explore an important period between the original Naruto story and later events in Boruto.

However, its exact timeline, main conflict and connection to existing storylines have not been officially explained. Fans will have to wait for further announcements to learn what Kishimoto has planned.

Team 7 Will Return in a New Four-Episode Anime

The second major announcement was Naruto × NINKŪ, a completely new anime crossover bringing together two Japanese ninja franchises.

The story will follow Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno as they receive a mission from their former teacher, Kakashi Hatake.

When Kakashi is unable to accompany them, Naruto will take responsibility as the acting leader of Team 7.

But their mission will take an unexpected turn when the three become lost in another world. There, they will encounter Fūsuke, a young boy with a frog-like appearance and a central character from NINKŪ.

The four-episode series will explore what happens when the characters from these two fictional worlds meet.

Both Masashi Kishimoto and NINKŪ creator Koji Kiriyama will supervise the project, while Studio Pierrot will handle the animation production.

Why Is Naruto Teaming Up With NINKŪ?

The crossover carries special meaning for Kishimoto because NINKŪ was one of the works that inspired him to create Naruto.

Created by Koji Kiriyama, NINKŪ began publication in 1993 and later received an anime adaptation in 1995. Its story combines ninja techniques with martial arts and follows characters including Fūsuke.

Kishimoto has openly acknowledged the importance of NINKŪ in shaping his creative journey. He has explained that his admiration for the series inspired his own approach to storytelling and characters.

The upcoming crossover will therefore bring together not just two fictional worlds but also the work of a creator and the artist who helped inspire him.

Project Rasengan Will Expand Naruto Until 2029

The manga and anime announcements are part of PROJECT RASENGAN, a wider initiative designed to expand the Naruto franchise across multiple entertainment formats through 2029.

Alongside the new manga and anime, the project will introduce a Naruto trading card game scheduled for worldwide release in June 2027.

Plans were also announced to bring the popular Naruto Mobile game to international audiences.

Additional developments in animation, gaming and other projects are expected as the initiative progresses.

The announcements show that the Naruto franchise is preparing for a new phase rather than relying only on its existing television series, films and manga.

When Will the New Manga and Anime Be Released?

Although both projects have been officially announced, their release dates remain unconfirmed.

The publishers have not yet disclosed the publication schedule, total number of chapters or expected length of Naruto: Shadow Rising.

Similarly, the four-episode Naruto × NINKŪ anime has not received a confirmed premiere date.

More information is expected during Jump Festa 2027, which will take place on December 19 and 20, 2026, in Japan.

Until then, fans will have to wait for further details about the new stories, their release schedules and where they will be available.

Why Naruto's Return Matters to Fans Around the World

Naruto has remained one of the most recognizable anime and manga franchises since its debut in 1999.

Its story of a young ninja who dreams of becoming Hokage has reached audiences across generations, inspiring television adaptations, movies, video games and a global fan community.

For many fans who grew up watching Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura, the announcement brings the possibility of seeing familiar characters in entirely new stories.

Kishimoto's direct involvement in the upcoming manga makes the announcement especially significant because it promises new material from the artist who originally brought these characters to life.

A New Chapter Begins for the Hidden Leaf Village

With a new manga, a four-episode crossover and a long-term expansion plan, Naruto is preparing to enter another chapter of its history.

The biggest questions remain unanswered: What story will Kishimoto tell in Shadow Rising? Will the new manga revisit the original Team 7? And when will fans finally get to experience these projects?

Naruto's story is far from over, and the creator who started it is returning to draw what comes next.