Naruto franchise announces crossover series with 'NINKŪ' and a new manga titled 'Shadow Rising' – Watch teasers

Naruto fans are in for a treat as the franchise is getting a new anime series, while another Naruto manga titled "Shadow Rising" is set for release. The TV series will be a crossover with another popular manga “NINKŪ", and will be supervised by both Naruto author Masashi Kishimoto and “NINKŪ" creator Koji Kiriyama.

First Naruto series in 9 years

A description for the forthcoming anime series, titled Naruto x Ninku, reads: "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. 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?"


The four-episode saga will be the first Naruto anime series in nine years, according to the Japan-based Nikkei Asia. The anime show is currently in production stage.

When was the announcement made?

The updates were announced on Saturday (Oct. 10) during a Naruto panel at the New York Comic Con, which also included the unveiling of the upcoming manga "Shadow Rising".

A teaser video notes that more details will be out during the Jump Festa 2027, set to take place in Japan in December.

Naruto movie director speaks

Also during the NY Comic Con, a message from Naruto live-action movie's director Destin Daniel Cretton was shared.

"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," Cretton, also the director behind this year's Spider-Man: Brand New Day, said.

"The further we get into making this film, the more excited I am about what we’re creating. 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. No matter how many times he fails or gets knocked down, he never stops believing in himself or fighting for the people he loves. That spirit is at the heart of the story we’re telling. These characters mean so much to so many people, myself included, and I carry that with me as we make this film," he added.

Also coming up next year are the Naruto Card Game and a Western release of a mobile video game previously available only in China. The announcements are set to enthrall fans as the franchise had been in a lull for several years.