Naruto

Naruto

Company type	Manga series
Industry	Manga, anime, entertainment
Founded	September 1999 (1999-09)
Founder	Masashi Kishimoto
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Manga, anime series, animated films, OVAs, light novels, video games, trading card games
Parent	Shueisha (publisher)

Naruto is a Japanese manga series created by Masashi Kishimoto, centered on the journey of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with ambitions to become Hokage, the leader of his village. The story is divided into two segments: Naruto's early years (volumes 1–27) and his adolescence (volumes 28–72). The concept originated from Kishimoto's 1995 one-shot manga Karakuri, which received an honorable mention in Shueisha's Hop Step Award, followed by a 1997 one-shot titled Naruto.

The manga was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from September 1999 until November 2014, comprising 700 chapters compiled into 72 volumes. Viz Media acquired North American rights, distributing the series digitally through their Weekly Shonen Jump. The story was adapted into two anime series by Pierrot and Aniplex, broadcast on TV Tokyo between October 2002 and March 2017. Pierrot also produced eleven animated films and twelve original video animations (OVAs). The franchise expanded to include light novels, video games, and trading card games. Its continuation, Boruto, follows Naruto’s son as he embarks on his own ninja journey.

With sales exceeding millions globally, Naruto stands as one of the highest-selling manga franchises. It is a leading title for Viz Media, with English editions frequently appearing on bestseller lists such as USA Today and The New York Times; notably, volume seven earned a Quill Award in 2006. The series is acclaimed for its well-developed characters, engaging narratives, and intense action scenes, although some reviewers have pointed out pacing concerns. Its coming-of-age storyline incorporates elements from Japanese mythology and Confucian philosophy.

Part I

The hidden leaf village of Konoha in the Land of Fire—one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries—is devastated by an attack from a formidable fox demon known as the Nine-Tails. To protect the village, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, sacrifices himself by sealing the beast within his newborn son, Naruto Uzumaki. Following this tragedy, the Third Hokage comes out of retirement to resume leadership of Konoha. Naruto grows up shunned by villagers due to being the host of the Nine-Tails but remains unaware of this fact until he turns twelve when a rogue ninja named Mizuki exposes the secret. After defeating Mizuki, Naruto gains newfound respect from his instructor, Iruka Umino.

Upon becoming a ninja, Naruto joins forces with his rival Sasuke Uchiha and his love interest Sakura Haruno, forming Team 7 under the guidance of elite ninja mentor sensei Kakashi Hatake. Team 7 undertakes various assignments for their village that range from menial tasks to high-risk assassinations.

Following several missions—including one in the Land of Waves—Kakashi permits Team 7 to participate in the Chunin Exams to advance their ranks and qualify for more challenging missions. During these exams, Orochimaru, a notorious criminal, invades Konoha and kills the Third Hokage as an act of vengeance. One of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, refuses the position of Fifth Hokage and instead searches alongside Naruto for Tsunade, who ultimately assumes that role.

In the course of this quest, Orochimaru reveals his plan to train Sasuke because of his potent Sharingan abilities. After Sasuke fails to eliminate his elder brother Itachi, who later arrives in Konoha attempting to abduct Naruto, Sasuke defects to Orochimaru in pursuit of greater power to defeat Itachi. Tsunade dispatches ninjas—including Naruto—to bring Sasuke back, but Sasuke declines to return. Despite this setback, Naruto and Sakura remain resolute; Naruto departs Konoha to train under Jiraiya in preparation for future encounters with Sasuke, while Sakura becomes an apprentice under Tsunade.

Part II

After two and a half years, Naruto comes back from his training under Jiraiya. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki begins abducting the hosts of the formidable Tailed Beasts. Team 7, alongside other Leaf Village shinobi, battles the Akatsuki while continuing their pursuit of Sasuke. The organization succeeds in capturing seven out of nine Tailed Beasts, eliminating all their hosts except for Gaara, who has since become Kazekage. Sasuke turns against Orochimaru and confronts Itachi seeking vengeance. Following Itachi’s death, Sasuke discovers from Akatsuki’s founder Tobi that Itachi was commanded by Konoha’s leadership to exterminate his clan to thwart a rebellion, sparing only Sasuke. Shaken by this revelation, Sasuke joins the Akatsuki with the goal of destroying Konoha. As the Leaf ninja defeat various Akatsuki members, their leader Nagato kills Jiraiya and wreaks havoc on Konoha; however, Naruto ultimately overcomes and redeems him, earning the village’s respect.

With Nagato’s demise, Tobi—disguised as Madara Uchiha, the legendary founder of Konoha—aims to capture all nine Tailed Beasts to cast a powerful illusion that would control humanity and impose world peace. The leaders of the five great ninja villages refuse to cooperate and instead unite against him, sparking the Fourth Shinobi World War between the Allied Shinobi Forces and Akatsuki’s army of reanimated ninjas. To protect Naruto, the Five Kage isolate him on a hidden island near Kumogakure (the Hidden Cloud Village), but he escapes with Killer Bee, the host of the Eight-Tails. Naruto gains mastery over his Tailed Beast and enters the battlefield.

During the conflict, Tobi is unmasked as Obito Uchiha, Kakashi’s teammate who was presumed dead but saved by the real Madara; both collaborate on their schemes. Sasuke uncovers the history behind Konoha and his clan’s destruction before reuniting with Naruto and Sakura to oppose Madara and Obito. Eventually, Madara becomes possessed by Kaguya Otsutsuki, an ancient princess intent on dominating humanity. A redeemed Obito sacrifices himself to aid Team 7 in sealing her away. Madara then dies. Sasuke gains control over all Tailed Beasts and unveils his plan to dismantle the village system entirely. Naruto confronts him in a final duel where both nearly lose their lives; Sasuke concedes defeat and reforms. Following the war, Kakashi is appointed Sixth Hokage and grants amnesty to Sasuke. Years later, Kakashi steps down as Naruto marries Hinata Hyuga, becomes Seventh Hokage, and leads the next generation.

Development

In 1995, Shueisha published Karakuri, a one-shot manga by Masashi Kishimoto that received an honorable mention in the 1996 Hop Step Award. Dissatisfied with subsequent drafts, Kishimoto shifted focus to a new concept initially featuring Naruto as a chef; however, this version was never published. In 1997, he created a one-shot titled Naruto, originally about a boy transforming into a fox. Although it garnered favorable reader responses, Kishimoto reworked it into a ninja-themed narrative.

Before serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump, Kishimoto planned the first eight chapters with detailed depictions of Konoha village. By the time of release, background illustrations were reduced to highlight character focus. Despite concerns that incorporating chakra might make the story excessively Japanese in style, Kishimoto believed it remained engaging. Drawing inspiration from his fascination with Godzilla, he introduced tailed beasts to include monster elements in his work. The predominant theme of Part I centers on acceptance, demonstrated through Naruto's character growth.

For Part II, Kishimoto aimed for clear panel arrangements and simplified storytelling, transitioning from traditional manga aesthetics toward a more realistic drawing style. To conclude Sasuke Uchiha's storyline involving his brother Itachi within a single volume, volume 43 contained more chapters than usual, increasing production costs; Kishimoto apologized to readers for this circumstance.

Characters

In developing Naruto, Kishimoto drew inspiration from various manga, striving to craft distinctive characters while embedding the narrative deeply in Japanese traditions. He arranged the cast into clearly defined squads, each possessing unique abilities and vulnerabilities. Romance elements posed a creative challenge but gained prominence during Part II, commencing with volume 28. Antagonists were introduced to serve as foils to the heroes’ principles, thereby emphasizing their personal development. To overcome the initial disparity in strength between younger characters and villains, Kishimoto employed time skips that allowed the protagonists to mature and grow more powerful.

Setting

Elements of the Chinese zodiac influenced aspects of the series, such as the hand signs used by characters. The design of Konoha village took inspiration from Kishimoto’s hometown in Okayama Prefecture. The world blends traditional cultural features with modern conveniences like convenience stores, yet deliberately excludes firearms and vehicles such as cars and airplanes, preserving a unique atmosphere within the story’s environment.

Conclusion

Masashi Kishimoto’s grandfather, residing near Hiroshima, shared wartime experiences that shaped Kishimoto’s understanding of conflict and grudges. He believed that depicting war in his manga required a detailed context to be credible, which led him to develop a world war arc for Naruto’s conclusion. Unlike his grandfather’s somber recollections, Kishimoto chose to present the war with a more optimistic perspective. The storyline involving Nagato was crucial, introducing a villain molded by warfare who assassinated Naruto's mentor Jiraiya, thereby deepening Naruto’s character as he confronted the Fourth Great Shinobi War. The narrative resolves with Naruto extending forgiveness to Sasuke, paralleling his earlier pardon of Nagato.

Although the series finale experienced delays, by volume 66 Kishimoto reached a pivotal plot point he had long intended to depict. The culmination centered on a showdown between Naruto and Sasuke; however, Kishimoto acknowledged their differing backgrounds—Sasuke endured family loss aimed at preventing civil strife, whereas Naruto did not share this trauma.

Kishimoto selected Hinata Hyuga early on as Naruto’s romantic interest, considering her enduring affection for him made their relationship believable. While initially contemplating broader romantic developments within the manga, he reserved Naruto’s romantic evolution for the 2014 film The Last: Naruto the Movie, collaborating with screenwriter Maruo Kyozuka who specialized in romance narratives. Additionally, Naruto’s relationship with his son Boruto was expanded upon in the 2015 film Boruto: Naruto the Movie, highlighting Naruto’s progression into adulthood—a theme only briefly addressed in the manga’s conclusion.

Manga

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto was serialized over 15 years in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine from September 21, 1999, until November 10, 2014. Shueisha compiled these chapters into 72 volumes—27 comprising Part I and the remainder Part II—published between March 3, 2000, and February 4, 2015. Part I encompasses chapters 1–238; chapters 239–244 form a side story focusing on Kakashi Hatake; chapters 245–700 continue as Part II following a two-and-a-half-year time skip. Shueisha also released several ani-manga adaptations based on the films and offered digital downloads via their Shueisha Manga Capsule platform for mobile devices. A miniseries spotlighting the protagonists’ children ran from April to July 2015 in both Japanese and English editions of Weekly Shōnen Jump.

Prior to official licensing, Naruto circulated online through unauthorized scanlations; later, Viz Media acquired rights and began serializing it in their anthology Shonen Jump starting January 2003. To synchronize with Japan’s releases, Viz expedited publication in late 2007 and early 2009 by issuing eleven volumes within three months before reverting to quarterly releases. All Part I volumes were issued as a boxed collection on November 13, 2007. Beginning May 3, 2011, Viz published omnibus editions compiling three volumes each.

The franchise holds licenses in 90 countries with serialization occurring in 35 territories. Since March 2008, Madman Entertainment has distributed it across Australia and New Zealand through an agreement with Viz. German and Danish editions are managed by Carlsen Comics. Additional regional licenses include French and Dutch (Kana), Polish (Japonica Polonica Fantastica), Russian (Comix-ART), Finnish (Sangatsu Manga), Swedish (Bonnier Carlsen), and Italian (Panini Comics).

Spin-offs

Kenji Taira created a comedic spin-off manga titled , which centers on Rock Lee, a character determined to become a powerful ninja despite lacking magical talents. This series was serialized in Shueisha's Saikyō Jump magazine from December 2010 until July 2014 and later adapted into an anime by Studio Pierrot, debuting on TV Tokyo in April 2012. The anime was simulcast by Crunchyroll. Taira also authored , released in October 2014 within the same publication, featuring the character Sasuke.

Beginning in early 2016, a monthly continuation named Boruto: Naruto Next Generations started publication in both Japanese and English versions of Weekly Shōnen Jump. The series is illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto and written by Ukyō Kodachi, with supervision from Masashi Kishimoto. Ikemoto had served as Kishimoto’s lead assistant during the original Naruto series, while Kodachi co-wrote the screenplay for Boruto: Naruto the Movie. Prior to the serialization, a one-shot titled was released in April 2016. Kishimoto chose not to personally author the sequel, entrusting its creation to Ikemoto and Kodachi.

In July 2023, Kishimoto published another one-shot titled , focusing on Minato Namikaze, Naruto’s father, in Weekly Shōnen Jump.

A crossover comic series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles × Naruto, ran for four issues from November 2024 through June 2025. Written by Caleb Goellner with artwork by Hendry Prasetya and others, the covers were illustrated by Jorge Jiménez alongside Prasetya. The collected trade paperback is planned for release on October 7, 2025.

Anime

The original Naruto anime series was directed by Hayato Date and produced jointly by Pierrot and Aniplex. It aired on TV Tokyo between October 3, 2002, and February 8, 2007, comprising a total of 220 episodes. The first 135 episodes adapted Part I of the manga, while the remaining 85 episodes consisted of original storylines. Character design was handled by Tetsuya Nishio, a role specifically requested by creator Masashi Kishimoto.

Following this, the sequel series Naruto: Shippuden, also produced by Pierrot and directed by Hayato Date, adapted Part II of the manga. It broadcast on TV Tokyo from February 15, 2007, until March 23, 2017, concluding with 500 episodes.

To celebrate the original anime’s twentieth anniversary, four new episodes were planned for release on September 3, 2023; however, their premiere was postponed to a later date announced in August 2023.

Films

The franchise has generated eleven theatrical feature films along with twelve original video animations (OVAs). In July 2015, Lionsgate revealed plans for a live-action adaptation produced by Avi Arad’s company. Michael Gracey was initially attached as director with Masashi Kishimoto collaborating on development. In November 2023, Tasha Huo joined as screenwriter. By February 2024, Gracey had departed the project and Destin Daniel Cretton was appointed director and co-writer after meeting with Kishimoto in Tokyo and receiving his approval.

Novels

A total of twenty-six Naruto light novels have been published in Japan; the first nine were written by Masatoshi Kusakabe. Two titles have been made available in English in North America. These early novels adapt significant story arcs such as Naruto: Innocent Heart, Demonic Blood and Naruto: Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village!. Additionally, Viz Media released sixteen chapter books designed for children aged seven to ten.

There are thirteen original Japanese novels including an eleven-volume series alongside two standalone works. The first standalone novel, Naruto: Tales of a Gutsy Ninja (2009), is presented as an in-universe narrative authored by Naruto’s mentor Jiraiya. The second standalone novel, Naruto Jinraiden: The Day the Wolf Howled (2012), takes place after Sasuke’s battle with Itachi. The duology titled Itachi Shinden and the single volume Sasuke Shinden (both released in 2015) were adapted into anime story arcs in 2016. The six-volume Hiden light novel series (2015) explores various character backstories following the conclusion of the manga.

Video games

Naruto video games have been developed for platforms by Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. The majority of these titles are fighting games where players assume control of Naruto characters, competing against AI or other players. Gameplay centers on diminishing the opponent’s health through standard attacks and distinctive special moves drawn from the anime and manga. The inaugural game, Naruto: Konoha Ninpōchō, debuted in Japan on March 27, 2003, for the WonderSwan Color. Early installments were primarily exclusive to Japan; the initial global releases included the Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen and Naruto: Saikyou Ninja Daikesshu franchises, which were localized in North America as Naruto: Clash of Ninja and Naruto: Ninja Council. In 2024, Bandai Namco announced that worldwide sales of Naruto video games had surpassed units.

Art and guidebooks

There are three official artbooks dedicated to Naruto: Art Collection: Uzumaki (2004), Illustration Collection: Naruto (2009), and Illustration Collection: Naruto Uzumaki (2015), with North American versions released shortly after their Japanese counterparts. The third volume includes artwork originally featured on Shonen Jump covers along with brief insights from creator Masashi Kishimoto. In 2008, an interactive coloring book titled Paint Jump: Art of Naruto was published. Moreover, a limited-edition artbook named Naruto Exhibition Official Guest Book was distributed exclusively to visitors of the 2015 Naruto art exhibition held at the Mori Art Museum.

A total of four guidebooks, ranging from the First Official Data Book through the Fourth Official Data Book, provide detailed character profiles, Jutsu explanations, and Kishimoto’s draft sketches; these were released between 2002 and 2014. For the anime series, the Naruto Anime Profiles collection offers information on episode production and character design. Fan-oriented manga books include the 2002 release Secret: Writings from the Warriors Official Fanbook, as well as a tenth-anniversary edition featuring contributions from other manga artists, a novel, Kishimoto’s one-shot Karakuri, and an interview with Yoshihiro Togashi.

Collectible card game

The Naruto Collectible Card Game, created by Bandai, first appeared in Japan in 2003 and later launched in North America in 2006. This two-player card game involves customized decks consisting of fifty cards alongside a game mat. Players win by collecting ten "battle rewards" or exhausting their opponent’s deck. Cards are issued in "series," each consisting of four pre-constructed box sets containing 50 cards; each set includes a starter deck, game mat, turn-counter, and a stainless steel "Ninja Blade Coin." Additional cards are available through 10-card booster packs and collectible tins that feature exclusive promotional cards. By October 2006, Japan had released seventeen series totaling 417 unique cards; North America had access to ten series by August 2008.

Sales

The manga has achieved a global circulation exceeding 250 million copies, placing it among the highest-selling manga franchises. More than half of these copies are distributed within Japan, with availability extending to 46 additional countries and regions. In North America, it ranks as one of Viz Media's bestselling manga series, frequently appearing on bestseller lists such as USA Today and The New York Times. Educational journals including Teacher Librarian and School Library Journal have recommended it for inclusion in school libraries. When Volume 28 was released in March 2008, it entered the USA Today Booklist at number seventeen, representing one of the most significant manga launches in recent years. This volume became the top-selling manga of 2008 and the second highest-selling book overall in North America that year. By 2010, Viz Media emphasized the dedicated readership that maintained strong sales even after surpassing 40 volumes.

Critical response

Critics have acknowledged Naruto for its effective blend of action sequences and narrative progression. A. E. Sparrow from IGN and Casey Brienza of Anime News Network commended the series for its compelling plotlines, whereas Carl Kimlinger, also from the same platform, noted that the abundance of battles occasionally hindered story momentum, though he valued the character designs and fight choreography. The artwork, recognized for its dynamism and excitement, was praised by Rik Spanjers and Javier Lugo. Briana Lawrence of Mania Entertainment pointed out the maturation of characters in Part II, attributing a more sophisticated tone to this segment. Ramsey Isler from IGN identified the concept of Jutsu as a significant engaging element, highlighting its variety and intricacy as key reasons behind the series' widespread appeal.

While Brienza lauded Part II's narrative and character development, she observed some inconsistency in volume quality. The combat encounters, particularly those involving Naruto and Sasuke, received widespread acclaim for their contribution to character evolution. The concluding battle was celebrated for its choreography, artwork, and depth of characterization; however, some reviewers found the antagonist Kaguya less compelling, which underscored the significance of Naruto and Sasuke’s final confrontation. The series finale garnered near-perfect evaluations from both Anime News Network and Comic Book Bin, with both sources emphasizing Naruto’s enduring popularity.

Masashi Kishimoto expressed contentment with how American audiences embraced the ninja motifs, reflecting its extensive international resonance. Gō Itō, a professor at Tokyo Polytechnic University, likened Naruto to Dragon Ball due to its adept portrayal of martial arts techniques combined with introspective character moments during combat. Additionally, the series influenced cinematic works such as Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, with director Edgar Wright citing its striking "killer move" visuals as a source of inspiration.

Following its conclusion, industry professionals congratulated Kishimoto on his work. The meticulously crafted fight scenes served as inspiration for game developer CyberConnect2 in their production of Naruto video games. Christel Hoolans, managing director at Kana and Le Lombard, described Naruto as the first enduring series since Dragon Ball to achieve classic status within France.

Awards and accolades

In 2006, Naruto received the Quill Award in the graphic novel category. Volume 14 earned Viz Media the Manga Trade Paperback of the Year Gem Award from Diamond Comic Distributors in April 2007. The manga was nominated for Favorite Manga Series during Nickelodeon Magazine’s 2009 Comics Awards and secured the shonen category prize at the 16th Spanish Manga Barcelona awards in 2010. It was also shortlisted for the 19th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2015. In recognition of his work on the series, Masashi Kishimoto was honored with Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs Rookie of the Year award in 2014. During TV Asahi’s Manga Sōsenkyo poll in 2021, which gathered votes from 150,000 participants, Naruto achieved seventh place.

Themes

Amy Plumb emphasizes how Kishimoto integrates elements of Japanese mythology to enrich the story, encouraging readers to interpret these allusions without explicit clarification. For example, Itachi’s ninja abilities are named after Shinto gods such as Tsukiyomi, Amaterasu, and Susano-o. The fan-shaped emblem of Sasuke's clan, known as an , holds mythological significance as a tool for dispelling evil spirits, symbolizing Sasuke’s capacity to "dispel" the Nine-Tailed Fox’s impact on Naruto. In folklore, foxes (kitsune tsuki) are often tricksters, reflecting both Naruto’s mischievous nature and the Nine-Tails sealed within him.

Christopher A. Born observes that the narrative incorporates core Confucian principles, proposing that manga like Naruto serve as accessible mediums for understanding these traditional philosophies. Norman Melchor Robles Jr. notes that although expressions of violence slightly surpass positive language in the dialogue, aggression is depicted mainly to underscore the protagonists’ constructive methods of resolving conflicts. Sheuo Hui Gan identifies underlying "traditional ethical values" throughout the series and contrasts Naruto’s journey of social acceptance overcoming isolation with protagonists in other anime who remain more detached.

The series is commonly characterized by critics as a coming-of-age tale resonating with audiences experiencing loss or social challenges. Psychologist Lawrence C. Rubin highlights its wide emotional resonance across different age groups. Yukari Fujimoto regards Naruto as comparatively conservative relative to contemporaries like One Piece and Air Gear, particularly in its focus on reverence for mentors as characters evolve. Rik Spanjers contrasts Naruto’s hopeful outlook and his strengthening protective relationships with Sasuke’s solitary pursuit of revenge, framing this tension as a core narrative driver. Omote Tomoyuki observes a reduction in comedic elements following Naruto’s maturation and the onset of Part II, noting that Shōnen Jump featured other series emphasizing humor.

Fujimoto critiques the portrayal of traditional gender roles within the story: although female characters initially excel over male counterparts, they eventually lag behind as male characters increase their efforts—a situation accepted by figures like Sakura. Female character arcs frequently rely on established stereotypes—Tsunade exemplifies a nurturing mentor teaching medical ninjutsu, reinforcing women’s battlefield roles primarily as healers. Despite Tsunade’s authoritative position, she is subjected to ridicule not typically directed at male leaders, which may partly explain why female characters tend to be less popular among fans.

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