Naruto Announces Ninku Anime Collab, New Manga, and More
NARUTO and NINKU are getting a new four-episode anime crossover, featuring an original story supervised by Koji Kiriyama and Masashi Kishimoto. Noriyuki Abe, who directed the NINKU TV anime and its movies as well as parts of the BORUTO: NARUTO Next Generations anime, is directing the new project, which will be animated by Pierrot Films.
Tetsuya Nishio is the character designer and chief animation director for the NARUTO x NINKU anime. Nishio was the character designer for both NINKU and NARUTO anime projects in the past.
The announcement for the NARUTO x NINKU anime was made during yesterday's New York Comic-Con panel. Producer Yoshihiro Tominaga shared work-in-progress animation drawings by Tetsuya Nishio, giving fans an early look at the project’s detailed character movement and animation. The cast includes:
- Junko Takeuchi as Naruto Uzumaki
- Rika Matsumoto as Fūsuke
- Noriaki Sugiyama as Sasuke Uchiha
- Mitsuaki Madono as Aicho
- Chie Nakamura as Sakura Haruno
- Jurota Kosugi as Toji
- Kazuhiko Inoue as Kakashi Hatake
- Megumi Hayashibara as Rihoko
- Katsumi Suzuki as Hiroyuki
The synopsis of the anime collab is teased as:
"I'm heading out on a mission for the ages, ya hear me?!"
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?
According to the official website, the theme songs will be FLOW's "GO!!!" as the opening and "Viva★Rock" as the ending.
Kishimoto has cited NINKU as a major creative influence, saying that NARUTO would not exist without it, so the collaboration doesn't come as a surprise. Kiriyama's NINKU manga ran from 1993 to 1995 in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine and was adapted into an anime by Pierrot. A manga sequel, NINKU Second Stage: Stories of the Etonin, began in 2005 and concluded in 2011 in Ultra Jump magazine.
The NARUTO manga ran from 1999 to 2014 and has received two successful TV anime adaptations, multiple movies, and a sequel manga drawn by Mikio Ikemoto focusing on Boruto (which also got an anime).
Comment: Koji Kiriyama, creator of NINKU
“The worlds of Naruto, Fusuke and their friends are meeting and intertwining and that makes me genuinely thrilled! This miracle has come to pass thanks to Kishimoto Sensei’s proposal and generosity.
I’m very honored that he understands and embraces the world of NINKU so deeply. The adventures of Naruto, Fusuke, and their friends are about to begin. Please look forward to it with as much excitement and anticipation as we, the creators, do!”
Comment: Masashi Kishimoto, creator of NARUTO
“I created NARUTO because I personally wanted to see the continuation of NINKU. I think many of you have already noticed, but NARUTO was immensely influenced by NINKU. Without NINKU, NARUTO would not exist. Simply put, Fusuke is Naruto’s secret mentor. Eventually, I began dreaming of bringing this master-and-student relationship out of the shadows, and into an actual storyline.
Kiriyama Sensei, who is as much a mentor to me as Fusuke is to Naruto, graciously agreed to my selfish request. By meeting with me in person and with his extensive cooperation, he helped make my long-standing dream a reality. I was finally able to create a continuation of NINKU in the truest sense. It consists of 4 episodes in total, and I hope you enjoy it to the very end!”
Comment: Rica Matsumoto, Japanese voice of Fusuke
“NINKU first began airing on television about thirty years ago. After all these years, it’s such a joy to see Fusuke and the others energetically running around again, and reuniting with the original cast from then has been deeply moving, it makes me feel so glad that I kept working hard in this industry all these years! At the same time, I am very grateful to everyone involved who make this wonderful project a reality.
I feel this work is filled with lots of messages that are especially important for the times we live in today. Whether you watched it as a child or are seeing it for the first time, I would be delighted if you thoroughly enjoy the NARUTO x NINKU crossover anime!”
Comment: Junko Takeuchi, Japanese voice of Naruto Uzumaki
“Young Naruto and friends are making an appearance! To think that I get to take on another mission with Sasuke and Sakura…I couldn’t be more moved! Sasuke’s on our side here. Just think how precious that time is! Oh, also! Believe it or not, this is a collaboration! We’ll be carrying out a mission with Fusuke and the others from none other than NINKU!
That signature attack and that signature facial expression makes an appearance. I guarantee that everyone who loves NINKU will enjoy it! Please be sure to watch it!”
It's unclear if this project is the original four-episode anime for the NARUTO anime's 20th anniversary that was delayed due to production issues in August 2023.
NARUTO: Shadow Rising Manga
In addition to the new anime project, NARUTO is also getting a new manga, drawn by Masashi Kishimoto and titled Shadow Rising. The new manga is part of Project Rasengan, a three-year multimedia roadmap for the NARUTO and BORUTO franchises spanning from 2027 to 2029. Studio Pierrot and VIZ Media are in charge of the plan. More information will be revealed at Jump Festa '27, this December.
Other Naruto Announcements From NYCC 2026
Naruto Live-Action Film Update
Destin Daniel Cretton, the director and scriptwriter of the upcoming live-action NARUTO film, shared a statement detailing the casting process.
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. 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. We’re approaching the world, relationships, and journeys Kishimoto-sensei created with a lot of care, and we want to capture what makes NARUTO so special.
We’re hard at work and will have more to share soon. Until then, thank you for your passion, your patience, and for being along for the ride. I can’t wait for you to see what’s ahead!”
Card Game
BANDAI CARD GAMES revealed that the NARUTO CARD GAME will launch worldwide in June 2027. A new special trailer by Studio Pierrot and new card illustrations were shown publicly for the first time during the stage:
NARUTO Mobile Game Comes Overseas
The special stage also announced that the NARUTO mobile game, a battle action game first launched in the Chinese mainland in 2016, is officially coming worldwide. Additional information about the international release will be announced at a later date.
October 10 is Naruto's birthday.
Source: Official Website, Press Release
©Masashi Kishimoto,Scott/SHUEISHA
©Koji Kiriyama/SHUEISHA
©Masashi Kishimoto Scott,Koji Kiriyama/SHUEISHA TV TOKYO PIERROT
©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
