Naruto is back and fans couldn’t be more excited. Recent announcements have revealed a plethora of thrilling projects in the pipeline for one of the most beloved anime franchises in the world. From new anime episodes to video games and manga, there’s a lot to look forward to in the Naruto universe.
NARUTO IS BACK!
• Naruto NEW 4 EP. Anime project!
• Naruto x Boruto UNSC Video Game!
• Minato Namikaze Manga!
• Boruto Time-Skip Arc!NARUTO FANS ARE EATING GOOD!! 🍜 pic.twitter.com/ipLrsqc5BU
— Naruto (@NarutoVibe) July 2, 2023
Naruto New 4 Episode Anime Project
The highlight of the announcements is the return of the Naruto anime with four new episodes set to release in September 2023 as part of the 20th-anniversary celebrations for the franchise. Although the specific details of these episodes are not yet known, the story is expected to occur somewhere within the timeline of the original series, sparking excitement and speculation among fans. To build anticipation, reruns of the original series will begin broadcasting in July 2023.
The original anime adaptation, Naruto, premiered in October 2002 and ran for 220 episodes. It was followed by Naruto: Shippuden, which aired shortly after the original series ended in February 2007 and ran until March 2017. Both series followed the plot of Masashi Kishimoto’s original manga with some unique anime-only story arcs, and they became international hits, earning a dedicated fanbase worldwide.
Naruto x Boruto UNSC Video Game
In gaming news, the franchise announced a new entry in the Ultimate Ninja STORM series: NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS. Set to release in 2023 as a commemoration of the 20th Anime Anniversary of Naruto, this 3D action fighting game promises the largest roster in the entire series, providing a rich gaming experience for fans. The game, developed by CyberConnect2, will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Minato Namikaze Manga
Another exciting addition to the Naruto franchise is a one-shot manga focused on Minato Namikaze. The manga, set to release on July 18, 2023, in the 55th-anniversary issue of Weekly Shonen Jump, will reveal the secret story behind the development of Minato’s technique.
This project was announced following Minato’s win in the first Naruto worldwide character popularity vote, NARUTOP99, which was held as part of the 20th-anniversary celebrations for the Naruto anime.
#NARUTOP99 Worldwide Character Popularity Vote
Masashi Kishimoto’s new illustration of the high-ranking characters is here, as well as a list of the top 99!↓See more detailed vote data below↓https://t.co/zhrOU0xaCF pic.twitter.com/PLXnZIH1kW
— NARUTO OFFICIAL (@NARUTO_info_en) April 14, 2023
The one-shot will contain 55 pages and is titled “NARUTO Gaiden: Uzu no Naka no Tsumujikaze,” with an official English title yet to be announced.
Boruto Time-Skip Arc
Lastly, the Boruto series has confirmed that its much-awaited time skip is coming soon. Following the announcement that Boruto anime part 2 is already in production, fans have speculated that the second part will feature the time skip segment where characters like Boruto and Kawaki have grown up. However, Studio Pierrot and other officials have not confirmed this yet.
The Boruto manga is currently approaching the point at which the time skip occurs, with the story reaching a new peak as Kawaki’s revolt unfolds. However, there are still several events that need to occur before the time skip can happen, making it uncertain whether Boruto anime part 2 will showcase the highly anticipated time skip.
With the final episode of part 1 set to air on March 26, 2023, fans can expect a spectacular conclusion to the first part of Boruto. While a specific release date for Part 2 hasn’t been announced yet, fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming segment.
Conclusion
The return of Naruto and the upcoming developments in the Boruto series marks an exciting time for fans of Masashi Kishimoto’s ninja world. While there’s a lot of anticipation surrounding these projects, there’s also a lot of speculation, particularly about the new episodes and the time skip in Boruto. Regardless of what the future holds, one thing is certain: there has never been a better time to be a fan of Naruto and Boruto.
From the four new Naruto anime episodes to the Naruto x Boruto video game, the Minato Namikaze one-shot manga, and the Boruto time-skip arc, these upcoming projects offer a feast for Naruto fans. As the franchise celebrates its 20th anniversary, fans worldwide can look forward to more of the captivating stories, engaging characters, and thrilling battles that have made Naruto a cornerstone of anime culture.
