Fans of the Naruto franchise have two new projects to look forward to: Naruto Shadow Rising, a new manga by series creator Masashi Kishimoto, and Naruto × Ninku, a four-episode anime collaboration bringing together characters from two influential manga and anime series.
The announcements introduce fresh stories connected to the Naruto universe while also highlighting the long-standing influence of Ninku on Kishimoto’s work. More information about Naruto Shadow Rising is expected to be revealed at Jum.
Naruto Shadow Rising Revealed in Announcement Video
The announcement video for Naruto Shadow Rising features manga storyboards showing the former members of Team 7 at different stages of their lives. Naruto is seen holding up the Hokage’s hat, Kakashi appears with a broad smile, Sasuke stands with a determined expression, and Sakura looks lovingly at a baby.
The footage also shows Naruto and Sasuke facing off against each other. Another scene features the carved stone faces of the six previous Hokage overlooking the Hidden Leaf Village, with a seventh face still under construction.
The video concludes by revealing the title of the upcoming manga, Naruto Shadow Rising. Further details about the project are expected to be announced at Jum.
Naruto × Ninku Anime Will Have Four Episodes
The upcoming Naruto × Ninku anime will consist of four episodes, bringing together the worlds created by Masashi Kishimoto and Ninku creator Koji Kiriyama.
The collaboration originated from Kishimoto’s desire to continue exploring the world of Ninku. After obtaining Kiriyama’s permission, the Naruto creator was able to develop a story that connects the two series.
Kishimoto explained his motivation, saying that he created Naruto because he wanted to see more of Ninku. He added that the crossover had finally fulfilled a long-held dream.
Both Kishimoto and Kiriyama will supervise the stories across all four episodes. The plot follows a younger Naruto and his fellow Team 7 members as they encounter Ninku protagonist Fūsuke and his companions during a mission.
What Is the Story of Naruto × Ninku?
The crossover begins when Kakashi assigns a mission to Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. Since Kakashi is occupied elsewhere, Naruto takes on the role of acting team leader and eagerly sets out with his teammates.
Their mission takes an unexpected turn when the three find themselves in another world. There, they encounter Fūsuke, a boy whose face resembles a frog’s, along with other characters from Ninku.
The meeting sets the stage for a new adventure involving the two groups. The story brings Naruto and his friends into unfamiliar territory, where they must face whatever challenges await them.
The project is being supervised by Kishimoto and Kiriyama, combining characters and elements from both series in an original crossover story.
Creators and Voice Actors Share Their Excitement
Koji Kiriyama expressed excitement about bringing the two fictional worlds together. He credited Kishimoto’s proposal and appreciation for Ninku with making the collaboration possible, adding that he felt honoured by the opportunity.
Kiriyama said the adventures of Naruto, Fūsuke and their friends were about to begin and encouraged fans to look forward to the series.
Kishimoto also spoke about the influence Ninku had on Naruto. He explained that his desire to see the continuation of Ninku was one of the reasons he created Naruto, describing Fūsuke as Naruto’s behind-the-scenes mentor.
Kishimoto said he had long wanted to portray this mentor-and-student connection directly in a story. With Kiriyama’s agreement and cooperation, he was finally able to realise the idea through the four-episode project.
Rica Matsumoto, the voice of Fūsuke, said she was delighted to see the characters return to action after approximately 30 years since the original Ninku television anime began. Reuniting with the original cast made the experience particularly meaningful for her.
She also expressed gratitude to everyone who helped bring the project together and said she hoped both longtime fans and newcomers would enjoy the crossover.
Junko Takeuchi, who voices Naruto Uzumaki, shared her excitement about returning to the younger versions of Naruto and his friends. She welcomed the chance to go on another mission with Sasuke and Sakura and said fans of Ninku would have plenty to enjoy in the crossover.
With Naruto Shadow Rising and the four-episode Naruto × Ninku anime announced, fans can look forward to a new manga project and a collaboration that celebrates the creative connection between the two series.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the project details and statements provided in the original announcement. Release dates, additional story information and other details should be confirmed through official announcements as they become available.
