Naruto is alive and well, as author Masashi Kishimoto has announced a new manga called Shadow Rising – and a new anime crossover series is on the way, too.
Both Naruto projects were announced during the Naruto panel at New York Comic Con 2026. Details about the manga, specifically, were light, with only Kishimoto’s involvement and its “Shadow Rising” title confirmed for now.
The panel did come with more information about that anime series, though. Aptly titled “Naruto x Ninku,” the show will serve as a full-on crossover between Naruto and popular ’90s manga and anime franchise Ninku. Both the show and the manga did receive teaser trailers, which you can see below.
A teaser for new NARUTO manga by Masashi Kishimoto is here!
Stay tuned for more updates at the NARUTO Super Stage at Jump Festa 2027!
#PROJECT_RASENGAN #NARUTO #JumpFesta https://t.co/EseP4OSffI
— NARUTO OFFICIAL (@NARUTO_info_en) October 10, 2026
Two legendary shinobi series collide.
Fully supervised by Koji Kiriyama and Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO x NINKŪ is in production!
Director: Noriyuki Abe
Character Designer / Chief Animation Director: Tetsuya Nishio
https://t.co/d9fv6N2g86
#PROJECT_RASENGAN #NARUTO #NINKU https://t.co/VExZf7MTeJ
— NARUTO OFFICIAL (@NARUTO_info_en) October 10, 2026
“Team 7 members Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are given a mission by Kakashi,” an official description for Naruto x Ninku said. “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?”
Meanwhile, as the Naruto panel also came with a surprise update on the live-action movie. Amid rumors of early plot details and casting decisions, director Destin Daniel Cretton shared a message where he explained “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,” he continued. “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!”
A description in the YouTube upload for Shadow Rising promised more details will be shared at the Naruto Super Stage at Jump Festa 2027. The Naruto x Ninku upload, meanwhile, confirmed that the show is in production with supervision from Kishimoto and Ninku author Koji Kiriyama, with the Naruto X/Twitter account confirming Noriyuki Abe as its director and Tetsuya Nishio as its character designer/chief animation director. Release date details remain a mystery for now.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
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