Naruto was originally released over 17 years ago and the shōnen became a smash-hit across worldwide audiences for its epic tale of shinobi. Naruto has become one of the best-selling manga of all time, selling over 250 million copies and earning its spot on Shōnen Jump’s “Big Three” alongside titles such as One Piece and Bleach. Naruto forever changed the shōnen landscape and established itself as one of the greatest shōnen’s of all time, and it’s finally returning.
Naruto: Shippuden also made waves back in 2009 as a sequel to the original series, with Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ushering in a new era for the Naruto IP. Although the latter has struggled to maintain popularity because of its controversial nature, it’s clear that the Naruto franchise is as popular as ever. Fans have eagerly awaited a return to form for the shōnen and 2025, it seems, may just be Naruto’s year.
Naruto is Returning After 17 Years
The Upcoming Naruto Anime Has Fans Excited
After 17 years, Naruto is finally returning to the shōnen landscape as a limited series by Studio Pierrot, the same animation studio that produced the Boruto series. Originally, the new Naruto anime was supposed to be released back in 2023, and new announcements surrounding the shōnen went radio silent until recently.
Now, the new Naruto anime is slated to be released some time this year in 2025. Fans might not even have to wait that long, since Anime Japan 2025 is fast approaching and will take place from March 23-24. Studio Pierrot will have a booth and is likely to reveal more information about the new Naruto anime, in addition to other projects such as Black Clover and Bleach.
Originally, the new Naruto anime was supposed to be released for the 20th anniversary of the original Naruto series, which was released way back in 2003, but was postponed due to production quality issues. Fans have been eagerly awaiting new updates since July 2023, when the announcement was originally revealed on the official Naruto account on X (formally Twitter). Production issues within Studio Pierrot have reportedly plagued both the anniversary series and the Boruto series that is currently on hiatus, but it seems the worst is behind the new Naruto series.
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While the original Naruto series has its charm as an early 2000s anime, a fresh coat of paint will do the shōnen justice as the original series has certainly aged in terms of animation quality. The closest thing that starved fans have gotten in terms of new Naruto content has been Boruto. But the next generation sequel hasn’t exactly been all that well received, with Boruto being the constant target of criticism among Naruto fans who want to follow the original Team 7.
The new Naruto anime is a few years late since it missed its original release window due to quality control and other production issues. And in the interim, the benchmark of quality has been set among the Big Three with One Piece and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War setting the bar for modern animation. And it seems the new Naruto anime will continue the trend of breathtaking animation. Above all else, the new anime will be a mixture of nostalgia and modern animation practices that will make its mark among fans who wish to return to Konoha to see their favorite spiky-haired future Hokage in action.
What We Know So Far About The Limited Naruto Series
Fans Will Only Get a Potential Four Naruto Episodes… For Now
In the two years since the 20th anniversary trailer for Naruto was released, the video has garnered over eleven million views on YouYube, showcasing the desire among fans who want more Naruto content. The new Naruto series will only be four episodes, but given the shōnen’s popularity and the fact that four episodes were created in the first place for the 20th anniversary, it’s a good sign of things to come for the Naruto franchise.
If the new Naruto anime is received well, it’s highly likely more episodes will follow if there’s enough demand. Nothing is certain, however, but it’s safe to say that there’s still a massive desire among fans for more Naruto. Four episodes aren’t that much Naruto content, but it’s a good way for Studio Pierrot to test the waters, so to speak. If fans make their voices heard and the episodes are well received, that gives the studio a reason to release more episodes in the future. As of right now, it’s not all that likely that Naruto will receive a much deserved reboot.
Given the franchise has pivoted away from Naruto content in favor of Boruto and Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, the only real way Naruto could return would be in the form of OVAs. That being said, Naruto could do something similar to how One Piece releases special episodes that condense entire arcs within hour-long specials with updated animation. Either way, Naruto‘s four anniversary episodes offer a glimpse into future projects that could continue to revive the franchise, but for modern shōnen anime audiences.
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Despite its failings, Boruto has managed to capture a wide audience and proves there’s still interest in the IP. Given the immense popularity of Naruto, it’s only a matter of time before a proper reboot or new content is made that focuses on the core cast of characters. The new Naruto anime is the perfect gateway for future Naruto projects and could be the linchpin for a revitalization among the Naruto fandom.
On one hand, the production issues of Studio Pierrot could be an omen of things to come, considering the series was forced to be postponed for two years, missing the 20th anniversary. On the other hand, the studio felt the need to postpone the project to ensure its quality, which could be a blessing. The most recent failure of Uzumaki has become a cautionary tale of what not to do for production studios. Studio Pierrot may have saved their Uzumaki by delaying.
Naruto’s Return Will Focus on Team 7
The Episodes Will Be Set Between the Events of Naruto and Shippuden
The four episodes will feature Team 7 before the time skip of Naruto: Shippuden, specifically before Sasuke leaves Konoha. But the teaser trailer back in 2023 showcased Naruto and Sasuke’s first battle at the Valley of the End, so it’s likely it will end with their fated battle. It’s a safe guess that the new Naruto anime will feature a combination of new scenes surrounding Team 7 and remade scenes from the original anime.
Filler isn’t exactly a fun word for most shōnen fans, especially when it comes to Naruto. But, filler isn’t bad when it’s done right as it can add much needed depth to supporting characters, create compelling interactions that the main plot won’t allow, and ultimately create fun storylines. For the four (late) anniversary episodes, the filler will likely focus on Team 7’s dynamics as they complete missions until the big fight between Naruto and Sasuke at the Valley of the End, being the centerpiece of the new anime.
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The new Naruto anime will test the waters for shōnen fans and if it’s received particularly well with a high enough demand for more content, Studio Pierrot may just deliver in years to come. More importantly, there has been a recent resurgence of the Big Three with projects like The One Piece, Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War, and now the new Naruto anime. The revival of old giants has been received particularly well among veteran and new shōnen fans alike, as it just goes to show that a good story is timeless.
In any case, the new Naruto anime will at the very least be a blast from the past for many Naruto fans who grew up watching the original anime. It’s only a matter of time before fans will find out more information about the return of the beloved shōnen. Overall, with Anime Japan only a few months away, Naruto fans won’t have to wait much longer before more information is revealed and there could even be a release date.
Naruto
- Release Date
-
October 3, 2002
- Cast
-
Junko Takeuchi
, Noriaki Sugiyama
, Chie Nakamura
, Kazuhiko Inoue
, Hidekatsu Shibata - Studio
-
Pierrot
- Creator
-
Masashi Kishimoto
- Number of Episodes
-
220
- Seasons
-
1
