Naruto Franchise Expands With New Manga, Anime, Games
James Whitfield
3 min read
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced Project Rasengan at New York Comic Con, an ambitious multi-year expansion of the Naruto franchise spanning manga, anime, video games, and trading card games. The initiative maps out releases through 2029, with several major projects already confirmed and additional announcements planned for Jump Festa 2027 in December.
The centerpiece of the announcement is a brand-new manga illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, the original creator of Naruto. Titled "Naruto: Shadow Rising," the series will be drawn directly by Kishimoto himself. A teaser video released alongside the announcement shows the Hokage Rock overlooking the Hidden Leaf Village, featuring statues of six past Hokage with a seventh under construction. The video then reveals the original Team 7 members—Naruto removing his Hokage hat, Kakashi smiling, Sasuke standing with pride, and Sakura holding a baby—before concluding with a confrontation between Naruto and Sasuke. Specific plot details and serialization information were withheld, with further details expected to be revealed at Jump Festa 2027, scheduled for December 19 to 20 at Makuhari Messe in Japan.
A new anime collaboration titled "Naruto x Ninku" was also unveiled as part of the initiative. The four-episode series represents a crossover between Naruto and Ninku, a 1990s ninja manga by Koji Kiriyama that significantly influenced Kishimoto's creation of Naruto. Both Kishimoto and Kiriyama will supervise every episode of the collaboration. The crossover story follows Team 7 as they receive a mission from Kakashi, with Naruto taking on the role of interim team leader. During their assignment, the trio accidentally enters another world where they encounter Fusuke, a character with a distinctive frog-like appearance. Kishimoto expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting that Ninku's influence was instrumental in his decision to create Naruto and that realizing this crossover had been a long-held dream. Kiriyama similarly expressed his excitement at seeing the two worlds collide. Voice actors Junko Takeuchi, who voices Naruto, and Rika Matsumoto, who voices Fusuke, will reprise their roles in the anime. No release date has been announced yet.
The mobile gaming sector will see the global expansion of "Naruto Mobile," a fighting action game originally launched in mainland China in 2016. The game features combat between various ninja characters spanning the franchise's history. A teaser video for the global launch was released, though the exact service schedule remains unconfirmed. Availability and supported languages may vary by region, and the game may not be accessible in certain areas. More information will be shared at Jump Festa 2027.
A trading card game titled "Naruto Card Game" will launch simultaneously worldwide in June 2027. The initial release will include three starter decks centered on Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara, each offering distinct strategic gameplay options. The first booster set, titled "Uzumaki Naruto is Coming!," will introduce additional ninja characters and jutsu techniques, enabling players to enhance their starter decks or build custom collections. Preview events offering hands-on gameplay are scheduled to begin in early 2027 ahead of the official launch.
Production on a live-action Naruto film continues in Hollywood under Lionsgate's production banner. Director Destin Daniel Cretton discussed the project's creative direction, emphasizing the protagonist's underdog spirit and unwavering determination. He highlighted Naruto's tendency to be underestimated despite his boisterous nature and relentless effort, noting that his core strength lies in his refusal to surrender regardless of setbacks. Cretton stressed the importance of treating the source material with care, aiming to capture what makes the character and his relationships resonate with audiences. The director confirmed that production is actively underway and indicated that additional details will be shared in the coming months. A global casting call was previously announced to find actors to portray Team 7 members.
Further details regarding Project Rasengan's major initiatives will be revealed during the Naruto Jump Super Stage at Jump Festa 2027 in December. Comprehensive information about the project will be made available through the official Naruto website.
