A crossover anime project is in production for theNarutoandNinkuanime series. The anime was unveiled during the “NARUTO: What’s Next?” panel at New York Comic Con 2026, which also had a worldwide livestream on YouTube.
A key visual and teaser trailer were also revealed.
The new anime project is titledNARUTO×NINKUand will have an original story that features Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura finding themselves in the world ofNinku. It has also been confirmed as a four-episode “TV Anime Limited Series” on the series’ official website.
The crossover anime was announced as the first project of the “PROJECT RASENGAN” roadmap initiative, which is developing new multimedia projects in the Naruto franchise and “spin the next chapter of NARUTO.”
The synopsis ofNARUTO×NINKUis described as:
“I’m heading out on a mission for the ages, ya hear me?!”
Team 7 members Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Team 7 members Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are given a mission by Kakashi. 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?
Junko Takeuchiwill reprise her role as Naruto Uzumaki for the crossover anime, along withRica Matsumotowho returns to voice Fusuke from theNinku1995-1996 TV anime series and films.
Other voice cast members include:
- • Noriaki Sugiyamaas Sasuke Uchiha
- • Chie Nakamuraas Sakura Haruno
- • Kazuhiko Inoueas Kakashi Hatake
- • Mitsuaki Madonoas Aicho
- • Jurota Kosugias Toji
- • Megumi Hayashibaraas Rihoko
- • Katsumi Suzukias Hiroyuki
TheNARUTO×NINKUanime will be directed byNoriyuki Abe(Boruto: Naruto Next
TheNARUTO×NINKUanime will be directed byNoriyuki Abe(Boruto: Naruto Next Generationschief director from Episodes 1-104), who was the director of the 1995-1996NinkuTV anime series and its two anime films.Tetsuya Nishio(Ninku1995-1996 TV anime character designer,Kaiju No. 8) joins him as the character designer and chief animation director.NarutocreatorMasashi KishimotoandNinkucreatorKoji Kiriyamaare supervising the anime. Studio Pierrotis in charge of the animation production.
Other staff includeNozomi Fukuias assistant director andYasuharu Takanashi(Naruto Shippuden),-Yaiba-, andYusuke Honma(NinkuTV anime and films) as music composers.Hinatashois listed with the “story credit.”
A newNarutoanime projectwas previouslyannounced in March 2023to mark the anime’s 20th anniversary. It had a planned release of four episodes in Japan in September 2023, but wasdelayed in August 2023in order to “improve the quality” of the production.
Kiriyama’sNinkumanga series was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen
Kiriyama’sNinkumanga series was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from June 1993 to September 1995. Nine total tankobon volumes were released.
A sequel manga was launched in Ultra Jump in September 2005 and ended in September 2011. A total of 12 tankobon volumes were published in Japan.
TheNinkumanga inspired a 55-episode TV anime series fromStudio Pierrotthat aired from 1995 to 1996. Two anime films were also produced and released in 1994 and 1995.
Kishimoto‘sNarutomanga series ran in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump
Kishimoto‘sNarutomanga series ran in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from September 21, 1999 to November 10, 2014. A total of 72 tankobon volumes were released in Japan.
The manga inspired a long-running TV anime adaptation that was released from October 2002 to February 2007. It was followed up by a direct sequel series,Naruto Shippudenthat aired from February 2007 to March 2017. The series has spawned several anime films, video games, and novels.
A sequel manga series titledBorutowas launched in Weekly Shonen Jump in May 2016, before moving to V Jump monthly magazine in July 2019. It is illustrated byMikio Ikemoto, withUkyo Kodachicredited as writer for the manga’s first 13 volumes and Kishimoto from the 14th volume onwards. It inspired its own anime adaptation in April 2017.
VIZ Media publishes theNarutomanga series in English, describing the first volume as:
Twelve years ago the Village Hidden in the Leaves was attacked by a fearsome threat. A nine-tailed fox spirit claimed the life of the village leader, the Hokage, and many others. Today, the village is at peace and a troublemaking kid named Naruto is struggling to graduate from Ninja Academy. His goal may be to become the next Hokage, but his true destiny will be much more complicated. The adventure begins now!
