What Happened to Naruto?

The world of Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto, began its journey with the serialization of its manga in Weekly Shonen Jump in September 1999, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the shonen genre. It chronicled the adventures of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja striving for recognition and to become the Hokage, the leader of his village. The manga concluded in November 2014 after 72 volumes, followed by the highly popular anime adaptation, Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, which aired from October 2002 to March 2017.

The immense global popularity and commercial success of Naruto naturally led to its continuation through various media. The story officially extended with Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, focusing on Naruto's son, Boruto Uzumaki. The Boruto manga began in 2016, initially written by Ukyo Kodachi, with original creator Masashi Kishimoto taking over as the main writer in November 2020, ensuring a direct creative link to the original series. The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime adaptation premiered in April 2017 but went on an indefinite hiatus in March 2023, largely due to the anime catching up to the manga's source material.

A significant turning point for the Boruto narrative came in August 2023 with the launch of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, a direct sequel to the first part of the Boruto manga. This new arc, set three years after the previous events, sees Boruto as a fugitive after Eida's reality-altering abilities reshape the world's perception of him. As of September 2026, the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga is actively publishing new chapters, with Chapter 37 scheduled for release on September 17, 2026. The current storyline is building towards major developments, including the potential destruction of Konoha.

The broader Naruto franchise continues to demonstrate remarkable vitality. In early 2026, reports confirmed that four special anime episodes, originally planned for the original anime's 20th anniversary in 2023 but delayed to enhance quality, had completed production. While an official air date remains unannounced, there is strong anticipation for news regarding these episodes. Furthermore, the franchise is set for a major presence at New York Comic Con 2026 on October 10, where a new Naruto anime film is expected to be announced, potentially with a worldwide premiere.

Beyond animation, a live-action Hollywood adaptation of Naruto is gaining momentum. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for 'Shang-Chi,' the film is slated to begin principal photography in January 2027. A global casting search for actors aged 16-20 to portray Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura commenced in July 2026, indicating significant progress on the project. Financially, the Naruto franchise remains a powerhouse; for the fiscal year ending March 2026, it secured the top spot in net sales for TV Tokyo's anime segment, surpassing other major properties like Boruto, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! This success is largely driven by international merchandising and robust performance in the gaming sector, including the popular Naruto Mobile game and the new Naruto: Ninja Cards mobile game released in 2026.