Naruto is a Japanese manga and anime franchise created by Masashi Kishimoto. The manga began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump on September 21, 1999, and the first anime series premiered in Japan on October 3, 2002, produced by Pierrot and Aniplex and first aired on TV Tokyo. The original anime ran for 220 episodes, ending on February 8, 2007. At its heart is Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village who starts as an outcast and seeks recognition, a journey that has resonated with fans worldwide for over two decades.
The core canon includes the original Naruto series, Naruto: Shippuden, and the sequel manga Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, with the broader franchise also encompassing films, games, and anniversary projects. The franchise remains active in 2026 through ongoing Boruto content and continuing anniversary-related development. Industry reporting in 2026 pointed to a new phase of franchise expansion tied to the original anime's 25th anniversary, with additional projects planned for 2027 and beyond. In July 2026, global auditions reportedly opened for live-action casting of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, marking another milestone in the franchise's evolution.