As previously teased, the new Naruto anime created to celebrate the series’ 20th anniversary was unveiled during a stage event at New York Comic Con 2026 on October 10.
The project’s official title has now been revealed. This all-new crossover with Koji Kiriyama’s NINKŪ, titled NARUTO x NINKŪ (NARUTO-ナルト-×NINKU-忍空-), will run for four episodes and tell a completely original story. A premiere date has yet to be announced.
NINKŪ (NINKU -忍空-) is a manga created by Koji Kiriyama. It was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1993 to 1995 and collected in nine volumes. A 12-volume sequel, NINKŪ Second Stage: Stories of the Etonin, began serialization in 2005. The series has also inspired a television anime and an animated film, with the TV adaptation celebrating its 30th anniversary last year.
Ninku is a martial art combining ninjutsu and karate, said to be the most powerful fighting style in history. In the past, the Imperial Army sought to restore the shogunate to power, sparking a massive war against pro-democracy forces. During the conflict, the Imperial Army was pushed to the brink of collapse by the Ninku Corps, a combat unit numbering only a few dozen fighters. But then the Ninku Corps suddenly disbanded, allowing the Imperial Army to emerge victorious...
Three years after the war, Fūsuke, a young former member of the Ninku Corps, sets out to find his mother, who was abducted when he was a child. Along the way, Fūsuke and his companions battle the Imperial Army, which fears Ninku and hunts down the corps’ surviving members, as well as criminals preying on a world still gripped by chaos. They meet new allies as their journey continues.
The new anime came together because Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto had always wanted to see NINKŪ’s story continue. After receiving approval from creator Koji Kiriyama, the crossover finally became a reality. Kishimoto shared his excitement: “Without NINKŪ, Naruto would not exist. I created Naruto because I wanted to see what happened next in NINKŪ. My dream has come true!”
All four episodes will be supervised by Masashi Kishimoto and Koji Kiriyama. The story follows a young Naruto who accidentally crosses into the world of NINKŪ while carrying out a mission. There, Naruto and the rest of Team 7 encounter Fūsuke and his companions, kicking off a completely original adventure.
▼ Full Comment from NINKŪ Creator Koji Kiriyama
The worlds inhabited by Naruto and his friends and by Fūsuke and his companions are finally about to meet and intertwine! Just thinking about it genuinely fills me with excitement. This incredible miracle became possible thanks to Kishimoto’s proposal and passionate support. I am deeply honored by how thoroughly he understands and embraces the world of NINKŪ.
The adventures of Naruto, Fūsuke, and their friends are about to begin. We hope you will join us, the creators, in looking forward to this project with excitement and anticipation—and enjoy every moment!
▼Full Comment from Naruto Creator Masashi Kishimoto
I created Naruto because I wanted to see the continuation of NINKŪ. I think many people have already noticed that Naruto was born from the tremendous influence NINKŪ had on me. Without NINKŪ, Naruto would not exist. In other words, Fūsuke is Naruto’s secret mentor. Over time, I began dreaming of bringing that hidden master-and-student relationship into an actual story.
Just as Fūsuke is a mentor to Naruto, Kiriyama is also a mentor to me. I approached him with this rather selfish request, and he graciously agreed. I was even given the opportunity to meet with him directly, and with his extensive support, this dream finally became a reality. At long last, we have fulfilled a long-held ambition and created a continuation in the truest sense. All four episodes! Please watch through to the very end and enjoy the series!
▼ NARUTO x NINKŪ Teaser Trailer
NARUTO x NINKŪ still does not have a premiere date, but Fūsuke will once again be voiced by Rica Matsumoto, reprising her role from the original television anime. The original voice cast will also return. More details will be announced by the official team at a later date, so stay tuned.
via： 「NARUTO」×「忍空」