Naruto is set for a double comeback, with creator Masashi Kishimoto returning to illustrate a new manga and the popular ninja franchise joining hands with ‘Ninkū’ for a four-episode anime crossover. The two projects were announced by Shueisha during the ‘NARUTO: What’s Next?’ panel at New York Comic Con 2026 under the banner Project Rasengan.

According to the announcement, the initiative includes ‘Naruto: Shadow Rising’, a new manga written and illustrated by Kishimoto, and ‘Naruto x Ninkū’, a limited anime series bringing together characters from the two Japanese manga and animation franchises. The projects will offer fans new stories from the Naruto universe while revisiting a series that played a significant role in shaping Kishimoto’s creative journey.

‘Naruto: Shadow Rising’ will explore the period of roughly 10 years between the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War and the beginning of ‘Boruto’. The story will revisit Naruto and his companions during a transitional phase in their lives, a period that has received relatively little attention in the franchise so far.

A visual teaser offers glimpses of the characters during this period. Adult Naruto appears holding his Hokage cloak and hat, while Kakashi is seen smiling beneath his mask and Sasuke stands resolutely. Another image shows Sakura with her infant daughter, Sarada Uchiha, placing the story well before the events of ‘Boruto’, where Sarada is 11 years old.

The teaser also features construction work on the Hokage Rock in Konoha, the village’s monumental tribute to its leaders, alongside a confrontation between Naruto and Sasuke. The visuals hint at a period of change as the characters move beyond the war and prepare for a new generation of shinobi.

Further details about the manga, including its publication schedule and story developments, are expected at Jump Festa 2027, scheduled for December 19 and 20, 2026. The manga is slated to launch in 2027.

The second project, ‘Naruto x Ninkū’, will bring the two franchises together in a four-episode anime series produced by Studio Pierrot. Kishimoto and Ninkū creator Koji Kiriyama will jointly supervise the project, while Noriyuki Abe, known for directing the original 1995 ‘Ninkū’ anime as well as ‘Bleach’ and ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’, will direct the series. Tetsuya Nishio will handle character designs.

The crossover will also feature the return of ‘GO!!!’ by Japanese rock band FLOW, a familiar opening theme for Naruto fans.

The story begins when Kakashi sends Team 7, comprising Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, on a mission and appoints Naruto as its acting leader. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they are transported to another world, where they encounter Fūsuke, the frog-faced protagonist of ‘Ninkū’. The characters then join forces with the Ninku Corps.

Several familiar voice actors are expected to return for the crossover. Junko Takeuchi will reprise her role as young Naruto, Noriaki Sugiyama will return as Sasuke, and Chie Nakamura will voice Sakura. Rika Matsumoto, widely recognised for voicing Ash Ketchum in ‘Pokémon’, will reprise her role as ‘Fūsuke’.

For Kishimoto, the crossover holds personal significance, as ‘Ninkū’, a manga series from the 1990s that ran in ‘Weekly Shōnen Jump’, was a major influence on the creation of ‘Naruto’.

“I created Naruto because I personally wanted to see the continuation of Ninkū. I think many of you have already noticed, but Naruto was immensely influenced by Ninkū. Without Ninkū, Naruto would not exist. Simply put, Fūsuke is Naruto’s secret mentor. Eventually, I began dreaming of bringing this master-and-student relationship out of the shadows, and into an actual storyline,” Kishimoto said.

The crossover will bring that creative connection to the screen, allowing fans to see the influence of ‘Ninkū on Naruto’ through a shared storyline and the meeting of their characters.

Together, the two projects take the franchise in different directions. While ‘Naruto: Shadow Rising’ revisits an important period in Naruto’s journey towards becoming Hokage, ‘Naruto x Ninkū’ explores the creative roots of the series through a collaboration with one of Kishimoto’s key influences. Project Rasengan combines new storytelling with nostalgia, giving fans another reason to return to the world of Naruto.