Massive 'PROJECT RASENGAN' Announced: New Naruto Manga by Masashi Kishimoto and Legendary Crossover Anime with Ninku

A massive new initiative celebrating the globally acclaimed manga NARUTO has officially kicked off under the title "PROJECT RASENGAN." The project brings monumental news: a brand-new original animation alongside a fresh manga series written and illustrated by original creator Masashi Kishimoto himself. Revealed at New York Comic Con 2026, the announcement sparked instant waves of shock and celebration among fans both in Japan and across the globe.

The newly announced animation is a dream crossover titled NARUTO x NINKU, spanning four episodes and uniting NARUTO with the iconic 1990s ninja action classic NINKU. Both original authors, Koji Kiriyama and Masashi Kishimoto, are serving as full supervisors for the production. Noriyuki Abe is directing the project, while Tetsuya Nishio takes the helm for character design and chief animation direction. Furthermore, the rock band FLOW—famed for contributing several of the most beloved theme songs in NARUTO history—has been brought on board. They will provide the opening theme "GO!!!" and the ending theme "Viva★Rock."

Kishimoto has long been vocal about how deeply NINKU influenced his work. In an emotional statement, he remarked, "Without NINKU, NARUTO would never have existed. This is truly a dream come true." Fans quickly took to social media to celebrate the historic team-up, hailing it as a "miraculous encounter" and an irresistible treat for those who grew up following both franchises during their original runs.

On top of the crossover anime, the project revealed that Kishimoto will pen an all-new manga titled NARUTO: SHADOW RISING. A teaser trailer showcased his striking linework and dynamic visual storytelling, immediately captivating fans worldwide. More details regarding this new manga project are scheduled to be unveiled at the Super Stage during the annual year-end celebration Jump Festa 2027. Even years after the original series came to a close, the enduring saga of the shinobi continues to evolve and carve out a legendary new chapter.

The Context

Masashi Kishimoto's NARUTO began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 and grew into one of the best-selling and most influential manga franchises in history, becoming a cornerstone of modern global pop culture. Before NARUTO debuted, Koji Kiriyama's NINKU (serialized from 1993 to 1995) laid significant groundwork for stylized martial arts and ninja storytelling in Jump, paired with a cult-favorite 1995 anime adaptation directed by Noriyuki Abe (who also directed Bleach and Yu Yu Hakusho). Kishimoto has repeatedly cited NINKU's dynamic combat, quirky characters, and visual direction as foundational inspirations for creating NARUTO. Key creative staff like animator Tetsuya Nishio worked extensively on both franchises, making this crossover a deeply personal full-circle milestone for the creators and veteran animation staff alike.

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