Is there really a new Naruto anime, or is it another rumour? It is real. Viz Media announced a new limited Naruto TV series in September 2026, and on 10 October 2026 the New York Comic Con panel revealed that it is a crossover with Ninku, directed by Noriyuki Abe. If you have been burned by years of "Naruto is coming back" headlines, we get it, so this guide sticks to what was actually announced, with dates, and flags everything that is still open. All of it is accurate as of 11 October 2026.
The short version
- Confirmed: a new limited Naruto TV anime, announced by Viz Media in September 2026.
- The twist: at the Naruto: What's Next? panel on 10 October 2026, it was revealed as a crossover with Ninku.
- Who: Noriyuki Abe directs, and Tetsuya Nishio is character designer and chief animation director.
- Also announced: a new manga from Masashi Kishimoto called Naruto Shadow Rising.
- Not confirmed in the sources we checked: release date, where it streams, and how many episodes.
What was announced in September
The first news was short and vague: Viz Media said the Naruto franchise will get a new "limited" anime television series.
"Limited" is the key word. It points to a short run rather than a long weekly series like Shippuden, which is why it matters to set expectations now. Back then the big question was what the series would actually be, because the announcement held details back for New York Comic Con.
What the New York Comic Con panel revealed
On 10 October 2026 the Naruto: What's Next? panel announced the answer: the new anime is a crossover with Ninku.
Here is what is confirmed from that panel:
- Director: Noriyuki Abe.
- Character design and chief animation: Tetsuya Nishio.
- Format: a crossover with Ninku, the other series that features in the project.
Why does that staffing matter? Because a returning director and a named chief animator tell you who is shaping how the show looks and moves, which is what most fans want to know before anything else. Beyond those names, the sources we checked do not go into more detail on the story, and we would rather tell you that than invent a plot for you.
If you want to be ready, here is a simple plan while the details land:
- Bookmark this page, because we will update it when a date or platform is named.
- Check the official Viz Media and Naruto channels for trailers rather than trusting reposts.
- Pick a rewatch target, such as the Team 7 arcs, so the crossover hits harder when it arrives.
What is not announced yet
Plenty. The sources we checked do not state a release date, a streaming platform, an episode count or any trailer details.
That last point on platforms matters for us in Australia. Streaming rights change by region and by service, so when a platform is named, check your streaming service for it rather than assuming. Until then, treat any "release date" you see online as a guess.
One more open question is whether this is the same project as the four brand-new Naruto episodes first scheduled for 3 September 2023. Those episodes were postponed in August 2023 to a later date. Nothing we checked says the new series is those episodes, so we are not going to say it is.
A new Naruto manga is coming too
The same panel announced that Masashi Kishimoto will create a new manga titled Naruto Shadow Rising.
That is a big deal for fans of the original manga, because it is a new story from the creator himself. No further detail was given in the sources we checked, so there is no release date or plot to share yet. We will not guess.
What is confirmed and what is not
| Question | Answer as of 11 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Is there a new Naruto anime? | Yes, a limited TV series announced by Viz Media in September 2026 |
| What is it? | A crossover with Ninku, revealed on 10 October 2026 |
| Who directs? | Noriyuki Abe |
| Character design and chief animation? | Tetsuya Nishio |
| New manga? | Yes, Naruto Shadow Rising by Masashi Kishimoto |
| Release date and platform? | Not stated in the sources we checked |
| Is it the delayed 2023 episodes? | Not stated |
Common questions
Is the new Naruto anime a sequel to Boruto?
That has not been stated. All that is confirmed is a limited series that is a crossover with Ninku, so we will not guess where it sits in the story.
When does the new Naruto anime come out?
No release date was stated in the sources we checked. We will update this page when one is announced.
Is the new Naruto anime the delayed 2023 episodes?
Not confirmed. Four new episodes were scheduled for 3 September 2023 and postponed in August 2023, but nothing we checked links them to the 2026 series.
Is there a Naruto live-action movie as well?
It is in development. Global auditions for Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura began on 10 July 2026, according to Wikipedia's Naruto page. That is separate from the anime.
What to do next
The one thing to remember: the new Naruto anime is real, it is a Ninku crossover directed by Noriyuki Abe, and the rest is still to come. Watch for the date and platform announcement rather than the rumours, and use the wait well. If you have never finished the original run, our Naruto filler list shows exactly what you can skip. When you are ready to rep the Leaf, browse the Naruto collection. For the announcements themselves, the Naruto page on Wikipedia tracks the 2026 news with its references.