Naruto Returns: Kishimoto Announces New "Shadow Rising" Manga Sequel

Masashi Kishimoto, the original creator of Naruto, is returning to write and illustrate a new manga titled "Naruto: Shadow Rising," according to Anime News Network and Anime Corner, which both covered the reveal made during the "NARUTO: What's Next?" panel at New York Comic Con (NYCC) on October 10, 2026.

The series is published by Shueisha, which runs the original Naruto manga in Weekly Shonen Jump, according to Gamerant. Viz Media, Shueisha's English-language licensing partner, co-organized the NYCC panel at which the project was revealed, Gamerant reported.

What the new manga covers

According to Gamerant, "Shadow Rising" is set directly after the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War, when Kakashi Hatake was made Hokage, and before Naruto Uzumaki himself takes the title. Comicbook.com similarly described the project as an interquel filling a period "only hinted at before" between the original Naruto story and the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations sequel series.

Gamerant reported that the story spans several years and follows Naruto alongside other characters, including Sakura Haruno after the birth of her daughter Sarada. Comicbook.com added that the project is expected to include a third confrontation between Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha, both depicted as continuing to grow stronger after the war.

Kishimoto previously wrote a one-shot about Minato Namikaze for the franchise's 20th anniversary and has supported the Boruto sequel series, but Comicbook.com and Gamerant both describe "Shadow Rising" as his first full return as writer-artist of a new Naruto manga since the original series ended.

Timing: no release date yet

No launch date for "Shadow Rising" has been set. Anime News Network, Anime Corner and Gamerant all reported that Shueisha and the franchise's teams plan to share further details, including serialization plans, at the Jump Festa '27 convention in Chiba, Japan, scheduled for December 19–20, 2026.

At the NYCC panel, the title was shown in a short teaser video before being confirmed on the franchise's official Japanese account on X, according to Anime News Network.

Other Naruto projects revealed at the same panel

The NYCC panel bundled several Naruto-related announcements beyond the new manga. Anime Corner and Fredzone reported that voice actors Junko Takeuchi (Naruto) and Noriaki Sugiyama (Sasuke) appeared alongside Studio Pierrot executive producer Yoshihiko Tominaga.

Fredzone reported that the panel also addressed a previously shelved miniseries about "the early days of Team 7," first announced in 2023, though it remains unclear whether this will stand alone or form part of a larger slate that could include an animated feature film.

Background

Adala-News reported that Kishimoto's original Naruto manga has sold more than 250 million copies worldwide and spawned two television anime series, eleven films and numerous spin-offs since its debut. The original manga ran in Weekly Shonen Jump and concluded in 2014, with the Boruto sequel manga continuing the story of Naruto's son.

As of this report, Shueisha has not published a synopsis, chapter count or specific release window for "Shadow Rising" beyond pointing to the Jump Festa 2027 event for further information.