Published Sep 14, 2026, 8:01 PM EDT
An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant’s Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.
His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and* Bleach: TYBW *Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.
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A reasonable sign of viability and longevity for a successful franchise is in its ability to cross the generational gap. It may include growing up on the Gen 1 Pokemon games, while later raising a family to enjoy the latest launch together. In the world of anime, plenty of franchises have done the same, from Dragon Ball’s multimedia empire, to One Piece parents parking their baby in front of the TV for daily episodes, to ***Naruto, ***in this case, and how one can discover it early on. While younger ages might not necessarily be ready for the journey of Naruto Uzumaki, it’s an understandable pursuit for parents who are fans and want a fun way to teach the basics, like the alphabet.
In the case of getting their young toddler or preschooler kids ready to learn and embrace the power of youth, the Little Golden Book series by Penguin Random House has a brand new *Naruto *book perfect for fans and future fans alike. The Ninja ABCs! is the typical experience, down to the distinctive spine, ultra-thin hardcover presentation, and inner cover complete with a place for the proud owner to put their name. The book, by Chanler Harris, released earlier this month on September 1, 2026, stands as a perfectly wholesome way to introduce younger audiences to the series, but holds back plenty for them to discover once they’re ready.
The Little Golden Book bears a simple promise with its brand, to provide “beloved classic tales, timeless new stories, awesome biographies, and favorite characters.” In the case of *Naruto, *The Ninja ABCs! is a simple, approachable delivery of this promise, opting to teach kids the basics rather than streamlining a relatively darker story for which they’re better off waiting five or more years to begin. Parents can make an event out of storytelling time, spinning out of each letter to tell kid-friendly tales about each featured chibi-style character. However, this book is ideal for audiences like Konohamaru or younger, rather than Jiraiyas, however gallant they may be.
The Ninja ABCs! focuses primarily on the core Naruto crew with some fun guest appearances as well, such as fellow Team 7 teammates, other Konoha shinobi. It’s even got surprise additions like Kimimaro featuring on the N is for Ninja page, setting up the perfect opportunity to teach kids about eating right and keeping strong, healthy bones. It teaches kids about the value of friendship, and community that can be found at home whether living in a village, town, or city. But it also seems to be in on jokes within the franchise, such as an utter lack of Tenten or Shino Aburame in sight. But with the latest Naruto news on the horizon, these new fans may have quite the watchlist and reading order ahead of them.
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It seems a month can’t go by without exciting news about Naruto lately. Fans have been treated to news about a brand-new trading card game with gorgeous original artwork sure to make it an instant collector’s dream. The *Boruto: Two Blue Vortex *manga is finally returning later this week, with thrilling developments in the future generation. Even the mainline Naruto anime and manga franchise is promoting something big to come out of October 10’s New York Comic Con presentation. Finally, it’s impossible not to mention the upcoming live-action Naruto movie finally coming to life thanks to Destin Daniel Cretton, fresh off of his latest film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day coming within striking distance of netting the highest gross domestic box office results of all time.
Interactive Quiz
Hidden Leaf Village · Chunin Exam NarutoTrivia Challenge
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Naruto Uzumaki carries an immense burden — a powerful Tailed Beast sealed inside him since birth by the Fourth Hokage. This fox demon’s chakra gives Naruto extraordinary power but also makes him an outcast. What is the name of this Nine-Tailed Beast?
✓ Correct! Kurama is the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within Naruto by his father, the Fourth Hokage. Initially a source of fear and hatred, Kurama eventually becomes one of Naruto’s closest allies. Their bond is one of the most emotional arcs in the entire series. ✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Kurama. Shukaku is the One-Tail sealed in Gaara, Matatabi is the Two-Tails, and Gyuki is the Eight-Tails sealed in Killer Bee. Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox, is Naruto’s legendary partner.
Naruto’s greatest rival is a prodigy from a prestigious clan who possesses a powerful eye technique called the Sharingan. Consumed by a desire for vengeance against his older brother, he defects from the Hidden Leaf Village. Who is this rival?
✓ Correct! Sasuke Uchiha is Naruto’s eternal rival and best friend. After the Uchiha massacre, Sasuke’s obsession with killing his brother Itachi drives him to leave the village and seek power at any cost. Their rivalry is the emotional backbone of the entire series. ✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Sasuke Uchiha. Neji is a Hyuga clan genius with the Byakugan, Gaara is the Sand Village’s jinchūriki, and Rock Lee is the taijutsu specialist. Only Sasuke wields the Sharingan and defects to join Orochimaru.
Naruto’s signature jutsu is a spinning sphere of concentrated chakra formed in the palm of his hand. Originally created by the Fourth Hokage and taught to Naruto by Jiraiya, it becomes the foundation for many of his most powerful attacks. What is this technique called?
CShadow Clone Jutsu DSage Art: Lava Rasenshuriken
✓ Correct! The Rasengan is a pure chakra manipulation technique that doesn’t require hand signs. Created by Minato Namikaze and passed down through Jiraiya to Naruto, it evolves into many variations including the devastating Rasenshuriken with added Wind Release nature transformation. ✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is the Rasengan. The Chidori is Sasuke and Kakashi’s lightning technique, Shadow Clone Jutsu is a different Naruto staple, and the Lava Rasenshuriken is a late-series variant. The base Rasengan is Naruto’s iconic spinning chakra sphere.
Team 7’s leader is a mysterious, mask-wearing jonin known as the “Copy Ninja” for his ability to replicate over a thousand jutsu using his borrowed Sharingan eye. He’s always reading a certain novel. Who is this legendary sensei?
BAsuma Sarutobi DKakashi Hatake
✓ Correct! Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja of the Sharingan, leads Team 7 (Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura). His Sharingan was a gift from his dying friend Obito Uchiha. Always cool under pressure and perpetually reading Make-Out Paradise, Kakashi eventually becomes the Sixth Hokage. ✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Kakashi Hatake. Might Guy leads Team Guy, Asuma leads Team 10, and Jiraiya is one of the Legendary Sannin who later trains Naruto. Only Kakashi is the masked Copy Ninja with a borrowed Sharingan who leads Team 7.
Sasuke’s older brother massacred nearly the entire Uchiha clan in a single night, then joined the criminal organization Akatsuki. It was later revealed he did it all on orders from the village to prevent a coup — sacrificing everything to protect his brother. Who is this tragic figure?
✓ Correct! Itachi Uchiha is one of Naruto’s most complex characters. A pacifist genius forced into an impossible choice, he bore the hatred of the entire world — including his beloved brother Sasuke — to protect the Hidden Leaf from civil war. His final words to Sasuke remain iconic. ✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Itachi Uchiha. Madara is the legendary clan founder, Obito is the masked man behind much of the war, and Shisui was Itachi’s best friend. Itachi alone carried out the massacre to prevent the Uchiha coup and protect Sasuke.
From the very first episode, Naruto declares his lifelong dream to earn the respect of his village and prove his worth. He vows to achieve the highest rank in the Hidden Leaf — its supreme leader. What is this title that Naruto dreams of?
BJonin Commander
✓ Correct! Hokage is the title of the Hidden Leaf Village’s leader, and Naruto’s dream of becoming Hokage drives the entire series. After years of struggle, he finally achieves his dream and becomes the Seventh Hokage in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. ✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Hokage. The Kazekage leads the Sand Village, Jonin Commander is a military rank, and Anbu Captain leads black ops. The Hokage is the Hidden Leaf’s supreme leader — and Naruto’s lifelong dream since he was a lonely academy student.
Naruto’s father was the Fourth Hokage, known as the “Yellow Flash of the Leaf” for his incredible speed using the Flying Thunder God technique. He sacrificed his life to seal the Nine-Tails inside his newborn son. What is his name?
AMinato Namikaze BHiruzen Sarutobi CTobirama Senju DHashirama Senju
✓ Correct! Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage and Yellow Flash, sacrificed himself using the Reaper Death Seal to seal Kurama inside baby Naruto. His love for his son and faith in Naruto’s potential made him one of the series’ most selfless characters. ✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Minato Namikaze. Hiruzen Sarutobi is the Third Hokage, Tobirama Senju is the Second, and Hashirama Senju is the First. Minato, the Fourth Hokage, is Naruto’s father who sealed the Nine-Tails at the cost of his own life.
A shy, kind-hearted kunoichi from the Hyuga clan admired Naruto from afar since their academy days. She boldly confessed her love while fighting Pain to protect him, and eventually became his wife. Who is this character?
✓ Correct! Hinata Hyuga went from a timid girl who could barely speak around Naruto to a fierce warrior who stood against Pain to protect him. Her confession during the Pain arc is one of the series’ most emotional moments. They marry in The Last: Naruto the Movie and have two children, Boruto and Himawari. ✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Hinata Hyuga. Sakura is Naruto’s teammate who loves Sasuke, Ino is Sakura’s rival from the Yamanaka clan, and Temari is a Sand Village kunoichi who marries Shikamaru. Only Hinata loved Naruto from the very beginning.
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Mission Complete Your Ninja Record
Are you Hokage material — or still at the academy practicing clone jutsu?
↻ RETRY MISSION
Now more than ever, Naruto is becoming a franchise with something for everybody, from the earliest generations with *Ninja ABCs, *to longtime fans looking to see a big-budget spectacle on the silver screen. If one is still skeptical about the staying power of Naruto, readers are welcome to flip through the book to B for “Believe It!” as a new generation of fans is ushered in just in time.
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Naruto, Naruto: Shippuden, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Video Game(s)
Naruto: Clash Of Ninja Revolution 3, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (2003), Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, Naruto: Rise Of A Ninja, Naruto: The Broken Bond, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, Naruto Shippuden Dragon Blade Chronicles, Naruto: Path Of The Ninja, Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections
Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
First TV Show
Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
Latest Film
Boruto: Naruto the Movie