Author: Masashi Kishimoto
Genre: Shōnen manga, action, adventure, coming-of-age.
Publication: Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump (September 1999 – November 2014), 700 chapters, 72 tankōbon volumes
Adaptations: Two anime series (2002–2017), 11 animated films, 12 OVAs, light novels, video games, trading cards
Sequel: Boruto, following Naruto Uzumaki’s son
Part I (Pre-Teen Years): Naruto Uzumaki is a young ninja ostracized by Konoha villagers for hosting the Nine-Tails fox. Dreams of becoming Hokage. Joins Team 7 with Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, under Kakashi Hatake. Completes missions ranging from chores to assassinations. Participates in Chunin Exams; Orochimaru attacks Konoha, kills Third Hokage. Tsunade becomes Fifth Hokage. Sasuke leaves Konoha to gain strength from Orochimaru, Naruto trains under Jiraiya to prepare for his return. Naruto defeats Mizuki, earns respect of Iruka. Naruto and Sakura refuse to give up on Sasuke.
Part II (Teen Years): Returns after 2.5 years of training. Akatsuki kidnaps hosts of Tailed Beasts. Team 7 fights Akatsuki while searching for Sasuke. Sasuke seeks revenge against Itachi, later learns Itachi acted on Konoha’s orders. Joins Akatsuki to destroy Konoha. Fourth Shinobi World War begins against Obito, Madara, and allied forces. Naruto gains control over Nine-Tails with Killer Bee’s help. Battles reveal Tobi is Obito Uchiha; real Madara collaborates. Kaguya Otsutsuki is sealed. Sasuke briefly takes control of Tailed Beasts, plans to end village system, is stopped by Naruto in final battle. Post-war: Kakashi becomes Sixth Hokage, Naruto marries Hinata, becomes Seventh Hokage, raises next generation with her.
Production & Development: Inspired by earlier one-shots (Karakuri 1995, Naruto 1997). Early Naruto concept was a fox-transforming boy, later revised into ninja story. Initial chapters focused on detailed Konoha, later emphasized characters. Themes include acceptance, forgiveness, growth, consequences of war. Artistic style evolved to more realism in Part II. Hand signs based on Chinese zodiac, Konoha designed from Okayama scenery. Influenced by Godzilla for monster designs and Kishimoto’s grandfather’s wartime stories for conflict. Naruto-Hinata pairing chosen early; romantic subplots emphasized more in Part II and films (The Last: Naruto the Movie, Boruto: Naruto the Movie).
Characters: Organized into teams highlighting complementary skills. Villains reflect ideological and moral conflicts. Ellipses allow younger characters to grow stronger. Romance carefully developed in Part II. Major characters: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Kakashi Hatake, Hinata Hyuga, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Obito Uchiha, Madara Uchiha, Kaguya Otsutsuki, Nagato.
Setting: Hidden Leaf Village (Konoha) in Land of Fire, one of Five Great Shinobi Countries. Time period unspecified; includes modern elements like convenience stores but excludes guns and vehicles. Ninja world features chakra, Tailed Beasts, and ninja clans.
Reception: One of best-selling manga of all time, 250 million copies worldwide. English volumes frequently on bestseller lists (USA Today, New York Times). Volume 7 won Quill Award (2006). Praised for character development, storylines, and action sequences. Some criticism for pacing in later battles. Cultural references to Japanese mythology and Confucianism.