Naruto is an undeniable symbol of the manga world. Even non manga fans have heard about this epic adventure series of the elite ninjas. But if you’re not already up to speed on Naruto Uzumaki, I’ll fill you in.
Written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, this ongoing serial follows a teenage boy desperate to be crowned as the leader of his ninja village.
But a huge obstacle stands in his way; Locked inside Naruto is an evil entity known as the Nine-Tales, which attacked and destroyed his village just a decade ago.
Since then, his community has abandoned him, and he is forced to live as an outcast. But this isolation and rejection only fuel his insatiable desire to be accepted and admired.
Read this also – Friday Night Funkin Unblocked
In this article, I will tell you all about the original Naruto series and where you can find it. Plus, I’ll cover some of the many sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations that follow.
Naruto: Original Series
The original Naruto was serialized in the hugely popular Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1999 to 2014 and later split into 72 volumes in tankobon (book form).
The entire 72-volume series is divided into two parts, with a three-year time gap in the story between the two. (Sections 1–27 make up part one, and sections 28–72 make up part two.)
The stories begin with Naruto’s early years as a young boy when he was castigated, sacked, and desperate to prove himself.
As the series progresses, Naruto finds his feet, develops his ninja skills, and finally earns the respect he’s longed for.
| Name | Naruto |
| Year Of Release | 1999 |
| Book Form | Tankobon |
| Volume | 72 |
| Author And Artist | Kishimoto Masashi |
| Website | Click here |
Where to Read Naruto Manga?
Naruto’s official home is Viz Media, where the original manga and English language adaptation were serialized in their Weekly Shonen Jump magazine.
It ran from 1999 to 2014, and even today, almost a decade after the final volume was published, it remains one of the best-selling manga series in his company’s history.
You can access the official digital versions of each chapter from the entire 72 volumes through the official Viz website.
With so many volumes in the series, committing to them all can seem like a very daunting investment, but thankfully there are ways to cut costs.
Chapters 1, 2, and 3 are free to read online, and there is also a selection of 3-in-1 volume omnibuses available for purchase.
Plus, Viz sometimes advertises discounted digital bundles, so it’s worth checking the website frequently to see what’s on offer.
For physical copies, follow the links on the official pages of stores like Amazon, BookDepository, and bookshop.org.
Viz offers free previews of every chapter and comprehensive reader recommendations for other manga you can enjoy. You can also visit various official Naruto novels, art books, and special releases.
Plus, there’s a dedicated fan area where you can share your love of Naruto with other readers around the world.
Other Ways to Read Naruto Manga
You can buy digital and print copies of the original series on sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
But if you are short on cash and still want to watch the series, there are many websites where you can read chapters and sections in English for free. Naruto world is a good place to start, along with reading naruto.
Various Avatars of Naruto
It is safe to say that Naruto has taken the world by storm, not only in Japan but also in the West. The original series has become one of the best-selling manga in history, selling an incredible 250 million volumes to date.
But Naruto’s world didn’t stop turning after the original series was completed. It has taken on several other incarnations, including several sequels and spin-off series, as well as numerous anime adaptations, feature-length movies, and original video animations (OVAs).
Here are a few ways fans can continue to get their solution.
Sequel and Spin-off
1. Seventh Hokage and Scarlet Spring
Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto released this one-shot sequel volume which is set after the completion of the original story and all the characters are fully developed.
2. Boruto: Naruto Next Generation
In this additional sequel installment, Masashi Kishimoto takes a back seat as writer Ukyo Kodachi, and artist Mikio Ikemoto takes the reins under the careful supervision of Kishimoto.
The title follows the adventures of a new generation of ninjas led by Naruto’s son, Boruto.
3. Rock Lee and His Ninja Pals
This manga is a lot lighter than the original, so if you’re looking for something less heavy, it’s a good place to start.
It follows the well-loved character, Rock Lee, a mortal boy with no supernatural skills but impressive physical abilities.
Fans are still waiting for the series to be fully licensed for the English language market. But, meanwhile, there is a TV anime version in different languages, which has become a sensation in Japan and around the world.
Books
1. Naruto Novel
After the original Naruto manga series ended, fans were denied the world that Masashi Kishimoto had created. And so, publishers began releasing a series of light novels based on already familiar elements from the Naruto Universe.
Many of the books are told from the point of view of some of the original manga’s most popular supporting characters and it gives readers a fresh perspective on the plot lines and relationships of the original story.
Although the novels are written by different authors, all feature cover art by Naruto’s original creator, Masashi Kishimoto.
In addition, there is also a series of Boruto light novels, which include illustrated covers by the manga’s artist, Mikio Ikemoto.
2. Viz Chapter Books
Viz has published a series of 16 chapter books featuring illustrations from the original manga series written by author Tracy West.
The books are aimed at children ages seven to ten in order to introduce a younger generation of readers to the Naruto Universe.
Anime Movies
As well as the anime TV adaptation, Naruto has made its way to the big screen.
There are eleven feature-length films in total, with the most recent one, Boruto: Naruto, The Movie, which was released in 2015.
That same year, Lionsgate announced its plans for a live-action Naruto follow-up. Yet since the announcement, the project has been put on hold, and fans are still waiting with bated breath to see if and when it might hit theaters.
Conclusion
Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto has rocked the manga world. It has been one of the most popular exports to come out of Japan over the past two decades, and with over 250 million copies sold in 47 million countries worldwide, it is officially the fourth best-selling manga series of all time.
Even today, long after the final volume was published, fans are still devouring the anime series, sequels, spin-offs, and novels that continue.
If you’re ready to explore this historical manga series, I hope this post has helped you figure out how and where to start.
For more ways to read Naruto and other smash hit manga from Japan, check out our guide to the best manga apps and sites on the Internet.
And if you want to take your manga journey to a terrifying new level, here’s a guide to the best horror manga ever.