TV Tokyo Drops a Massive Naruto Bombshell — and the Entire Anime Community Is Losing It
If you thought Naruto was winding down for retirement, think again. During a May 2026 earnings briefing, TV Tokyo Managing Director Koichi Komaru dropped what might be the biggest Naruto announcement since the original anime premiered back in 2002. The network confirmed that multiple new video and game projects are officially in development for the series 25th anniversary in 2027, and this time they are working with brand-new partners who have never touched the franchise before.
We see the 25th anniversary as the beginning of a new stage, and we have several projects planned to capture that, Komaru told investors and press. New projects, including videos and games developed with new partners, are planned for 2027 and beyond. That single sentence sent shockwaves across every anime forum and Discord server on the planet.
A Legacy That Refuses to Slow Down
Naruto first debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999, and the anime followed three years later in October 2002. The manga has since sold over 250 million copies globally, making it one of the best-selling manga series in history. Creator Masashi Kishimoto built a world that resonated with an entire generation, and now TV Tokyo is treating the 25th anniversary not as a farewell tour but as a relaunch.
The fact that they are bringing in new development partners is what makes this announcement truly unprecedented. For over two decades, Naruto games have been primarily handled by Bandai Namco, while the anime has been produced by Pierrot. If new studios are entering the picture, we could be looking at an entirely different style of game or a fresh visual direction for future video content.
What We Actually Know About These New Projects
Let us be clear — TV Tokyo has not revealed specific details about what these projects are. But there are some strong clues worth examining.
First, the four anniversary special episodes that were originally announced years ago were delayed indefinitely with the stated goal of improving quality. Those specials may now be retooled as part of this larger 25th anniversary rollout. The fact that they have not been cancelled, just delayed, suggests they are still very much alive in development.
Second, the phrase new partners in the gaming space is particularly exciting. This could mean collaborations with studios outside the usual anime-game pipeline. Industry watchers are speculating everything from an open-world action RPG to a multiplayer online experience that would capitalize on the franchise massive global fanbase.
Third, TV Tokyo reported that Naruto and Boruto royalty revenues saw a significant increase following overseas online game releases and merchandise sales. That financial success is likely what gave the green light to expand even further.
The Naruto Theme Park Factor
There is another piece of this puzzle that often gets overlooked. A massive 1.5-hectare Naruto theme park is currently under construction at Parc Spirou in Europe and is expected to open in 2026. This physical-world expansion of the Naruto brand aligns perfectly with a multimedia anniversary celebration. When you combine a theme park, new games, new video projects, and a planned live-action film, it becomes clear that this is a coordinated franchise expansion, not isolated announcements. For context on how live-action anime adaptations are evolving, check out every major live-action anime adaptation coming in 2026.
The Live-Action Film Is Still Moving Forward
Remember that live-action Naruto movie that was announced? It is still in development with Destin Daniel Cretton at the helm. Cretton, who directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings for Marvel Studios, is handling both the script and direction. A successful live-action adaptation would bring Naruto to an entirely new audience just in time for the 25th anniversary celebrations.
Black Clover, BLEACH, and Gintama Are Next
Here is where things get even more interesting. During the same briefing, TV Tokyo President Hiroshi Yoshitsugu confirmed that Black Clover, BLEACH, and Gintama are all in the pipeline as content that will drive the company global expansion strategy following Naruto. Essentially, TV Tokyo is building a blueprint around Naruto and then applying it to other major Shonen Jump properties. If you are not caught up on BLEACH TYBW Part 4 arriving in July 2026, now is the perfect time to get ready.
This signals a broader shift in how Japanese media companies are approaching their biggest franchises — treating them as evergreen properties that can be continuously reinvented for new generations rather than finite stories with a clear endpoint.
What Does This Mean for Fans?
For longtime fans who grew up watching Naruto and Sasuke fight it out at the Valley of the End, this announcement is incredibly validating. The franchise is not just being maintained — it is being actively expanded and reinvented. New games with new partners mean fresh gameplay experiences. New video content could mean new animation styles or even new story arcs. The combination of physical theme park, digital games, and cinematic live-action projects creates a 25th anniversary celebration unlike anything we have seen from a Japanese anime franchise. If you are into shonen anime, you will also want to check out why Kagurabachi might be the next big shonen debut in 2027.
What do you think?
Are you hyped about new Naruto games from unknown partners, or do you worry they might stray too far from the classic formula? And what genre of game would you want to see — open world, fighting game, or something completely different? Drop your predictions in the comments below!
