Naruto is a beloved series that has been around for an incredibly long time. The manga was created by Masashi Kishimoto and published in 1999, and the anime soon followed in 2002. Since then, Naruto has become one of the most popular anime and manga series in the world, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. But when was Naruto made?
The Creation of the Manga
The first iteration of Naruto was created by Masashi Kishimoto in 1999. Kishimoto was inspired by the popular manga series Dragon Ball, which was created by Akira Toriyama in 1984. Kishimoto wanted to create a similar story that followed the adventures of a young ninja as he became stronger and faced off against increasingly powerful enemies. Kishimoto worked on the manga for several years, and it was eventually published in 1999.
The Creation of the Anime
The anime adaptation of Naruto was created by Studio Pierrot and aired in 2002. The series was directed by Hayato Date and written by Junki Takegami. The anime was an immediate success, and it ran for 220 episodes over the course of six years. The series was well-received by fans, and it helped to further popularize the original manga series.
The Spin-Offs and Sequels
The success of Naruto spawned several spin-off and sequel series, such as Naruto Shippuden, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, and Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals. Naruto Shippuden was the direct sequel to the original series and aired from 2007 to 2017. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is a sequel series that follows the adventures of Naruto's son, Boruto, and it is currently airing. Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals is a spin-off series that focuses on the character Rock Lee and aired from 2012 to 2013.
The Movies
The success of the anime also spawned several feature-length movies, such as Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow and Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower. The first movie, Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, was released in 2004 and followed Naruto and his teammates as they went on a mission to protect a princess. The second movie, Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower, was released in 2010 and followed Naruto as he traveled to the past to save the world.
The Games
The Naruto franchise has also spawned several video games, such as Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm and Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker. The first game, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, was released in 2008 and was a fighting game featuring characters from the series. The most recent game, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, was released in 2018 and was an action-adventure game featuring both the original and sequel series.
The Merchandise
The success of the series has also spawned a variety of merchandise, such as action figures, clothing, posters, and more. The merchandise includes items from both the original and sequel series. There is also a variety of Naruto-themed items available in stores, such as keychains, mugs, and phone cases.
The Impact of Naruto
The impact of Naruto is undeniable. The series has been around for over twenty years, and it continues to be a beloved and popular series. The series has spawned spin-offs, sequels, movies, games, and merchandise, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Naruto has inspired many fans around the world, and it will continue to be a beloved series for years to come.