At New York Comic Con on October 10, 2026, the Naruto franchise announced Project Rasengan, a large-scale global initiative for Naruto and Boruto. According to Anime News Network, it opens with a new manga from Masashi Kishimoto titled Naruto Shadow Rising, alongside a crossover anime, a card game and a worldwide release of Naruto Mobile.
Key points:
- Masashi Kishimoto will launch a new manga, Naruto Shadow Rising.
- Naruto x Ninku is a four-episode crossover anime.
- Naruto Card Game launches worldwide in June 2027.
- Naruto Mobile goes global after more than 10 years of China exclusivity.
- More details are due at Jump Festa 2027 on December 19-20, 2026.
What Is Project Rasengan?
Per the press release published on Anime News Network, Project Rasengan is a global initiative meant to bring Naruto and Boruto into a new phase, with a long-term vision for the franchise.
Its roadmap runs from 2027 through 2029 and reveals at least eight projects. The first four are the Ninku anime crossover, the card game, Naruto Mobile's worldwide release and Kishimoto's new manga. The remaining projects are not detailed in the sources.
You can read the original announcement in the press release on Anime News Network.
The Announced Projects in Detail
Naruto Shadow Rising manga
Masashi Kishimoto will launch a new manga called Naruto Shadow Rising. Its release window and publication details have not been announced; according to Anime News Network, they will be revealed at Jump Festa 2027.
Naruto x Ninku anime
Naruto x Ninku is a crossover anime with four episodes, supervised by both Kishimoto and Koji Kiriyama, creator of Ninku. The production team includes director Noriyuki Abe and character designer Tetsuya Nishio, both known for work on the original Ninku anime and Boruto. No air date has been given.
Naruto Card Game
This new trading card game launches worldwide in June 2027 with three starter decks featuring Naruto, Sasuke and Gaara. Demos will be held at select trading card game stores:
- February 5-19, 2027
- February 19 through March 5, 2027
- A wider round from March 5-31, 2027
Naruto Mobile global version
Naruto Mobile is a fighting game first launched in China on May 19, 2016, developed by MoreFun Studios and published by Bandai Namco for iOS and Android. Gematsu reports it will get a worldwide release after more than a decade of China exclusivity, though no exact date has been specified.
Background: Naruto After More Than Two Decades
Kishimoto launched Naruto in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 and ended the series in November 2014. The franchise has since grown to include multiple anime series, OVAs, films, spinoff manga, novels, stage plays and video games.
The Boruto sequel also has its own manga and anime. The Boruto manga went on hiatus in April 2023, returned as Boruto: Two Blue Vortex in August 2023 and is currently ongoing.
The new card game marks a return to TCG releases for the franchise, following Bandai's earlier Naruto Collectible Card Game, which ran from 2006 to 2013.
What It Means for Players
For mobile players, the global version of Naruto Mobile is the headline item, since the game has been limited to China until now. It will be available on iOS and Android, but the release date and regional specifics have not been given.
For card game fans, the three starter decks and demo events beginning in February 2027 offer a chance to try the game before launch. Demos are limited to select stores, so access will depend on location.
Availability or events in Vietnam have not been announced.
What Comes Next
The next milestone is Jump Festa 2027 on December 19-20, 2026. According to Anime News Network, it will bring more details on Shadow Rising, Naruto Mobile's global release date and other Project Rasengan announcements, including the Naruto x Ninku anime.
After that, projects will roll out along the 2027-2029 roadmap.
FAQ
What is Naruto Shadow Rising?
It is a new manga by Masashi Kishimoto, announced on October 10, 2026 at New York Comic Con. Its release window and publication details will be revealed later.
When does Naruto Mobile launch globally?
No date has been announced. The game will be on iOS and Android, and details are expected at Jump Festa 2027 on December 19-20, 2026.
When does the Naruto Card Game launch?
It launches worldwide in June 2027 with starter decks featuring Naruto, Sasuke and Gaara. Demos begin February 5, 2027 at select stores.