Naruto Uzumaki is an orphan, a prankster and the village outcast, because the monstrous Nine-Tailed Fox was sealed inside him the day he was born. He also wants to become Hokage, the leader of his ninja village. Over 72 volumes and fifteen years, Masashi Kishimoto turned that underdog story into one of the biggest manga and anime franchises in the world.

Naruto is the fourth most stocked manga series in our shop, and we have a strong run from both halves of the story. This guide covers its history, the anime, the characters and the volumes we would point new readers to. You can browse our Naruto manga here.

Where Naruto came from

Kishimoto made his debut in Weekly Shōnen Jump with the full serialisation of Naruto on September 21, 1999. The series mixed traditional Japanese ninja ideas with a modern, almost urban fantasy world of villages, clans and chakra-powered techniques. It grew quickly into one of Jump's pillars, alongside One Piece and Bleach, during what many fans call the magazine's golden "Big Three" era.

The story: Part I and Part II

Part I follows Naruto's early years in Team 7 with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno under their teacher Kakashi Hatake. The Land of Waves mission, the Chūnin Exams and the battle to bring back Sasuke after he leaves the village to chase power are some of the most loved arcs in shōnen manga.

Part II, which the anime calls Shippuden, picks up after a time skip. The stakes rise to a world war as the Akatsuki organisation hunts the tailed beasts. Kishimoto steadily reveals the history of the Uchiha clan, Naruto's parents and the legendary Sage of Six Paths, before the long-awaited final clash between Naruto and Sasuke in the last volumes.

From page to screen: the Naruto anime

Studio Pierrot's first anime aired from October 10, 2002 to February 8, 2007, with 220 episodes. Naruto Shippuden followed from February 15, 2007 and ran until March 23, 2017, for 500 more episodes. Together they turned the series into a global phenomenon, especially in the years when anime was first being widely streamed online.

Naruto has also been adapted into 11 theatrical films. The first three tie into the original anime, and the remaining eight connect to Shippuden. The franchise continues with Boruto, a sequel following Naruto's son as he finds his own ninja way.

Masashi Kishimoto's influence

Kishimoto's art has a very cinematic feel, with hand signs, dynamic fight choreography and a strong sense of weight in every punch. His character designs, especially the Akatsuki cloaks and the Uchiha's Sharingan eyes, became instantly recognisable and are still among the most cosplayed in the world.

Why Naruto still matters

Naruto's themes of loneliness, recognition and refusing to give up resonated with a generation of readers. Many of today's manga artists have spoken about growing up on it, and its influence on modern shōnen action is everywhere. Phrases like "believe it" and the Naruto run are pop-culture memes in their own right.

Where to start reading Naruto

Start at Vol. 1, The Tests of the Ninja. The Land of Waves arc in Vols. 2–4 is where the series finds its heart. If you are coming from the anime and want to jump into the second half, the time skip begins at Vol. 28, Homecoming. We stock a wide spread of volumes, including Vol. 8 from the Chūnin Exams and Vol. 43 from Part II.

Naruto manga & anime timeline

Key characters in Naruto

Curiosities collectors should know

Naruto volumes worth knowing

• Vol. 1

  Naruto Vol. 1: The Tests of the Ninja

  2003 · Viz Media

  Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura become Team 7. The start of the legend.

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• Vol. 3

  Naruto Vol. 3: Bridge of Courage

  2004 · Viz Media

  The Land of Waves arc reaches the bridge, as Team 7 faces Zabuza and Haku in one of the most emotional early stories.

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• Vol. 16

  Naruto Vol. 16: Eulogy

  2007 · Viz Media

  The aftermath of the Konoha Crush, and a turning point for the village.

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• Vol. 28

  Naruto Vol. 28: Homecoming

  2008 · Viz Media

  Homecoming: the time skip and the start of Part II, known in the anime as Shippuden.

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• Vol. 43

  Naruto Vol. 43: The Man With the Truth

  2009 · Viz Media

  A pivotal Part II volume as the truth behind the Uchiha comes to light.

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• Vol. 72

  Naruto Vol. 72

  2014 · Viz Media

  The final volume, closing fifteen years of the story.

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Naruto covers through the years

A look at the covers across the English-language run. Tap a cover to find it in our shop.

Vol. 1 Vol. 3 Vol. 6 Vol. 8 Vol. 11 Vol. 13 Vol. 16 Vol. 18 Vol. 21 Vol. 23 Vol. 25 Vol. 28 Vol. 30 Vol. 33 Vol. 35 Vol. 38 Vol. 40 Vol. 43 Vol. 45 Vol. 48 Vol. 50 Vol. 52 Vol. 55 Vol. 57 Vol. 60 Vol. 62 Vol. 65 Vol. 67 Vol. 70 Vol. 72

Naruto on our shelves right now

Here are some of the volumes we currently have in stock. Every copy is checked and graded before it is listed.

Vol. 8 Vol. 26 Vol. 38 Vol. 43 Vol. 59 Vol. 66

You can also browse every Naruto book we stock.

Frequently asked questions about Naruto

Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Naruto books of your own you would like to sell? Email us at contact@siomiccomics.com. Naruto and all related characters are trademarks of Masashi Kishimoto / Shueisha. Cover images are shown for reference.