Naruto, the globally acclaimed manga and anime franchise, has captivated audiences for decades with its compelling story, memorable characters, and thrilling action sequences. If you’re new to the world of Naruto or simply looking for clarification, you might be wondering: how many series of Naruto are there? While the core storyline revolves around Naruto Uzumaki’s journey, the franchise is divided into distinct parts. Let’s delve into the different iterations and spin-offs that make up the Naruto universe.
The Main Naruto Series: A Two-Part Saga
The primary Naruto storyline is composed of two main series: Naruto and Naruto Shippuden. These two titles form the backbone of Naruto’s epic journey, tracing his evolution from a mischievous, ostracized child to a powerful and respected Hokage.
Naruto: The Beginning of a Legend
The first series, simply titled “Naruto,” introduces us to the world and its main characters. It covers Naruto’s early years at the Ninja Academy, his formation of Team 7 with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno under the guidance of Kakashi Hatake, and their initial missions. This part lays the foundation for the entire narrative, showcasing Naruto’s determination to become Hokage and his struggles to overcome the prejudice he faces due to the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed inside him.
The series focuses on Naruto’s growth as a ninja, his developing friendships, and the challenges posed by various antagonists. Key arcs include the Land of Waves arc, the Chunin Exams arc, and the search for Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, to become the Fifth Hokage. It’s a crucial period that establishes the core themes of the series: friendship, perseverance, and the importance of never giving up. The original Naruto anime runs for 220 episodes.
Naruto Shippuden: The Adolescent Years and War
“Naruto Shippuden” marks a significant shift in the storyline. The title “Shippuden” translates to “Hurricane Chronicles” and signifies a more mature and darker tone. This series picks up the narrative after a two-and-a-half-year time skip, with Naruto returning to Konoha after training with Jiraiya. He is now older, stronger, and more determined than ever to rescue Sasuke from Orochimaru and confront the looming threat of the Akatsuki.
Shippuden delves deeper into the backstories of various characters, explores the complex motivations of the antagonists, and introduces new powerful techniques and abilities. The series is characterized by intense battles, emotional sacrifices, and the unraveling of the Fourth Shinobi World War. It’s a period of immense growth for Naruto, both as a ninja and as a person. He masters the Rasengan, learns to control the Nine-Tailed Fox’s chakra, and ultimately plays a pivotal role in defeating the series’ ultimate villains. Naruto Shippuden is considerably longer than the original series, spanning a total of 500 episodes.
Spin-offs and Supplementary Material: Expanding the Naruto Universe
Beyond the main series, the Naruto franchise includes several spin-offs and supplementary materials that offer additional insights into the characters, world-building, and events within the Naruto universe. While these aren’t considered part of the core “series,” they significantly contribute to the overall experience and understanding of the narrative.
Naruto the Movie Series: Exploring Side Stories
The Naruto franchise boasts a collection of movies that explore side stories and alternate timelines within the Naruto universe. These movies typically feature original characters and storylines that don’t directly impact the main canon but offer exciting adventures and showcase the characters in different situations.
These movies are usually standalone stories, allowing viewers to enjoy them without necessarily having to be completely caught up with the main anime series. However, understanding the characters’ powers and relationships certainly enhances the viewing experience. Some notable Naruto movies include:
- Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
- Legend of the Stone of Gelel
- Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison
- Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie
- The Last: Naruto the Movie
- Boruto: Naruto the Movie
Each movie provides a unique perspective on the Naruto world and its characters, making them a worthwhile addition to any fan’s viewing experience.
Naruto OVA Series: Short, Supplemental Adventures
The Naruto franchise also includes a collection of Original Video Animations (OVAs), which are short, supplemental episodes that often feature comedic or lighthearted stories. These OVAs typically aren’t considered part of the main canon but provide fun and entertaining diversions from the more serious storylines.
OVAs often explore side stories, character interactions, or humorous situations that wouldn’t necessarily fit into the main narrative. They’re a great way to see the characters in a more relaxed setting and enjoy some lighthearted moments. Some notable Naruto OVAs include:
- Find the Four-Leaf Red Clover!
- Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village!
- Naruto x UT
- The Cross Roads
- Naruto: The Genie and the Three Wishes!!
These OVAs offer a brief but enjoyable glimpse into the more whimsical aspects of the Naruto universe.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations – A New Chapter
Following the conclusion of Naruto Shippuden, the franchise continued with a sequel series titled “Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.” This series focuses on the adventures of Boruto Uzumaki, Naruto’s son, and his own team of ninja. While it’s set in the same universe and features many familiar characters, Boruto is considered a separate series that follows a new generation of ninja and explores different themes and challenges.
Boruto: A New Generation of Ninja
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations centers on Boruto Uzumaki, a rebellious and talented young ninja who initially resents his father’s position as Hokage. The series follows Boruto’s journey as he navigates his own path, forms friendships with his teammates Sarada Uchiha (Sasuke’s daughter) and Mitsuki (Orochimaru’s artificial son), and confronts new threats to the Hidden Leaf Village.
The series expands on the world established in Naruto, introducing new technologies, characters, and conflicts. It also delves into the challenges faced by the next generation of ninja, who must grapple with the legacy of their parents and forge their own identities. Boruto explores themes of family, legacy, and the balance between tradition and progress. As of late 2023, the Boruto anime has over 293 episodes.
Summarizing the Naruto Saga
To recap, the core Naruto storyline consists of two main series: Naruto and Naruto Shippuden. These two series chronicle Naruto Uzumaki’s journey from a young, ostracized ninja to the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. In addition to these two main series, the Naruto franchise includes several spin-offs, movies, and OVAs that expand on the world and characters. Finally, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations continues the story with a new generation of ninja, focusing on Naruto’s son, Boruto.
Therefore, to answer the original question: strictly speaking, there are two main Naruto series (Naruto and Naruto Shippuden), and a sequel series, Boruto. While the movies, OVAs, and other supplemental material contribute to the overall Naruto experience, they are not considered separate “series” in the same way as the core storyline and its direct sequel.
How many main Naruto anime series are there?
There are two main Naruto anime series. The original series is simply titled “Naruto,” and it covers the early adventures of Naruto Uzumaki as he trains to become a ninja and strives to earn the respect of his village. This series adapts the first part of Masashi Kishimoto’s manga.
The second main series is titled “Naruto Shippuden.” This series picks up after a two-and-a-half-year time skip, focusing on Naruto’s growth and more intense battles against the Akatsuki and other powerful enemies. It adapts the second part of the manga, continuing Naruto’s journey to become Hokage.
Are there any Naruto sequel series?
Yes, there is a direct sequel series titled “Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.” This series shifts the focus to Naruto’s son, Boruto Uzumaki, and a new generation of ninjas at the Hidden Leaf Village. While Naruto is still a prominent character, the main narrative revolves around Boruto’s experiences and challenges.
“Boruto: Naruto Next Generations” explores themes of legacy, tradition versus innovation, and the evolving world of ninjas in a time of peace. It also incorporates elements from the Naruto universe while introducing new characters, powers, and conflicts, expanding the overall narrative.
Does Naruto have any movies?
Yes, the Naruto franchise boasts a significant number of feature-length films. There are eleven movies in total, spanning both the “Naruto” and “Naruto Shippuden” eras. These films offer self-contained stories that often feature unique villains and scenarios not explored in the main anime series.
These movies are often considered non-canon, meaning they don’t directly affect the main storyline established in the manga and anime. However, they are still popular among fans for their exciting action sequences, emotional moments, and further exploration of the Naruto universe and its characters.
Are there any Naruto OVAs or specials?
Yes, in addition to the main series and movies, the Naruto franchise includes a collection of Original Video Animations (OVAs) and special episodes. These OVAs and specials offer shorter, self-contained stories that often delve into comedic or slice-of-life scenarios involving the Naruto characters.
These OVAs and specials can explore lighter themes, offer background stories on specific characters, or even provide humorous takes on existing storylines. They offer fans additional content to enjoy outside of the main narrative, often providing a different perspective on the Naruto world.
Is “Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals” considered a Naruto series?
Yes, “Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals” is a spin-off anime series based on the Naruto franchise. However, it’s significantly different in tone and style from the main series. It’s a comedic parody that features the character Rock Lee in a more lighthearted and exaggerated setting.
“Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals” offers a humorous and less serious take on the Naruto universe. It’s aimed at fans who enjoy comedic relief and a different perspective on the beloved characters, focusing on slapstick humor and over-the-top situations rather than the dramatic storylines of the main series.
What is the viewing order for all Naruto content?
For the main story, watch “Naruto” first, followed by “Naruto Shippuden,” and then “Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.” This order follows the chronological progression of the storyline and character development. Movies are generally considered non-canon and can be watched after their respective arcs in the main series.
It’s best to watch movies after the corresponding story arcs in the anime to avoid spoilers or confusion. Spin-off series like “Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals” can be viewed at any time, as they don’t affect the main plotline. Online guides often provide recommended viewing orders that include all movies and OVAs within the chronological timeline.
Are there any differences between the Naruto manga and anime series?
Yes, there are some differences between the Naruto manga and anime series. While the anime largely follows the manga’s storyline, it often includes filler episodes or arcs that are not present in the original manga. These filler episodes are typically created to allow the manga to stay ahead of the anime production.
The anime also may adapt the manga’s panels with slightly different pacing or character expressions. Additionally, some fans prefer the manga for its original art style and unedited storyline, while others enjoy the anime for its animation, voice acting, and musical score, which bring the story to life in a different way.