Fans will not have to wait long for the release of a new Naruto manga one-shot based on the Fourth Hokage, Minato, as the official release date has been revealed. In honor of the manga’s 20th anniversary, a worldwide poll was conducted to determine which Naruto character was the most popular among fans. Even Naruto’s creator was astonished by the results of each country’s popularity poll, but it was clear that the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, was the world’s favorite Naruto character, earning him a new one-shot manga from the series’ creator, Masashi Kishimoto.
Kishimoto’s new Naruto spin-off manga titled “Naruto Gaiden – Uzu no Naka no Tsumujikaze” will debut on July 18, 2023, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #33. On the official Naruto website, it was announced that the fifty-five-page one-shot manga will be published in the special 55th-anniversary issue of Weekly Shonen Jump, which has introduced the world to series such as Dragon Ball and One Piece.
The translation’s official English title and release date have not yet been disclosed. However, the title roughly translates as “Whirlpool in the Center of the Whirlwind.” As with official English editions of Shonen Jump, it will likely be available in English the following week.
Minato’s Naruto Spin-Off Manga Releases July 18th
The artwork accompanying the announcement depicts a youthful version of Minato than is seen in the series. Since the announcement of the one-shot, speculation has increased concerning the storyline of the new manga. Nonetheless, the most recent news included a brief synopsis that read, “The story of Minato Namikaze (Fourth Hokage), who won the NARUTOP99 worldwide character popularity vote! What type of ninjutsu did Minato create?” The image and teaser suggest that the one-shot will likely focus on Minato’s childhood and may even reveal how Naruto’s father devised the series’ most iconic jutsu: the Rasengan.
Related: Kaiju No. 8 Anime Release Date Incoming: Get Ready to Roar!
Naruto’s Creator Comes out Of Drawing Retirement for Minato One-Shot
Related: My Home Hero Season 2 Release Date: The Epic Battle Coming Soon!
The official Naruto worldwide character popularity poll received over 4.5 million votes, with Minato Namikaze receiving nearly 17 percent of the total. Itachi Uchiha won second place, while Sakura Haruno earned an unexpected third-place finish.
Prior to the start of the poll, it was disclosed that the winner would receive a one-shot manga written and illustrated by Naruto’s creator. Those who have not relished the Boruto series as much as Naruto or Naruto Shippuden were thrilled to learn that a fan-favorite character would receive a new story and lore. The release of the new manga in July is an exciting moment for Minato fans.
The fanbase for the original Naruto series continues to develop. In September 2023, the Naruto anime will return with four new episodes, much to the delight of fans. After concluding the series, Kishimoto retired from manga and entrusted Mikio Ikemoto with drawing Boruto.
The new one-shot manga featuring Minato will be the first manga illustrated by Naruto’s original creator since the conclusion of the series in 2014. Fans who have helped Naruto become one of the world’s most successful series will be rewarded in July with a new story about the world’s beloved Naruto character, The Fourth Hokage, as the series celebrates its 20th anniversary.