How to Read Naruto in Order: A Complete Guide to All Mang...

How to Read Naruto in Order: A Complete Guide to All Manga & Novels Naruto and Sasuke at the forefront with illusions of Boruto or mentor figures like Jiraiya and Kakashi vaguely hinted behind them

Naruto and Sasuke at the forefront with illusions of Boruto or mentor figures like Jiraiya and Kakashi vaguely hinted behind them

Custom Image by Ana Nieves

By Vanessa Piña Published 52 minutes ago

Vanessa Piña has been an anime writer at ScreenRant since 2024. She is freelance writer who worked as a copywriter and proofreader before deciding to write for her favorite series as an anime journalist. At ScreenRant, she focuses on timely coverage of the latest anime releases and updates on popular franchises.

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Although Naruto has transcended as one of the most successful and iconic anime in history, the manga doesn't fall behind in quality and complementary content. In addition to all 72 volumes of Naruto's manga and its ongoing official sequel, Boruto, the franchise has released all kinds of projects for fans who just can't let go of Naruto Uzumaki's story just yet.

Since its release more than 25 years ago, Naruto has never stopped expanding Masashi Kishimoto's universe with different novels and manga series that bear his seal of approval. From character backstories to content canon to the anime and chibi manga series, Naruto's manga and novels have it all for fans to buckle up, pick their favorite, and enjoy the ride.

All The Main Naruto Manga Series In Chronological Order

Boruto Two Blue Vortex Actually Good now

Boruto, Sarada, and Naruto in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex mangaCustom image by J.R. Waugh

Naruto's manga follows the story of a young orphaned ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village, possessing a terrifying power within him, who dreams of becoming Hokage, the highest authority in his village. The main Naruto manga was divided into two parts. The first, spanning volumes 1 through 27, focuses on Naruto Uzumaki's initial ninja training.

Naruto's Part I covers Naruto's childhood, from joining Team 7 to his evolving rivalry with Sasuke Uchiha. Naruto's Part II, covering volumes 28 through 72, depicts Naruto's teenage years as he fights enemies interested in the Tailed Beasts, such as the Akatsuki; the mysteries surrounding Sasuke's past; and other forces that threaten the stability of the world.

In Naruto's official sequel, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, drawn by Mikio Ikemoto, the original characters take a backseat to give protagonism to the new generation of ninjas from the Hidden Leaf Village. Although the setting and characters were created by Masashi Kishimoto, it was written by Kodachi Ukyo until volume 13.

Kishimoto later returned to the project, and the series was collected into 18 volumes. Resembling Naruto's division, the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations manga ended with a time skip and was preceded by Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, which currently publishes chapters monthly and where Mikio Ikemoto has become a key creative force in the series.

All Naruto Spin-off Manga and Side Stories in Chronological Order

Naruto vol 1 cover art

Although Boruto is Naruto's direct sequel, it's not the only spin-off manga created by Masashi Kishimoto. Created by Kishimoto to celebrate the winner of a Naruto character popularity poll, Naruto: The Whorl within the Spiral serves as a one-shot prequel to the original manga, focusing on the life of the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Minato Namikaze.

Likewise, between the end of Naruto's main story and the beginning of Boruto, there is a two-volume manga adaptation of the novel Konoha's Story: The Steam Ninja Scrolls, which focuses on Mirai Sarutobi, Might Guy, and Kakashi Hatake's mission in the Hidden Leaf Village, where they encounter a mysterious sect, expanding on the story of a former antagonist.

All Naruto Manga Series in Chronological Order

Year

Naruto Gaiden: The whorl Within the Spiral

2023

Naruto Manga Part I (Volumes 1-27)

1999

NARUTO Part II (Volume 28-59)

2005

Rock Lee's Youth Full Power Ninja Chronicle

2012

Naruto: Chibi Sasuke’s Sharingan Legend

2014

NARUTO Part II (Volume 60-72)

2013

NARUTO: The Road Illuminated by the Full Moon

2016

Naruto Gaiden: The Seventh Hokage and The Scarlet Spring

2015

Naruto: Konoha's Story: The Steam Ninja Scrolls

2022

Boruto: Naruto The Movie

2015

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

2016

Naruto: Sasuke's Story: The Uchiha Descendants and the Heavenly Stardust

2022

Boruto: Saikyo Dash Generations

2021

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex

2023

Additionally, Naruto Gaiden: The Seventh Hokage and The Scarlet Spring, compiled in a single volume, expand on the characters' stories after the main manga and take place before Boruto's manga. This was followed up by Boruto: Naruto the Movie, created to promote the film, and The Path Illuminated by the Full Moon, following Mitsuki's origins.

Although not written by Naruto's creator, Naruto: Sasuke's Story: The Uchiha Descendants and the Heavenly Stardust was illustrated by Kishimoto. While Sasuke Retsuden develops Sasuke and Sakura's relationship as they embark on a mission to save the Hokage from an illness, it's one of the wildest entries in the Naruto franchise, as it reveals that dinosaurs existed in the series' universe.

All of Naruto Chibi Spin-off Manga

NARUTO Spin-Off Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals

Due to the popularity of the Naruto franchise, it also has several manga series in chibi format, all written and illustrated by a former assistant of Masashi Kishimoto, Kenji Taira. This features a super deformed version of the characters, who are depicted in a cute art style with big heads and a more childlike personality for comedic purposes.

The first of these Chibi spin-offs is Rock Lee’s Springtime of Youth Full-Power Ninja Chronicles, starring Rock Lee and the rest of the members of Team Guy, showing a funnier side of the characters. The manga had 7 published volumes and an anime adaptation titled NARUTO Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals.

The next chibi gag manga was Naruto: Chibi Sasuke’s Sharingan Legend, and it's perfect for fans who want to see Sasuke's more wacky side as he takes breaks from his quest for revenge to get into the funniest situations. The most recent one released to date, Boruto: Saikyo Dash Generations, ended in 2021 and showcased the antics of Boruto's new Team 7.

How To Read Naruto's Manga

Feature header contrasting Boruto and Naruto

Boruto-Naruto-Manga-Feature-HeaderImage By Joshua Fox

For fans who want to start reading Naruto but don't want to buy the physical volumes, they should look for its digital version, as all 700 chapters are available on Shōnen Jump’s app Manga Plus. Both Boruto: Naruto Next Generations and Boruto: Two Blue Vortex can be read in the app, with the latter releasing new chapters every month.

As for the spin-off manga, fans can also read it in the Manga Plus app. Naruto: The Whorl within the Spiral, Naruto Gaiden: The Seventh Hokage and The Scarlet Spring, and Naruto: Sasuke's Story: The Uchiha Descendants and the Heavenly Stardust. Fans can also buy Naruto's digital volumes on Viz Media's website and Amazon.

All Main Naruto Novel Series

Sasuke Retsuden Cover Light Novel in Naruto

Naruto's universe has expanded through its novels. One of the most important collections is Naruto Hiden, a six-volume series set after the events of the Fourth Shinobi World War. Each volume of Naruto Hiden focuses on a different character, such as Kakashi Hatake, Shikamaru Nara, Sakura Haruno, and Gaara, in addition to stories dedicated to Akatsuki and Naruto's wedding.

On the other hand, the Naruto Shinden series centers around the Uchiha brothers. Itachi Shinden revisits Itachi Uchiha's past, revealing in detail the events that led to the massacre of his clan. Meanwhile, Sasuke Shinden continues to delve into the Uchiha's journey to atone for his misdeed as he protects Konoha and tries to investigate more about the Otsutsuki Clan.

Other entries of the Naruto Shinden Series develop parental bonds. While Konoha Shinden: Steam Ninja Scrolls revolves around Asuma Sarutobi's daughter Mirai, the other three novels feature Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru interacting with their children. The following series, Naruto Retsuden, unveils stories set after Naruto becomes Hokage.

Kakashi Retsuden shows Kakashi's journey after passing the mantle to the Seventh Hokage, Sasuke Retsuden puts a spin on Sasuke and Sakura's relationship as they embark on a mission in the Land of Redaku, and Naruto Retsuden gives fans insight into why Orochimaru's past actions were forgiven by showing him lending his support to Naruto.

Every Naruto Novel in Chronological Order

Collage style image featuring Naruto Uzumaki performing the clone jutsu for the first time in NarutoCustom image by J.R. Waugh

Some original novels don't take part in a series, such as Naruto Jinraiden: The Day the Wolf Howled, which gives a different perspective on what happened after Sasuke's fight against Itachi. Other published stories in the same universe but outside of Naruto's plot include The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi, which is the novel written by Jiraiya in the series.

All Naruto Novels in Chronological Order

Year

Naruto: The Tale of the Utterly Purehearted Shinobi

2015

Itachi Shinden Book: Light and Darkness

2015

Naruto: Innocent Heart, Demonic Blood

2004

Naruto: Mission: Protect The Waterfall Village!

2003

Naruto Jinraiden: The Day the Wolf Howled

2012

Naruto: Kakashi's Story-Lightning in the Frozen Sky

2015

Shikamaru Hiden: A Cloud Drifting in Silent Darkness

2015

Sakura Hiden: Thoughts of Love, Riding Upon a Spring Breeze

2015

Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding

2015

Gaara Hiden: A Sandstorm Mirage

2015

Akatsuki Hiden: Evil Flowers in Full Bloom

2015

Sasuke Shinden: Book of Sunrise

2015

The Last: Naruto The Movie

2014

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Novel 1

2017

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Novel 2

2017

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Novel 3

2017

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Novel 4

2017

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Novel 5

2018

Naruto: Konoha's Hiden: The Steam Ninja Scrolls

2016

Naruto: Shinden: Parent and Child Day

2018

Sasuke Shinden: Teacher’s star Pupil

2018

Shikamaru Shinden: A Cloud Dancing in Forlorn Falling Petals

2018

Kakashi Retsuden: The Sixth Hokage and the Failure Boy

2019

Sasuke Retsuden: The Uchiha Descendants and the Heavenly Stardust

2019

Naruto Retsuden: Naruto Uzumaki and the Spiral Destiny

2019

There is also a novel version of the beginning of Naruto's story, covering the Land of Waves arc, titled Naruto: Innocent Heart, Demonic Blood, as well as a retelling of Boruto: Naruto the Movie written by the first writer of Boruto's manga, Kodachi Ukyo. The wide variety of novels available gives fans plenty of material to enjoy to their heart's content.

All Naruto Novel Considered Canon in the Series' Timeline

Masashi Kishimoto illustrated the covers of Naruto novels and offered his perspective on the overall storylines of the vast majority of them. However, it's not confirmed he directly supervised them, and many contradict the main manga. Still, both Boruto: Naruto the Movie and The Last: Naruto the Movie are considered canon due to the author's active involvement in their stories.

However, since the Naruto Hiden and Naruto Shiden novels were included in both Shueisha's Naruto timeline and one created by Studio Pierrot and were even adapted into the anime, these are considered canon by most fans. Furthermore, the Boruto novels are also considered within the official timeline of Naruto's franchise.

All the Naruto and Boruto Novels Adapted into Anime

Itachi crouching while wearing his Anbu outfit. Behind him, moments with Izumi can be seen.Custom Image by Rodrigo Sandoval Lahut.

Among the Naruto novels that were partially adapted into Naruto's anime as short arcs set between the Fourth Great Ninja War and the finale of the series are Itachi Shinden: Light and Darkness, Sasuke Shinden: Book of Sunrise, Shikamaru Hiden: A Cloud Drifting in Silent Darkness, and Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding.

Similarly, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations also integrated several novels into the anime, such as Naruto Shinden: Parent and Child Day, Konoha Shinden: Steam Ninja Scrolls, and Sasuke Retsuden: The Uchiha Descendants and the Heavenly Stardust. Curiously, some of Boruto's filler arcs were adapted into novels: the Academy Entrance Arc, the School Trip Arc, and the Graduation Exam Arc.

Where To Read Naruto Novels

Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura in Naruto Shippuden manga Image by Shonen Jump

Unfortunately, due to license issues, not all of Naruto's novels are available in English. Some of the novel series available on the Viz Media website include the Naruto Hiden, Naruto Shinden, and Naruto Retsuden novels. These series are also available for purchase on Amazon. Currently, the Boruto novels have not been authorized for distribution in English.

Also, the novelizations of the films The Last: Naruto the Movie and Boruto: Naruto the Movie can be purchased on Amazon in their Japanese editions. Overall, although not every manga and novel is available for Western readers, there are several options for those who want to start reading every entry in Naruto's franchise and experience the story to the fullest.

Naruto (2002) TV Show Poster Naruto First Film Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow Latest Film Boruto: Naruto the Movie First TV Show Naruto Latest TV Show Boruto: Naruto Next Generations First Episode Air Date October 3, 2002 Cast Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei

Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists' children and returning faces.

Current Series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations TV Show(s) Naruto, Naruto: Shippuden, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Expand Collapse

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