Naruto

Naruto is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. It was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014, and collected into 72 volumes. The narrative centers on Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village who seeks recognition and dreams of becoming Hokage, the village leader. Unknown to him at first, he bears the Nine-Tails, a powerful demon fox sealed inside him, which leads to stigma and isolation but also grants unique abilities.

The setting is a world of ninja villages where battles rely on chakra and jutsu. Naruto and his teammates, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, under the mentorship of Kakashi Hatake, undergo missions and face threats from rogue ninjas and from the Akatsuki, an organization seeking to capture tailed beasts. The story explores themes of friendship, perseverance, identity, and reconciliation.

Publication and media: The manga is divided into Part I (early years) and Part II, Naruto: Shippuden, which follows Naruto as a teenager and continues until the war and resolution. The series has spawned an extensive anime adaptation, with Naruto (2002–2007) and Naruto: Shippuden (2007–2017), as well as films, light novels, and video games. Spin-offs include Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, focusing on Naruto's son and the next generation of ninjas.

Reception and legacy: Naruto has sold over 250 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling manga series. It has had a significant cultural impact, influencing other works, merchandise, and adaptations, and is widely regarded for its character development and world-building.