Struggling to find the exact date the Naruto manga ended? You’re not alone. Many fans get confused between the manga’s conclusion and the much later finale of the anime series.
The Naruto manga officially concluded its 15-year run on November 10, 2014. This date marked the publication of its 700th and final chapter in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine, bringing the original story of Naruto Uzumaki to a definitive close.
Based on an analysis of its full publication history, this guide provides the definitive timeline. You will discover exactly how the manga ended, how it differs from the anime, and what came next for the world of Shinobi. This clarity finally separates the source material’s end from the anime’s.
Key Facts
- Official End Date: The Naruto manga officially concluded on November 10, 2014, marking the end of its 15-year serialization.
- Final Chapter: The series finished with its 700th chapter, titled “Uzumaki Naruto!!”, which served as a full-color epilogue.
- Total Serialization: The manga ran for just over 15 years, starting in September 1999 and collected into a total of 72 volumes.
- Anime vs. Manga Gap: The anime series Naruto Shippuden ended over two years after the manga, on March 23, 2017, due to filler content and novel adaptations.
- The Story Continued: The manga’s conclusion immediately led to the “Naruto Project,” which launched The Last: Naruto the Movie and the Boruto sequel series.
When Did the Naruto Manga Officially End?
The Naruto manga officially concluded its 15-year run on November 10, 2014. This date marked the publication of its 700th and final chapter in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine, bringing the original story of Naruto Uzumaki to a definitive close after its debut in September 1999. This conclusion was a major event in the manga world, celebrating the end of one of the most iconic series ever published.
The final chapter, “Uzumaki Naruto!!,” was released as part of a special double-chapter finale alongside Chapter 699. This brought the sprawling narrative, which had captivated fans for over a decade, to a complete and satisfying end. For millions of readers, this date represents the moment they finally saw Naruto achieve his lifelong dream and the world he fought to protect find peace.
Unlike the anime, which continued for several more years, the manga’s end was a single, fixed point in time. It provided the canonical conclusion to the story written and drawn by Masashi Kishimoto, serving as the source material for all subsequent movies and series. The release in the 50th issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump for that year finalized the 15-year journey.
What Was the Full Serialization Timeline of the Naruto Manga?
The Naruto manga was serialized for 15 years, from September 21, 1999, to November 10, 2014, spanning 700 chapters collected into 72 volumes. This epic run cements its status as one of the longest and most successful manga series in history. The author, Masashi Kishimoto, dedicated a significant portion of his career to telling Naruto’s complete story from beginning to end.
To fully appreciate the scale of this series, here is a breakdown of its complete publication history:
- Start Date: September 21, 1999
- End Date: November 10, 2014
- Total Duration: 15 years, 1 month, 20 days
- Total Chapters: 700
- Total Volumes: 72
The story is broadly divided into two distinct parts. Part I comprises the first 238 chapters, which were adapted into the original Naruto anime series. Part II covers the remaining chapters, from 239 to 700, and forms the basis of the Naruto Shippuden anime. These parts are collected into 72 tankōbon volumes, which are the standard paperback collections sold in bookstores.
How Did the Naruto Manga Conclude in Chapter 700?
The final chapter of the Naruto manga, “Uzumaki Naruto!!,” acts as a peaceful epilogue that jumps several years into the future. It reveals a modernized and thriving Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village) where Naruto has finally achieved his lifelong dream of becoming the Seventh Hokage. The chapter focuses on the new era of peace among the great ninja nations and introduces the next generation of shinobi.
Instead of a final battle, Chapter 700 offers narrative closure and a glimpse into the lives of the characters after their struggles have ended. It confirms the final romantic pairings, such as Naruto with Hinata and Sasuke with Sakura, and shows them as parents. The chapter’s tone is celebratory and forward-looking, setting the stage for the future of the ninja world while providing a satisfying send-off to the original cast.
What Were the Key Events of the Final Chapter?
The epilogue in Chapter 700 is packed with moments that show how much the world and its characters have grown. It provides a satisfying “where are they now” for fans.
- Naruto as Hokage: The chapter’s central focus is on Naruto, now the Seventh Hokage, whose face is carved into the Hokage Rock. He is shown managing the village, though his duties sometimes strain his family life.
- A Modernized World: The ninja world has seen significant technological advancement. The Five Kage Summit, once a tense in-person meeting, is now held peacefully via teleconference, showcasing the new era of cooperation.
- The Next Generation: The chapter formally introduces the children of the original cast. This includes Naruto and Hinata’s son, Boruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke and Sakura’s daughter, Sarada Uchiha, as they attend the Ninja Academy.
- Character Resolutions: It provides a snapshot of what the Konoha 11 are doing as adults. Kiba is seen with Tamaki, Choji is married to Karui with a daughter, and Shikamaru serves as the Hokage’s trusted advisor.
How Does the Manga’s Ending Differ From the Naruto Anime’s Ending?
The biggest difference between the manga and anime endings is the timing and content; the manga ended in November 2014, while the Naruto Shippuden anime concluded over two years later in March 2017. This significant gap was caused by the anime’s production schedule, which included extensive filler arcs and adaptations of official light novels to prevent it from catching up to the manga too quickly.
While the manga ends with the Chapter 700 time-skip epilogue, the Naruto Shippuden anime uses its final episodes to adapt the Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding novel. This means the anime’s definitive conclusion is Naruto and Hinata’s wedding ceremony, an event that is not shown in the manga. This creates three distinct ending points for fans to consider.
Here is a clear breakdown of how each part of the franchise concluded:
| Media | Final Chapter/Episode | Official End Date | Concluding Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naruto Manga | Chapter 700 | November 10, 2014 | Timeskip epilogue showing Naruto as Hokage. |
| Original Naruto Anime | Episode 220 | February 8, 2007 | Sasuke leaves the village (End of Part I). |
| Naruto Shippuden Anime | Episode 500 | March 23, 2017 | Naruto and Hinata’s wedding. |
FAQs About When the Naruto Manga Ended
When did Part 1 of the Naruto manga end?
Part 1 of the Naruto manga concludes with Chapter 238. This chapter, titled “Departure,” was published in April 2005 and depicts Naruto leaving the village with Jiraiya to begin his training. This marks the end of the original pre-timeskip storyline and directly precedes the events of Part II, which the Naruto Shippuden anime adapts.
Did Masashi Kishimoto want to end the Naruto manga earlier?
While Masashi Kishimoto had a clear ending in mind for years, the exact timing was influenced by the story’s natural growth. He originally conceived of the story concluding around the 15-year mark. He has stated that the story expanded beyond his initial plans, but the core ending—Naruto and Sasuke’s final confrontation—remained his goal throughout the serialization.
What chapter does the original Naruto anime end on?
The original 220-episode Naruto anime series concludes its adaptation of the manga at Chapter 238. The anime’s final canon episode covers Sasuke’s departure from the village. After this point, the anime aired a long run of filler episodes before the Naruto Shippuden series began, which picks up the manga’s story at Chapter 239.
Was the Naruto manga ending controversial?
The ending was generally well-received by the majority of fans but did generate some debate. Most readers were satisfied with Naruto achieving his dream and the peaceful conclusion. The main points of controversy revolved around the final character pairings (particularly regarding Sakura and Sasuke) and some feeling that the final war arc dragged on too long.
How many years passed in the final timeskip in Chapter 700?
Approximately 10 to 12 years pass between the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War (Chapter 699) and the epilogue in Chapter 700. This timeskip was significant enough to show the original characters as adults in their late 20s or early 30s, with children who are old enough to be attending the Ninja Academy themselves.
Did the manga show Naruto and Hinata’s wedding?
No, the Naruto manga does not explicitly show Naruto and Hinata’s wedding ceremony. The final chapter, Chapter 700, shows them already married with two children, Boruto and Himawari. The wedding itself was depicted in The Last: Naruto the Movie and further expanded upon in the final episodes of the Naruto Shippuden anime.
What was the “Naruto Project”?
The “Naruto Project” was a large-scale multimedia initiative announced in 2014 to celebrate the manga’s 15th anniversary and conclusion. It included the release of The Last: Naruto the Movie, a series of epilogue light novels focusing on different characters, a stage play, and ultimately the launch of the Boruto franchise.
Is the Boruto manga written by Masashi Kishimoto?
Masashi Kishimoto supervised and wrote the initial story for the Boruto: Naruto the Movie and the early parts of the manga, but he was not the primary writer or artist initially. The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations manga was originally written by Ukyō Kodachi and illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto. However, Kishimoto took over as the primary writer starting from Chapter 52 in November 2020.
Why does the final chapter have color pages?
The final two chapters of the Naruto manga (699 and 700) were released simultaneously with special features to commemorate the finale. Chapter 699 was presented in the standard black-and-white format, while Chapter 700 was published entirely in full color, a rare honor for a weekly series, to make the epilogue a memorable and celebratory event for readers.
What is Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring?
It is a ten-chapter spin-off manga miniseries written and drawn by Masashi Kishimoto himself. It was published in 2015, after the main series ended. The story is set shortly after the events of Chapter 700 and focuses on Sarada Uchiha as she questions her parentage, leading to a journey to find her father, Sasuke.
Key Takeaways: When the Naruto Manga Ended Summary
- Definitive End Date: The Naruto manga officially ended its 15-year run on November 10, 2014, with the release of its final chapter, Chapter 700.
- Narrative Conclusion: The story concludes with a time skip, showing Naruto as the Seventh Hokage in a peaceful, modernized ninja world, and introduces the next generation of shinobi, including his son Boruto.
- Manga vs. Anime Timeline: There is a significant time gap between the endings. The manga ended in 2014, while the Naruto Shippuden anime concluded over two years later in March 2017 due to filler and novel adaptations.
- Complete Publication Scope: The entire manga series consists of 700 chapters collected across 72 volumes, solidifying its place as one of the longest-running and most successful manga series.
- The Story Continued Immediately: The manga’s end was not the true end of the story. The “Naruto Project” immediately followed, launching movies, novels, and the Boruto series to continue the world.
- Author’s Involvement: While Masashi Kishimoto concluded his direct work on the main series, he remained involved by supervising and later taking over writing duties for the Boruto sequel manga.
- The Wedding is Anime/Movie Canon: Naruto and Hinata’s wedding, a major event for fans, was not shown in the manga. It was a central plot point of The Last: Naruto the Movie and the final episodes of the Shippuden anime.
