Trying to pinpoint the exact start of the Naruto franchise? You’re not alone, as the timeline can be confusing with different release dates for the manga, anime, and an early pilot.
The Naruto manga officially started on September 21, 1999. This date marks the serialization of its first chapter in the popular Japanese magazine Weekly Shonen Jump. This publication began the manga’s celebrated 15-year journey.
Based on verified publication data, this guide provides the definitive timeline. We’ll clear up the confusion between the manga’s debut, the earlier one-shot pilot, and the later anime series. You’ll discover the precise history of one of the most iconic manga ever created.
Key Facts
- Definitive Start Date: The Naruto manga officially began its serialization in Japan on September 21, 1999, in issue #43 of Weekly Shonen Jump.
- Creator Credit: The entire 700-chapter manga series was written and illustrated by a single creator, Masashi Kishimoto.
- Total Run Time: The manga ran continuously for 15 years, concluding on November 10, 2014, demonstrating its incredible longevity and popularity.
- Complete Scope: The finished series consists of 700 individual chapters, which have been collected into 72 tankōbon (book) volumes.
- The Pilot Version: An early, one-shot pilot chapter of Naruto was published two years before the main series in August 1997, featuring a different story and character concepts.
When Did the Naruto Manga Officially Start? A Complete Timeline
The Naruto manga officially began its serialization on September 21, 1999. This is the definitive date when the first chapter of the iconic series, created by Masashi Kishimoto, was published. It appeared in the 43rd issue of Shueisha’s highly popular Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan, kicking off a run that would span 15 years and solidify its place in manga history.
While fans often debate the franchise’s origin, this 1999 publication is the official start of the main, canonical story of Naruto Uzumaki that the world came to know and love. The serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump, a weekly manga anthology, meant that fans received a new chapter every week. This weekly release schedule was crucial for building a massive and dedicated fanbase over its long run, culminating in its 700th and final chapter in 2026. This date marks the beginning of Naruto’s journey from a young outcast to the hero of the Leaf Village.
The release of the manga is the foundational event for the entire franchise. It was the success of this serialized comic series that led to the creation of the anime, films, video games, and the sequel, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. Understanding this start date is essential to appreciating the full timeline and impact of Masashi Kishimoto’s work.
Which Came First: The Naruto Manga, Anime, or Pilot Chapter?
The Naruto manga was created first, starting its official run in 1999. However, the absolute earliest version of the concept was a one-shot pilot chapter from 1997. The popular anime adaptation that brought the story to a global television audience did not air until three years after the manga’s debut, premiering on October 3, 2002.
For anyone trying to understand the Naruto chronological order, the timeline can be a point of confusion. Many fans discovered the series through the anime, leading to the common misconception that it was the original source. In reality, the anime is an adaptation of the pre-existing manga story. Here is a clear breakdown of the key release dates to resolve any confusion.
| Milestone | Release Date | Publication / Medium | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naruto Pilot Chapter | August 1997 | Akamaru Jump (Summer Issue) | A one-shot story with different character designs. Not part of the main series canon. |
| Naruto Manga Serialization | September 21, 1999 | Weekly Shonen Jump (Issue #43) | The official start of the main Naruto story, written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. |
| Naruto Anime Premiere | October 3, 2002 | TV Tokyo (Broadcast) | The first episode of the anime adaptation, produced by Studio Pierrot and Hayato Date. |
What Was the Naruto Pilot Chapter and When Was It Published?
The Naruto pilot chapter was a one-shot manga published in August 1997 in a seasonal magazine called Akamaru Jump. This version served as a proof-of-concept, similar to a pilot episode for a TV show, allowing creator Masashi Kishimoto to test the initial idea. It is not considered part of the main series canon and tells a self-contained story with notable differences from the final version.
This early draft is a fascinating piece of history for dedicated fans. In this pilot, the narrative was different; for instance, Naruto was the literal son of the Nine-Tailed Fox, not its human container (jinchuriki). Character designs were also distinct, and the core concept of Team 7 did not exist. Its publication in Akamaru Jump, an offshoot of Weekly Shonen Jump, gave the editorial team a chance to gauge its potential before committing to a full-blown series.
How Long Did the Naruto Manga Run and When Did It End?
The Naruto manga ended on November 10, 2014, concluding its official 15-year run. The finale was a major event in the manga world, with Weekly Shonen Jump publishing the final two chapters (699 and 700) simultaneously to give the story a grand send-off. The final chapter, titled “Naruto Uzumaki!!”, provided a definitive conclusion to the main storyline.
The entire saga tells a complete story from Naruto’s childhood to his rise as the Hokage. This journey is captured across a massive body of work that defines the series’ epic scale. The conclusion of the manga marked the end of an era for many fans who had followed the series for over a decade, but it also paved the way for the story to continue with a new generation in the sequel, Boruto.
Here are the key statistics for the manga’s full run:
* Total Run Time: 15 Years (1999–2014)
* Final Chapter: Chapter 700, “Naruto Uzumaki!!”
* Total Chapters: 700
* Total Volumes: 72 tankōbon volumes
FAQs About when did the naruto manga start
Who wrote and illustrated the Naruto manga?
The Naruto manga was both written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. He is the sole creator credited for the story, characters, and artwork throughout the manga’s entire 15-year run. His work on the series has made him one of the most well-known mangaka (manga artists) in the world.
When was the first Naruto volume (tankōbon) released?
The first collected tankōbon volume of Naruto was released in Japan on March 3, 2000. While the series began serialization in the weekly magazine in 1999, this was the first time the initial chapters were compiled into a single book format for purchase, marking another key milestone.
How is the Naruto manga different from Naruto: Shippuden?
Naruto: Shippuden is not a separate manga; it is the name of the anime adaptation covering Part II of the original Naruto manga. The manga itself is a single, continuous 700-chapter story. The split occurs after a two-and-a-half-year time skip in the plot, which the anime used as a branding opportunity to launch the “Shippuden” series.
When did the English version of the Naruto manga get released?
The English translation of the Naruto manga, published by Viz Media, was first released in North America in August 2003. Viz serialized the manga in their own Shonen Jump magazine, making the series accessible to an English-speaking audience approximately four years after its initial Japanese debut.
Is the Naruto manga still ongoing?
No, the original Naruto manga is finished, having concluded in November 2014. However, the story of its world continues in a sequel series titled Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. This sequel manga, initially written by Ukyo Kodachi and later by Masashi Kishimoto himself, began in 2016.
Key Takeaways: Naruto Manga Start Date & History
- Official Start Date: The Naruto manga’s official serialization began on September 21, 1999, in Issue #43 of Weekly Shonen Jump. This is the definitive start of the main series.
- Three Key Dates: The franchise has three important starting points: the one-shot pilot chapter (August 1997), the official manga serialization (September 1999), and the anime premiere (October 2002).
- Complete Series Scope: The original manga is a finished story that ran for 15 years, concluding on November 10, 2014, with a total of 700 chapters collected in 72 volumes.
- Manga Came First: The manga is the original source material. The anime adaptation began three years after the manga’s debut, and “Shippuden” is simply the anime’s branding for Part II of the single, continuous manga story.
- The Creator: Masashi Kishimoto is the sole creator, responsible for both the story and illustrations for the entire original manga series.
Final Thoughts on the Naruto Manga’s Legendary Run
Understanding the Naruto manga’s true start date of September 21, 1999, is the key to appreciating its incredible 15-year history. This date marks the beginning of a journey that transformed a weekly comic into a global cultural phenomenon that has influenced countless other stories and creators. The clear timeline—from its conceptual pilot in 1997, to its official manga serialization in 1999, and its anime adaptation in 2002—paints a complete picture of its development. With 700 chapters, the original manga remains a complete and masterful work of storytelling.
