Masashi Kishimoto, the legendary creator of Naruto series, is bringing back Naruto Uzumaki's beloved father, Minato, for an upcoming manga series. The new Minato Namikaze manga announced earlier this year will be getting an official English language release.
Why Minato of all the characters in Naruto's world of ninjas? Minato placed first in the NARUTOP99 worldwide popularity poll that started earlier this year, and as part of the celebration for the 20th Anniversary of the anime adaptation of Kishimoto's shonen manga series, the original creator is releasing a one-shot chapter focused on Naruto's father. Viz Media has announced that the new Minato manga will be getting a simultaneous English language release as soon as story releases in Japan.
A new Naruto one-shot by Masashi Kishimoto is on its way! Centered around Naruto’s dad, Minato, who placed first in the NARUTOP99 worldwide popularity poll, the chapter will release simultaneously with Japan on Shonen Jump! 🍃 pic.twitter.com/1R19feymxY
— VIZ (@VIZMedia) July 3, 2023
What is the story of Naruto's Minato manga about?
As shown in Naruto's official website, Shueisha teased the following description for the Minato one-shot:
"The story of Minato Namikaze (Fourth Hokage), who took first place in the NARUTOP99 worldwide character popularity vote! What kind of ninjutsu did Minato develop?!" With Minato getting this special new one-shot story, it's yet to be revealed whether or not any of the other familiar Naruto series faces will be seen in action just yet. But with its launch coming later this Summer, it won't be too much longer before we get to see this new work from Masashi Kishimoto!"
The story will likely take place before the events of the Naruto series. As fans of the shonen series already know, Minato has already passed away, so the story will take place in the character's younger years. The official art (shown above) portrays a younger Minato, and it looks like Kishimoto will reveal never-before-seen details about his past in the one-shot manga.
Where to read the Minato manga?
The manga, titled Naruto Gaiden: Uzu no Naka no Tsumujikaze (with its official English title yet to be revealed), will be 55-pages-long and is expected to release on Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine on July 18. The English language digital version will be released by Viz Media in the Shonen Jump library at the same time the new manga launches in Japan, so Naruto fans from all over the world will be able to read the special manga on the same day.
