Exciting Update: Kishimoto's Minato Spin-Off Manga Release!

In a thrilling announcement earlier this year, Masashi Kishimoto revealed that he is preparing to make his return to Weekly Shonen Jump with a spin-off manga featuring Minato. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beloved Naruto anime, a popularity poll was conducted and the results were revealed last month. It comes as no surprise that the winner of the poll was none other than Konoha's Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

As promised, Kishimoto will now be creating a one-shot manga based on the life of the legendary Fourth Hokage, allowing fans to delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding his character. Although the release date has yet to be officially announced, fans are eagerly anticipating the release of this exciting new addition to the Narutoverse.

What To Expect From The Minato One Shot?

Masashi Kishimoto has crafted an immersive and captivating universe in Naruto, where every character, not just the main cast, is cherished and revered by fans. Despite Naruto Uzumaki being the lead protagonist, the other characters are equally compelling, with intriguing character arcs that contribute to the overall plot of the series. One such character is the Fourth Hokage, whose legacy was introduced in the first chapter of the story, and only grew as the series progressed, with the inclusion of the Rasengan.

Even after his death, Minato continued to play a vital role in the series, particularly during the Fourth Great Ninja War, where fans were able to witness him in action. However, there remains a significant untapped portion of his life that has yet to be explored. Fans have long desired for Naruto characters to be given their own side stories, and characters like Minato and Itachi are certainly deserving of their own spin-off manga. While not every character received a side story, Minato's story is finally being told.

The potential for this manga is truly boundless. With Kishimoto at the helm, both writing and illustrating, fans can expect an extraordinary addition to the Naruto canon. Moreover, the manga will further develop the character of Minato, shedding light on his enigmatic past. While fans know a few details about his life, such as his childhood ambition to become Hokage and his swift achievement of that goal, much of his history remains a mystery. The Kushina flashback provided a glimpse into his past, but the spin-off manga promises to reveal even more about why Minato is regarded as a legendary shinobi and one of the greatest to ever live. Fans can look forward to experiencing unforgettable moments that will deepen their appreciation of this iconic character.

When Will The Minato One Shot Be Released?

It has been announced that the Minato one-shot manga will be released in the summer of 2023, though an exact date has not been disclosed. Fans can look forward to Naruto's return to Jump with the Minato spin-off, sooner than anticipated. The majority of the fandom predicted a fall release, making this news all the more exciting. An announcement has already been made, suggesting that the release may be only a month or so away. A fitting release date would be July or August.

While the manga is a one-shot, the chapter will likely exceed the average length of a Naruto chapter. Kishimoto wrote a long chapter for his previous one-shot manga on Mitsuki. Should the Minato manga extend beyond the one-shot, fans can expect several months of Naruto content, marking the first time in almost 8 years.