Unveiling Naruto Gaiden: Minato One-Shot Official Release Date - Prepare to be Amazed!

After a hiatus of approximately 7 years, Masashi Kishimoto is ready to make his return to Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine. Kishimoto, the renowned author of the beloved Naruto series, holds a special place in the hearts of fans worldwide. Naruto's influence extends beyond its own story, inspiring countless other series. With such dedicated craftsmanship from its creator, Naruto will undoubtedly continue to thrive as a global phenomenon.

In celebration of the Naruto anime's 20th anniversary earlier this year, a unique popularity poll took place, unlike anything done before. The winner of the poll would be rewarded with a special one-shot series, personally illustrated by Kishimoto himself. After the voting process concluded, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, emerged triumphant. As a result, it was recently announced that a one-shot dedicated to Minato will be released in Summer 2023.

The Naruto Popularity Poll

The Naruto popularity poll marked the 20th anniversary of the TV anime with its first-ever global survey. Inspired by the success of One Piece's global poll, Naruto decided to conduct its own to honor its two-decade milestone. The poll garnered tremendous success, as expected, considering Naruto's enduring popularity worldwide, with fans still cherishing the characters even years after the main story's conclusion.

Taking place from December 17, 2022, to January 31, 2023, fans had the opportunity to vote daily for their beloved character. After the voting period concluded, the votes were tallied, revealing Minato, the Fourth Hokage, as the clear winner. Although other characters initially posed strong competition, such as Itachi Uchiha, one of the series' most beloved figures, and Sakura Haruno, the lead heroine, Minato's popularity triumphed over them all. In recognition of the characters who performed well in the poll, Kishimoto dedicated a colorful spread, while also unveiling plans for a one-shot manga featuring Minato later in the year.

Naruto Gaiden: Minato One Shot Release Date

The official release date for the Minato one-shot manga has been announced, much to the excitement of fans. Set to be released in Issue #55 of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine, the highly anticipated manga will finally be available on July 17, 2023. Fans cannot contain their enthusiasm as they eagerly anticipate the return of Naruto, with the focus now shifting to Minato for the first time in the story. They have already marked their calendars, eagerly awaiting Kishimoto's highly anticipated return to his most popular work. Although the series won't be running for long, it will undoubtedly be a refreshing and captivating addition to the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine once again.

How Long Will The Naruto Gaiden: Minato One Shot Be?

Naruto Gaiden: Minato One Shot is expected to elicit questions regarding its length. While rumors during the popularity poll suggested a potential multi-chapter series, it was promptly clarified that it will be a one-shot. As indicated by its name, this manga will consist of a singular chapter surpassing the typical length fans are accustomed to in Weekly Shonen Jump. Consequently, readers can anticipate a chapter that surpasses the average 20 pages found in the publication.

The Naruto Gaiden: Minato One Shot is confirmed to be 55 pages long. Unfortunately, there won't be a sequel chapter, leaving fans with only this one shot for now. However, this doesn't mean that Kishimoto won't return in the future. With numerous characters in the Naruto universe, there is potential for more one-shots or even a continuation of Minato's story. But for now, fans will have to settle for this single lengthy chapter.

Regardless of its length, fans are ecstatic to finally witness the unfolding of the Fourth Hokage's legend. The original story has hinted at his greatness for years, making it a missed opportunity not to explore his prime years. Now, fans will have the chance to see firsthand the rise of the legend of the Fourth Hokage.

The Plot Of Naruto Gaiden: Minato One Shot

The plot of the Minato one-shot remains undisclosed to fans, but Kishimoto has shared promotional artwork for the series. Based on the artwork, it is clear that Minato will be depicted as a young character, indicating that the story takes place before he becomes the Fourth Hokage. The accompanying blurb suggests that the one-shot will center around the Jutsu that Minato developed. This may include his creation of the Rasengan or his mastery of the Flying Raijin, although it should be noted that he did not originally develop the latter technique, but rather improved upon it. The Rasengan, on the other hand, is Minato's own unique creation and is arguably his most iconic achievement.

The Rasengan is the defining legacy of the Fourth Hokage, passed down through generations. It is likely that this one-shot will focus on this aspect of Minato's story. Spanning 55 pages, Kishimoto's illustrated short story has the potential to captivate readers as it delves into Minato's experiences as a ninja in Konoha before his rise to becoming the Fourth Hokage, taking place after the Third Great Ninja War.

Fans can anticipate the exploration of his dynamic with other characters, including Kushina Uzumaki, Jiraiya, and rivals like Lightning Ay. With the highly anticipated Minato one-shot imminent, excitement is mounting as fans hope for a memorable story. Naruto Gaiden: Uzu no Naka no Tsumujikaze will be available for free reading on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus app starting from July 17th, 2023.