Naruto Non-Verbal Live Show to Run at Kyoto's Minamiza Theater in 2027
The show's dialogue-free format and use of Kabuki stage technology position it as a tourism draw for Kyoto while testing whether Naruto's appeal can translate across language barriers in live performance.
Reporting from 2 sources: Anime News Network, Anime Corner.
The Naruto franchise is expanding its live entertainment offerings with a new non-verbal stage show titled "Ninja Show Naruto," set to run at Kyoto's Minamiza Theater from February through June 2027. Unlike previous stage adaptations, the production will tell its story without spoken dialogue, relying on physical performance, acrobatics, aerial stunts, projection mapping, and the theater's traditional Kabuki stage mechanisms. The show aims to be accessible to audiences regardless of language. Yuri Takahashi and Ryuma Aoi will alternate in the role of Naruto Uzumaki, with REI as Sasuke Uchiha, Yui Oikawa as Sakura Haruno, and HIROMA as Kakashi Hatake. Go Ueki, whose previous credits include "Attack on Titan: The Musical" and "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon," is directing. Neil Dorward of Cirque du Soleil is serving as global creative consultant, and Shinjiro Kameda is handling composition. A teaser visual and announcement trailer have also been released alongside the cast and staff details.
The production committee behind the show described it as combining Japan's theatrical traditions with modern stage technology, positioning the project as a new tourism attraction in Kyoto while showcasing the global appeal of Naruto through a dialogue-free format, according to Anime Corner. The show will adapt the original Naruto story, following Naruto Uzumaki's early journey as he grows alongside his teammates in the Hidden Leaf Village.
Go Ueki's previous stage credits include "Attack on Titan: The Musical" and "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon," as noted by both Anime News Network and Anime Corner. Neil Dorward is credited as International Creative Consultant, with his background at Cirque du Soleil. The show's teaser visual and announcement trailer were released alongside the cast and staff details.
The Naruto manga, written by Masashi Kishimoto, began serialization in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump in September 1999 and ran for 15 years until November 2014, ending with 72 volumes. Studio Pierrot animated the anime adaptation, which premiered in October 2002 and ran for 220 episodes, followed by "Naruto Shippuden" for 500 episodes. The franchise also includes the sequel "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" manga and anime, as well as a series of novels, stage plays, and video games. A new Naruto Card Game TCG was also recently announced for 2027.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Anime News Network News Naruto Series Gets Non-Verbal Live Show
- Anime Corner Naruto Announces New Non-Verbal Live Ninja Show at Kyoto's Minamiza Theater for 2027