Naruto x Ninku Crossover Anime Announced as Four-Episode Project
The "NARUTO: What's Next?" panel at New York Comic Con on Saturday revealed that the previously teased new Naruto anime is a crossover with Koji Kiriyama's Ninku, titled NARUTO x NINKU. The four-episode project is an original story in which Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura wander into the world of Ninku while Naruto is acting captain of Team 7. Masashi Kishimoto and Kiriyama both supervise the story. Noriyuki Abe, who directed the Ninku anime and served as chief director on Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, directs. Tetsuya Nishio, who worked on both franchises, is character designer and chief animation director. Junko Takeuchi and Noriaki Sugiyama, the voices of Naruto and Sasuke, appeared at the panel. A collaboration key visual and celebration illustrations from both manga creators were also revealed. Studio Pierrot is streaming the first five episodes of Ninku free on its YouTube channel ahead of the crossover.