"Is This Really Real?!" New Illustration Released by Official Naruto Anime X Account Draws Huge Response: "It's Too Cool!!"

The official X account for the NARUTO / BORUTO anime has released a new illustration in "NARUTO 72 series," a project of newly drawn artwork for Naruto, and fans are celebrating. The striking visual brings together rival characters who have shaped the story's history, and it has drawn a wave of reactions.

The Naruto anime is based on the hugely popular manga by Masashi Kishimoto, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump (Shueisha) starting in 1999. It follows Naruto Uzumaki, a washout ninja who aims to become the village's greatest ninja, the Hokage, and takes on one battle and trial after another alongside his friends. The TV anime aired for about 15 years starting in 2002, with a total of 720 episodes in the series. Its intense battles between a vivid cast of ninja, its bonds of friendship and family, and its weighty drama about Naruto's destiny and growth have earned wide popularity in Japan and abroad, and it continues to captivate fans around the world.

The illustration shows Naruto Uzumaki in Six Paths Sage Mode (voiced by Junko Takeuchi) and Sasuke Uchiha (voiced by Noriaki Sugiyama) at the center, facing off with Madara Uchiha (voiced by Naoya Uchida), Hashirama Senju (voiced by Takayuki Sugo) and others all gathered together. It vividly portrays a lineup of characters who symbolize a history of destiny and conflict, and the result has raised expectations for upcoming merchandise.

Fans have responded to the post with a flood of praise and delight, with comments such as "It's too cool!! So wonderful....!!," "Wooow, I love it!!!," "I'm so happy Madara's in it," and "Huh?!!!?????? Really?!!!!?????? Is it really true?!!!!????? Yaaay, I'm buying it, definitely buying it, Lord Indraaaaaaa."

(C)岸本斉史 スコット/集英社・テレビ東京・ぴえろ