More than three years after the project was first announced, the long-awaited new Naruto anime may finally be ready for a major update. A new project is set to be revealed during the franchise’s panel at New York Comic Con 2026, reigniting hopes that fans could soon learn what happened to the four special episodes delayed indefinitely in 2023.
The original project was announced as part of Naruto’s 20th anniversary celebrations and promised four newly animated episodes featuring a modern visual style. The anticipation grew even further after the release of the impressive “Road of Naruto” promotional video, which recreated several iconic moments from the franchise with updated animation. However, the episodes were delayed before their planned September 2023 release, and official information has been scarce ever since.
Now, a possible major Naruto announcement at New York Comic Con has given the franchise’s long-waiting fans a reason to pay attention once again.
A New Naruto Project Is Set for New York Comic Con 2026
According to VIZ Media’s announcement, the Naruto franchise will appear at New York Comic Con on October 10, where a new project is expected to be revealed. The official tease also asked, “Could this be the start of something big?” suggesting that the announcement could involve more than a smaller promotional initiative.
VIZ Media has already confirmed its presence at New York Comic Con, which will run from October 8 to October 11, 2026. VIZ Media has also continued to highlight the enduring importance of the Naruto franchise through anniversary events and new releases.
The announcement has naturally led fans to speculate that the delayed four-episode anime project could finally return. However, no official confirmation has been given that the New York Comic Con reveal is directly connected to those episodes. Until the panel takes place, the nature of the new project remains unknown.
Why Fans Still Want an Update on the Naruto Special Episodes
The four Naruto episodes were initially planned to commemorate the anime’s 20th anniversary. When they were postponed, the official reason was that the production needed more time to improve the quality of the animation.
Since then, Studio Pierrot has focused heavily on major projects such as Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, which demonstrated the studio’s ability to deliver a significantly upgraded visual experience compared with the older weekly anime production model.
The silence surrounding the Naruto special episodes has also fueled speculation that the original plan may have changed. Some fans believe the strong reaction to the modernized animation in the “Road of Naruto” video could have encouraged a more ambitious project, though there is currently no official evidence that a full remake is in development.
That distinction will be important when the new project is revealed. The October announcement could bring back the delayed episodes, reveal an entirely different anime project, or even launch a larger initiative for the franchise’s next era.
Naruto’s 25th Anime Anniversary Could Be a Major Factor
The timing is particularly interesting because October 2027 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Naruto anime. The franchise has already been building toward a busy future, with the official Naruto brand continuing to launch new projects, including a global trading card game planned for 2027. Naruto Official Site has confirmed that further announcements connected to the card game are also planned.
The Naruto universe is expanding in other directions as well. The official franchise recently announced that Lionsgate and director Destin Daniel Cretton are moving forward with a live-action Naruto film, including a worldwide casting search for Team 7. Naruto Official Site
With the franchise entering another major anniversary period, New York Comic Con 2026 could finally provide clarity on what comes next for the anime. For now, fans will have to wait until October 10 to find out whether the long-delayed special episodes are finally returning or whether Naruto is preparing something even bigger.
