The Naruto anime is officially preparing its next major comeback, with VIZ Media confirming that a new animated film will be part of the franchise’s New York Comic Con 2026 presentation. The announcement comes after years of uncertainty surrounding the anime’s future, including the indefinite delay of its previously announced four-episode 20th-anniversary revival.
According to VIZ Media’s official press release, the special Naruto panel will take place on October 10, 2026, at New York Comic Con. The presentation will include an announcement connected to a new animated film and its worldwide premiere, alongside first-look promotional material and additional franchise updates.
Naruto’s New Movie Will Be Revealed at NYCC 2026
The upcoming presentation is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT on October 10 at the Empire Stage inside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. VIZ Media has specifically confirmed that the panel will feature Junko Takeuchi, the Japanese voice of Naruto Uzumaki, Noriaki Sugiyama, the Japanese voice of Sasuke Uchiha, and Yoshihiko Tominaga, an executive producer at Studio Pierrot.
The presence of Tominaga is particularly notable because Studio Pierrot has produced the Naruto anime throughout its television and theatrical history. VIZ Media says the panel will include an announcement related to the new animated film as well as its worldwide premiere, although the company has not yet revealed the movie’s title, story, release date or whether it will be canon to the existing storyline.
This announcement also marks an important moment for the franchise after its long period without a new major anime project. VIZ Media’s official information notes that the original anime debuted in 2002, followed by Naruto Shippuden from 2007 through 2017, while the franchise has also produced 11 theatrical anime films.
What Could the New Naruto Movie Be About?
The biggest unanswered question is what story the new film will tell. The previously announced anniversary revival was planned as a four-episode project returning to Team 7’s earlier days, but that project has remained indefinitely delayed.
That has led to speculation that the new movie could somehow be connected to the delayed revival, although there is currently no official confirmation that the two projects are the same. The film could instead be an entirely new story, particularly as the main Naruto manga has already concluded and the anime’s primary sequel story continues through the Boruto era.
The upcoming NYCC presentation should provide the first concrete answers. VIZ Media has also promised new information about the Naruto Card Game and surprise announcements involving other media developments, making October 10 an important date for the franchise’s future.
