What Is Naruto About?
The story follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village (Konohagakure) who carries a terrible secret: sealed inside him is the Nine-Tailed Fox, a monstrous beast that once attacked his village. Feared and shunned because of it, Naruto grows up craving acknowledgment. His answer is gloriously simple — he will become Hokage, the village’s leader, so that everyone has to respect him.
That dream sounds naive at first. Naruto starts as the class clown, dead last in his ninja academy, all bluster and no skill. But Kishimoto builds one of the most satisfying long-form character arcs in manga: Naruto earns every inch of his growth through stubbornness, empathy, and an almost supernatural ability to change the people around him. The series’ central theme — that understanding others is stronger than defeating them — plays out across hundreds of chapters of escalating ninja warfare.
The Core Cast
Naruto Uzumaki
The protagonist. Loud, impulsive, and endlessly optimistic, Naruto’s greatest power isn’t his jutsu — it’s his refusal to abandon anyone. His signature techniques, the Shadow Clone Jutsu and the Rasengan, become iconic, but it’s his “talk no jutsu” — his habit of reaching the hearts of even his worst enemies — that defines the series.
Sasuke Uchiha
Naruto’s rival, teammate, and the series’ deuteragonist. The last survivor of the Uchiha clan’s massacre (carried out by his own brother), Sasuke’s quest for revenge pulls him away from the village and into darkness. The Naruto-Sasuke relationship — part brotherhood, part rivalry — is the emotional spine of the entire manga, and their final confrontation is one of the most anticipated endings in shonen history.
Sakura Haruno
The third member of Team 7. Sakura starts as the team’s weakest link, defined mostly by her crush on Sasuke, but she grows into a formidable medical ninja and one of the strongest kunoichi in the series. Her arc is about earning her place through sheer effort.
Kakashi Hatake
Team 7’s laid-back, mask-wearing jonin instructor. Kakashi is a fan favorite for his cool demeanor, his copied techniques (he’s known as the Copy Ninja), and the tragic backstory that explains his philosophy about teamwork. His mentorship shapes all three of his students.
The Villains
Naruto’s rogue’s gallery is legendary: the manipulative Orochimaru, the philosophical Pain, the masked schemer Obito, the godlike Madara Uchiha, and the final cosmic threat Kaguya. What elevates them is that Kishimoto gives almost every major villain a human backstory — you understand why they broke, even as you root for Naruto to stop them.
Naruto Manga Reading Order and Story Arcs
The manga is complete at 72 volumes and 700 chapters, split by fans into two parts: Part I (Naruto) and Part II (Naruto Shippuden). Here’s the arc breakdown in reading order:
Part I Arcs
- Prologue — Land of Waves: Naruto’s first real mission with Team 7 introduces Zabuza and Haku, and establishes the series’ moral complexity early.
- Chunin Exams: The legendary tournament arc. New rivals, new powers, and the invasion of the Leaf Village.
- Konoha Crush: Orochimaru’s assault on the village, with devastating consequences for the Hokage.
- Search for Tsunade: Naruto’s training to master the Rasengan while the village seeks a new Hokage.
- Sasuke Recovery Mission: Team 7 fractures as Sasuke defects. The Valley of the End fight is a landmark moment.
Part II (Shippuden) Arcs
- Kazekage Rescue Mission: Gaara’s kidnapping reunites the themes of jinchuriki and friendship.
- Sasuke and Sai: Team 7’s new dynamic as they hunt for the defected Sasuke.
- Hidan and Kakuzu: The Akatsuki closes in, and the cost of war becomes personal.
- Itachi Pursuit and Tale of Jiraiya: Revelations about the Uchiha massacre reshape everything.
- Fated Battle Between Brothers: Sasuke vs. Itachi — the truth finally comes out.
- Pain’s Assault: The invasion of Konoha and Naruto’s arrival as the village’s savior. Many fans call this the series’ peak.
- Five Kage Summit: The ninja world unites against a common threat as Sasuke spirals further.
- Fourth Shinobi World War: The massive alliance-vs-army conflict that dominates the final stretch.
- Birth of the Ten-Tails’ Jinchuriki and Kaguya Strikes: The cosmic-scale finale.
- The Final Valley and Epilogue: Naruto vs. Sasuke, one last time — then a glimpse of the future.
Manga vs. Anime: Which Should You Choose?
Both are valid, but they offer different experiences:
- The manga is the complete, unfiltered story — no filler, tighter pacing, and Kishimoto’s original panel compositions. If you want the story as intended, start here.
- The anime (Naruto and Naruto Shippuden) adds voice acting, music, and spectacularly animated fights — but it also includes a large amount of filler episodes that aren’t in the manga. Many fans recommend a filler guide if you go the anime route.
A common path: read the manga for the story, then watch the anime’s best fights (the series’ major battles are beautifully animated) as a supplement.
Where to Read the Naruto Manga Officially
The official English publisher is VIZ Media, which released all 72 volumes in print and digital. You can read the series through VIZ’s official Shonen Jump platform, where chapters are available digitally, or pick up the collected volumes from bookstores. Reading officially supports Kishimoto and the industry — and the official translation quality is excellent.
What Comes After Naruto: Boruto and Beyond
The story continues in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, which follows Naruto’s son Boruto. It’s a different series with a different tone — more sci-fi, faster-paced — and fan opinion is divided. You don’t need Boruto to enjoy Naruto; the original manga’s ending stands on its own as a complete story. But if you finish all 700 chapters and still want more of the ninja world, Boruto is there waiting.
For another completed epic about war, moral gray zones, and a protagonist pushed to extremes, check out our guide to Attack on Titan — Hajime Isayama’s modern classic.
FAQ
How many volumes and chapters does the Naruto manga have?
The manga ran for 72 volumes and 700 chapters, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014. It is fully complete.
Should I read the Naruto manga or watch the anime?
The manga gives you the complete story with no filler and Kishimoto’s original pacing. The anime adds music and animated fights but includes many filler episodes. Most longtime fans recommend the manga first.
What is the reading order for Naruto?
Read Part I (volumes 1–27) first, then Part II/Shippuden (volumes 28–72). The story is linear — no side stories are required, though the epilogue chapter 700 leads into the Boruto sequel.
Who is the strongest character in Naruto?
By the end of the series, Naruto and Sasuke stand at the top as near-equals, with their final battle ending in a draw. Kaguya Otsutsuki is arguably the most powerful single entity they face.
Is the Naruto manga finished?
Yes. The main series concluded in 2014. The sequel series Boruto continues the story with a new generation, but Naruto’s own arc is complete.
Where can I read Naruto legally in English?
VIZ Media is the official English publisher. The manga is available through VIZ’s Shonen Jump digital platform and in print volumes at bookstores.
