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By
Vanessa Piña
Published Feb 1, 2026, 8:30 PM EST
Vanessa Piña has been a freelance writer for the ScreenRant anime section since 2024. As a senior writer, she focuses on timely coverage of the latest anime releases and updates on popular franchises.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account Add Us On follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recapAnime has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, but 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the industry, if it weren't for Naruto. Historically, Weekly Shōnen Jump has brought some of the biggest manga hits, but it wasn't until the 2000s that fans would experience the global impact of anime's Big Three: Bleach, One Piece, and Naruto.
The Big Three became the face of a new era, and although their anime series only overlapped during their run between 2004 and 2012, Shōnen Jump now has a golden opportunity to achieve the greatest accomplishment of the last decade. Some of the most popular titles are returning this year, which could set up the greatest anime lineup for 2026.
Naruto Is Holding Back Shōnen Anime’s Greatest Year Ever
Known as the father of shōnen, Dragon Ball isn't part of the Big Three, but it was a major influence on these animes. Luckily for fans, Dragon Ball Super will return in 2026 with a remake of Battle of Gods after years of hiatus. This highlights how Shōnen Jump's biggest anime franchises will launch a project this year.
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is scheduled for fall 2026, One Piece will return in seasonal format in April, and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War will premiere its final season in July. This means Naruto is currently the biggest obstacle to what could be shōnen's best year of the decade, since it's the only one of the Big Three without a confirmed anime in 2026.
This is a major lost opportunity for Shōnen Jump, given that this is the only year the Big Three's anime could coincide, as Bleach is set to air its last season. This year also has exciting premieres like Black Clover Season 2, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, and the final episode of My Hero Academia. Unfortunately, no Naruto projects were announced at Jump Festa 2026.
Naruto's 4 New Episodes Need an Official Update
Road of Naruto
Although a Chinese studio recently leaked that a Naruto anime is in production, Studio Pierrot has yet to officially confirm the series or its release date. Fans are speculating that it's the four-episode remake of Naruto, which was initially set for 2023 but was later postponed without further information.
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Dive into the world of movies and TV shows with Screen Rant, your source for news, reviews, and exclusive content. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.While it's a short project, meaning its release this year isn't unreasonable, fans are cautious due to the lack of updates and how long this Naruto anime has been delayed. Furthermore, Pierrot is working on new seasons of Bleach and Black Clover. Nevertheless, Shōnen Jump is having its best year of the decade, and Naruto is the only anime missing.
Naruto
First Film
Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
Latest Film
Boruto: Naruto the Movie
First TV Show
Naruto
Latest TV Show
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
First Episode Air Date
October 3, 2002
Cast
Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
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