Created by Masashi Kishimoto, in Japan alone the original manga published by Shueisha, first launched as part of Shonen Jump magazine in 1999, have sold over 65,000,000 copies with 33 volumes so far.TV TOKYO has broadcast, to date, 187 episodes produced by Studio Pierrot, the very successful production house in charge of the animation which has worked on a number of high profile projects. The first episode was aired in October 2002.

Naruto, an easy-going slacker student of the prestigious Ninja Academy, starts his internship with only one goal in mind: to be the chief of the clan. He unwillingly teams up with Sasuke, the cool heir to an elite ninja family, and Sakura, a witty girl with an independent spirit. Naruto is unaware of a vital secret about himself. Years ago, a demonic monster with nine tails devastated the country. The head of the ninja clan sacrificed his own life to defeat the creature and sealed the monster’s spirit inside the belly of a newborn baby, thus assuring the peaceful existence of the village. The baby grew up to be Naruto. The villagers, believing him to be cursed, treat Naruto as a pariah.

Naruto Shippuden represents a new section of the Naruto series - it is the title of the tenth and all subsequent seasons. It is treated as a new series, which is why the episodes start from 1 again.