Custom Image by Casandra Ronning
Published Sep 4, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT
An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.
His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.
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As if its protagonist's warnings never to underestimate him were not enough, the hype for Naruto is still very much alive and indeed ramping up in 2026. In addition to the steady stream of new chapters of its ongoing sequel series, set to return later this month with Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter 37, the mainline Naruto franchise has plenty of swag to showcase ahead of its upcoming releases. Courtesy of Banpresto's Noir Edge Collection, their first Akatsuki figure to feature for the Naruto franchise, fittingly of Itachi Uchiha, recently opened up for pre-orders. While it predictably sold out, fans are easily able to set up alerts when more stock is available, such as via BigBadToyStore or Entertainment Earth.
Launching after the Naruto Uzumaki figure, and ahead of multiple additions from the Akatsuki roster like Deidara, Sasori, Hidan, and Kakuzu, the Akatsuki were teased as the next major rollout via the official Naruto website's announcement back in June. With early orders projected to arrive in stock between January and March 2027, Itachi's figure is the latest glimpse at a subdued, yet striking anime collectibles initiative, rendered mostly in monochrome but with just the right accents to make each character's distinctive features truly pop.
Fans Will Soon Be Able To Take Itachi's New Look Home
Donning a classic film noir aesthetic but with a partial color addition in the form of the distinctive Akatsuki iconography along his cloak, ring, Sharingan Eyes, and painted nails, Itachi is demonstrably proving to be a better fit for this collection than the star of Naruto himself. The figure's high-contrast shading lends itself well to this design, as if recreating Itachi's Tsukuyomi, swapping the photo-negative visuals in place of drawing attention to particular details in the process, rather than overall atmosphere. It conveys an intensity perfectly fitting to the long-standing villain syndicate of the original Naruto run.
Standing at 9.1 inches, this plastic figure will join an impressive lineup of striking characters across the spectrum in Naruto's cast of heroes, villains, and morally ambivalent stars not sitting firmly in either camp. It's a great way to showcase one's passion for the franchise while also staging a foreboding scene as more Akatsuki members, and presumably other ninjas from the Five Great Shinobi Countries, join their ranks too. While perhaps not quite as visually arresting as other franchise additions, like Chainsaw Man's Denji in his Hybrid Form, the Akatsuki are arguably the greatest fit for this collection as their finer details are on full display, to celebrate an exciting new phase for the Naruto franchise.
Naruto Excitement Is Undeniably Growing Each Day
©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO
©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN All Rights Reserved.
With the latest developments such as the production of Naruto's live-action movie going forward, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton after his staggering $2.341 billion+ worldwide-grossing Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the Naruto franchise has plenty to be excited about. But the movie isn't the only worthwhile news going forward. The Naruto franchise and VIZ Media recently confirmed plans to unveil an entire roadmap for the franchise, likely including the latest updates on the upcoming Naruto Card Game and its future anime prospects. Fans may not settle for the remade four episodes promised once upon a time. The Noir Edge Collection merely came just ahead of this flurry of developments, serving only to build more hype in the process.
But it's not just Naruto, as Boruto is enjoying its moment in the sun lately, even after the woefully uneven reception up until Boruto: Two Blue Vortex's manga. When asked recently about whether he'd return to compose for the Boruto anime, long-serving Naruto and Boruto composer Yasuharu Takanashi said specifically to "Please wait a little longer! I will definitely come back!" as seen on his official X account. Between that and the manga's latest developments, including Sarada Uchiha's run-in with Code and the imminent confrontation between her, Boruto, and the Divine Trees, things are moving quickly. It serves as a strong reminder that there are plenty of years' worth of content for Boruto's next anime to join the mysterious Naruto franchise roadmap, with the next chapter coming September 17.
Hidden Leaf Village · Chunin Exam
Naruto
Trivia Challenge
🔥 Jinchūriki Believe it!
🔴 Sharingan Copy ninja
🌀 Jutsu Rasengan!
🌿 Village Will of Fire
⚡ Bonds Unbreakable
BELIEVE IT! →
01
Naruto Uzumaki carries an immense burden — a powerful Tailed Beast sealed inside him since birth by the Fourth Hokage. This fox demon’s chakra gives Naruto extraordinary power but also makes him an outcast. What is the name of this Nine-Tailed Beast?
AShukaku BMatatabi CKurama DGyuki
✓ Correct! Kurama is the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within Naruto by his father, the Fourth Hokage. Initially a source of fear and hatred, Kurama eventually becomes one of Naruto’s closest allies. Their bond is one of the most emotional arcs in the entire series.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Kurama. Shukaku is the One-Tail sealed in Gaara, Matatabi is the Two-Tails, and Gyuki is the Eight-Tails sealed in Killer Bee. Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox, is Naruto’s legendary partner.
NEXT →
02
Naruto’s greatest rival is a prodigy from a prestigious clan who possesses a powerful eye technique called the Sharingan. Consumed by a desire for vengeance against his older brother, he defects from the Hidden Leaf Village. Who is this rival?
ANeji Hyuga BSasuke Uchiha CGaara DRock Lee
✓ Correct! Sasuke Uchiha is Naruto’s eternal rival and best friend. After the Uchiha massacre, Sasuke’s obsession with killing his brother Itachi drives him to leave the village and seek power at any cost. Their rivalry is the emotional backbone of the entire series.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Sasuke Uchiha. Neji is a Hyuga clan genius with the Byakugan, Gaara is the Sand Village’s jinchūriki, and Rock Lee is the taijutsu specialist. Only Sasuke wields the Sharingan and defects to join Orochimaru.
NEXT →
03
Naruto’s signature jutsu is a spinning sphere of concentrated chakra formed in the palm of his hand. Originally created by the Fourth Hokage and taught to Naruto by Jiraiya, it becomes the foundation for many of his most powerful attacks. What is this technique called?
ARasengan BChidori CShadow Clone Jutsu DSage Art: Lava Rasenshuriken
✓ Correct! The Rasengan is a pure chakra manipulation technique that doesn’t require hand signs. Created by Minato Namikaze and passed down through Jiraiya to Naruto, it evolves into many variations including the devastating Rasenshuriken with added Wind Release nature transformation.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is the Rasengan. The Chidori is Sasuke and Kakashi’s lightning technique, Shadow Clone Jutsu is a different Naruto staple, and the Lava Rasenshuriken is a late-series variant. The base Rasengan is Naruto’s iconic spinning chakra sphere.
NEXT →
04
Team 7’s leader is a mysterious, mask-wearing jonin known as the “Copy Ninja” for his ability to replicate over a thousand jutsu using his borrowed Sharingan eye. He’s always reading a certain novel. Who is this legendary sensei?
AMight Guy BAsuma Sarutobi CJiraiya DKakashi Hatake
✓ Correct! Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja of the Sharingan, leads Team 7 (Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura). His Sharingan was a gift from his dying friend Obito Uchiha. Always cool under pressure and perpetually reading Make-Out Paradise, Kakashi eventually becomes the Sixth Hokage.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Kakashi Hatake. Might Guy leads Team Guy, Asuma leads Team 10, and Jiraiya is one of the Legendary Sannin who later trains Naruto. Only Kakashi is the masked Copy Ninja with a borrowed Sharingan who leads Team 7.
NEXT →
05
Sasuke’s older brother massacred nearly the entire Uchiha clan in a single night, then joined the criminal organization Akatsuki. It was later revealed he did it all on orders from the village to prevent a coup — sacrificing everything to protect his brother. Who is this tragic figure?
AMadara Uchiha BItachi Uchiha CObito Uchiha DShisui Uchiha
✓ Correct! Itachi Uchiha is one of Naruto’s most complex characters. A pacifist genius forced into an impossible choice, he bore the hatred of the entire world — including his beloved brother Sasuke — to protect the Hidden Leaf from civil war. His final words to Sasuke remain iconic.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Itachi Uchiha. Madara is the legendary clan founder, Obito is the masked man behind much of the war, and Shisui was Itachi’s best friend. Itachi alone carried out the massacre to prevent the Uchiha coup and protect Sasuke.
NEXT →
06
From the very first episode, Naruto declares his lifelong dream to earn the respect of his village and prove his worth. He vows to achieve the highest rank in the Hidden Leaf — its supreme leader. What is this title that Naruto dreams of?
AKazekage BJonin Commander CHokage DAnbu Captain
✓ Correct! Hokage is the title of the Hidden Leaf Village’s leader, and Naruto’s dream of becoming Hokage drives the entire series. After years of struggle, he finally achieves his dream and becomes the Seventh Hokage in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Hokage. The Kazekage leads the Sand Village, Jonin Commander is a military rank, and Anbu Captain leads black ops. The Hokage is the Hidden Leaf’s supreme leader — and Naruto’s lifelong dream since he was a lonely academy student.
NEXT →
07
Naruto’s father was the Fourth Hokage, known as the “Yellow Flash of the Leaf” for his incredible speed using the Flying Thunder God technique. He sacrificed his life to seal the Nine-Tails inside his newborn son. What is his name?
AMinato Namikaze BHiruzen Sarutobi CTobirama Senju DHashirama Senju
✓ Correct! Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage and Yellow Flash, sacrificed himself using the Reaper Death Seal to seal Kurama inside baby Naruto. His love for his son and faith in Naruto’s potential made him one of the series’ most selfless characters.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Minato Namikaze. Hiruzen Sarutobi is the Third Hokage, Tobirama Senju is the Second, and Hashirama Senju is the First. Minato, the Fourth Hokage, is Naruto’s father who sealed the Nine-Tails at the cost of his own life.
NEXT →
08
A shy, kind-hearted kunoichi from the Hyuga clan admired Naruto from afar since their academy days. She boldly confessed her love while fighting Pain to protect him, and eventually became his wife. Who is this character?
ASakura Haruno BIno Yamanaka CTemari DHinata Hyuga
✓ Correct! Hinata Hyuga went from a timid girl who could barely speak around Naruto to a fierce warrior who stood against Pain to protect him. Her confession during the Pain arc is one of the series’ most emotional moments. They marry in The Last: Naruto the Movie and have two children, Boruto and Himawari.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Hinata Hyuga. Sakura is Naruto’s teammate who loves Sasuke, Ino is Sakura’s rival from the Yamanaka clan, and Temari is a Sand Village kunoichi who marries Shikamaru. Only Hinata loved Naruto from the very beginning.
REVEAL MY SCORE →
Mission Complete Your Ninja Record
/ 8
Are you Hokage material — or still at the academy practicing clone jutsu?
↻ RETRY MISSION
Ultimately, fans are free to support the franchise however they wish, should it be by diligently reading the manga and engaging via social media with the latest chapters of Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto's work in Boruto each month, or buying its plethora of merchandise. With Naruto featuring prominently in Banpresto's Noir Edge Collection, and more Akatsuki on the way, fans have the opportunity to showcase their love for the franchise however they see fit ahead of its latest developments, but realistically, these figures are likely just the tip of the iceberg compared to what's ahead.
Cast Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
Latest Film Boruto: Naruto the Movie
English (US) ·