From Naruto Officially concluded, creator Masashi Kishimoto has remained actively involved in several noteworthy projects. He wrote the miniseries Naruto Gaidencontinue to be vigilant Borutoand notably published the one-shot manga Minato in 2023, after the conclusion of Naruto Global popularity survey.
That one-shot was met with overwhelming praise, so much so that fans immediately began wondering if more character-focused stories could follow.
Last year, when asked directly about the possibility of creating additional one-shots, Kishimoto revealed his interest in writing a story centered on Uchiha Itachi.
As one of the most beloved characters in the whole Naruto franchise, bringing Itachi back even briefly would be a huge moment for fans and a significant boost to the series’ legacy.
While Kishimoto hasn’t yet decided what kind of story he’ll tell, his comments suggest the idea is very much alive.
“Yes, I want to do more one-shots, but I’m taking the time to think about it,” Kishimoto said. “I actually look at the reader-voted character rankings. Minato was number one. Second was Itachi… I say that half-jokingly, but you never know.”
This statement alone has reignited widespread speculation that Itachi Uchiha may soon return in an official manga.
The character of Itachi remains one of the most emotionally complex and iconic figures in the world Naruto. Despite his death, fans continue to debate his motivations, sacrifices, and untold experiences.
A dedicated one-shot could explore:
– Itachi’s time in ANBU
– His internal conflict before the Uchiha massacre
– Never seen moments with Sasuke
– Events between main arcs never shown in the original series
Such a story would not only satisfy longtime fans, but also reinvigorate the Naruto brand at a time when enthusiasm has waned.
In addition to Itachi, Kishimoto has expressed interest in creating more manga content, whether it be:
- A sequel or prequel to Naruto
- Independent one-shots for key characters
- A completely new manga series
Many fans, however, hope he returns Naruto without involving Borutowhich was criticized by a large segment of the fan base.
There is still a large narrative gap between the end of Naruto and the beginning of Boruto a timeline full of untapped narrative potential.
According to speculations, Kishimoto might consider one-shots focusing on some fan-favorite characters such as: Uchiha Itachi, Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto or Uchiha Sasuke.
Among these, a story centered on Itachi appears the most likely and the one with the greatest impact.
Many fans agree that Naruto the franchise needs a creative “reset”. A powerful, character-driven one-shot starring Itachi could be exactly what the series needs to regain momentum.
Sources: GameK
