Naruto may have concluded over a decade ago, but it continues to resonate with fans around the globe. Its legacy is further upheld by the official sequel, Boruto, which, while met with mixed reactions from the original fanbase, has successfully fostered a new audience that is steadily growing.
A significant factor contributing to Naruto’s enduring popularity is its accessibility on various streaming platforms. Unlike many older series, which often become harder to find, Naruto has seen increased availability over time, ensuring that both old and new fans can easily immerse themselves in this beloved anime.
Naruto and Google’s Exciting Anniversary Celebration
Recently, Naruto announced a collaboration with Google to commemorate its 24th anniversary, which began on September 21, 2024—exactly 25 years after the first manga chapter was released. This celebration is expected to continue throughout September 2025.
As part of the festivities, an intriguing Easter egg has been unveiled for users searching for “Naruto”on Google. Fans are delighted to discover that by clicking on the icon representing Konoha, a charming 2D animation featuring Naruto’s iconic run is displayed:
If you search for “Naruto, ” “Hokage, ” or “NARUTO” on Google right now and click the icon at the bottom right of the screen, a ton of Naruto’s shadow clones will appear lol (if you press it repeatedly, the number will increase dramatically 😂) That’s all there is to it, but this is a really realistic feeling lol pic.twitter.com/krQyObm0WF — Ponpo (@danzaitaiwan) February 26, 2025
Details regarding the duration of this Easter egg’s availability on the search engine remain unclear.
As part of celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Naruto anime, originally aired from 2002 to 2017, four special episodes were announced for release in September 2023. Although these episodes were initially expected to delve into Naruto’s past rather than Naruto Shippuden, their release has been postponed, with no updated timeline provided to fans. The scarcity of promotional materials led to speculation that more time was needed for a thorough marketing campaign.
With the 25th anniversary celebration in progress, fans have their hopes pinned on a potential release later in the year. Current rumors point to a possible debut in early 2025, stemming from TV Tokyo documents. Creator Masashi Kishimoto will supervise these episodes, and with Studio Pierrot scheduled to attend AnimeJapan 2025 in late March, fans are eager for further announcements.
The collaboration with Google underscores that the rights holders are keen on maintaining a robust marketing strategy for the franchise, potentially gearing up for the upcoming episodes. Fans are optimistic that these special episodes will be accessible for international streaming. While in 2023, only the French distributor ADN confirmed the acquisition, anticipation is building for a broader international rollout. Following the conclusion of Bleach: A Thousand-Year Blood War, there is a strong likelihood that Pierrot will shift its focus back to Boruto.
For viewers interested in exploring Naruto’s adventures, both Naruto and Naruto Shippuden are currently available on platforms like Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix.
Source: Naruto Official Website
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