Naruto – History, Characters, Anime & Collectibles
An orphan nobody wanted, who ended up leading his village. Naruto is the third best-selling manga of all time. Here is the history, the characters, the viewing order, and what is worth owning in Naruto collectibles.
Techbox, Thessaloniki
The history: the child nobody wanted
In 1999 Masashi Kishimoto began the story of an orphaned boy who carries a demonic creature inside him – and whose village avoids him because of it.
The manga concluded in 2014 at 700 chapters. It is the third best-selling manga of all time, behind One Piece and Golgo 13.
Why it endured: Naruto is not a story about power, it is a story about acceptance. Every antagonist carries their own wound, and most fights end in understanding rather than revenge. That is also why the series' "villains" – particularly Itachi and the Akatsuki – sell almost as well as the heroes.
Naruto or Shippuden? The most common confusion
They are not two versions of the same story. They are a continuation:
Naruto as a child, the academy, Team 7, the first missions.
Two and a half years later. Naruto as a teenager, the Akatsuki, the shinobi war.
The next generation, following Naruto's son. A separate series – see our Boruto guide.
Put simply: Naruto first, then Shippuden, then Boruto.
The characters
The protagonist. He wants to become Hokage – leader of the village.
The rival and friend – the second most popular character.
The third member of Team 7, a medical ninja.
Their teacher, with the Sharingan eye and the mask.
Sasuke's brother – arguably the best-loved "villain" in all of anime.
Supporting characters with substantial followings of their own.
The Akatsuki – the series' most commercial design
The black cloak with red clouds is among the most recognisable designs in all of anime. The Akatsuki are the organisation of rogue ninja, with members including Itachi, Pain, Deidara and Kisame.
Commercially, that design dominates apparel and accessories: t-shirts, hoodies, rings, backpacks. It works even for someone who has never watched the series – which is precisely why it sells as it does.
What is worth collecting
- Figures: Banpresto and Bandai, from small figures to detailed statues. Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi and Itachi have the most.
- Funko POP: the whole cast, including rarer editions.
- Akatsuki apparel: the series' most commercial design.
- Plush: mainly Naruto and Kurama.
- Manga: official English volumes – 72 in total.
- Accessories: keyrings, ninja headbands, rings, posters.
Gift guide
A Naruto or Kakashi Funko POP – recognisable and affordable.
An Akatsuki t-shirt or hoodie, a ninja headband, posters.
Premium Banpresto figures, manga volume sets.
Keyrings, Akatsuki rings, mugs, a manga volume.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between Naruto and Naruto Shippuden?
- They are not two versions – Shippuden is a continuation. Naruto covers his childhood; Shippuden begins two and a half years later with Naruto as a teenager. Watch Naruto first, then Shippuden.
- What is the Akatsuki?
- The organisation of rogue ninja, marked by the black cloak with red clouds. Its members include Itachi, Pain, Deidara and Kisame. Their design is among the most popular on apparel and accessories.
- Do I need to watch Naruto before Boruto?
- It helps a great deal. Boruto follows Naruto's son and rests on relationships and events from the original series. Without it, half of it does not land.
- Where can I find authentic Naruto collectibles in Thessaloniki?
- At the Techbox store (Al. Papanastasiou 100) and online at techbox.com.gr. You can order online and collect from the store with no shipping cost.
- Are your Naruto products official?
- Yes. Everything is officially licensed and comes from authorised distributors.
