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The Last -Naruto the Movie-'s New Visual Previews Hinata, Sasuke, Sakura, More
posted on by Sarah Nelkin
This year's 46th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine is revealing the newest key visual for the upcoming The Last -Naruto the Movie- film on Monday. The image features the titular character, followed by (from top to bottom) Kakashi, Sai, Hinata, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Sasuke. This is the first full-color key visual for the film, and the first appearance of Hinata.
The Last -Naruto the Movie- will open in Japanese theaters on December 6, and will be the first Naruto film in two years. The film is also part of the larger "Naruto Shin Jidai Kaimaku Project" (Naruto's New Era Opening Project) marking the 15th anniversary of the original manga. Manga creator Masashi Kishimoto is credited with the original story, character designs, and chief story supervisor of the film. In particular, he is drawing new designs for the title character in the movie, as well as for other characters. Tsuneo Kobayashi (The Twelve Kingdoms, Emma: A Victorian Romance, Kurokami The Animation) is directing the film.
A new Naruto film has debuted in Japan every year between 2004 and 2012. The ninth film, Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie, opened in Japan in July 2012 and became the highest grossing film in the franchise. Viz Media has released several of the films in North America, and it presented Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie in select cities on in August.
Shueisha stated earlier this week that the Naruto manga will end in five more chapters. A stage play will open in Tokyo next March.
