Naruto (Franchise)

*Naruto* is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. It follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who is ostracized by his village but dreams of becoming Hokage, its leader. The story is split into two parts, covering his childhood and teenage years, and was serialized from 1999 to 2014 in *Weekly Shōnen Jump*. The franchise became a global success, spawning an anime adaptation, films, games, and sequels, and is considered one of the best-selling manga series of all time.