Viz Media Bringing Naruto Secret Epilogue, Illustration Books to America

Viz Media is bringing a host of Naruto goodies to North America and in English starting later this year! The two big ones many fans have been curious about are the Uzumaki Naruto illustration book, which was the 114-page art book with visual creations by Naruto series creator, Masashi Kishimoto.

The second is the series of Naruto epilogue books, which are titled Naruto Hidan (Naruto Secret) in Japan. In case you may not remember, the Naruto Secret series of books are official stories that take place after Naruto manga chapter 699, but before Naruto manga chapter 700. These are books, not manga, that have pages upon pages of text only. Similar to the Harry Potter series of books, but not as long. Generally each book in the Naruto Secret series is about 200-300 pages.

The first book to be released in North America will be about Kakashi and is titled NARUTO: KAKASHI’S STORY. A story about Shikamaru is scheduled for a February 2016 release and Sakura’s story is pinned for March 2016 in North America. There are three other books in Japan (about Akatsuki, Gaara, and The Hidden Leaf Village) that will likely also make their way to North America in English, however, they have not been announced yet.

Below is a timeline of events in the world of Naruto as they pertain to the Hidden Leaf Village and its ninja.

1. Naruto Manga Chapter 699
2. Kakashi’s Story takes place a few months after 699. It focuses on an incident in the Land of Waves.
3. Sasuke leaves the Hidden Leaf Village shortly after Kakashi’s Story
4. Shikamaru’s Story takes place two years after 699. It focuses on his battle with a genjutsu user.
5. The Last Naruto the Movie takes place around the same time as Shikamaru’s Story, two years after 699.
6. Sakura’s story takes place a few months after The Last: Naruto the Movie. It highlights Sakura’s feelings after the movie.
7. The Hidden Leaf Village Story takes place shortly after Sakura’s story. It circles around the Leaf Ninja looking for presents for Naruto and Hinata’s wedding.
8. Naruto and Hinata’s Wedding
9. Naruto Manga Chapter 700

Here is the official information about the up-coming releases by Viz Media.

NARUTO, Vol. 72 ·
Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Print MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN; Digital MSRP: $6.99 · Available October 2015
The peace following Kaguya’s defeat is short-lived as Sasuke tries to take total control. Can Naruto change his old friend’s mind and bring true peace to the ninja world in the final volume of NARUTO?

UZUMAKI NARUTO: ILLUSTRATIONS ·
Print MSRP: $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN · Available November 2015
Experience Masashi Kishimoto’s artwork in all of its colorful glory in this collection of images from the conclusion of the best-selling Naruto manga! Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi and all your favorite characters appear in nearly a hundred pages of gorgeous full-color images. The book also features commentary from creator Masashi Kishimoto, a beautiful double-sided poster and a sticker sheet!

NARUTO: KAKASHI’S STORY (Novel) ·
Print MSRP: $10.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Available November 2015
A year has passed since the Fourth Great Ninja War, and Kakashi’s appointment to Hokage looms. But first he heads to the Land of Waves for a dangerous mission rescuing hostages from a top-secret airship. There he confronts a ninja whose heart is frozen by tragedy. Having lost both his friend’s eye and his greatest abilities, can Kakashi really protect anyone? What is the true meaning of the will of fire gained in the distant heavens? Kakashi finds these answers and more as he opens the door to a new ninja era.

NARUTO MANGA BOX SET Vol. 3 ·
PRINT MSRP: $185.99 U.S. / $214.99 CAN · Available January 2016
The third and final NARUTO Box Set contains the thrilling conclusion to one of the most popular manga series of all time. The set features volumes 49-72 at a substantial savings over buying them individually, along with exclusive premiums.