Naruto is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto, first published in Shonen Jump magazine in November 1999[1]. It follows a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki who has the Nine-Tailed Fox demon sealed inside him and dreams of becoming Hokage, his village's leader[1].

Where did Naruto come from?

Naruto originated as a manga written by Masashi Kishimoto, published in Shonen Jump magazine starting November 1999[1]. The anime adaptation premiered on TV Tokyo on October 3, 2002[1].

What does Naruto mean?

Naruto refers both to the anime/manga protagonist Naruto Uzumaki and to a type of Japanese fishcake (narutomaki) that is white with a pink spiral, commonly found in ramen[2]. The character's name is a reference to this fishcake.

How do you use Naruto memes?

Naruto memes typically use screenshots or clips from the anime as reaction images, recreate the iconic "Naruto Run" pose, or reference well-known scenes and characters[3]. The series' dramatic moments are often edited with unexpected music or paired with relatable situations.

Is Naruto still popular?

Naruto is considered a classic anime with an enduring fanbase. The series is part of the 'Big 3' shonen anime[3] and maintains active communities on Reddit, Tumblr, and various fan sites[3]. Fanfiction.net hosts over 356,000 Naruto stories[3], demonstrating ongoing fan engagement.

Naruto

1999animeclassic

Published September 8, 2026

Naruto is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto in 1999, following the journey of a young ninja aspiring to become his village's leader. The franchise became one of the 'Big 3' shonen anime alongside One Piece and Bleach, spawning a massive online fandom and countless memes including the iconic Naruto Run.

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Overview

Naruto follows the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with the Nine-Tailed Fox demon sealed inside him who dreams of becoming Hokage, the leader of his village1. The series features three-man ninja teams, intense battles, and themes of perseverance that gave rise to the phrase "Be a Naruto," used to encourage people not to give up2. The franchise is considered one of the 'Big 3' shonen anime, alongside One Piece and Bleach3.

The meme culture surrounding Naruto centers on several recognizable elements: the distinctive running style where characters lean forward with arms stretched behind them, the hand signs used for jutsu techniques, and catchphrases like "Believe it!" (or "Dattebayo" in Japanese). The series' devoted fanbase created extensive fan content across platforms including DeviantArt3, Fanfiction.net with over 356,000 stories3, and numerous fan sites3.

Naruto memes typically draw from the show's dramatic moments, character relationships (particularly the rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke), and the over-the-top ninja battles. The Naruto Run became so culturally embedded that it was featured during the 2019 Storm Area 51 event, where participants ran in the anime style past news cameras.

Origin & Background

Platform

Shonen Jump (manga) / TV Tokyo (anime)

Creator

Masashi Kishimoto

Date

1999

Masashi Kishimoto first published Naruto as a manga in Shonen Jump magazine in November 19991. The series ran until November 10, 2014, spanning 72 volumes and 700 chapters1. An anime adaptation premiered on TV Tokyo on October 3, 2002, running for 220 episodes until February 8, 20071.

A sequel series, Naruto: Shippuden, began airing on February 15, 2007, just one week after the original concluded, and continued for 500 episodes1. The franchise expanded to include nine theatrical films, a spin-off series titled Rock Lee and His Ninja Pals (2012), three light novels, numerous video games, and trading card games1.

How It Spread

Naruto built a massive online following through the mid-2000s, establishing communities across multiple platforms. The series maintains a significant presence on Tumblr3, Reddit's r/Naruto3, and 4chan's /a/ (Anime and Manga) board3. The official Naruto Facebook page accumulated over 6 million likes3, while My Anime List3 and Anime News Network3 host detailed information and discussions about the series.

Fan creativity drove much of the spread, with DeviantArt hosting extensive Naruto fanart galleries and dedicated groups3. Fanfiction.net became a hub for over 356,000 Naruto-based stories3. Dedicated fan sites like Naruto-kun and Naruto Fever emerged alongside the official Naruto Wiki3 and TV Tropes page3.

Notable sub-memes emerged from the series, including videos like "Naruto Runs to Various Music" which paired the signature running animation with different songs4. The "Naruto Leaves The Village" edit format also gained traction, with creators setting the emotional scene to unexpected audio5. The Naruto Run in particular crossed over into mainstream awareness, becoming recognizable even to people who had never watched the anime.

How to Use This Meme

Naruto memes typically fall into several categories. Reaction images use screenshots of characters' exaggerated facial expressions. The Naruto Run format involves people (or edits) showing the distinctive forward-leaning sprint with arms trailing behind. Fans often create edits using the series' dramatic musical cues or emotional scenes paired with unexpected content. Character comparison memes draw parallels between Naruto characters and real-life situations, particularly using Sasuke's brooding demeanor or Naruto's never-give-up attitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

References (4)