November 2024 marks a turning point in American life as readers and collectors turn out in droves to make an important choice: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #1—which variant should I get? Also that month: Elections. But if this is the first you’re hearing about this crossover, you’re probably so excited you can’t even remember who’s running! Or is that just wishful thinking?
A team-up between the TMNT and Naruto seems so natural it’s a wonder that no one thought of it earlier. They’re all teenagers. They’re all ninjas. Naruto is just a splash of mutagenic ooze and a pet store away from being the Fifth Turtle. His name even ends in O!
Right now, some of you out there may be saying to yourselves, “Gosh, I know nothing about one or both of these cultural powerhouses, but I’m uncomfortable admitting it to my friends and loved ones.” Kiss that anxiety good-bye! One of our mottos here at Ash Avenue Comics is: There Are No Stupid Questions. For you, the TMNT and/or Naruto newcomer, we present this helpful primer on the basics of each series.
WHAT IS NARUTO?
Naruto is a popular Japanese manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese culture, samurai films, and the ninja genre. It debuted in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine (I wish I could bottle the sense of accomplishment I felt after figuring out how to make that O with the line over it) in 1999 and was later adapted into a hit anime series. Our hero, Naruto Uzumaki, is a young ninja who seeks recognition from his peers and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the leader and strongest ninja of his village.
Naruto became one of the best-selling manga series in history, with over 250 million copies sold worldwide. Its success led to a massive franchise that includes movies, video games, and merchandise out the wazoo. It’s like the Hokage of Manga Village.
In Naruto‘s world, ninjas (known as shinobi) are organized into villages. Naruto, an orphan, lives in the Hidden Leaf Village. Other villagers view him with suspicion because he carries within him the Nine-Tails, a powerful and malevolent fox spirit that once attacked the village. Naruto’s father, the Fourth Hokage, sealed the Nine-Tails inside the newborn Naruto to protect the village.
WHO’S WHO
- Naruto Uzumaki: Our main man. Naruto is a loud, energetic, and determined young ninja. Despite being ostracized by the other Hidden Leafers, Naruto remains optimistic and works tirelessly to gain recognition and achieve his dream of becoming the Hokage.
- Sasuke Uchiha: The boy sidekick. Naruto’s rival and a member of the Uchiha clan, one of the most powerful and tragic clans in the village. Sasuke is driven by a desire for revenge against his older brother, Itachi, who massacred their clan.
- Sakura Haruno: The girl sidekick. A fellow member of Naruto and Sasuke’s team. She is intelligent, determined, and harbors a crush on Sasuke.
- Kakashi Hatake: The mentor. Leader of Team 7, which includes Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. Kakashi is a highly skilled and mysterious ninja with a laid-back attitude but a deep sense of responsibility for his students.
IMPORTANT STORIES
Naruto is divided into two main parts:
- Naruto (Part I): The first part focuses on Naruto’s early days as a ninja and his training in the Hidden Leaf Village. It covers his missions with Team 7, his rivalry with Sasuke, and the ongoing conflicts between various ninja villages. Naruto and his crew must face the Chunin Exams, where young ninjas compete to advance in rank, and maybe, just maybe, do some growing up in the process.
- Naruto: Shippuden (Part II): Set two and a half years after Part I, this part follows Naruto as a teenager. The story becomes darker and more complex, focusing on the Akatsuki, a group of rogue ninjas seeking to capture all the tailed beasts, including the Nine-Tails within Naruto.
Following the conclusion of Naruto Shippuden, the story continues with Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, which focuses on Naruto’s son, Boruto Uzumaki, and the new generation of ninjas.
WHAT IS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES?
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) are four anthropomorphic turtles—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael—who were mutated by a mysterious ooze. They were trained in ninjitsu by their rat sensei, Splinter, who also mutated from the same ooze. They were created in 1984 by artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, who self-published a run of 3000 copies of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 using a tax refund and a loan from Eastman’s uncle. They called their publishing company Mirage Studios because they had no real studio—just their living room.
Eastman and Laird were two struggling comic book artists who shared a small studio apartment in Dover, New Hampshire. They were both passionate about comics and were inspired by popular titles of the time, including Daredevil and Ronin by Frank Miller, and Cerebus by Dave Sim.
One night, while brainstorming ideas and making each other laugh, Eastman sketched a turtle standing upright, wearing a mask, and wielding nunchaku. Laird liked it and sketched his own version of the turtle. Eastman then drew a group of four turtles, each with different weapons, and labeled them “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” The idea so tickled them both they decided to move forward with producing and publishing a book based on the characters.
In 2000, Laird bought Eastman’s share of the franchise, and in 2009, Laird sold the rights to TMNT to Nickelodeon, although both still participate in creative roles for TMNT titles in various ways.
WHO’S WHO
- Leonardo: The leader. He wields two katanas. Leads.
- Donatello: The smart one. He has a bo staff. Does machines.
- Raphael: The angry one. He has a pair of sai. Cool, but rude.
- Michelangelo: The fun one. He uses nunchuks. A party dude.
- Splinter: The turtles’ sensei and father figure, a mutant rat who teaches them ninjutsu. He’s a radical rat.
- The Shredder: Leader of the Foot Clan and Splinter’s archenemy. These Turtle boys don’t cut him no slack.
- April O’Neil: A close friend of the turtles, a scientist or journalist (depending on the version) who aids them in their fight against crime.
- Casey Jones: A goalie mask-wearing vigilante who fights crime using sports equipment.
- The Foot Clan: A criminal organization of ninjas led by Shredder, frequently battling the turtles.
IMPORTANT STORIES
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Vol. 1) #1-12 by Eastman and Laird: These issues introduce most of the cast members, locations, alien races, and ideas that go on to inform every other version of the Turtles. I particularly love the Fugitoid/Triceratons arc from issues 4-6.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Vol. 1) #19-21 (“Return to New York”) by Eastman, Laird, and Jim Lawson: The Turtles, having been run out of New York by the Foot Clan, return to settle the score with the Shredder once and for all. Fantastic, moody storytelling by Jim Lawson, a sorely underappreciated artist. Chock-full of great Raphael/Leonardo rivalry material. The climactic Shredder vs. Leonardo battle is one of the best-choreographed fight scenes of the 80s.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Vol. 1) #50-62 (“City at War”) by Eastman, Laird, and Lawson: Following the Shredder’s death, the Turtles are drawn into a power struggle within the Foot Clan while they (along with April and Casey) confront the realities of growing up and making your own way in the world. This story introduces Karai. A guy named A.C. Farley did great covers for most of these issues.
- The Last Ronin by Eastman, Laird, Tom Waltz, Esau and Isaac Escorza, and Ben Bishop: In a crumbling, post-apocalytic New York City, the last Ninja Turtle pursues a lonely mission of justice for his fallen brothers.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #1
TMNT x Naruto #1 goes on sale on November 13! Be sure to pre-order your copies here so you don’t miss out:
