Multimedia entertainment company VIZ Media will mark the 20th anniversary of NARUTO with a national brand campaign, the YEAR OF NARUTO, launching at the upcoming New York Comic Con 2019 (NYCC). The beloved action/adventure franchise has become synonymous with Japanese pop culture and exemplifies the massive international popularity of anime and manga.
To celebrate NARUTO’s manga origins and kick off the YEAR OF NARUTO, VIZ Media will debut one-of-a-kind, limited edition manga-inspired products at NYCC. The exclusive items available to North American fans for the first time include an official NARUTO skateboard deck by Hypland and a hand-numbered, exclusive poster with hologram details featuring Naruto in various stages of his evolution, from a ninja-in-training, all the way to a full-fledged Hokage.
VIZ Media’s YEAR OF NARUTO campaign will continue throughout 2020 and will feature a wide range of yet-to-be announced officially licensed brand activations. These include video games, events featuring pop-up installations, panel discussions and other special live programming, and an array of product activations and collaborations with top global lifestyle brands.
“The YEAR OF NARUTO is a fitting tribute to a global marquee brand and an important international ambassador for Japanese pop culture,” says Brad Woods, Chief Marketing Office, VIZ Media. “Join us as we celebrate our favorite ninja with special collaborations, new officially licensed merchandise and events in the coming year!”