Kishimoto Officially Celebrates New Naruto Release That Is Now Prime Target for Scalpers

Naruto fans finally have something big to look forward to as a brand-new Naruto Card Game is officially on the way. The game was announced back in June 2026 and is set to launch worldwide in summer 2027 (as per the official Naruto Card Game website).

It’s the first Naruto trading card game in over a decade, so no wonder that the fans are hyped. Kishimoto even celebrated the announcement with a special hand-drawn tribute of his own. Following is everything you need to know: Kishimoto’s involvement, how the game actually works, and why collectors are already worried this is going to be a scalper’s dream come true before it even hits shelves.

Naruto Card Game Confirmed: Kishimoto’s Hand-Drawn Tribute

Naruto from Naruto: Shippuden | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Kishimoto himself sent over a special message and illustration to celebrate the reveal. In the illustration, we can see both Naruto and Sasuke doing ninja signs, except they also have the game cards sitting between their fingers. The way this illustration is drawn, it is actually very reminiscent of the final fight between both of them.

He even had a special message for all the fans around the world:

“I’m glad to see the world of NARUTO grow larger once again. I truly hope these cards find their way to both your hands and your hearts.” – Kishimoto

Kishimoto has been actively involved in supporting the franchise’s comeback, and this small gesture shows he’s genuinely invested in how the card game turns out. It’s a nice touch for longtime fans who grew up with the series and now get to see the creator himself hyped about it too.

The game will pull characters and storylines from all three eras of the franchise: Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. So whether you’re a fan of the original anime or you got into the show through Boruto, there’s something here for you.

Inside the Cards: Leaders, Chakra, and Competitive Play

But how does the game actually work? The rules are actually quite simple when compared to other mainstream card games. Each player builds a deck around a Leader card. Your Leader’s color determines what kind of cards and strategies you can use, which makes it kind of like a class system.

A full deck is made up of 51 cards, along with 5 Chakra cards and 1 Summon card. The Chakra cards act as your resource system, basically the fuel you need to play your characters and pull off moves. The goal is simple: bring your opponent’s Leader’s life down to zero before they do the same to you.

It’s built to be strategy-heavy and competitive, not just a casual collector’s item. All the rules can be read in detail on the official welcome page. Bandai has already been running Tutorial Sessions at events so new players can learn the ropes before the official summer 2027 release.

Why Scalpers Are Already Circling the 2027 Release

Naruto from Boruto: Naruto Next Generations | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Unfortunately, there is a source of nervousness around this announcement: this game is most probably going to be a major scalper target, and it hasn’t even come out yet.

Think about it. Trading card games like Pokémon move serious money, and it already suffers a lot from scalping. One of the cards was even valued at $5.3 million, which proves how much. Now add Naruto’s massive fanbase and nostalgia factor into the mix, and it’s clear that this card game is gonna suffer from the same issues.

There’s also the Bandai factor. This is the same company behind the One Piece Card Game, which blew up into a global hit where top cards now sell for thousands. Since Naruto Card Game comes from the same publisher, it’s fair to expect a similar (if not bigger) frenzy, especially with Kishimoto’s name attached and 25 years of Naruto nostalgia behind it.

Are you excited for this new card game? Let us know in the comments.

Naruto is streaming on Crunchyroll