With the upcomingTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesxNarutocrossover, the Heroes in a Half Shell continue their tradition as masters of the multiverse, this time sporting a new look that brings together the iconic styles of two legendary ninja franchises in what is sure to be one of the year’s “must read” titles.
As announced earlier this year, the four-issue collaboration between IDW Publishing and VIZ media will see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles team up with tweeners Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruni and their teacher Kakashi Hatake as they investigate why Shredder’s sinister Foot Clan has suddenly become interested in the hidden ninja village of Konoha.Now, fans can see how the series is redesigning the Turtles, both with and without Anbu masks.
Since its announcement, theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Narutocrossoverhas sparked intense interest among fans of both franchises. A burning question within the fandoms is whether the creators can successfully merge the distinct elements of the Turtles and Team 7. Judging by the recently revealed cover art, fans can rest assured that the series is in capable hands.
Perhaps the most striking Naruto influence is Prasetya’s use of Anbu masks, a hallmark of the elite “ninja’s ninja” in the Naruto universe. To maintain their distinct personalities, Prasetya cleverly customizes each mask, reflecting the Turtles’ unique traits through expressive eye designs and painted mouth details.
TMNT Officially Reveals What The Turtles Look Like As Humans
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles human forms have officially been revealed, as the heroes get a surprise transformation to fit in with the public.
TheTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesDebut Their OfficialNarutoRedesigns
Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo Make for an Awesome Shinobi Unit
While fans of theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesare accustomed to seeing various renditions of the pizza-loving, butt-kicking quartet, the same cannot be said forNaruto. Since its debut in 1999, the series has been illustrated exclusively by its creator, Masashi Kishimoto, and his successor, Mikio Ikemoto. This consistency has givenNarutoa distinct and iconic visual style, one that fans are particularly attached to. Thankfully - while neither Kishimoto nor Ikemoto are involved in illustrating the collaboration - new covers capture the iconicNarutostyle.
WhileNarutodeviates from the traditional portrayal of a ninja, it has established a signature aesthetic over the years. This includes a fusion of traditional Japanese clothing and modern practicality, such as military-inspired attire, comfortable footwear, and functional accessories like athletic wrappings and sleeves.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Narutohas incorporated these traits seamlessly into the Turtles' designs for the series, with art by Jorge Jiménez, Hendry Prasetya, Dan Duncan, Andres Moncayo and Vincenzo Federici showcasing their new ninja garb.
The Turtles nowsport classicNaruto-style shinobi vests, hip pouches strapped to a taped leg, and fingerless gloves, blending theNarutouniverse’s aesthetic with the Turtles' unique personalities. In Jiménez’s cover illustration, theNaruto-inspired elements on the Turtles are even more pronounced. Alongside the shinobi vests, gloves, and tool pouches, the typically barefoot Turtles are shown wearing the signatureNaruto-style sandal-boots. They also don the iconic engraved headbands worn by shinobi from the Five Hidden Villages during missions.
Perhaps the most strikingNarutoinfluence is Prasetya’s use of Anbu masks (above), a hallmark of the elite “ninja’s ninja” in the Naruto universe.This choice aligns perfectly with the Turtles' focus on stealth and undercover operations. However, to maintain their distinct personalities, Prasetya cleverly customizes each mask, reflecting the Turtles’ unique traits through expressive eye designs and painted mouth details. This thoughtful touch not only honors theNarutoaesthetic but also pays homage to Kishimoto and Ikemoto’s signature emphasis on facial expressions in their artwork.
From Power Rangers to He-Man, the Turtles Are Always Ready for a Costume Change
While this marks theNarutofranchise’s first major crossover comic/manga series, it is far from theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' first venture into collaborative storytelling. TheTurtles are the “poster boys” of the multiversecrossover.Over the years, the Turtles have teamed with a wide range of heroes from across pop culture, including Batman, Archie Comics, the Power Rangers, and the Masters of the Universe.One of the most exciting aspects of these crossovers has been the Turtles’ flexible costume designs, which often adapt to reflect the aesthetic of their collaborators.
For example, in the 2019 crossover with theMighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, theTurtles donned their own Ranger X battle suits, complete with personalized helmets in classic Power Ranger style. More recently, inthis year’s crossover withHe-Man, the Turtles adopted battle armor and weaponry that gave them a distinctly Masters of the Universe aesthetic while still retaining their iconic Turtle personalities.
However, as the preview art for theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Narutocrossover reveals, the shared shinobi ethos between the two teams has led to perhaps the most seamless transformation yet. The “Naruto-fication” of theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesmight be the best example of integrating the essence of two iconic franchises.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Narutowill be available for purchase on July 06, 2025.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) is a multi-media franchise that began with Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s comics in the 1980s. Throughout the years, their comic books expanded to movies, TV shows, video games, and toys. Most notably, the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ran for nearly a decade and has become a nostalgic staple of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Several other movies have featured the four anthropomorphic turtle brothers (Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael), including the trilogy of live-action films in the ‘90s and the more recent movies Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and its sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.
Naruto
Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists' children and returning faces.
