Kishimoto first authored a one-shot of Naruto in the August 1997 issue of Akamaru Jump. The plot differed substantially in that Naruto was the son of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox instead of being the container, and the story was placed in a more modern setting. This early version of Naruto already had the ability to transform into a sexy young woman - but when he did so, a fox tail sprouted. Kishimoto then rewrote the story to its current form, which was first published by Shueisha in 1999 in the 43rd issue of Japan's Shonen Jump magazine. As of volume 36, the manga has sold over 71 million copies in Japan. Viz Media publishes a translated version in the American Shonen Jump magazine. Naruto has become Viz's best-selling manga series. As of April 2, 2008, the first 28 volumes are available in English-language.

The first of two anime series, produced by Studio Pierrot and Aniplex, premiered across Japan on the terrestrial TV Tokyo network and the anime satellite television network Animax on October 3, 2002, and is still being aired. Viz also licensed the anime for North American production. The first series lasted nine seasons, while Naruto: Shippuden began its first on February 15, 2007.

Naruto debuted in the United States on Cartoon Network's Toonami programming block on September 10, 2005, and in Canada on YTV's Bionix on September 16, 2005. Naruto began showing in the United Kingdom on Jetix on July 22, 2006. It began showing on Toasted TV on January 12, 2007, in Australia, which features the Manga Entertainment TV version and the German-language dub opening, although it could be watched on Cartoon Network in 2006.

From volume 28 onward, the series takes place two and a half years after the previous volume. While simply referred to as Part II in the manga, the anime gave this part of the series the name Naruto: Shippuden lit. Naruto: Hurricane Chronicles). To increase the gap between the manga and anime, so as to not allow the anime to catch up to the manga too quickly, the anime adds several filler arcs.

Naruto: Shippuden tells the story of a matured and older cast from the original series. After training for 2½ years with Jiraiya, Naruto returns to Konohagakure, reunites with the friends he left behind, and reforms Team 7 (renamed Team Kakashi), with Sai replacing Sasuke.

Unlike the original series, the organization of Akatsuki, which played a minor role earlier, takes on the main antagonist role in their attempts of world domination. All of Naruto's classmates have matured and improved in the ranks, some more than others.

Twelve years before the start of the NARUTO series, The Forth Hokage sealed the the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, the Kyuubi, within a new born baby after its attack on the Hidden Leaf Village. That baby was Naruto Uzumaki, the host of what it is said to be the most powerful of the tailed-beasts. One that, with a single swipe of its claw, can raise tsunamis and flatten mountains This beast gives Naruto the ability to heal from wounds at astonishing speeds, as well as give him an immense amount of chakra. It is also the reason why Naruto has those three lines (or whiskers) on each side of his face. The Nine-Tailed Fox is activated in times of extreme rage (like when Naruto saw Sasuke take a hit for him and thought that he was going to die) and times of near death (like when Naruto is about to drown after being heavily wounded in the battle between him and Sasuke). As the Nine-Tailed fox is activated, Naruto becomes more and more like the Nine-Tailed Fox. The Third Hokage and Kakashi Hatake have said that if Naruto loses all control of the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra, than the seal which keeps it inside Naruto will break and the Nine-Tailed Fox will be freed.

If the Nine-Tail Fox escapes from Naruto, then we will die. Fortunately for Naruto and his comrades this has not happened yet. He has been trained by one of the three legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, so that he could control and call upon the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox at will.

First Transformed In: Naruto Episode 16
This is the first form Naruto has taken under the influence of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Naruto's eyes turn a ferocious red, his whiskers increase in size, his hair becomes a little more animal like, his fingernails and teeth grow sharp, and he runs on all four of his limbs. In addition, Naruto gets an energy boost from the Demon Fox's chakra, healing his wounds, increasing his speed, and giving an extra bang to his attacks. Naruto is conscious at this level and is able to control and summon this stage at will after receiving training from Jiraiya.

First Transformed In: Naruto Episode 134
When it seemed like it was the end for Naruto in his fight against Sasuke in the Valley of the End, the Nine-Tailed fox grants Naruto more chakra than he has ever received before. In this stage Naruto gains all the physical attributes that he gained in the first stage as well as a 1-Tailed Fox outline around his body made of chakra. This chakra is hot. So hot, that the water around Naruto is boiling as Naruto is in this stage. The fox-shaped chakra around Naruto's body isn't just for show though. It increases Naruto's reach, as he can thrust his physical arm forward and attack his opponent with an extendable arm made of chakra. In addition to that, it can act as a defense mechanism and deflect incoming attacks without Naruto even controlling it. And of course, Naruto can heal quicker than normal, and is faster and stronger than he was in his tail-less Demon Fox form. Despite his beastly look, Naruto is conscious at this level, and can control what he does.

First Transformed In: Naruto Shippuuden Episode 29
This is Naruto's third Demon Fox stage. In this stage he inherits all the traits that he had before, but now instead of one-tail, he has two tails instead. In addition, Naruto looks more monstrous than before, with his eyes widening, and teeth becoming even more sharper. As to be expected, he is faster and stronger than the previous stage. Like before, he is still conscious, but it begins to look like the Demon Fox's personality is more visible than before.

First Transformed In: Naruto Shippuuden Episode 40
This is Naruto's fourth Demon Fox stage. In this stage he inherits all the physical traits that he had in the previous stage, but now instead of two-tails, he has three. Naruto can now counter attacks and do damage just by simply roaring, indicating he is more powerful than he was at his previous states.

First Transformed In: Naruto Shippuuden Episode 40 - 41
This is Naruto at the 4-tailed stage. Unlike the first four stages where Naruto was in control of himself, in this form, the Nine-Tailed Fox has a grasp of Naruto in his internal Demon Fox prison. This result is that Naruto has no control of his body and the seal that traps the Nine-Tailed Fox in Naruto loosens further. In addition, the chakra that the Demon Fox emits overtakes Naruto's physical body, leaving no visibility of human flesh. He is essentially on fire with chakra with his physical features are similar to that of the Nine-Tailed Fox himself. Not only does Naruto's appearance change, but his power is at its greatest ever. Just a roar produces frighteningly powerful and destructive effects. Even Orochimaru says that if he is to get hit by Naruto at this stage, he'll get killed for sure. Unfortunately for Naruto, this stage causes Naruto's lifespan to shorten. Being at this stage destroys his cells, but at the same time, because of the Nine-Tailed Fox's special ability, generates new cells o replace the destroyed ones. It would seem it would be a good thing for new cells to be made right away to replace the destroyed ones, but it is not. Everybody's body has a limit to how many cells can be produced in a life time. It is encoded in the genetic code. Because cells are being regenerated at an accelerated rate in Naruto's body so quickly, his life span is decreasing since he won't have the ability to produce new ones at some point later in time. (This is not only true for Naruto, but for us humans in real life. Cool huh? Who knew NARUTO was so educational)

A Genin level Ninja, Sasuke is the natural genius offspring of the once powerful Uchiha Clan. One of the most outstanding clans in Konohagakure, the Uchiha Family was known for its Bloodline Limit ability, the Sharingan, and formed much of the Konohagakure's village police force. Sasuke along with his brother Itachi are the only two known remaining survivors of the clan.

Curse Seal
Sasuke's curse seal is known as the Heaven Seal. It is the strongest and powerful of all the curse seal. He received the mark during the 2nd stage of the Chunin Exam. It was merely a test for Sasuke to see how strong an Uchiha bloodline is. Sasuke get this cursed seal from Orochimaru

Sasuke achieved level 1 curse seal when the curse seal had consume his body. It took over his body during the fight against the 3 Sound Ninja, giving him big amount of chakra. The spreading of the curse seal will active the level 1 curse seal.

After taking the Seishingan drug and placed inside the container, the drug was able to fully consume Sasuke and somewhat killed him. He must died to obtain level 2 curse seal. In this level, Sasuke light brown and grew longer hair and has 2 wings. This form makes his Chidori (Lightning Edge) turn black instead of white. Sasuke doesn't stay in this form long because he doesn't want to lose himself forever.

Rasengan Rasengan literally means spiraling sphere in English. It is a short range offensive A-rank attack. To use the Rasengan, one must incorporate the chakra control needed for both tree climbing and water walking.The Rasengan is an A-ranked ultra-high-level technique that took the Fourth Hokage three years to perfect, hence, is said to require very high level of chakra control. Unlike the Chidori, the Rasengan does not "cut" per se. It "grinds" rather, literally creating a hurricane of chakra formed in the shape of a small sphere in the palm of a hand, between the size of a softball and a baseball. Upon its collision with a target, the chakra control needed to confine this Jutsu in a small compact spherical form may suddenly be dropped, the effect producing a rather violent explosive effect on the target. Overall, it does have a drawback: the Rasengan needs great chakra control. It is a self-sustaining technique so once the chakra is molded, the user doesn't need to generate any more chakra. This is one of the few jutsu that require no hand seals and can simply be activated with one hand. Something interesting to note is that the Rasengan cannot be copied by the Sharingan because there are no hand seals involved. The Sharingan can only copy jutsus which are performed by hand seals, so that means Naruto could use that attack as many times as he wants and Sasuke could not copy it in battle.
Despite its power, the Rasengan is said to be an "incomplete technique". When training Naruto in using his nature manipulation chakra, Kakashi tells Naruto that the Rasengan is incomplete because it only uses shape manipulation, and not nature manipulation. Kakashi tells Naruto that he, nor even the creator of the Rasengan, the 4th Hokage, was able manipulate both combine nature and shape in the Rasengan. Kakashi continues on and says only Naruto can combine both forms of chakra because he believes that Naruto is the only one capable of surpassing the 4th Hokage.

Rasengan Stage 1
The first stage in learning to use the Rasengan is chakra control. The user must concentrate his chakra in his hand and make it spin in one direction. To be able to execute that the user must combine the techniques of chakra control that he learned to walk up trees to walk on water at the same time. When Jiraiya taught Naruto, this stage consisted in bursting a water balloon..

Rasengan Stage 2
The 2nd stage is said o be 100 times harder than the first. The second level of the Rasengan is power. This level of the technique forces the ninja to focus their chakra to produce a stronger concentration of chakra to add to the spin of their chakra flow. This creates the powerful outward force of the Rasengan, like a hurricane. Powerful, but uncontrollable. Creating a denser chakra is the second step. Jiraiya made Naruto destroy a rubber ball.

Rasengan Stage 3
For this 3rd stage, the user must use all that it has already learned in stage 1 and 2. The third level of the Rasengan is dominance. The ninja has to be able to use one hundred percent of their spinning chakra and one hundred percent of their powering chakra, and create a small shell to prevent the chakra from dissipating on contact. In other words, this stage consists of controlling rotation and the power of chakra at the same time in the shape of ball. In this state, the Rasengan maintains a more focused and powerful force. As it meets friction, the chakra is captured and focused by the thin shell driving the force of the chakra into target. When Jiraiya taught Naruto, he made him contain his chakra in the shape of a ball in a water balloon without making it burst.

Yondaime, the 4th Hokage
Yondaime is the creator of Rasengan

Thanks to his pupil, Yondaime, Jiraiya learned the Rasengan. Currently Jiraiya is the best user of Rasengan and was the only person living person that we knew of that could use it (aside from Naruto) until Kakashi showed us that he can use the Rasengan as well.

After seeing Sasuke use the Chidori at the Chuunin Exams, Naruto wanted Kakashi to teach him to use it as well. Kakashi was not willing to teach Naruto the attack because he felt Naruto was not ready to use the attack because of his lack of Chakra control. Kakashi said that he would teach Naruto only after he had mastered chakra control, so he hired Ebisu to help Naruto control his chakra. Eventually Ebisu was knocked cold by Jiraiya while peeping at girls, so Naruto convinced Jiraiya to teach him to control his charkra. Eventually, Jiraiya also decided to teach him a technique more powerful than Chidori - Rasengan! Naruto succeeds in controlling his chakra and than learned the jutsu in only 3 weeks. Naruto's Rasengan was different from Jiraiya's because he needed the help of his Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clone) to execute the attack. In extreme emotional states, however, Naruto is able to use the Rasengan without the help of his Shadow Clone.

The Sharingan (Copy Wheel Eye) is a special type of eye that naturally appears in some of the members of the Uchiha clan. The Sharingan allows the user a number of abilities and is a dojutsu (pupil technique). One of the things Sharingan can do is that it can percieve and copy ninjutsu (ninja techniques), genjutsu (illusionary techniques), and taijutsu (hand-to-hand techniques) with perfect accuracy and allow the user to use the techniques, as long as they have the necessary resources (like chakra) to do so. Second, it is capable of a unique brand of hypnosis that involves suggesting actions and thoughts to the opponent. Third, it can see through genjutsu, the level of which is possibly dependent on the user's skill. Fourth, it has the ability to predict an opponent's movement as well as allowing sight of fast moving objects with great clarity.

The weakness of the Sharingan, in Kakashi's case, is that it drains chakra quickly. In order to copy a jutsu, one has to have the physical ability to perform the technique. For example, they have to have the needed amount of chakra, stamina, agility, and/or strength in order to perform said technique. In addition to physical skill, the Sharingan cannot copy any other bloodline abilities or summon a creature the user has not made a contract with because the user of the sharingan has to have the same blood of the other summoning user. In Itachi's and Sasuke's case, their chakra is still drained, but incredibly more slowly, due to the fact that they have the actual Kekkei genkai of the Uchiha clan.

The Sharingan does not automatically appear from birth in a user; instead, it will usually appear when the user is in a life threatening situation, where the power of the Sharingan will save the user. After this first appearance, the user can then call up the Sharingan any time he or she pleases. (Due to its unique nature, Kakashi's Sharingan seems to be "permanently on", and thus he covers it except during heated battles, to conserve chakra.) Interestingly enough, it is possible to transplant Sharingan eyes from one person to another, as is the case with Kakashi and his deceased comrade Obito Uchiha. However, transplanted eyes do not work as well without an Uchiha body, causing much more strain on the user. The power of the Sharingan is judged through the number of tomoe in the person's eye. Below are the types of Sharingan one can have.

Sharingan with 1 Tomoe
This is type of Sharingan has 1 tomoe. It allows the user to perceive motions. An example of this was in the battle between Sasuke and Haku. Sasuke could see Haku's attacks coming.

This is type of Sharingan has 2 tomoe. It allows the user to perceive motions as well as be able to copy the motions perceived. An example of this is when Sasuke was fighting Rock Lee. Since Sasuke was new at this at the time he wasn't that good at it, but he perceived Rock Lee's Taijutsu during his battle and copied it. Than later on during the Chuunin exam he should everyone that he could also use the Taijutsu because his Sharingan had perceived and copied it.

This is type of Sharingan has 3 tomoe. It allows the user to perceive motions, copy the motions perceived, and predict motions. An example of this is during the fight between Sasuke and Naruto at the Valley of the End. Sasuke could perceive Naruto's motions, copy them, and than predict what Naruto was going to do next. Essentially, to Sasuke through use of his Sharingan, it looked like Naruto was going in slow motion that's why he could predict Naruto's next movement.

The Mangekyo Sharingan (translation: Kaleidoscope Copy Wheel Eye) is a heightened form of Sharingan which was once thought have been attainable only by members of the Uchiha clan, and even those who have the potential to obtain it must make a great sacrifice in order to obtain it - according to Itachi, they must kill their best friend. In the present, there are only two known people who can use the Mangekyo Sharingan: Itachi and Kakashi. According to Itachi, if his younger brother Sasuke obtained the Mangekyo, the number of people who could handle the Mangekyo Sharingan (including Itachi and Sasuke) would be three. Using this type of Sharingan Itachi can create a mysterious and very powerful black fire, liek the one he used to escape from Jiraiya's inner frog mouth barrier. It also allows the use an illusion technique. Itachi looks into his opponent's eyes and cast a Genjutsu spell on them. This allows Itachi to have full control over space and time and can place his opponent to be in any world for as long as he wants. The technique itself only lasts a short while in reality, however, to the opponent it feels like an eternity. As far as we know, only Sasuke can overcome this technique because he is a pure Uchiha with the power of Sharingan..

It is somehow capable of creating an interdimensional space-time warp. Kakashi uses it to warp Deidara's right arm into a different dimension. He subsequently uses it again in Chapter 278 to counter Deidara's ultimate move, which would otherwise level the entire forest they were fighting in. However, the attack requires considerable effort to aim precisely and appears to leave Kakashi's chakra significantly drained: he collapses after using the technique three times.
Although this eye is labeled as Mangekyo Sharingan, it is not exactly the same as the version that Uchiha Itachi uses. The appearance of the pupil and tomoe differ from that of Itachi's. Kakashi's tomoe seem more like a pinwheel than a kaleidoscope. Before this was shown, it was thought that one had to have Uchiha blood and had to kill their best friend to acquire the Mangekyo Sharingan. Kakashi is not an Uchiha, and he stated long before developing his Mangekyo Sharingan that everyone close to him was already dead.

Akatsuki, meaning "Dawn", "Red Cloud" or "Red Moon". The organization consist of 9 S-Rank criminals, formerly 10 before Orochimaru left. Most of the members are Missing Ninja who have left their village. Each member of Akatsuki wears the Akatsuki cloak along with a ring which represents their position in the organization. Each member also wears the forehead protector of their former village with a large scratch across it. The members of Akatsuki are all paired up with one another roaming the different countries collecting skills and Jutsu. Still, there are a lots of secrets behind them and little is known about the Akatsuki Organization.
The cloak worn by the members of Akatuski is black on the outside and red on the inside. On the outside, the patterns or the red clouds are seen. The cloak covers the members identity from eye level down to the knee.
Each member of Akatsuki still wears their village forehead protector. But each of the forehead protector contains a large scratch across the villages symbol. titlehough the forehead protector shows the village from which they are from, the scratch symbolizes that they are no longer follow their villages goal.

Each Akatsuki members wears a ring which is inscribed with the kanji symbol of the nine mythical beast of Japanese mythology and the four Kyoto gods.

Village: Hidden Rock Village
Ring: Blue
Finger: Right Index
Partner: Sasori
Deidara is a missin' nin from the Hidden Rock Village. His Akatsuki partner is master Sasori, who he reports who. He's an art ninja. He uses clay and mix with his chakra then mold the clay into birds or doll and use them as explosive.

Village: Konoha
Ring: Crimson
Finger: Right Ring Finger
Partner: Kisame Hoshigaki
A former member of the Uchiha Clan, he very powerful and known as a genius. As a member of Akatsuki, he is teamed up with Kisame. As part of Akatsuki, Itachi and Kisame are after the power of the 9 Tailed Demon Fox that is inside of Naruto.

Village: Hidden Mist Village
Ring: South
Finger: Left Ring Finger
Partner: Itachi Uchiha
Kisame is a Missing Nin from the Hidden Mist Village and is currently a part of Akatsuki and partner with Itachi. Kisame is also marked as a S-Ranked criminal. He carries around a sword made of shark skin which can drain chakra. He is very stubborn and quick to take action. But he doesn't have the most chakra of all Akatsuki members. As part of Akatsuki, Kisame and Itachi were sent to obtain the power of the Nine Tailed Demon Fox. This lead them to find Naruto.

Village: Konoha
Ring: Sky
Finger: Left Pinky
A former ninja from the Leaf Village, Orochimaru left the village and form his own village called the Hidden Sound Village in the Rice Country. He is listed as a Missing Ninja from the Leaf Village. One of the 3 Legendary Sannin. He's not after the Bijuu for power but to take over Sasuke body to gain immortality and superior power. He is currently training Sasuke in his hideout and said that Sasuke is more powerful then Naruto (3rd tail Kyuubi).

Village: Hidden Sand Village
Ring: Sphere
Finger: Right Thumb
Partner: Deidara
Sasori join Akatsuki after he killed the Third Kazekage and turn his body into puppet then left the Sand Village. His partner is Deidara. A known puppet master who loves to transform human into puppet and use their organ as puppet.

Partner: Zetsu
Tobi is an unrecuited member of Akatsuki. He is partner with Zetsu. He took Sasori's ring when Zetsu went to dispose Sasori's body. He was to join Akatsuki because there was an opening after Sasori' died.

Village: Hidden Grass Village
Partner: Tobi
Zetsu is part of Akatsuki and his new recuit is Tobi, who is not an Akatsuki member. He is a spy for Akatsuki and is in charge of disposing body of dead Akatsuki member and taking their ring. He has two personality, black and white face.

In the world of Naruto, all village have ranks that defined who they are and how much they have accomplish. They lived ordinary lives but their dream is to someday become a Ninja (Shinobi). Anyone that want to become a Ninja must enroll in the Academy as Academy Student. If one does graduate from the Academy doesn't mean they will become a Genin, though are still regarded as Ninja. To achieve the title Hage is to be the strongest of that village and outwit your opponent in both body and spirit. There are other ranks like ANBU, Ninja Hunters and even Missin Ninja.

The Ninja Academy is the first step in becoming a ninja. Academy student are enrolled as young as 6 and remain Academy Students until they pass the necessary tests. They are taught by Chunin. They do daily exercise and are taught basic ninja tactics, such as; weapons usage (kunai and shuriken), ninja justu; Transformation Jutsu, Clone Jutsu and most importantly, chakra control. This is similar to Elementary School. No missions are carry out by Academy Student. Upon graduation, each student will receive what is called "Forehead Protector". It means that you are officially no longer Academy Student but no a real Ninja. The forehead protector can be worn anywhere.

Note: According to Naruto, the Leaf Village forehead protector is not only a sign of graduation from Academy School, but also a mean of fair fights between comrades. It is also for protection purposes. Graduating from the Academy and receiving the Head Protector does not mean that you are officially a Genin.

Genin means low Ninja because it is the lowest rank given to a Ninja. Though there are