Naruto meets Hiccup as Masashi Kishimoto creates art for How to Train Your Dragon movie’s Japanese release
A major collaboration has been announced to celebrate the upcoming Japanese release of the new, live-action film adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon.
The new movie is partnering with the iconic and globally popular manga series “Naruto” with a new piece of special collaboration artwork.
The new visual was newly drawn by the original creator of Naruto, the legendary manga artist Masashi Kishimoto.
This “dream collaboration” brings together two hugely popular franchises that share a common theme of “friendship and growth.”
How to Train Your Dragon tells the story of the young, underestimated Viking, Hiccup, whose world is changed by his bond with the legendary dragon, Toothless.
Naruto follows the story of the outcast ninja, Naruto Uzumaki, as he grows and forms bonds with his friends and allies on his journey to become the leader of his village.
The new artwork depicts the main pairs from both series, Hiccup and Toothless, and Naruto and his summoning toad Gamakichi, sharing a “fist bump” as they soar through the sky.
The visual is a celebration of the two protagonists’ shared courage and their epic adventures.
In a comment released with the new art, Masashi Kishimoto expressed his deep admiration for the franchise.
“The animated How to Train Your Dragon was so good that it’s known among my manga artist friends as a masterpiece of the highest quality,” he stated.
He continued, “Now, it’s live-action, and of course, it’s just too good! Seeing a live-action dragon flying is many times more exhilarating!”
The live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie is directed by Dean DeBlois.
It is scheduled to be released nationwide in Japan on Friday, the 5th of September, 2025.
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