Masashi Kishimoto, the creator behind the successful "Naruto" franchise, might be able to reveal his upcoming project this year.
According to Anime News Network, the mangaka said during his interview with magazine Jump GIGA that he has already done his research for the upcoming project. However, he did not say when or what the format it will be.
Kishimoto also said last year that he was planning to make a science-fiction manga next. He revealed then that he already finalized the character designs.
"I think the protagonist is one that hasn't been seen before in manga, and while it's me saying it, I think that the character is done very well," he was quoted in an earlier report by Anime News Network.
At the time, he reportedly wanted to think about the difference between what he would write and what readers are looking for when they are reading his creations. He added that he is aiming to make his next project a hit, one that will even surpass "Naruto." However, it might not come out on weekly basis since the weekly publication of "Naruto" reportedly caused him muscle strain.
"Naruto" was first published in 1997 and was serialized for 15 years, from 1999 to 2014. After its conclusion, Kishimoto created the sequel, "Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring." He then wrote the script for "Boruto - Naruto the Movie," in which he also worked as its chief production supervisor.
He also published several novels in 2015 centering on the different characters in the Naruto universe, including Kakashi, Shikamaru, Sakura, Gaara, the Akatsuki, Itachi, and Sasuke. His list of works are listed on GoodReads.
While the "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" manga is written by Kishimoto and Ukyō Kodachi, the illustrations are done by Mikio Ikemoto. The manga creator is supervising the new series.
The interview will be published in Jump GIGA's second issue this year. The magazine was formerly known as Shōnen Jump NEXT!! from Shueisha, the same company that publishes Weekly Shōnen Jump.