The Last: Naruto the Movie 2014: Premieres December 6, the First of “Start of a New Era Project”, Creator Kishimoto illustrates More Mature Characters

By Kara Michelle Sep 16, 2014 09:47 AM EDT

The Last: Naruto the Movie 2014: Premieres December 6, the First of "Start of a New Era Project", Creator Kishimoto illustrates More Mature Characters

Globally popular ninja manga series Naruto will be having its upcoming new film The Last: Naruto the Movie, set for release on December 6, 2014, and a special exhibition will follow in 2015.The upcoming new film will be the first entry to the "Start of a New Era Project". The Last: Naruto the Movie is directed by Tsuneo Kobayashi, while manga creator Masashi Kishimoto is supervising the movie script and character designs.

Kishimoto said, "The battle of Naruto and his comrades is in its final phase, in the truest sense of the term. About the Ten Tails, about Madara, and then, about Sasuke...I will continue to raise the tension without restraint, in every way I can. Please follow this story of a boy named Naruto a little while longer, I will greatly appreciate it". The upcoming movie is said to follow the last events of the manga.

Kishimoto's sketches for the upcoming movie were recently exposed. The sketches include Gaara, Sakura, Shikamaru, Lee, Temari, Choji, and Tenten. The sketches show the characters as more mature young adults.

While the first teaser was released on July 31 this year, TOHO just revealed the most recent extended trailer. The 15-second teaser shows various manga-like drawings of the Leaf Ninja, and an animated version of Naruto in his new mission clothes.

As for the popular manga, Naruto series started 15 years ago, and has already sold a total of 130 million copies worldwide.

The Last: Naruto the Movie is officially scheduled for release on December 6, 2014.