“naruto” continues to demonstrate its enormous popularity more than two decades after its debut in the manga world, with the first volume of the series reaching an impressive market value. Via the official Twitter account of Beckett Collectibles, it was announced that a copy of the first edition of Naruto Volume 1 was sold privately for a staggering sum of US$ 20,000. The sale was announced on August 28, after the company certified the volume and gave it a score of 9.8, indicating an almost impeccable state of conservation.

The copy, which includes its original dust jacket and an obi (a strip of paper that wraps the book with additional information), is distinguished by showing Naruto exclaiming: “I will become Hokage!“. Beckett's rating of 9.8 suggests that the volume is in very near perfect condition, with only minor flaws. The assessment is based on physical characteristics such as folds or tears and, in this case, the volume was considered exceptional.

Despite the impressive sales figures, some commentators expressed surprise, suggesting that the US$20,000 price tag might be excessive, even for a first edition. Mercari Japan, an online auction platform that recently announced the ability to ship internationally through Buyee, saw similar volumes at considerably lower prices. However, the value of the first chapters of Naruto remains high, something that both the creators and the rights holders recognize.

In other franchise-related developments, the live-action adaptation of Naruto has received a production update. It has been confirmed that the script, written by Tasha Huo, is complete and that “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” director Destin Daniel Cretton will handle the next phase of production before filming begins. Both Huo and Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, have praised Cretton's vision since the project was announced.

Additionally, fans of the franchise can look forward to four special episodes that will celebrate Naruto's birthday by reliving important scenes from the early parts of the series. These episodes are scheduled to be released before March 2025. Telling the story of a young ninja on his path to becoming Hokage, Naruto remains a cultural icon, capturing the imagination of generations and maintaining its global relevance.

Source: Official Twitter Account