Naruto Meets How To Train Your Dragon In Official New Art
Some collaborations seem too good to be true, but occasionally fans get a treat that feels like it was destined to happen. That’s exactly the case with a new crossover between DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon and Masashi Kishimoto’s legendary anime and manga series Naruto. The official collaboration brings together two worlds that are already built on themes of friendship, courage, and overcoming the odds.
The event celebrates the lasting popularity of How to Train Your Dragon, according to natalie.mu, which just had a wildly successful and beloved live-action debut in June. Kishimoto, the mind behind Naruto, created an original illustration that pairs Hiccup and Toothless with Naruto and his iconic summoning companion, Gamakichi. The result is a stunning piece of art that perfectly merges Viking skies and shinobi spirit.
Kishimoto’s Tribute to Two Epic Franchises
Kishimoto’s artwork isn’t just a fun crossover, it’s a celebration of two narratives built on perseverance and growth. In the visual, Naruto and Hiccup meet mid-flight, with Gamakichi and Toothless charging alongside them. The characters share a fist bump, symbolizing their shared bond as underdogs who rose to become leaders through determination and bravery.
The crossover is also Kishimoto’s way of honoring How to Train Your Dragon. He called the How to Train Your Dragon film a “masterpiece of high quality,” even noting that many manga creators admire its storytelling and animation. For someone of Kishimoto’s stature to praise the film shows how deeply it resonates across creative industries. It’s not just beloved by fans, it’s respected by artists worldwide, too.
By fusing the essence of both worlds, Kishimoto highlights the similarities between Hiccup and Naruto. Both started as outsiders, with Hiccup among Vikings and Naruto in his own village, yet they formed bonds that changed their destinies. Seeing them unite in one image creates a sense of shared legacy between East and West storytelling.
The Naruto and HTTYD Crossover That Sets the Stage for the Future
This collaboration comes at the perfect moment for How to Train Your Dragon. The franchise’s live-action adaptation was a hit and has already been renewed for a second film, marking a new chapter in its legacy. Pairing this milestone with an illustration from one of anime’s greatest creators builds excitement while reminding fans of the story’s universal appeal.
Kishimoto himself expressed enthusiasm for the How to Train Your Dragon live-action film, joking about the thrill of riding a dragon that feels “so much better” when imagined in live-action form. His comment adds a playful note that shows how much joy he takes in seeing stories evolve across mediums. It also reflects the excitement of fans eager to see Toothless soar in a new format.
Ultimately, this crossover is more than promotional art; it’s a cultural bridge. By placing Naruto and Hiccup side by side, Kishimoto shows how stories about resilience and friendship transcend borders. Whether fans grew up with the Naruo anime or DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon films, the message is the same, that even the most unlikely heroes can rise to greatness when they embrace who they are.
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- Created by
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Cressida Cowell, Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
- First Film
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How to Train Your Dragon
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How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
- Upcoming Films
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How to Train Your Dragon
- First TV Show
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DreamWorks Dragons
- Latest TV Show
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DreamWorks Dragons: The Nine Realms
How to Train Your Dragon is a critically acclaimed animated franchise that began with the 2010 film of the same name, inspired by Cressida Cowell’s book series. The story is set in the mythical Viking world of Berk, where young Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III befriends a dragon named Toothless, challenging his tribe’s tradition of dragon slaying. The franchise expanded into a trilogy of films, several TV series, short films, and an upcoming live-action adaptation, becoming one of DreamWorks Animation’s most successful properties.
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- First Film
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Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
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Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- First TV Show
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Naruto
- Latest TV Show
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Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- First Episode Air Date
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October 3, 2002
- Cast
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Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists’ children and returning faces.