Danica Davidson
August 22, 2024 
VIZ Media and Amazon Freevee have inked a deal to give the Naruto anime a free, ad-supported linear channel. People interested can go the on-demand route or watch Naruto on a dedicated linear channel.
Senior director of digital distribution at Viz Media JP Villanueva remarked, “With the launch of a dedicated linear channel and VOD offerings, fans can now experience the iconic adventures of Naruto Uzumaki around the clock. This addition not only enriches Freevee’s anime library but also provides an exciting new way for fans to engage with one of the most celebrated anime franchises.”
With the release of this news, VIZ also noted that more than 250 million copies of the Naruto manga have sold around the globe, and that Google analytics showed that no anime has been searched more than this one. It’s the most popular anime in almost one hundred countries
Hunter x Hunter and Sailor Moon Classic are some other VIZ titles also getting FAST channels.
Naruto can also be streamed on Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu, and Netflix.
VIZ Media publishes the original Naruto manga by Masashi Kishimoto and gave this description for the first volume:
Twelve years ago the Village Hidden in the Leaves was attacked by a fearsome threat. A nine-tailed fox spirit claimed the life of the village leader, the Hokage, and many others. Today, the village is at peace and a troublemaking kid named Naruto is struggling to graduate from Ninja Academy. His goal may be to become the next Hokage, but his true destiny will be much more complicated. The adventure begins now!
Meanwhile, Google Play gave this description of Freevee:
Amazon Freevee is a premium free streaming service. Watch thousands of hit movies, shows, Freevee Originals, and live 24/7 entertainment channels to match your mood.
What do you think of this deal involving Naruto and Amazon?
Source: Variety
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
