The heart behind Masashi Kishimoto's message — the shikishi and comments marking the NARUTO Card Game's launch

The first thing that greets you on the NARUTO Card Game’s official teaser site is a message and an illustrated shikishi (art board) from series creator Masashi Kishimoto. This column takes a close look at the words of the messages published in Japanese and English, and what they convey.

The Japanese message — “to your hands and hearts”

The Japanese message on the official teaser site reads:

NARUTO Card Game! The world of NARUTO grows larger once again. I hope these cards reach far and wide — to your hands and to your hearts.

(Our translation of the Japanese original.)

Short as it is, two things stand out.

First, the phrase “grows larger once again.” Since serialization began in 1999, NARUTO has kept expanding — into anime, films, games, and stage productions. The message places the card game on that same continuum, as one more expansion of the world.

Second, the pairing of “hands and hearts.” A card game is something you physically pick up and play — the single sentence layers a wish for the cards to reach players both physically, in their hands, and emotionally, in their hearts.

The English message — the same wish, addressed to the world

The official press release for overseas audiences carries Kishimoto’s message in English:

I truly hope these cards find their way to both your hands and your hearts.

It mirrors the Japanese version, and the core phrase — “hands and hearts” — is shared across both languages. It reads as one and the same wish, addressed to fans everywhere, fitting neatly with the plan for a simultaneous worldwide release in 2027.

The illustrated shikishi — a newly drawn piece for the announcement

Alongside the message, the teaser site presents an illustrated shikishi, viewable in an enlarged display. The site introduces it with: “We received a message and an illustrated shikishi to mark the announcement of the NARUTO Card Game!”

A newly drawn shikishi from the original creator accompanying a title announcement signals that this is a special milestone for the franchise.

Takeaway — the message as the face of the launch

Not much has been published about the NARUTO Card Game yet. Within that limited reveal, what sits at the center of the official teaser site is Kishimoto’s message and shikishi. Before any game details, the creator’s own words serve as the face of the launch — a choice that itself suggests a title built with care for the world of the original work.

Full game details are scheduled for July 29 (Wed) at 23:00 JST / 10:00 a.m. EDT. We look forward to seeing what these cards bound for “your hands and your hearts” actually look like.