The official government website for Lijin County in China published a post on industrial development in the region, featuring developments in the animation industry. It revealed that Huahan (Dongying) Animation Co., Ltd., a Chinese-based animation studio, was recently working on animation orders (likely outsourced) for Naruto and One Piece.
The excerpt reads, “In recent days, the animation team at Huahan (Dongying) Animation Co., Ltd.—the first South Korean-funded enterprise to establish operations in the Lijin Data (Content) Industrial Park—has been working intensively to meet deadlines for multiple animation projects, including orders for One Piece and Naruto. The company brings together international high-end original animation production technologies and talent, specializing in outsourcing services for Japanese and Korean clients alongside original animation production.“
There’s also a video currently circulating online, believed to be pulled from a Lijin County government promotional post on WeChat, spotlighting Huahan (Dongying) Animation Co., Ltd. and production materials presumably from the One Piece remake. The video features Buggy and Cabaji, as well as Akaza from Demon Slayer. The One Piece remake officially revealed its main staff and production materials in 2024.
It’s unclear whether this Naruto animation order is related to the long delayed special anniversary episodes, with those remaining in limbo, or another project. The anniversary episodes were indefinitely delayed from their intended September 2023 release date.
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TV Tokyo Representative Director Ichiro Ishikawa later said in a May 2024 Q&A (Question 3) that a Naruto anime commemorating the series’ 20th anniversary was scheduled to air by the end of the 2024 fiscal year. This fiscal year lapsed in March 2025 with no official update given. The Boruto anime sequel is also in production; Naruto voice actor Junko Takeuchi shared last August that dubbing had started.
Source: Lijin County Government Website
© Masashi Kishimoto, Scott / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Pierrot
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