NARUTO: The Symphonic Experience Arrives at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on April 13
For the First Time Ever, Audiences in More Than 60 Cities Will See a Live Orchestra Perform the Most Iconic Songs and Themes from the Naruto Animated Series, Live-to-Picture, as Scenes Play Out on a Full-Size Cinema Screen
COSTA MESA, CA | Segerstrom Center for the Arts is excited to announce NARUTO: The Symphonic Experience, a live concert that brings the beloved anime to life on a grand scale. This two-hour event features a film montage of iconic scenes from over 220 episodes, synchronized to a live orchestra performing Toshio Masuda’s original score. Fans will relive Naruto Uzumaki’s journey to become Hokage, facing rivalries, challenges, and growth along the way.
The orchestra performs not only Masuda’s unforgettable soundtrack but also the series’ most famous openings and endings, inviting the audience to sing along with the music they love. This interactive element draws fans closer to Naruto, celebrating the powerful, shared bond the music creates.
“We invite Naruto fans to celebrate Naruto with this unique, live-to-picture experience. We created a two-hour film enhanced with a live, symphonic orchestra because the soundtrack plays such a huge role in the anime’s success and is praised by the legions of fans time and time again,” says producer Julien Vallespi. “The original score, composed by Toshio Masuda is a perfect blend between pop and rock arrangements as well as traditional Japanese instruments like the Shakuhachi and Shamisen.”
With worldwide popularity and more than 250 million copies sold, Naruto, by Masashi Kishimoto, is a shonen manga that started in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 and concluded in 2014 after 700 chapters. The story revolves around Naruto Uzumaki, a ninja who overcomes his past and battles countless rivals to eventually become the Hokage, the leader of the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
The anime began airing on the TV Tokyo network in 2002, followed by Naruto Shippuden (2007–2017). The 20th anniversary of the TV broadcast was commemorated in October 2022. Being distributed worldwide immediately after broadcast in Japan has made Naruto an internationally celebrated series beloved by people all over the world. Eleven animated feature films have also been released, as well as apps, games, and merchandise, art exhibitions, 2.5D musicals, music festivals, and Kabuki performances.
Vallespi spent months selecting the best and most iconic moments from more than 70 hours of the first 220 episodes, identifying and choosing appropriate narrative arcs, and combining the best dialogue, scenes, and musical sequences. Significant synchronization work had to be done to match the score to the film, and to make everything as smooth as possible for the conductor and the musicians. “This symphonic-rock show is a tribute to Kishimoto’s anime, and Masuda’s music,” says Vallespi.
This event is truly exclusive: the film and musical montage created for “NARUTO: The Symphonic Experience” can only be seen at these shows. Audiences will have a unique opportunity to sing, laugh, cheer, and feel the excitement of seeing their favorite characters on screen, experiencing the full range of emotions that Naruto inspires.
With Masuda’s dynamic soundtrack, blending rock, pop, and traditional Japanese instruments like the Shakuhachi and Shamisen, the live music elevates each scene’s impact, immersing the audience in Naruto’s story. Whether you’re a devoted fan or new to the series, NARUTO: The Symphonic Experience offers an exclusive, unforgettable way to celebrate Naruto’s epic journey and music in a truly one-of-a-kind setting.
Tickets for “NARUTO: The Symphonic Experience” start at $39 and are on pre-sale now and general sale on Friday, December 5 at 10AM PST. For ticket purchase online visit scfta.org, call by phone at 714.556.2787, or visit us in person at noon at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. For inquiries about group ticket discounts of 10 or more, call the Group Services offices at 714.755.0236.
