Summary
Boruto: Naruto Next Generationsand its sequel series,Boruto:Two Blue Vortex,have the difficult task of living up to the globally adoredNarutoseries. Yet, it can reasonably be seen as a supplement rather than a replacement or substitute, so fans of the originalNarutostill benefit from checking outBoruto.The best additions made byBorutoto theNarutofranchise frequently include a reverence for the original story and its characters while pushing its world into the future with bold new adventures.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generationsbegan in 2016 and ran until 2023, paving the way forTwo Blue Vortexto continue with monthly installments later that year.AfterNaruto’smanga sold 250 million copies worldwide, the sequel series continues to be scrutinized and analyzed by fans for its advantages.
Borutodeserves to be evaluated on its own meritsand what it builds into theNarutofranchise.
15 Best Boruto Fights, Ranked
Just like his father, Boruto and the Next-Gen have no issue getting into a scrap if warranted, but what were battles that set the series apart?
10Boruto Challenges the Status Quo of Ninjutsu
Initially Upsetting the Fans While Pushing Ninjas to Up Their Game
WhileBoruto: Naruto Next Generationsinitially weakens or “nerfs” ninjutsu in the face of Otsutsuki threats, it doesn’t render them irrelevant, as evident inTwo Blue Vortex.This is the after-effect of Shinjutsu, the abilities of the Otsutsuki clan, which don’t require hand signs or chakra and are effectively the purest predecessor to ninjutsu. But ninjutsu’s main benefit, as shown in theNarutosequel series, is its adaptability is nearly limitless based on the ingenuity of its users inBoruto, such as its main character and others, like Konohamaru, developing new Rasengan techniques.
9The Worldbuilding of Boruto Only Stands to Benefit Naruto Fans
A New Generation Sees a Shinobi World Made More Liveable
Much ofNaruto’sworldbuilding got the majority of its development either in filler arcs or throughout Part 2 of its series, as otherwise, things like the hobbies and interests of its characters are rather generic. However, inBoruto, one instance of this is"Extreme: Shinobi Picture Scrolls,“a card game adored by the series' new generation of ninjas. Its creation is the result of Ereki Kaminarimon, a Fourth Great Ninja War veteran, founding the wildly successful Kaminarimon company as a not-so-subtle reference to the oldNarutotrading card game.
8Sasuke Gets New Exposure as a Mentor to Naruto’s Son
Boruto’s Teacher Has Come a Long Way
Considering Sasuke’s complicated history with Konoha’s shinobi and Naruto’s lack of presence in Boruto’s home life, it’s fascinating to see Boruto gravitate to a ninja who once defected from his village.Yet, it’s a perfectly clever and fascinating premise where Boruto gets to enjoy the inverse relationship with Sasuke compared to his father’s.This, combined with his relationship with Sarada and the release ofother Sasuke side stories, confirms there are plenty of new storiesBorutocan add to existingNarutocharacters.
Boruto Two Blue Vortex Teases Sarada’s Big Moment
The next chapter of Boruto will possibly feature a long-awaited Sarada moment.
7Naruto Fan Favorites Shine as Leaders in Boruto
Key Characters Inherit Konoha in the Future
Iruka Umino, formerly a teacher at Naruto’s ninja academy, now runs it as the headmaster; Shino Aburame becomes Boruto’s homeroom teacher; and Mirai Sarutobi, daughter or Asuma and Kurenai, returns the favor to Shikamaru who trained her, by training his son.
Beyond apparent cases like Shikamaru’s position as advisor to the Hokage and, eventually, Hokage,plenty of otherNarutocharacters get more interesting roles inBoruto. Iruka Umino, formerly a teacher at Naruto’s ninja academy, now runs it as the headmaster; Shino Aburame becomes Boruto’s homeroom teacher; and Mirai Sarutobi, daughter or Asuma and Kurenai, returns the favor to Shikamaru who trained her, by training his son.While someNarutocharacters are abandoned, others get fun and interesting positions inBoruto.
6Boruto Pays Homage to Naruto’s Fallen Heroes
It’s Even in Why Naruto Chooses His Son’s Name
Narutohad multiple key character deaths, including mentors like Asuma Sarutobi and Jiraiya. However,one of the most consequential and tragic losses was of Neji Hyuga in the Fourth Great Ninja War, where he died defending Naruto and Hinata from the Ten-Tailed Beast. It turns out, this loss sticks with Naruto so fundamentally thathe goes on to name Boruto in honor of Neji, which when translated from Japanese means “screw” while Boruto means “Bolt”.
5Female Characters Gain Eventual Greater Status in Boruto
A Kishimoto Curse Softens for the Sequel Series
Masashi Kishimoto’s portrayal of younger female characters inNarutois often underwhelming, sidelining even key characters like Sakura quickly, with exceptions being adult women. However, inBoruto, Sarada Uchiha, Sumire Kakei, Eida, Chōchō Akamichi, and more female characters have a greater stake in the series' world than being boy-crazy. Sarada awakens her Mangekyo Sharingan and shows demonstrable skill with the Chidori inBoruto: Two Blue Vortex, and she, Eida, Chōchō, Delta, andmore female characters are not so easily cast aside as inNaruto.
Boruto Filler List - Which Episodes To Skip
Just like its predecessor Naruto Shippuden, Boruto is filled with many filler episodes that deviate from the main story.
4Kurama Is Not Bound to the Protagonist Anymore
The Nine-Tailed Fox Isn’t the Demon He Was in Naruto
InBoruto: Two Blue Vortex, it’s revealed that Kurama’s now bound to Himawari and that her affinity with him is far greater than any prior jinchuriki.
Kurama continues to be bound to Naruto Uzumaki for almost the entirety ofBoruto: Naruto Next Generationsuntil his tragic yet heroic sacrifice to empower Naruto’s Baryon Mode. However, all is not lost as the lore of Biju, or Tailed Beasts, expands with Kurama revealing that his kin don’t experience death like humans. InBoruto: Two Blue Vortex, it’s revealed that Kurama’s now bound to Himawari and thatHimawari’s affinity with Kurama is far greater than any prior jinchuriki.
3The Otsutsuki Clan Gain Added Legitimacy in Boruto
Kaguya and Naruto’s Sage of the Six Paths Expand Their Clan’s Lore
Unsurprisingly, fans were disheartened byKaguya’s entrance, undoing much of the tension around Madara Uchiha’s power play inNaruto.However,Borutohas continued to expand on the power of the Otsutsuki clan so much that it’s left a lasting genetic imprint on Boruto Uzumaki and the mysterious Kawaki as well,inextricably linking themselves to the plot. However, the Otsutsuki clan isn’t the only clear and present danger inNarutoto gain added lore inBoruto.
2God Trees Make Terrifying New Enemies
Supercharged Claw Grimes Terrorize Konoha in Boruto
Originally part ofNarutolore as an offspring from the Ten-Tails, feeding on a planet’s life and eventually producing chakra fruit like that consumed by Kaguya Otsutsuki.However, Code’s care of a God Tree sapling led to it splitting into four sentient beings as powerful as the personified Biju.This includes heightened combat abilities, innate senjutsu skills, and even powerful attacks like conjuring Biju Bombs, making them an exceedingly deadly new threat inBoruto.
Boruto’s New Best Ninja Team Will Make Fans Forget Team 7
For years Boruto’s next generation has been sidelined and ignored. However, their recent return to the spotlight bodes well for their future.
1Boruto Doesn’t Try to Be Naruto
The Series Deserves to Stand on Its Own Merits
Chapter #1 ofBoruto: Naruto Next Generationsis a potent reminder from the start that the series isn’t a continuation of a repeat of the same arcs. Boruto Uzumaki is a powerful shinobi who is uniquely talented and has different advantages and ambitions from his father.It shouldn’t be judged based on whether it hits the same highs or lows asNaruto, no matter how familiar or easy that territory is, and Boruto says it best himself:
“The Hokage is the top ninja of the village. But this isn’t a tale about a boy who aims to become Hokage. That was my dad’s story. This is none other thanmystory. However, since I’m the Hokage’s son, I can’t help that my dad ends up being involved in my story. The shinobi whose dream came true, the Hokage, andmystory begins when I was a brat who sulked about his dad not paying enough attention to him. I’ll say this one more time…this ismystory. Except, for just a little bit at the start…it’s the story of meandmy dad.”
-Boruto Uzumaki
While long-winded, Boruto insists that it’s his story and that expectations should be tempered with this in mind.Boruto: Naruto Next GenerationsandBoruto: Two Blue Vortexboth feature varying levels of interaction with classicNarutocharacters, but they’re all intended to foster this new generation of shinobi. At the same time, they grow up to handle their problems. Naruto never has to worry about his son going through the same things he did, and that’s great because there are brand-new experiences, trials, and adventures to be had inBoruto.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex
Years after fleeing his village with Sasuke, Boruto returns to confront the dark changes that have occurred. With memories altered and Kawaki now seen as the hero, Boruto faces a world where he is the outcast. The two rivals must settle their differences as their Otsutsuki powers grow more dangerous.
