What Is Boruto?

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is the direct sequel to Masashi Kishimoto’s globally acclaimed manga and anime series Naruto. The story centers on Boruto Uzumaki, the son of Naruto Uzumaki — the Seventh Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village — and follows his journey from a mischievous academy student to a battle-hardened young shinobi. Boruto debuted as a manga in Weekly Shonen Jump in May 2016 and quickly expanded into one of the biggest anime franchises in the world.

Unlike its predecessor, Boruto is set in a modernized version of the ninja world — one where skyscrapers line the streets of Konoha, trains run through the village, and technology is rapidly narrowing the gap between traditional jutsu and everyday life. This fresh setting gives Boruto a tone that is both familiar and distinctly its own.

Boruto’s Story: Where It All Begins

The narrative of Boruto opens with a flash-forward: a teenage Boruto stands in the ruins of Konoha, facing off against a teenage Kawaki — a moment that immediately signals the series is heading somewhere dark and consequential. The main story then rewinds, following young Boruto as he enrolls in the Ninja Academy, navigating the challenges of growing up in his legendary father’s shadow.

While Naruto Uzumaki leads the village as the Seventh Hokage, his son Boruto begins his own journey at the Ninja Academy — determined to carve out an identity all his own.

From the outset, Boruto resents the fact that his father always seems to prioritize the village over his family. This tension between duty and personal connection is a core emotional thread that runs throughout the series. As Boruto matures, he becomes a member of Team Konohamaru alongside Sarada Uchiha (daughter of Sasuke and Sakura) and Mitsuki (a synthetic human created by Orochimaru), and together they face threats that push the shinobi world to its limits.

The arrival of the mysterious Otsutsuki clan members, the terrifying Karma seal, and the unpredictable Kawaki all transform what began as a coming-of-age story into a high-stakes saga with consequences that rival — and at times surpass — those of the original Naruto series.

Key Characters in Boruto

Boruto Uzumaki — The Protagonist

At the heart of the series is Boruto himself — wild, unpredictable, and gifted. Unlike Naruto, who struggled as an outcast, Boruto grows up with love and privilege, which initially makes him arrogant. But beneath that cockiness lies a genuinely selfless nature. Over the course of the series, Boruto grows into someone who prefers peaceful resolution over combat, always attempting to find the humanity in even his most dangerous enemies.

Kawaki — The Rival and Brother

If Naruto had Sasuke, then Boruto has Kawaki — a boy rescued from a life of abuse and experimentation who becomes adopted into the Uzumaki household. Kawaki’s relationship with Boruto is one of the most compelling dynamics in the series: two boys marked by the same Karma seal, destined to collide.

Sarada Uchiha and Mitsuki

Sarada Uchiha is determined to become Hokage, carrying the Uchiha name with pride. Mitsuki, with his calm demeanor and serpentine abilities, rounds out the core trio. Together with Boruto, they form a team that balances heart, ambition, and quiet power beautifully.

The Boruto Anime Series

The Boruto anime — produced by Studio Pierrot and broadcast on TV Tokyo — premiered on April 5, 2017. It ran for 293 episodes across its first part, concluding in March 2023. The anime is directed by Noriyuki Abe and Masayuki Koda and features both manga adaptations and anime-original storylines, giving fans additional layers of the Boruto world not found in the source material.

One of the more divisive aspects of the Boruto anime is its pacing. Like many long-running shonen series, it includes a significant amount of filler content — episodes that expand side characters and world-building but don’t advance the central plot. However, its manga-canon arcs, such as the Chunin Exams Arc, the Kawaki Arc, and the Kara Actuation Arc, are widely regarded as compelling and well-animated.

The Boruto anime is available subtitled and dubbed across platforms including Crunchyroll and Hulu. VIZ Media released the complete English Blu-ray box set in August 2024, bringing the first part of the Boruto anime fully to Western audiences.

The Boruto Manga and Two Blue Vortex

The Boruto manga has gone through significant creative changes since its launch. The first 51 chapters were written by Ukyo Kodachi under Kishimoto’s supervision. In November 2020, Kishimoto himself took over writing duties — a decision that noticeably shifted the manga’s tone toward greater depth and emotional weight, much closer in spirit to the original Naruto.

In June 2023, the first part of the Boruto manga concluded at chapter 80 with Volume 20. Following a brief hiatus, Part II launched in August 2023 under the title Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. Set three years after Part I, Two Blue Vortex depicts an older, more battle-hardened Boruto who has been training under Sasuke and now returns to a Hidden Leaf Village that has forgotten — or been made to forget — who he truly is.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is currently manga-only and is widely praised for its sharper focus, higher stakes, and the mature development of Boruto as a character compared to Part I.

Two Blue Vortex has reignited fan enthusiasm for the Boruto franchise, drawing in readers who felt Part I was too slow or too focused on filler-adjacent material. The second part of the Boruto manga is ongoing, published monthly in V Jump by Shueisha.

Why Boruto Divided Naruto Fans

One of the biggest reasons Boruto became controversial among anime fans is because it fundamentally changed the tone of the ninja world established in Naruto. Instead of focusing on loneliness, war, and survival from the very beginning, Boruto starts in a time of peace and technological progress.

For many long-time Naruto fans, this shift initially felt less emotional and less intense. The presence of modern technology, scientific ninja tools, and lighter academy arcs made early Boruto feel very different from the darker themes that defined Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.

However, as the Boruto story progressed, the series gradually evolved into something far more mature. The introduction of Kawaki, the Karma seal, and the Otsutsuki conflict transformed Boruto into a darker narrative centered on identity, sacrifice, destiny, and loss.

This evolution is one of the main reasons why Boruto: Two Blue Vortex has received significantly stronger reception from fans compared to the early parts of the series. Many readers who once criticized the Boruto manga now consider Two Blue Vortex one of the strongest ongoing shonen stories.

Is Boruto Worth Watching in 2026?

This is the question every Naruto fan eventually asks. The honest answer is: Boruto rewards patience. The series begins at a slower, lighter pace that can be jarring for fans expecting the immediate emotional depth of the original. But for those willing to invest, Boruto eventually delivers a darker, more complex narrative than its early episodes suggest.

If time is a concern, the recommended approach is to follow a curated Boruto watch guide that focuses on manga-canon episodes and skips the most padding-heavy filler arcs. This brings the total down to a far more manageable runtime while preserving all major story beats. You can watch anime online free at 9anime-tv.pro — subbed and dubbed.

For manga readers, jumping directly into Boruto: Two Blue Vortex after reading Part I is an easy call — the quality leap is significant, and the story is moving at a pace that finally feels worthy of the franchise’s legacy. Boruto in its current manga form is genuinely exciting.

The Future of Boruto: What Comes Next?

The future of Boruto is brighter than it has been in years. With Kishimoto firmly in the creative driver’s seat and illustrator Mikio Ikemoto describing the story as truly his own vision, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is being crafted with a purposeful end in mind rather than being stretched for commercial longevity.

On the anime side, fans are eagerly awaiting the adaptation of Part II. The success of the original Boruto anime’s final arcs — particularly in terms of animation quality and emotional payoff — suggests that when a Two Blue Vortex anime adaptation arrives, it will be well-received. As of 2026, no official premiere date has been announced, but the anticipation within the fandom is high.

With over 10 million manga copies in circulation as of October 2025, Boruto has clearly established itself as more than just the shadow of its predecessor. It is a franchise with its own identity, its own mythology, and a fanbase that continues to grow alongside it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boruto

Is Boruto Canon?

Yes. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is the official sequel to Naruto and is supervised by Masashi Kishimoto. Both the Boruto anime and Boruto manga are considered canon, although the anime includes additional anime-original arcs.

Can I Watch Boruto Without Watching Naruto?

Technically yes, but it is strongly recommended to watch Naruto and Naruto Shippuden first. Many emotional moments and character relationships in Boruto rely heavily on the events of the original series.

Is Boruto Stronger Than Naruto?

Naruto still possesses greater overall battle experience and raw power. However, Boruto has unique abilities including the Karma seal and advanced chakra control that give him extraordinary long-term potential.

What Is Boruto: Two Blue Vortex?

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is the second part of the Boruto manga, set after a major timeskip. It follows an older and more mature Boruto returning to a Hidden Leaf Village that no longer remembers him correctly.

Will Boruto Part II Get an Anime Adaptation?

Although no official release date has been announced, the continuation of the Boruto anime adapting Two Blue Vortex is widely expected by fans and industry observers.

Final Verdict on Boruto

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is a series that has earned its place in the shonen pantheon — not by living in Naruto’s shadow, but by slowly, stubbornly forging its own path. From the Boruto anime’s 293-episode run to the sharp, high-stakes storytelling of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, the franchise continues to evolve in ways that reward long-time fans and welcome new ones.

Whether you’re a lapsed Naruto fan curious about the sequel, or someone diving into anime for the first time, Boruto offers a rich world of ninja mythology, compelling character dynamics, and a story that is still very much being written. The next chapter of Boruto’s journey — in both manga and eventual anime form — is one of the most anticipated in modern anime.

Don’t count Boruto out. The best may still be ahead.