Is Boruto: Naruto Next Generations good? Is it worth watching?

Originally written and created by Masashi Kishimoto’s assistant Mikio Ikemoto, the manga was incredibly well-received. So much so that it became the fourth best-selling manga in North America in 2018. With a whopping 154 episodes, even the anime continues to ride a small but popular wave.

The anime continues to be as hated as much it is loved. Many fans of the original series Naruto have found faults with the series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. However, this anime deserves to be watched and analyzed as a different series.

Under such circumstances, any prospective viewer might get confused. The point of this review article is to detail the various reasons you should and shouldn’t watch the series.

Head down below to know why!

1. Article Highlights

While Boruto is marketed as a sequel to the original series Naruto, the creators have taken care to ensure that it is a different story. Sadly, the execution is not up to the mark and has been repeatedly criticized by fans.

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However, on a slightly cautious note, its story of a boy who is frustrated with his father’s absence from his life can be relatable and painfully poignant. But even that conflict is dragged out too long, and for a tremendous amount of 154 episodes, it can get tedious and boring.

2. Is it worth watching?

The anime does have many good points and portrays emotional conflicts sympathetically. It manages to evoke a good deal of interest through the plot and the characters as a series that follows the lives of the children of the main characters.

For a tediously long anime, the lack of plot direction and good character development is disappointing, especially if you have watched Naruto.

I. Plot

The plot of the anime series revolves around the struggles and adventures of Naruto’s son, Boruto Uzumaki. He grows up detesting his father for prioritizing the welfare of the village of Konoha over him.

This father complex becomes more pronounced when he encounters Sasuke Uchiha. He asks Sasuke to train him for the upcoming Chunin exam, all to gain his father’s attention by impressing him.

For many fans of the original, it will be a delightful and amusing sight to see familiar characters, albeit in different roles. We are introduced to the characters of Sasuke, Sakura, Orochimaru, Naruto, et cetera.

However, unlike Naruto, the plot of Boruto progresses rather slow and does not have a clear trajectory. The fight scenes are not just short but dull and stagnant. It is very disappointing to see the lack of spark and intensity in the fight scenes, all the more so because almost everyone gives Boruto a watch expecting something like that of Naruto.

II. Characters

The character of Boruto is often inevitably compared to that of Naruto. Naruto led an ostracised childhood due to his nine-tailed demon powers. But Boruto leads a happy childhood, albeit one with a father that is not very active with his life.

This contrast in their childhoods is often highlighted by fans to denigrate and criticize the character of Boruto. However, we need to understand Boruto’s character as different and stop comparing him to his father. Only then can we begin to appreciate the complexities of his character.

That being said, it is unfortunate that the character of Boruto is not shown as developing and maturing even a bit in the long span of 154 episodes. It is all the more unfortunate as the anime had so much potential and could have accomplished so much more. It could have added more depth to the Naruto storyline and carried the legacy of Naruto forward.

III. Setting

The setting of Boruto is set in the same village of Konoha. However, the anime portrays the recent technological advancements and arrival of modernity in the village.

For many fans, it could be intensely nostalgic to see the changes in Konoha. For me, it was sort of sad to see how the Konoha Leaf Village of Naruto had undergone changes and excited what events and challenges would transpire within this landscape.

3. Final Thoughts

The anime is a good follow-up to the events of Naruto. It explores the differences in the personalities and backgrounds of the father-son duo. Also, it gives voice to Boruto, who feels neglected by his dad and feels like he has to live up to his dad’s name.

However, that alone is not enough to make up for the colorless fight scenes, lack of plot direction, and lack of character development. Without such crucial elements, the entire plot has no fuel to keep progressing and thus fails to entertain us.

Also, the entire anime could have been shortened to not more than 30-40 episodes. Had it been that way, it would have been tolerable.

4. Grade

5. Info Card

6. Watch Order

A watch order is necessary to watch only the relevant episode.