Review of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is hands down one of the most overhated yet underrated anime out there, especially considering how it gets lumped in with the "overhyped sequel" criticism. Sure, I get that it’s not Naruto, but it's still got a ton of potential and fun moments that often get overshadowed by all the negativity. The plot focuses on Boruto Uzumaki, Naruto's son, who's trying to find his own way in the world of ninjas without being in his dad's shadow. There are definitely moments when it feels like the show is trying to recapture the magic of the original Naruto series, but it alsocarves out its own identity with some fresh ideas and a new generation of characters.

Despite the criticism, Boruto is a show that has its heart in the right place. It takes the foundation laid by Naruto and builds on it, while still making room for new adventures, new characters, and fresh perspectives. It’s not always as fast-paced or as intense as its predecessor, but it’s a show that takes its time to develop the next generation of ninjas.

People love to compare it to Naruto, but let’s be real, Boruto ain’t Naruto, and it was never meant to be. Naruto was about an underdog proving his worth, fighting against all odds to achieve his dream of becoming Hokage. Boruto, on the other hand, is about a kid born into privilege who has to learn what it truly means to carry responsibility and carve his own path. Different era, different protagonist, different struggles. Think of it like this: Naruto and Boruto exist in the same universe, but they are two entirely different journeys and conflicts. Expecting Boruto’s story to mirror Naruto’s is like expecting Sasuke’s path to be the same as Rock Lee’s. That’s just not how it works.

If you go in expecting the same underdog-to-legend arc, or with the mindset trying to relive Naruto’s era, of course, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. But if you watch Boruto for what it actually is, a different take on the shinobi world, where battles are more complex, politics run deeper, and challenges aren’t just about brute strength but the evolution of an entire system, you’ll see it for the solid story that it is. You might just find yourself enjoying it more than you expected and getting deeper into the lore.

Unlike Naruto, where war and large-scale battles were the central focus, Boruto takes a more layered approach to conflict. The villains aren’t just “evil for the sake of being evil.” Groups like Kara don’t just seek power, they challenge the shinobi system itself. The presence of the Ōtsutsuki Clan expands the lore in a way that makes the world feel even bigger. The celestial beings who influenced shinobi history in Naruto are now a direct threat, forcing characters to evolve beyond traditional ninja ways.

Now, one of the biggest complaints? The filler. And yeah, I won’t lie, there’s a lot of it. But if you wanna skip the fluff straight to the good stuff, here’s the breakdown of the important arcs that actually matter to the main plot:
1. Academy Entrance Arc (Ep 1-16)
2. Sarada Uchiha Arc (Ep 17-24)
3. School Trip Arc (Ep 25-34)
4. Graduation Exam Arc (Ep 35-39)
5. Genin Mission Arc (Ep 40-42)
6. Byakuya Gang Arc (Ep 43-52)
7. Chunin Exam / Momoshiki Arc (Ep 53-66)
8. Mujina Bandits Arc (Ep 141-156)
9. Kara Actuation Arc (Ep 157-175)
10.Vessel / Ao Arc (Ep 178-187)
11.Kawaki Arc (Ep 188-205)
12.Otsutsuki Awakening Arc (Ep 206-220)
13.Sasuke Retsuden Arc (Ep 282-286)
14.Code’s Assault Arc (Ep 287-293)

If you stick to these, you’re getting the core of Boruto’s story without the extra side missions. That being said, the fillers aren’t all bad. Some add depth to characters and if you’re into world-building, feel free to check them out.

Some people also complain about how the older generation is being handled, saying they feel nerfed or lack the same feel. Sure, I get that POV (since I'm also into Naruto's lore). But let’s get something straight: they’re not nerfed. The enemies in Boruto have evolved. They don’t just throw hands anymore. They absorb chakra, adapt quickly, and move at a whole different pace. Also, Naruto and Sasuke didn’t get weaker, the game just changed. The power scaling is different because the threats are different. This is a new era with new kinds of enemies.

There are also complaints about how the worldbuilding in Boruto feels confused, like the show doesn’t know whether it wants to be about shinobi or aliens. Bro, from the very first episode of Naruto, we had a giant nine-tailed fox sealed inside a kid. We had chakra beasts, reanimation jutsus, and moon-level threats. The Otsutsuki didn’t come out of nowhere. They were seeded into the lore for a long time. So if you’re saying “pick a lane,” I gotta ask, what were you even watching all these years? Maybe go rewatch the series and actually pay attention this time.

And don’t even get me started on people saying Boruto’s worldbuilding feels too fast, like suddenly there’s alien, ninja tech, cyborgs, and all that. Like bro, the time gap between Naruto Shippuden and Boruto is around 15 years. That’s not a small window. And even during The Last: Naruto the Movie, Kumogakure already had a cannon that could shoot to the moon, and Konoha had equipment to track the moon’s movements and the status of their teams on it. Like seriously, still wanna call it “too fast”? Let’s be real, this is a world that already had chakra beasts, reanimation, teleportation, dimension travel, and literal god-level jutsus. Introducing advanced tech and scientific ninja tools isn’t “too fast,” it’s a natural evolution. Even in real life, we’ve seen traditional jobs get replaced by machines and advanced systems in the span of a decade. So, a shinobi world would evolve too, especially one where war is less constant and science is given space to grow. If anything, Boruto’s tech progression makes perfect sense.

And to the folks who keep asking, “Where’s the old gen’s character development?” you’re watching the wrong story. This isn’t Naruto Shippuden 2.0. It’s Boruto. It’s about him and his generation. Of course, the spotlight is going to be on the new kids, that's literally the point. It’s okay to miss the OGs, but don’t be disappointed when they’re not always front and center. You can’t expect the story to constantly revolve around the old legends when it’s literally titled Boruto. They had their time, now it’s time to let the new generation shine and breathe. If you want to see Naruto, Sasuke, and the others grow, well, that happened already. This is Boruto’s story now.

With all that, I think it's time for us to stop listening to the people who are stuck in the past and still in denial that Naruto’s era is over. These are people with closed-off mindsets who can't accept that the shinobi world has advanced. They’re so failed to even move on, let alone appreciate new narratives unless it’s got the old cast leading every scene. The world has moved forward, the threats are different, and the way things work has evolved, just like real life. In the end, it’s not about which series is better. Each presents a different perspective within the same universe. With an open mind, Boruto offers something engaging in its own right. Instead of jumping on the hate bandwagon, why not watch and decide for yourself? You might be surprised by what it has to offer.

The animation? It has its ups and downs, but when it delivers, it delivers. Fights like Naruto & Sasuke vs. Momoshiki, Jigen vs. Naruto & Sasuke, and Kawaki vs. Boruto are some of the best-animated battles in anime history. The choreography, fluidity, and sheer intensity of these moments prove that when Boruto goes all out, it can stand alongside the best. And let’s be real, Naruto had animation inconsistencies too. The difference is, people look back on Naruto with nostalgia, while Boruto is new.

What Boruto does better than a lot of anime is staying emotionally grounded. It doesn’t just rely on fights to carry the story. It actually takes time to develop its characters and their relationships. The dynamic between Naruto and Boruto is one of the most realistic father-son conflicts in anime. Naruto isn’t the absent father trope, he’s there, but his responsibilities as Hokage create a distance between him and Boruto. Boruto doesn’t resent him because he doesn’t love him. He just doesn’t understand the weight of Naruto’s duty. Their journey from resentment to mutual understanding is one of the most touching aspects of the series. And then there’s Kawaki. His arc brings a whole new emotional depth to Boruto. Watching him go from an abused, broken kid to someone who finds a family with Naruto and Boruto is one of the most powerful parts of the story. His struggles, trauma, and growth make Boruto feel more than just a shonen, it makes it human.

And we can’t forget about the music. Boruto’s opening and ending themes are straight-up bangers. Tracks like "Baton Road," "Golden Time," and "Distant Fire" bring back that classic Naruto energy, while also setting the perfect vibe for Boruto’s journey. The soundtracks know when to hit hard and when to slow things down, making key moments even more impactful. Say what you want about the series, but its music? Absolutely unforgettable.

So yeah, if someone’s out here clowning on my take and acting all confused, that’s on them. If you get it, you get it. If they don’t, well, that’s their problem. If anyone’s laughing at this or trying to dismiss it like it doesn’t make sense, they’re just not right in the head, and we’re not wasting energy on that. Don’t let the negativity stop you from checking out a masterpiece that is being built up. It’s got some peak moments, and with the new continuation coming soon, now’s the perfect time to jump in.

TL;DR: Boruto is overhated but actually solid. Skip the hate, skip the fillers, focus on the key arcs, and enjoy it for what it is, not what people think or want it to be. If you’re into shonen and a lore geek, you’ll appreciate what Boruto brings to the table. But if you’re still confused and laughing at my take, then that just means you’re not all there, fam. No need to waste time on that energy. Cheers!

Thanks for reading.