News

The anime industry is in shock after a few revelations made by a seasoned animator. Boruto animator Kyohei Ebata has caused Netflix a lot of trouble after he publicly accused the distribution team of the company’s upcoming anime series, Yaiba: Samurai Legend, of “slashing” his pay.

His allegations (via @jumper433/X) have shed light on labor issues within the anime industry and raised questions about how Netflix is failing to monitor its production partners. With the show being surrounded by several other allegations, and with the growing scrutiny of working conditions among the public, this controversy could break the company and have significant repercussions.

Yaiba: Netflix’s Samurai Legend of Pay Cuts Yaiba training in the sun | Credits: Netflix

Yaiba: Samurai Legend is an adaptation of Gosho Aoyama’s manga. The amazing anime adaptation by Netflix is filled with intense samurai action. While the dub for the anime is yet to come out,...

The legacy of Naruto was deeply questioned when its sequel spin-off series, Boruto, was released. When it first came out, fans were not too happy about it because the Boruto storyline was completely different from the original narrative, and it missed all the spots that made Naruto one of the greatest anime series in history.

The protagonist of the series, Boruto, has faced difficulty in attaining the cultural impact and audience approval that defined his father’s legacy, even as his character has undergone notable development. In fact, even the illustrator of Boruto admits that Naruto was a better protagonist than his son in every way possible.

During an interview, which was shared by the official website of the Naruto franchise, Ikemoto pointed out how Boruto was handed over everything, which made his development look bland. He even explained how Kawaki was the reason why Boruto managed to make his...

Boruto, the infamous sequel to Naruto, has been the subject of scrutiny ever since it debuted. Being a sequel/spinoff of a series as popular as Naruto is difficult, and Masashi Kishimoto’s unparalleled characterization in the parent series has made the conditions worse for Boruto.

Fans were eager to give Boruto a chance after Naruto ended; however, they were entirely unprepared for what came next. The series lacked a compass for a long time till very recently, and it showed a bland mixture of friendship and fights. Both Kishimoto and Ikemoto were aware of the fact that Boruto was never like its parent series.

Boruto’s ‘Unreasonable Antagonists’ Was a Conscious Decision Naruto’s villains remain unparalleled | Credits: Pierrot

The Naruto sequel might have faced endless criticisms, but a primary one amongst them is the characterization of its villains. Masashi Kishimoto has created legendary antagonists like Itachi, Danzo, Madara,...

Who’s immune to the charm of Keanu Reeves? The answer is no one, and Boruto mangaka, Mikio Ikemoto would probably agree with that. As per an interview on the official website of Naruto, Ikemoto revealed that Naruto’s sequel was inspired by the movie that best brought out the charm of Keanu Reeves, i.e., The Matrix!

As soon as one hears that, the world of Boruto and The Matrix begins to form a connection with invisible threads. The movie’s influence on the show is quite evident. Boruto‘s journey is similar to that of Neo. The Matrix could also be the reason why the world of Naruto evolved so drastically in the sequel.

Mikio Ikemoto Shared How The Matrix Inspired Boruto

The Matrix trilogy is revered by many. Any time a technological glitch occurs, fans prepare themselves for the best Matrix reference they can find. Even for Mikio Ikemoto,...

It’s been almost a decade since Boruto: Naruto Next Generations started, and Naruto’s creator has finally spoken about why it’s so different. Late into Boruto’s run, it was announced that Kishimoto would take over as Boruto’s writer after previously just being in an advisory role, and since then, he’s often taken the brunt of the blame for Boruto’s biggest criticisms.

As easy as it is to blame Masashi Kishimoto for Boruto’s failings, that’s actually far from the truth. In a recent interview with Masashi Kishimoto and Boruto artist Mikio Ikemoto, Kishimoto said that, despite being billed as the writer, he’s still just an advisor, and Ikemoto is the one who’s really in charge of the story.

"Ikemoto is completely in charge of the story and main illustrations. Boruto really is Ikemoto's manga." - Masashi Kishimoto

If anything, Masashi Kishimoto...

Boruto, the infamous sequel to Naruto, has received praise as well as hatred, and there are valid reasons behind why fans can’t love it as much as its parent series. Masashi Kishimoto wasn’t properly involved in the initial stages of Boruto‘s creation. It was the brainchild of Ukyo Kodachi, illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto.

Had Shueisha not vehemently proposed a sequel, Naruto would have remained a standalone series. However, the series just couldn’t be left alone and thus popped out Boruto, the series that nerfed every original character fans fell in love with. Masashi Kishimoto did return to serialize the manga, but he had a far better option at hand to reshape the plot.

Naruto’s Journey and Ending Did Not Need a Do Over in Boruto Naruto’s sacrifices were rendered useless in Boruto | Credits: Pierrot

It was the ending of the Fourth Great Shinobi War...

Over the years, the titular protagonist of the Naruto franchise has proven to be one of, if not the most powerful, humans in his universe. Naruto's control over the Tailed-Beast's Chakra, impressive lineage, and determination to never give up make him an opponent that even the powerful members of the Otsutsuki Clan fear facing.

Yet, according to Boruto's creator, Mikio Ikemoto, there is another character whose strength and abilities could one day surpass the Seventh Hokage. As revealed by the author himself, Daemon's reaction after meeting the girl was a foreshadowing of her enormous potential. For a nonchalant person like Eida's brother to have such a strong interest in someone, Naruto's daughter must be predestined to become a warrior of the highest caliber.

Ikemoto Confirms Himawari is a Better Fit as Kurama's Jinchuriki The Author Revealed This Fact in a Recent Interview

As part of the celebration of the...

The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime (why are we even talking about this?) has long been a polarizing topic among fans of the Naruto franchise. Sure, it may be the canon continuation of the story, and it may carry the legacy of Masashi Kishimoto’s iconic series, but it’s heavily criticized for many reasons (not talking about the manga).

Fans of the franchise have criticized its adaptation for its heavy reliance on (boring) filler episodes, which diluted the anime’s pacing and frustrated them. Thankfully, recent buzz has suggested that the anime adaptation for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex will forgo original anime content and fillers entirely. While this could be a turning point for Boruto, it raises questions about the potential pacing challenges.

Boruto‘s anime adaptation and its filler problem Boruto talking to Kawaki about the Age of Shinobi | Credits: Studio Pierrot

When Naruto Shippuden came to an end,...

Naruto has had a long battle with censorship. The body horror from the manga has been made more tame in the anime, and some extremely horrifying scenes have been edited to make them feel less jarring. However, the anime also censored one habit that Masashi Kishimoto gave Shikamaru.

After the death of Asuma, Shikamaru had picked up a nasty habit of smoking. However, this action had a huge amount of emotional symbolism behind it, and Masashi Kishimoto was afraid he would never be able to include it in the manga. But while he won the battle with editors, he lost to anime censorship.

Naruto censored Shikamaru’s smoking habit

Asuma was a chain smoker in Naruto. Shikamaru was extremely fond of his sensei and saw him die in his arms. He was haunted by memories of his sensei back when he trained the team. Before he died, Asuma asked Shikamaru for one last smoke,...

Fans of "Naruto" might've heard of illustrator Mikio Ikemoto due to his close association with the genre-defining shōnen manga, but Ikemoto has been a significant creative force for a long time. When "Naruto" creator Masashi Kishimoto was just starting out as a rookie manga-ka, Ikemoto had already amassed a cult-following for his one-shot manga debut, "Cosmos." Once Kishimoto began the serialization of "Naruto" for Shueisha, he deliberately sought out Ikemoto and recruited him in a chief assistant role that would span between 1999 and 2014. Ikemoto's contributions helped "Naruto" evolve into a polished serialized manga, as his responsibilities included drawing crowds/backgrounds, creating new character designs from scratch, and adding in half-tones. While Kishimoto undoubtedly honed "Naruto" into the beloved tale it is today, Ikemoto silently aided the creative process in ways that should not be overlooked.

Part II of the "Naruto" manga series was always meant to end on a note of hope.

Only a few mangaka have achieved the same success or popularity as Masashi Kishimoto, who became a renowned figure in the industry and even overseas for his emotionally gripping storytelling in Naruto. With the extraordinary popularity of Naruto, anything the mangaka was associated with became a subject of interest for the fandom.

However, even an established fanbase doesn’t ensure smooth sailing in the industry. Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru was Kishimoto’s next project after Naruto. It was illustrated by Akira Okubo, and the debut was highly anticipated. The manga had a fairly interesting concept, but it failed to meet fans’ expectations, resulting in its cancellation only a year after its release.

Samurai 8: Masashi Kishimoto’s comeback after Naruto A cover page from Samurai 8 manga | Credits: Viz Media

Naruto manga concluded in 2014, and Masashi Kishimoto had already passed the baton for Boruto to Mikio Ikemoto. Kishimoto was...

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #20, "Because of Love," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

As Boruto: Two Blue Vortex continues, readers are witnessing a very scary fight indeed. The manga is pitting the God Trees, Ryu and Matsuri, against a Konoha and Sunagakure alliance. Sarada is collaborating with Mitsuki and the Sand's Yodo and Araya to battle Ryu.

Meanwhile, Boruto's mentor, Konohamaru, is fighting Matsuri. Unfortunately, the God Trees are very overpowered. It makes sense, given they are offshoots of the Ten Tails Beast and have Ōtsutsuki DNA in them. However, Konohamaru has found a way in his bout to overcome. The problem is, he has a flaw in his strategy which could prove fatal for all parties in the desert battle.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex's Konohamaru Almost Dies Fighting Matsuri Konohamaru Baits Matsuri...

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #20, "Because of Love," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

From the moment Boruto: Two Blue Vortex unleashed Matsuri and Ryu in the desert terrain of Sunagakure, it felt like the stakes got higher. Boruto was curtailed and kept from joining the fight. Kashin Koji made it clear they couldn't intervene. They would alter destiny if they did.

Thus, Boruto had to remain at the base as this Singularity of Fate. It teased death and destruction, with the God Trees being way more powerful than Boruto's friends. Well, come Chapter #20, the levees are breaking. A key character gets killed, although it leads to Uchiha Sarada unleashing a new aspect of her power and evolving her journey.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Kills Off Yodo Ryu Unleashes His Iron Sand and Stabs Yodo

While Konohamaru fights Matsuri,...

Quick LinksKonohamaru's Lie Falls Apart in Two Blue Vortex Chapter 20A Dire Mistake Emboldens Jura's Hatred for HumanityTwo Blue Vortex Chapter 20 Signals the End of Talk No JutsuTalk No Jutsu Holds Back the Boruto FranchiseBoruto: Two Blue Vortex Needs More Intimidating Villains

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #20, "Because of Love," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

As Boruto: Two Blue Vortex proceeds, Jura has his God Trees wreaking major havoc in Sunagakure. Matsuri and Ryu are raising hell, battering the alliance that Shikamaru sent over from Konoha. The former has begun to devour Konohamaru, adamant that after rejecting her romantic advances, he doesn't have the right to live.

Two Blue Vortex chapters 18 and 19 capped her apathy in the most violent way. Now, Two Blue Vortex Chapter 20 finally reveals the fate of Boruto's former mentor. Thankfully, Konohamaru...

Quick LinksWhat Was Boruto's Big Error?Two Blue Vortex's Matsuri Is Killing KonohamaruTwo Blue Vortex's Ryu Might Kill a Young NinjaTwo Blue Vortex's Death Count Could Unleash More Savage Heroes

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #19, "Konohamaru-chan," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga continues, Shikamaru's squad is facing a near-insurmountable task. The Konoha-nin have allied with Sunagakure ninjas, but the God Trees in that locale are proving too much. Ryu has sussed out the heroes' plans to dupe them, kill them and take their Thorn Soul Bulbs (aka their essence).

In addition, Matsuri is wooing Konohamaru, all while keeping a close watch on if he'll betray her attempts to seal her affections. Well, as Two Blue Vortex Chapter #19 unfolds, the God Trees have had enough of the deception. Jura...

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #19, "Konohamaru-chan," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga continues, the advantage is tipping to the franchise's God Trees. A lot has to do with Boruto being told by Kashin Koji that he cannot enter the battle. It results in Shikamaru's soldiers in Sunagakure fighting Ryu and Matsuri — two God Trees who are way too powerful for them.

Even with Araya having a sand-sealing blade, Ryu overwhelms them. As for Matsuri and Konohamaru, well, the Konoha-nin can't withstand her power once he rejects her affections. This leads to a major development in Two Blue Vortex Chapter #19 as the boss, Jura, expounds on the anachronistic nature of his species. He reveals that they actually have something in common with the Uchiha Sasuke of old: their view of love.

Quick LinksMatsuri Shows Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman ScornedRyu Breaks the Konoha-Sunagakure Alliance Even FurtherBoruto's Ban Makes The God Trees' 'Massacre' More HeartbreakingJura's Mission Becomes Even More Cruel

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #19, "Konohamaru-chan," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

Readers often criticize the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga for its pacing. It's something that irked the Boruto readers in the prequel series, as well as the anime. Many felt both of these series trudged along too slowly. Admittedly, it's a problem this genre generally experiences.

As this error occurred, the Two Blue Vortex villains felt like a slog. They did more talking than anything. It came off as a rinse-and-repeat of how the Naruto franchise would take forever to uncage villains such as the Uchihas, Akatsuki, and the Ōtsutsuki invaders. Well, thankfully, Chapter...

Quick LinksWhat Makes Kashin Koji a Singularity of Fate?How Does Boruto Become a Singularity of Fate?How Does Eida Become a Singularity of Fate?Can Kashin Koji Be Trusted?

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #16, "The Singularity of Fate," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga is how it is set to build to the iconic flash-forward the series began with. There, fans saw Kawaki going to war with Naruto's son, Boruto. Konoha, sadly, was in rubble, teasing that many people had likely died as the two teenagers continued their harrowing feud.

However, series creator, Masashi Kishimoto, has done well to hide exactly how that journey will take place. The road has been winding and unpredictable. For example, no one expected Kawaki to...

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #18, "Only Babble In Your Sleep," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga continues, Konoha's shinobi are desperate to conjure up effective strategies against the sentient God Trees. Shikamaru wants his soldiers to pretend to be their friends in Sunagakure. Once that's done, he hopes they can kill Ryū and Matsuri come Two Blue Bortex #18.

More so, he wants the Konoha-nin to take their essence: the Thorn Soul Bulbs. Ryū's will allow them to free Gaara and Shinki of the Sand, while Matsuri's will liberate Moegi. The problem is, these Ōtsutsuki off-shots are very terrifying and insightful. One big error leads to Ryū flexing his power, and make no mistake, there will be instant ramficiations in the dusty terrain.

RelatedBoruto’s True Villain Is Right in...

Quick LinksKonohamaru Inadvertently Shows His Greatest WeaknessBoruto: Two Blue Vortex #18 Continues the Franchise's Main ThemeAt This Point, the Story Does Feel a Bit Imbalanced

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #18, "Only Babble In Your Sleep," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga is how the time jump has ramped up the action. Many fans complained that the Boruto series dragged its feet, only feeling intense and high-stakes when villains like Momoshiki and Isshiki Ōtsutsuki appeared. But with this skip occurring into the future, the pace has indeed picked up.

Chapter #18 expands on the sinister plan that the Eighth Hokage, Shikamaru, is enacting in Sunagakure. Konohamaru and his squad are there to liberate Gaara and Shinki. However, as they try to manipulate Jura's God Trees...

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #18, "Only Babble In Your Sleep," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media .

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga continues, Konoha's supporting cast is finally getting their shine. It's all because of Jura and the God Trees coming to light. The Hidden Leaf needs to be proactive, which is why they're making a more strategic plan.

It led to the Eighth Hokage, Shikamaru, making a sinister decision in terms of war tactics. He has Konohamaru's team working with some of the Sand Ninja faction to take down Jura's minions. As Chapter #18 unfolds, though, Boruto's most intriguing mentor makes a big mistake that could precipitate dark consequences.

Related 10 Most Problematic Things About the Karasuki in the Boruto Anime Filler Arc

The Karasuki is a distinguished artifacti in the world of Nartuo and Boruto,...

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #18, "Only Babble In Your Sleep," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media .

Throughout the duration of the Boruto series, Kawaki and Amado have had a very antagonistic relationship. Both defect from the Kara terrorist cell to Konoha to help Naruto's legion out against Isshiki, Code and the new Ōtsutsuki movement. However, Kawaki hates how Amado engineered ninja-hybrids like him, all as part of some sinister endgame.

It turns out, Amado needed to perfect this soldier and the weaponized Karma mark. He wanted the wielder to revive his dead daughter, Akebi, in a tragic arc. Well, come Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #18, the sympathetic discussion comes up again. This time, Kawaki stamps his authority down and reveals a plan and an ultimatum that will unfurl a lot of chaos down the line.

Unless you’ve been completely out of the loop, you’re likely aware of the rivalry between Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece fans and Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto fans. Over decades of captivating storytelling, One Piece and Naruto stand out as two of the most epic anime series in history.

Though both series earned a legendary status thanks to their splendid narrative, fans constantly debate which anime truly reigns supreme. One Piece, by Eiichiro Oda, continues to release amazing moments each week, which keeps the show alive and relevant. Meanwhile, Naruto‘s ending has only slowed it down, and Boruto‘s failure to do justice to Masashi Kishimoto’s legacy has not been very helpful.

Naruto Uzumaki in Naruto: Shippuden. [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

Regardless of the continuous debate, even die-hard One Piece fans can’t ignore Masashi Kishimoto’s 15 years of devotion to making such an amazing shinobi world with such great characters,...

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex will release its first chapter of 2025 soon, and it is bound to be thrilling. With an air of danger hanging over the manga, things are about to escalate, and this chapter could be pivotal. Set three years after Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Two Blue Vortex sees Boruto as a fugitive, accused of murdering Naruto and Hinata. In truth, Kawaki trapped the couple in a pocket dimension and used Omnipotence to frame Boruto. Boruto returns to Konoha amidst an attack by Code and fights to protect his loved ones and prevent an imminent threat.

The series is currently in its second story arc, and that's proving more explosive than anyone could have predicted. On the recommendation of Kashin Koji, Shikamaru sends Sarada, Mitsuki, and Konohamaru to the Land of Wind to meet up with Sand ninjas and take down two of the God Trees; Ryu and Matsuri.

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #17, "Wild Beast Cubs," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

One of the most appreciable elements of the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex time-jump is how other peripheral players are coming into focus more. Mitsuki is gathering extra time in the manga to address his crush on Boruto. Another key character who has a lot more to do is Boruto's most important mentor: Konohamaru. He helped Boruto finesse his mental and physical strengths before Sasuke and Naruto coached the boy. That was the foundation Boruto needed in his adolescence.

Now, many years later, Konohamaru has been working steadfastly and diligently under the Eighth Hokage, Shikamaru. They have to figure out a way to stop the God Trees from decimating Konoha and then other villages and nations. Come the latest chapter, things get a bit more complicated for Konohamaru.

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #17, "Wild Beast Cubs," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex story continues, manga fans are seeing Konoha at its most desperate point. There were many times before that the Hidden Leaf came under pressure. Villains like the Akatsuki, the Kara terrorist cell, and several Ōtsutsuki aliens who attacked caused so much chaos and collateral damage.

Now, Jura and the God Trees have the Hidden Leaf scrambling for a response. These beings are on par with the Ōtsutsuki. To make things worse, Naruto and Sasuke aren't around. The former is trapped in a secret dimension, while the latter is in a coma on the fringes. That leaves the new Hokage, Shikamaru, in charge of coming up with new ideas. Unfortunately, as the latest chapter unfolds, the Eighth Hokage proves that,...

Quick Links The Love Triangle Between Boruto, Sarada and Sumire, Explained Sumire Berates Sarada For Hugging Boruto Sarada's Conscience Attacks at the Worst Time Eida Could Tempt Sumire to Her Side Who Would Boruto's Best Choice Be?

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #17, "Wild Beast Cubs," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media .

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga rolls on, things are heating up. The God Trees are on the prowl, but for many different reasons. Jura, for example, is willing to put aside his desire to devour someone of the Uzumaki bloodline. Instead, he's sating his lust for knowledge, going as far as to buy books inside Konoha -- something the new Hokage, Shikamaru, is allowing. He is trying to maintain a temporary peace.

The other God Trees, though, are seeking out their targets to devour.

The finale of Naruto brought about the end of an era. The popularity of the series had reached such an extent that Shueisha proposed a sequel to Masashi Kishimoto. Kishimoto initially rejected the idea but later returned to supervise Boruto.

While the sequel to Naruto was a great idea in theory, its execution was lacking. The resulting series was nowhere as popular as its parent franchise. Currently, the anime only has a 6.4 rating on IMDb, whereas Naruto has an 8.4 rating. This begs the question if Boruto was really the best idea to continue Naruto‘s legacy.

A Naruto reboot was in the talks before Boruto began serialization Naruto and Jiraiya | Credits: Studio Pierrot

In a 2016 interview of Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto by Shonen Jump, the duo talked about the finale of Naruto as well as the Boruto sequel. As it turns out, the initial idea wasn’t a sequel...

Naruto fans will soon be able to experience their favorite anime in real life, with its upcoming theme park now revealing first-look concept art ahead of its opening in 2026.

French theme park Parc Spirou Provence revealed a new look at the upcoming Naruto theme park, set to open at some point in 2026. It features the Zamperla company's 75 km/h Family Thrill Launch Coaster, which spans the entire park, as well as nods to the Naruto anime like the Hokage's residence and stone faces, all of which can be seen in the new artwork below.

Related Naruto's Most Iconic Ninjas Get New Blind Box Figures With Just 8% Win Rate

Some of the most iconic ninjas from Naruto Shippuden get a new blind box figure set, with the odds of securing the rarest capped at just 8%.

Naruto Overseas Theme Park Reveals New Concept Art Ahead of Opening in 2026

Parc Spirou adds that...

Warning: Spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #17

It’s no secret that Boruto isn’t inspired solely by its predecessor series, Naruto, since its illustrator and co-author, Mikio Ikemoto, has revealed how his way of drawing has been influenced by Dragon Ball, and the movie trilogy The Matrix, showing he is a great fan of iconic shōnen franchises, as he has also included references to Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, like Dio’s iconic walk in chapter #38 and in its posing and cover coloring. However, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex's latest chapter confirms it also draws inspiration from the legendary manga by Yoshihiro Togashi, Hunter x Hunter.

Masashi Kishimoto has previously stated his admiration for and the influence of Togashi’s works in Naruto, revealing that the Shadow Clone tecnique is inspired by Suzaku's ability in Yu Yu Hakusho and can be found to resemble Hunter X Hunter in some characters,...

Writing a manga isn’t a cakewalk and this is especially true with Masashi Kishimoto’s series. From brutal serialization to frustrating edits, the process was nothing short of arduous. Like most mangaka, he experienced perils while authoring his series.

Amidst the backbreaking process, there were crucial moments that eventually shaped the course of his manga. This involved an unplanned approach involving his editors.

Interestingly, it had more to do with a character who wasn’t a part of his original plan. Only after Kishimoto’s editors pressured him, he conceptualized the character into the plot.

On top of that, the character is equally hated yet popular in the fandom for many reasons. But the mangaka certainly went the extra mile in terms of fleshing out the character through his literary brilliance.

Masashi Kishimoto’s unplanned character in the series

Masashi Kishimoto had an unconventional approach regarding most of his characters.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is going full steam ahead into its second story arc, and the upcoming chapter #17 will be a nail-biter given how it will decide the trajectory of the arc. With Team 7 now in foreign lands and encountering world-ending enemies, the series is only getting more exciting as the action and tension intensify.

The story of Two Blue Vortex resumes three years after Boruto Uzumaki is branded a traitor due to Eida's reality-altering powers. He appears in style amidst an attack on Konoha by Code and his minions, and while he does subdue the immediate threat, Boruto's mission doesn't stop as he seeks to eliminate an even bigger calamity that is about to befall the world. With fate on his shoulders and his people trying to kill him, the tale of Boruto as he fights desperately is now heating up.

When Will Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #17 Release?...

Despite its popularity and fanbase, Kohei Horikoshi’s manga My Hero Academia wasn’t exempt from censure. This holds especially true with its disappointing ending and the closure garnered an array of reactions from fans.

While some fans appreciated it, most responses aligned toward a negative reception. Although the horrid ending plagued the series, there’s one thing the mangaka did that made him on par with Kishimoto.

Izuku Midoriya in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Bones

Despite the series’ inconclusive ending, the mangaka reigns supreme in this key aspect. This had fans appreciating Horikoshi for his brilliance on X.

Furthermore, the series stands in contrast to Kishimoto’s manga in terms of the latter’s criticism. This is especially true with the same-face syndrome backlash.

Kohei Horikoshi outdid himself in this aspect despite My Hero Academia’s ending

Kohei Horikoshi made waves with his superhero Shonen series.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex likes to follow its predecessor's footsteps in depicting at least one prominent romantic rivalry reasonably sure to prompt debate among fans. In the case of Mikio Ikemoto and Masashi Kishimoto's sequel series, Sumire Kakei and Sarada Uchiha show varying levels of romantic interest in Boruto Uzumaki, even if one may not be ready to admit it as strongly. But in the latest chapter of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, Sumire confronts Sarada about what she perceives as a flippant public display of affection despite Sumire already having made her feelings known for Boruto.

The moment blindsided both Sarada and the readers, who likely only saw a grateful friend happy to see her former teammate alive, with her feelings being more or less immaterial. But this moment in the latest chapter asks whether the love triangle between Sumire, Sarada, and Boruto is a long-term plan for their...

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #16, "The Singularity of Fate," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media .

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga proceeds, Naruto's son is finding himself in deep, dark waters. He knows that Jura and the sentient God Trees are strengthening for the war to come. The fact Jura almost killed him in Konoha says it all: these villains cannot be underestimated. They will go all out and exterminate everyone in their path.

They need to find their targets and devour them. Come Chapter #16, there is another threat rising within this diabolical faction. One who is poised to be a massive problem, mentally and physically. This is none other than the God Tree who evolved from Gaara's bloodline: Ry.

How Did Boruto: Two Blue Vortex's Ry Form? Ry Came From Shinki's Chakra

After the Two Blue Vortex time-skip,...

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #16, "The Singularity of Fate," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media .

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga rolls on, Kawaki is short of answers regarding the sentient God Trees. Jura and his pack have caused chaos at different intervals. Kawaki knows he is too weak to handle them. His ego had been dented even further, knowing Boruto beat him easily as well.

The problem is, the Two Blue Vortex time-jump hasn't equipped Boruto for these monsters either. As much as he has a new mentor in Kashin Koji and as much as he can beat fiends like Kawaki, these God Trees are way too big a jump in competition. It has led to a stunning new alliance. And, make no mistake, it's an uneasy one between both teenagers that will bring about devastating repercussions.

After news of Akira Toriyama's tragic passing in March 2024, the world that latched onto his Dragon Ball franchise has never intended to let go. The love for Son Goku manifests in hundreds of millions of manga copies sold, merchandise, and clothing. It's gotten to the point where the color orange overlaid with a kame symbol is ubiquitous to the point of instant recognition, with fans around the globe throwing their hands up for the Genki Dama in light of Toriyama's passing.

But Dragon Ball is far more than the fights of Dragon Ball Z, the debates about canon surrounding Gt, or the frustrations surrounding the animation of Super without even going into its films. The series began on November 20, 1984 as Dragon Ball in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump with greater hints of comedy-adventure or gag manga than its future as a battle shonen series would suggest. But as fans know,...

With the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto crossover, the Heroes in a Half Shell continue their tradition as masters of the multiverse, this time sporting a new look that brings together the iconic styles of two legendary ninja franchises in what is sure to be one of the year's "must read" titles.

As announced earlier this year, the four-issue collaboration between Idw Publishing and Viz media will see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles team up with tweeners Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruni and their teacher Kakashi Hatake as they investigate why Shredders sinister Foot Clan has suddenly become interested in the hidden ninja village of Konoha. Now, fans can see how the series is redesigning the Turtles, both with and without Anbu masks.

Since its announcement, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto crossover has sparked intense interest among fans of both franchises. A burning question within...

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex will officially be entering its second story arc in chapter #16, and it'll be exciting to see the direction the series takes. The series kicked off the time skip with a bang, with the first arc being a great and action-packed starter that set up everything Boruto needs to redeem itself.

Set three years after Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the protagonist, Boruto, is now a wanted fugitive for the murder of Naruto and Hinata. In reality, the two were sealed in a pocket dimension by Kawaki, who framed Boruto using the power of the Omnipotence Shinjutsu. Boruto arrives in Konoha during an assault by Code and desperately fights to save his loved ones and the world from an impending danger that could end everything.

When Will Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #16 Release? Written By Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto & Illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto

Custom image by J.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is finally starting its new arc, and it is very exciting given that the story will take place outside Konoha and the Land of Fire for the first time in a very long time. Furthermore, a new group of characters will be taking a leading role in this mission, and the arc will do justice to an underrated character who has been ignored for far too long.

The official website of Naruto and Boruto releases a sneak peek one week before the publication of the latest chapter, and the preview for chapter #16 of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is a good one. It shows Araya and Yodo standing on top of a rock, welcoming Konohamaru into the Land of Wind and thanking him for his cooperation. Konohamaru then says they should get started and begin the mission. The series is wasting no time heading into its next arc,...

As a sequel to Masashi Kishimoto’s masterpiece, Boruto has been at the epicenter of criticism. The series is criticized in more ways than one. Be it animation or bland visuals, fans left no stone unturned to take their dig at the sequel.

With Two Blue Vortex, however, tides are slowly turning for good. The series is moving away from the mangaka’s iconic series. Through its refined style and riveting storyline, it redefined the ninja story. In doing so, the series foreshadowed a major event.

Boruto Uzumaki in a still from the manga | Credit: Viz Media

A Reddit theory posited by several fans points to Kishimoto’s foreshadowing of the Hokage’s death. The hero’s death would pave the way for a major shift in the course of the series.

And while it seems trivial, it is sure to leave a major impact on the readers. This also...

No one can argue against the fact that Masashi Kishimoto has nerfed the Og Naruto characters in Boruto. While it is understandable that the new-gen characters need their own spotlight, fans sorely miss the characters they have grown up with.

Naruto was rendered especially powerless after he lost Kurama in Boruto. The Baryon mode of Naruto received huge appreciation from fans, but alas, it was only a one-time thing. Or was it?

Naruto Can Never Use Baryon Mode in Boruto After Losing Kurama Naruto’s Baryon Mode in Boruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot

The status of the Jinchurikis in Boruto has been a constant query in the minds of fans. Where are the Tailed Beasts? Did their Jinchurikies survive? And if so, will they make an appearance in Boruto? After the final battle between Naruto and Sasuke in Naruto Shippuden, the Tailed Beasts were released and are currently free to journey as they please.

For years Boruto has been at the epicenter of criticism. Be it animation or pacing, the manga received relentless backlash. This holds especially true to Mikio Ikemoto’s art style. While the series cannot compare to Naruto’s legacy, it is redefining its status.

Boruto Uzumaki in Two Blue Vortex | Credit: Viz Media

This is evident with Two Blue Vortex. The time-skip manga is a complete visual treat, especially with its art and plotline. Amidst the baseless criticism, the series is carving its niche in the genre. And here are 6 green flags that prove its status as a masterpiece.

1. Kurama’s pivotal role is spotlighted in Boruto

Kurama is one of the pivotal characters in the Naruto series. Apart from being one of the tailed beasts he is Naruto’s friend. Unlike most Jinchuriki, Kurama and Naruto shared a beautiful bond. This was until the fox’s death by Isshiki in Boruto.

Following up Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto is a next-to-impossible task, which might be why Boruto is nowhere as popular as its parent franchise. From a huge number of fillers to legacy characters being nerfed, Boruto has a plethora of problems, but one of them overpowers others.

Many fans claim that the major problem with Boruto is the lack of villains who have the same depth as those of Naruto. Akatsuki, the legendary antagonistic group in Naruto, hosted villains with incredible background stories and are sorely missed in Boruto. In order to escape from this issue, there is only one step that Boruto can take in the future.

A Villain Comeback that Could Save Boruto Kaguya Otsutsuki in Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot

The ongoing lack of villains with depth in Boruto could be solved in one smooth move, and all it would take is the return of Kaguya Otsutsuki. The princess...

Believe it! November will be an excellent month for Naruto: Shippuden fans, as Hulu is uploading a new batch of episodes for viewing. These English-dub episodes cover Season 9 of the Shonen Jump sequel series.

Hulu's official website has released its full streaming schedule for November. Among the premieres is the reveal that the entire English dub of Naruto: Shippuden Season 9 will be available on the Disney-owned streaming service starting Nov. 1, 2024. The last time Hulu updated its batch of English dub episodes of Naruto: Shippuden was in August 2024, which included Episodes 450-461. It's encouraging news for anyone who feared Hulu might have given up updating its Naruto: Shippuden episodes, as it ensures that all English-dubbed episodes will eventually make their way to streaming.

Related B.B. Simon Releases Naruto, Dragon Ball-Inspired Belts Made of Real Swarovski Crystals

U.S luxury accessories brand B.B. Simon releases new anime belt buckles made of real Swarovski crystals,...

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #15, "A Vibrant Life," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media .

It's safe to say that the relentless Jura is quite cerebral in the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga. He wants to take the God Trees, devour their respective targets, and then transcend into higher beings. It's all about finding out their identities, purpose, and the why and how they broke off from the Ten Tails.

However, Jura has been annoyed by Naruto's son. Boruto keeps intervening, hoping to save his friends and colleagues from these God Trees. Well, things are getting more complex as of the latest chapter. Jura has conceived new plans based on multitasking, being more ruthless, and a lot more efficient. But all that glitters isn't gold, teasing potential complications to come.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex's Jura...

Boruto and Dandadan stand at opposite ends of the scale of reception, with one being hated endlessly while the other is incessantly loved by fans. Both series are worlds apart and have major differences that set them apart. Additionally, Boruto has a longer history with fans through its prequel. While Dandadan has been impressive in most ways possible since its premiere, there’s one aspect it shares in common with Boruto: the fan service.

A panel showcasing the post time-skip character designs | Credits: Viz Media

Yet, it doesn’t get nearly as much hate as Boruto for the same thing. Hating Boruto has almost become an obligation for many fans of the Naruto franchise, and this might be one case when the hate aimed at the sequel seems unnecessary. With how Dandadan is getting praised every passing moment, the difference in reception becomes all the more apparent.

The Difference...

The design of adult Naruto in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations has long been a topic of intense debate among fans. Many argue that Naruto’s adult form lacks the wildness or fierceness that one would expect, especially when considering how most Shonen protagonists tend to evolve with age. However, the same can’t be said about Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach.

Naruto Uzumaki in Naruto Shippuden | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Tite Kubo ensured that Ichigo’s adult version maintained the core aspects of his personality while evolving his appearance in a way that resonated with fans. This disparity between Kubo’s depiction of Ichigo and Mikio Ikemoto’s latest design of Naruto has drawn a lot of criticism. It’s clear that Kishimoto has no justification for Naruto’s disappointing evolution if Kubo could effectively transform Ichigo into a fierce adult character.

Naruto’s Controversial Adult Design in Boruto

Fans were...

Every new villain in Boruto breaks the power scale and leaves fans wondering about the ultimate extent. There are many characters from the Otsutsuki clan who have god-tier abilities in the series. If they wanted to, they could easily defeat the protagonist, Uzumaki Boruto, without anyone being able to protect him. While the exact reason behind why they don’t do that isn’t clear, a new Boruto theory has emerged on the internet and it might answer all our questions regarding Boruto and the Otsutsuki.

Shibai Otsutsuki | Credits: Viz Media

This theory hints that Boruto might have a connection with Shibai Otsutsuki, the strongest being in the series known so far. His existence is shrouded in mystery, leading fans to speculate about his relevance in the story and how it’ll play out. So, here’s who Shibai is and how there could be a connection between him and the protagonist.

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #15, "A Vibrant Life," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media .

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga proceeds, Boruto finds himself in dire straits. He has been wounded by Jura, realizing that the sentient God Trees cannot be underestimated. He has his Sage Mode, but he can't risk accessing his Karma mark. It leaves him handicapped.

To make it worse, while Kawaki allies with him to stop the monsters in the latest chapter, Kawaki needs to train. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Konoha might have numbers, but they haven't unleashed their best soldiers yet. To make it worse, Jura and the God Trees have aligned with Code and the teleporting Claw Grime. With that in mind, here is a breakdown of who Boruto can seek, in and out of the Hidden Leaf,...