Boruto can never be the next Naruto, and that's OK
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the sequel to the beloved Naruto series, marks its 10th anniversary in 2026, inheriting a legacy shaped by its predecessor's cultural impact. While Boruto has faced criticism for not living up to Naruto's narrative depth, it aims to tell a distinct coming-of-age story for a new generation. The series was developed with Masashi Kishimoto's involvement, though creative duties were handed to Mikio Ikemoto and Ukyō Kodachi.
- ▪Naruto's enduring popularity stems from its relatable underdog story and rich worldbuilding.
- ▪Boruto was introduced in 2013 and later headlined a manga sequel and anime series aimed at younger audiences.
- ▪Masashi Kishimoto stepped back from direct involvement, recommending Mikio Ikemoto as illustrator and supporting Ukyō Kodachi as initial writer.
- ▪The Boruto series has faced criticism for its storytelling and filler content but continues to explore new generational themes.
- ▪Boruto: Naruto the Movie (2015) served as a launching point for the sequel series.
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Follow Followed Like Thread Link copied to clipboard Add us on By Debopriyaa Dutta Published May 17, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT Anime This flawed coming-of-age sequel celebrates its 10th anniversary this month { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "1", "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.polygon.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position":"2", "name": "Anime", "item": "https://www.polygon.com/anime/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position":"3", "name": "Boruto can never be the next Naruto, and that's OK", "item": "https://www.polygon.com/boruto-naruto-sequel-10-year-anniversary-flawed-legacy/" } ] } Boruto can never be the next Naruto, and that's OK Image: Pierrot Sign in to your Polygon.com account The enduring…
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