Naruto Creator Sets the Record Straight on Who Oversees Boruto

Naruto Creator Sets the Record Straight on Who Oversees Boruto

As a die-hard Naruto fan who’s been following the saga since its inception, I can confidently say that the recent revelations about the creative process behind Boruto: Naruto Next Generations have brought a newfound appreciation for the series.


This week, there’s been a lot of excitement surrounding the Naruto Saga, fueled by an interview with its creator, Masashi Kishimoto. During this chat, some questions were answered about who exactly has been overseeing the Naruto sequel series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, and specifically, its second installment, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex.

Since its debut in 2016, Boruto has encountered quite a bit of criticism, primarily directed towards the anime adaptation. This version of the story deviated significantly from the manga’s path, becoming more adventurous and complex. However, even the manga wasn’t immune to criticism from fans who felt that a sequel series was unnecessary. Some questioned whether it was appropriate for Kishimoto’s chief assistant, artist Mikio Ikemoto, and writer Uky? Kodachi, to take over as main creators. This is a common debate within the manga community (and among fanbases of other popular intellectual properties): when the original creator isn’t leading the project, it’s often viewed as a less impressive product.

Naruto Creator Sets the Record Straight on Who Oversees Boruto

In a recent chat, Masashi Kishimoto emphasized that the creation of Boruto is an authentic teamwork between him and Ikemoto. He explained (through translation) that in the initial stages, Kishimoto developed the plot outlines for Boruto which were then passed on to Ikemoto who could suggest modifications and adjustments to the structure. Following their discussions, if they both agreed on any proposed alterations, Ikemoto would move forward with creating storyboards and dialogue.

Through a series of more explicit statements, it’s been pointed out that the collaboration process has evolved – primarily due to Kishimoto growing increasingly confident in Ikemoto’s artistic abilities.

As for the series Boruto, I initially sketched out the main ideas for the story, but very briefly. After that, we held a meeting to talk about it. It’s really Ikemoto-sensei who is in charge of Boruto… I just love reading it!

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share some insights I recently came across about the evolution of Boruto’s creative process. Mikio Ikemoto, who’s been instrumental in shaping this series, delved deeper into the topic, explaining how it has transformed and grown over time.

Initially, Master Kishimoto divulged his tale to me, but as we progress, the storyline deviates significantly from its original blueprint. Now, I am regularly meeting with my editor to map out the subsequent chapters of this narrative, suggesting that Master Kishimoto may not have a clear idea about what will unfold in Boruto next.

Naruto Creator Sets the Record Straight on Who Oversees Boruto

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but acknowledge the significant leap forward in the storyline of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, specifically volume Two Blue Vortex. It feels like this chapter has successfully stepped out from under the shadow of its predecessor, not just physically, but also in terms of character development.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex can be read at Shonen Jump.

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2024-08-30 22:40