The original Naruto series, followed by Naruto Shippuden, redefined what shonen anime could be, packing decades of world-building, heartbreak, and high-octane fights into a phenomenon that inspired millions. When Boruto: Naruto Next Generations debuted, it had to do the impossible: honor that legacy, satisfy old-school fans, and carve out an identity all its own.
10 Strongest Characters In Boruto, Ranked
From the father to the son and all of the many figures in between, these are the strongest characters in Boruto.
Rather than trying to outdo Naruto at every turn, Boruto zeros in on what matters most for a new era. It dials up the animation with cutting-edge visuals and global talent, injects fresh life into world-building with a tech-savvy Konoha, and explores what it means to be a ninja in an age where progress and tradition clash.
Animation Unleashed
Sakuga in Overdrive With Modern Animation’s Power Surge
Fueled by advances in digital animation and a global pool of top-tier artists, Boruto manages to routinely deliver fight sequences that set new standards for shonen anime. Naruto had its fair share of legendary sakuga moments, but its weekly schedule often led to slight dips in quality.
Episode 65’s Momoshiki fight in Buroto is a great example that backs up this point. Directed by Chengxi Huang and assembled by an international team of die-hard Naruto fans, the sequence weaves real martial arts into ninja combat, creating a fluid, kinetic spectacle that leaves even Naruto Shippuden’s best moments looking dated. Even later episodes, like Naruto vs. Isshiki and Kawaki vs. Garo, keep the bar high, integrating emotion and narrative into every frame.
World-Building
Where Technological Evolution Meets Narrative Purpose
Boruto ditches the static, feudal backdrops of the past for a living, breathing metropolis. Konoha’s transformation into a bustling cityscape with Thunder Trains, modern tech, and a booming civilian economy reflects real growth spurred by years of peace. This isn’t just window dressing. The infrastructure shift changes daily life, mission structure, and even what it means to be a shinobi.
The world feels interconnected and politically complex. The Shinobi Union (basically the ninja United Nations) brings together the Five Great Nations in genuine partnership, with arcs exploring the unique struggles and cultures of each village. Character designs evolve too, swapping rigid uniforms for contemporary, casual wear, signaling a generation that’s both freer and more individualistic.
Scientific Ninja Tools
The Franchise’s Boldest Invention
Boruto doesn’t just add new gadgets for the sake of novelty. Scientific Ninja Tools, ranging from the infamous Kote gauntlet to chakra sabers and full-blown cyborgs, force the entire shinobi world to confront tough questions about power, progress, and what it means to be a ninja. These tools level the playing field, democratizing jutsu in ways that shake the old hierarchy to its core.
Boruto: Best Fights In The Anime, Ranked
The Boruto series is laced with riveting battles and thrilling fights. Here's a look at some of the best ones in the anime.
Episodes centered on the Kote and other chakra-tech highlight the tension between tradition and innovation. Boruto’s early misuse of the tools as “cheats” sparks philosophical debates, while Sasuke’s perspective reframes them as neutral instruments whose value depends on the user’s intent. This arc doesn’t just move the plot forward but also explores what it means to evolve a shonen legacy.
Female Characters
A New Generation of Heroines and Plot-Drivers
Boruto answers years of criticism with a new generation of kunoichi who are more than just supporting players or sidekicks. Sarada Uchiha leads the charge, driven by her own ambition to become Hokage—not a crush or rivalry. From the jump, she’s a prodigy, balancing tactical brilliance with real leadership, and she’s pivotal in major battles like the fight against Boro, where her strategy saves the day and earns her a Chunin promotion.
Whereas Chocho Akimichi brings a nuanced arc of self-acceptance and mastery, unlocking her clan’s legendary Butterfly Mode without the trauma or shortcuts of the past. Even antagonists like Delta and Eida break the mold: Delta goes toe-to-toe with adult Naruto, while Eida’s powers and motives alter the very fabric of the story.
Supporting Cast and Teamwork
Squad Goals and Combo-Driven Battles
Where Naruto’s later arcs often sidelined the wider cast for the headline duo, Boruto thrives on ensemble storytelling. Team 7’s new lineup—Boruto, Sarada, Mitsuki—starts with real friendship and mutual respect, not just reluctant necessity. Their missions are defined by synergy, with each member contributing unique skills and even philosophical subplots, like Mitsuki’s search for identity.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio evolves beyond copy-paste legacy roles, with Shikadai, Inojin, and Chocho each getting genuine arcs. Whether it’s Shikadai’s tactical smarts, Inojin's blending of art and mind transfer, or Chocho’s personal growth, when it comes to Boruto, every member matters. Even major battles are engineered for teamwork. No single hero solves everything; instead, victory comes from perfectly timed combinations, strategic sacrifice, and trust.
Early Introduction of Villains
Villains Set the Bar Higher from the Start
Boruto wastes no time with low-stakes baddies. Its first major arc already introduces Momoshiki and Kinshiki Otsutsuki—dimension-hopping, planet-devouring threats that make early Naruto villains look like warm-ups. With the old guard still around and stronger than ever, only universe-level threats justify a new generation’s struggles and growth.
These villains aren’t just stronger—they’re also thematically sharper. The Otsutsuki clan’s habit of “stealing” power directly parallels Boruto’s own early reliance on shortcuts, turning external conflict into an extension of the hero’s inner journey. By merging personal growth and world-saving into a single narrative thread, Boruto created an urgency that drives both character development and plot advancement from the series' opening episodes.
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Naruto
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- October 2, 2002
- Network
- Adult Swim
A popular shonen anime based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga, Naruto follows its eponymous shinobi's journey as he goes from his town's outsider to its hero.
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Boruto
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widgetDisplay card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end- Release Date
- April 5, 2017
- Network
- TV Tokyo
Boruto is an action anime series that continues years after the events of Naruto, now in the shoes of the next generation - many of which are the children of the protagonists from the original series. Boruto follows the titular character, the son of Naruto, who seeks to impress his father. Together with the other ninjas-in-training, Boruto will battle to overcome trials and threats even more significant than his father ever faced.
