This article contains spoilers from the Naruto and Boruto series.
Summary
- Boruto became the first proper Naruto sequel but has failed to live up to expectations.
- There is potential for a new Naruto series focusing on old characters during the blank period.
- A new Naruto sequel in anime form with involvement from Kishimoto could be sensational for fans.
It is safe to say that the Boruto series, despite having had some really good moments here and there, hasn’t quite reached the same heights as Naruto. Of course, for the story to do just as well was always a long shot, but what fans didn’t expect was for it to be as underwhelming as it turned out to be. Boruto had tremendous potential as a Naruto sequel but ended up being a subpar story with little to no soul in it.
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Of course, that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to read. For all the Naruto fans out there, Boruto still provides a look into the same world that they grew up loving, but every single fan of the old series recognizes the fact that Naruto needs a better sequel and that it has a ton of potential for it as well.
Why Naruto Needs A New Sequel
- Boruto Became The First Proper Naruto Sequel
- Boruto Has Failed To Live Up To The Expectations
After the Naruto series ended, fans knew that there had to be more in store for them from the franchise because the way the plot concluded was very open-ended and it left room for further development of the characters, as well as the world. The fact that fans barely even got to see the post-war world and its politics, along with much else, certainly indicated that there was a strong possibility for a sequel series. Soon after, The Last: Naruto the movie was announced, and following the movie, fans even got the Boruto movie. If one thing was clear at this point, it was that Naruto, as a franchise, was not dead yet and that millions of fans all over the world wanted more content. Then, the Boruto series began its serialization, and while it did enjoy quite a gun start, the difference in quality was staggering and apparent from Day 1.
To keep enduring until it comes to be, no matter what. And to those whom that task falls on. Perhaps, that is what it means to be a shinobi! — Naruto Uzumaki
As Boruto continued, the realization that this series would never truly be able to tap into the potential of the Naruto world or ever live up to its legacy was quite clear. As such, interest in the Boruto series dwindled and this is clearly represented by how the sales for the Boruto manga have been for the past few years, even though it has enjoyed a recent spike. Nonetheless, regardless of what Boruto is and isn’t, one thing that is clear to the fans is that the potential in the Naruto world is unlimited. When Naruto ended, he was still a teenager and the series then entered a blank period. Clearly, there is tremendous room for the fan-favorite characters to take the stage once again and head out to fight against the massive threats that the world of ninja might face.
The Timeline Of The New Sequel
The Naruto Sequel Can Fit Right In The Blank Period
Fans have wanted a new Naruto series for quite a while now, and it is no surprise to know that most want this series to focus on the main cast of Naruto instead of the next-generation ninjas, the vast majority of which have proven to be failures for the most part when compared to their original counterparts. If Naruto does ever get a new sequel, the story needs to focus on Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Kakashi Hatake, the remaining members of Konoha 11, and of course, powerful ninjas from the other villages too, not Boruto Uzumaki and his group of friends.
I will become Hokage one day! — Naruto Uzumaki
But, with Boruto having already been established as a sequel story, fans might be wondering how new life can even be breathed into Naruto in the first place. The answer to this question lies in the blank period itself, which can act as the perfect time for the Naruto series to be set in. For what it’s worth, the Naruto canon has already been established and Boruto is definitively a part of it. That absolutely cannot be changed anymore.
Sad as it is, Boruto also takes away the potential for the story to ever focus on Naruto Uzumaki in the future, since Boruto is always going to be the protagonist of that era now.
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Thankfully, the blank period exists, and this is where the story can finally give the fans what they want. Between the last two chapters of Naruto, there is at least a decade of timeskip. Similarly, between The Last and Boruto: Naruto the movie, there are easily 7-10 years in between, if not more. Given that the entire Naruto series is set in way less than 10 years, this would be the perfect timeline for the new sequel to be set in. This way, the Boruto canon won’t be touched or reconned, at least not in large parts, while Naruto can continue without any problems.
The Plot Of The New Sequel
The Story Could Focus On Ninja Threats Instead Of Aliens
It is highly unlikely for any potential sequel story to be a manga. The Boruto manga is written by Ikemoto, which will definitely not stop anytime soon, and Kishimoto seems like he’s planning a return to Jump with a new series at some point. This leads one to believe that if Naruto is to ever continue, it has to do so through an anime sequel, with involvement from Masashi Kishimoto. Think of something like Dragon Ball Super, which clearly had Toriyama involved and managed to amaze the fans all the way to the very end. With Kishimoto’s involvement and a good team that knows the world of Naruto well, a very intriguing anime can be made, set in the blank period. Even though the world would largely be at peace during these years, fans would still get to see Naruto Uzumaki grow stronger, Sasuke on his redemption journey, Sakura as a growing medical ninja with ordeals of her own, and of course, Kakashi Hatake as the Sixth Hokage. The series can introduce new villains whose powers can be staggering, and incorporate them into the plot in brilliant ways. The world of Naruto can be expanded using Sasuke’s adventures, and above all, characters from other villages can be brought into the mix as well.
Undoubtedly, a Naruto sequel that isn’t Boruto would turn out to be absolutely sensational for all the fans, and while there is absolutely no reason to believe that it’ll happen anytime soon, fans would absolutely love it if it ever did. This world is absolutely massive after all, and certainly has way more to offer than what Boruto has given to the fans.
Naruto is available to read on the MangaPlus and the Shonen Jump app. Fans can read the official release and support the author by doing so.
