The Naruto anime franchise has been an emblem of the industry for more than two decades, inspiring countless works and millions of fans ever since it was created. The series has never stopped expanding, creating several side stories and spin-offs that have helped maintain its popularity over the years. While most of these new entries have been warmly accepted by fans, some have caused more than a bit of controversy.

Such is the case with the sequel series, Boruto, which is either loved or hated by fans of the originals. Yet, when judging this latest entry by its own merits, there are more than a few indications that the hatred it receives is not all guaranteed. The sequel is a great series, one that Naruto fans should try being a bit more open-minded about.

Boruto’s Story Is Much Better Than Fans Believe

The Show Greatly Helps Expand the Lore of the Franchise

The Boruto series is a direct sequel to the beloved Naruto franchise, set several decades after the ending of the battle between the main character and Sasuke. The story follows the son of the now-celebrated Seventh Hokage, Boruto Uzumaki, who lives in a peaceful world where the atrocities of war are a thing of the past. Throughout the first half of the manga and most of the anime adaptation, the series served as a way for the franchise to explore the world that Naruto and his friends fought to create during the ending of the original show.

Although the series has never reached the same popularity as its predecessor, it is still a major success. Even then, a large segment of the fandom considers the sequel a major letdown, claiming that it is a disappointing continuation of Masashi Kishimoto’s work. The series does have various problems, like its unsettling amount of anime filler episodes, but these critics tend to get out of hand. Despite how much hatred the Boruto franchise tends to receive, the series is undoubtedly a worthy addition to the world of Naruto.

Its characters are endearing, the story is interesting, and the world the cast inhabits feels novel and exciting. When compared to its predecessor, the number of fights and dangers in the Shinobi World has gone down drastically, something that can be off-putting for some viewers. However, this is a direct result of Naruto’s actions, as he dreamed of a world where everyone could live in peace. Considering that the series had big shoes to fill, seeing as Naruto is considered one of the best anime in history, Boruto has not done too badly for itself.

Boruto Has Much To Offer Audiences

Fans Might Be Surprised by How Charming and Interesting the Series Can Be

As a sequel to one of the most beloved anime of all time, the Boruto series needed to find innovative ways to captivate audiences. The series accomplished this by creating an engaging story that allowed fans to see the evolution the Shinobi World had gone through after the powerful of the enigmatic Otsutsuki clan.

The second half of the manga, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, has slowly but surely proven that the series is much more complex and exciting than fans once gave it credit for. Its themes, antagonists, and impressive god-tier jutsu have pushed many fans to give the franchise another chance, a decision that most have not come to regret. While the Boruto series is by far not perfect, it has done an incredible job attempting to recreate the magic of the original.

Naruto Fans Need To Let Nostalgia Go

​​​​​​​Their Fondness for the Original Series Prevents Them From Seeing Boruto’s Virtues

The Naruto franchise is undoubtedly one of the greatest of all time, with a story, cast, and power system that is difficult to find in other series. Kishimoto’s work was a true masterpiece, one that will continue to influence how anime and manga are produced and consumed throughout the entire globe. Without it, the industry, as fans know it, would not be the same, so it is understandable that followers of such an incredible series might be unwilling to give a sequel a chance.

The nostalgia with which the Naruto series, particularly the anime adaptation, is seen tends to cloud the minds of the fandom, making them see any other entry in the series as objectively worse. Boruto has been a clear victim of this phenomenon, as fans of the original have not given it the chance it deserves to shine on its own. Although the original was an outstanding series, it by no means is a flawless anime, as it has several issues that prevent it from being the best of all time.

The Boruto series should be seen as something more than just a sequel to the story of the Seventh Hokage. It is a completely new and unique adventure that has and will continue to follow its characters and story, even if it is not to the liking of all fans. Two Blue Vortex is proof that the franchise can be incredibly entertaining when it stops trying to appeal to the fandom’s nostalgia and follows its path. Fans should celebrate the sequel just as they do the original, as they are all pivotal parts of this beloved franchise.

Boruto Is Not Without Flaws

There Are Many Reasonable Criticisms About the Series

As much as the Boruto franchise deserves a chance to prove itself as a worthy successor to Naruto, the series does have many issues that fans are correct in pointing out. For example, the sudden and prevailing addition of machines and technology over training and effort as the main source of power for the characters has caused the series to be harshly criticized by fans. It was one of the biggest problems during the first half of the manga, and the Two Blue Vortex series seems to be heading down the same way.

The fact that the series decided to make most of its cast unable to contribute, by introducing increasingly powerful aliens and androids that a regular ninja could never defeat, does not help its case. If the series wishes to sway the opinion of the fandom, it should address these issues. Fortunately, the latest chapters of the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga seem to be pointing in this direction, correcting its previous mistakes and proving the critics wrong about its worth.