If you gave up on Naruto years ago, the upcoming arrival of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex could change your mind. Of course, it might have been the Boruto title that turned you away from the anime to begin with, but don’t judge Two Blue Vortex too quickly. This second chapter of the series is all set up to correct those big problems introduced by Boruto: Naruto Next Generation, and a fresh new format will bring this Naruto story into the new era of anime.
The original Naruto anime was an absolute phenomenon in the early 2000s. It provided everything we could want from a great shonen, but the Naruto mania wasn’t restricted to the typical anime scene. This story made its way into the mainstream, and it seemed, for a time, that everyone at least vaguely knew who Naruto Uzumaki was. For many ongoing fans, this remains a nostalgic time. However, like every big thing, the love and attention eventually died down.
Though casual viewers moved on, devoted Naruto fans made their way through all 720 episodes, finally reaching the conclusion of Shippuden. They then eagerly turned their sights to the next big promise of the Naruto franchise—Boruto: Naruto Next Generation.
Unfortunately, this series, which followed Naruto’s son, had a long list of problems. At the center of this was that agonizing number of filler episodes. Boruto ran for 293 episodes, even though the manga had only 90 chapters. The general outlook on Boruto has not been great, but things are looking up.
Naruto Is Getting Revamped With A New Series & Format
Boruto lost the Naruto franchise a great many previously dedicated viewers. Many consider Shippuden the official end of the story and have moved on. However, this upcoming series is a reason to jump back on board. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex will follow the ongoing manga by Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto, which is very different in flavor from the first leg of Boruto‘s story.
While the Boruto anime was full of childlike qualities and frustrating filler, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex will be all high-intensity, with a streamlined narrative. Picking up after a few-year time jump, this next generation of shinobi has become more mature and serious, and their conflicts have grown in caliber along with them. Pierrot Studio has said there will be no room for filler this time around, and that’s certainly something to celebrate.
As evidence of this streamlined approach, Pierrot has also revealed that Boruto: Two Blue Vortex will use a seasonal format. Traditionally, anime would release new episodes weekly throughout the year, which often made filler episodes necessary as the story would catch up to the manga. With batches of about 14 episodes and a gap between seasons, Two Blue Vortex can maintain the intensity and deliver viewers something really spectacular.
The Future Looks Bright For The Naruto Franchise
Part of why the hype around Naruto has died down over the years is that anime in general has evolved. High-intensity seasonal anime is the new norm, so those sprawling shonen favorites of decades past no longer feel so fresh and new. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is a chance for Naruto to get with the times, all while still delivering the characters and settings that fans have loved for 20 years.
Overall, this new Naruto era is a chance for those who moved on to rediscover what they loved about this franchise. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is expected to premiere sometime between the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027, so there is plenty of time to get caught up on any episodes of Shippuden and Boruto that you might have missed. You can even use this guide of Boruto filler episodes to enjoy a binge while avoiding all the bloat. If Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is everything we’ve been promised, you won’t regret it.
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- Writer
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Masashi Kishimoto
- Writers
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Masashi Kishimoto
- Penciler(s)
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Mikio Ikemoto
- Inker(s)
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Mikio Ikemoto
- Colorist(s)
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Mikio Ikemoto
- Publisher(s)
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Viz Media
Years after fleeing his village with Sasuke, Boruto returns to confront the dark changes that have occurred. With memories altered and Kawaki now seen as the hero, Boruto faces a world where he is the outcast. The two rivals must settle their differences as their Otsutsuki powers grow more dangerous.
