Are Boruto's Anime-Only Arcs Worth Watching?

Key Takeaways

Boruto’s anime features a unique mix of manga canon, anime canon, and filler episodes to fill in gaps between manga releases.
The anime-only arcs offer character development, worldbuilding, and story exposition that the manga may lack.
Viewers can skip anime-only arcs if solely following the main storyline, but fans of the original Naruto series may enjoy them.

As someone who has followed Naruto and its universe for over two decades, I can confidently say that Boruto’s anime-only arcs are a breath of fresh air in the series. While the manga primarily focuses on the Otsutsuki saga, these anime-exclusive episodes offer a rich tapestry of character development, worldbuilding, and story exposition that the original Naruto series often overlooked.

In the world of anime, most series are divided into two main types of episodes: those that follow the storyline directly from the manga (referred to as “manga canon”) and additional episodes known as “filler” which allow the manga to move forward ahead of the anime. However, Boruto’s anime adaptation is unique in its combination of episodes that include manga-based content, content exclusive to the anime (referred to as “anime canon”), and filler episodes. Interestingly, this new category of episodes has been labeled as “canon,” even though they are not directly adapted from the manga.

In this unique circumstance, it’s worth considering whether fans should watch multiple canon episodes of anime or simply follow the storyline from the manga. Although the anime-only arcs for Boruto aren’t based on the manga, they are crucial for bridging the gaps between the manga chapters. A careful examination of what these exclusive anime arcs contribute to the overall storyline can assist viewers in making a choice.

Why Does Boruto Feature Anime-Canon Episodes?

Boruto’s Manga Timeline Has Led to a Peculiar Situation

In an unusual twist for the shonen genre, Boruto’s series presents a complex narrative structure, but there’s a solid rationale behind this choice by the producers. Unlike traditional filler episodes which primarily help the manga to move forward before adaptation, the anime canon episodes in Boruto serve a deeper purpose. Since the manga is somewhat constrained and focuses mainly on significant events within the Boruto universe, these anime episodes flesh out the occurrences that happen between the manga’s story arc.

In the case of Boruto, although it might appear chaotic due to multiple writers and production studios, the production process is structured in a way that eliminates any inconsistencies between the manga and its anime adaptation. Some may view the anime canon episodes as filler, but this perspective is challenged by the fact that many events from the anime canon arcs are referenced in Boruto’s manga canon episodes. Consequently, these anime canon episodes can be considered an integral part of both the manga and the broader narrative of Boruto.

The Anime-Only Episodes Fill in the Gaps

Anime-Only Arcs Expand on What the Manga Missed Out

Are Boruto's Anime-Only Arcs Worth Watching?

Instead of the occasional off-putting episodes that can harm an anime’s reputation due to their strange themes and illogical storylines, the canonical episodes in the Boruto series are carefully crafted to match the quality of the manga counterparts. Furthermore, these episodes have a unique edge – they offer information that the manga might have missed due to time constraints and limited space for panels. Consequently, this allows the anime to supplement what the manga may not have fully explored.

The Boruto anime provides a chance for the story to take a breather compared to the manga, as additional details not initially included can be explored through the anime-exclusive arcs. For instance, the way Boruto learns his new Rasengan, which wasn’t fully explained in the manga, is further developed during the Mujina Bandits arc in the anime.

Ample Character Development

Anime-Only Arcs Add to the Roster’s Character Development

In a tight schedule with restricted publication dates, the “Boruto” manga mainly delves into the Otsutsuki clan and their connected events, resulting in less character growth for the freshly introduced cast. Yet, the exclusive anime storylines offer insights into these characters that the manga’s canonical episodes don’t reveal.

Regardless if it’s the Chunin Exam Arc or the Academy Arc from the anime version of the story, the canonical parts are vital for comprehending each new character’s past and their reasons behind their actions. For instance, Sumire’s determination to safeguard Konoha or Shikadai’s accomplishments as a Chunin, these side characters significantly contribute to the main cast by understanding their roles better in the story.

Worldbuilding and Exposition

The Boruto Manga Has Limited Worldbuilding

Along with continuing the narrative of the manga, Boruto’s exclusive anime episodes also bring a crucial aspect to the series – world expansion. From the revamped Hidden Mist Village to the advancements in the Hidden Stone, the Boruto anime provides insights into the changes occurring within the Five Great Nations.

This particular aspect may not directly tie into the core narrative about the Otsutsuki clan in the manga, but it does offer fans a means to delve deeper into the Naruto universe. Additionally, since the Five Great Nations were underrepresented in the initial Naruto series, this additional backstory can be seen as compensating for the limited geopolitical context provided earlier in the franchise.

The Final Verdict

Boruto’s Anime-Only Episodes Are Worth a Shot

In essence, Boruto’s storyline in the anime and manga can be seen as two distinct narratives that occasionally overlap. At specific moments within the tale, the manga sometimes references events exclusive to the anime-based arcs, thereby making them somewhat official or acknowledged. These anime-only arcs offer a wealth of character growth, world expansion, and plot revelations.

For fans who are just keeping up with the Boruto storyline through the series, it’s okay to bypass the unique arcs presented in the anime. But for those who adore the original series and want more of their favorite characters, it’s worth checking out the additional episodes that only appear in the anime. While a few might not meet expectations, most of these storylines enhance Boruto’s overall narrative, helping to bridge the gap between the manga and animated versions.

Boruto is available to stream on Prime Video.

2024-09-27 22:04

Are Boruto’s Anime-Only Arcs Worth Watching?