Motivation 3: The Next Generation

Boruto is a Japanese manga series written by Ukyō Kodachi (first 13 volumes) and Mikio Ikemoto, with illustrations by Ikemoto and supervision by Masashi Kishimoto. It is a spin-off and sequel to Kishimoto's manga series Naruto and follows the adventures of Naruto Uzumaki's son Boruto and his ninja team. The manga began serialization under the title Boruto: Naruto Next Generations in Shueisha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump in May 2016, with Kodachi as writer and Kishimoto as editorial supervisor. In July 2019, the series was transferred to Shueisha's monthly magazine V Jump. Kodachi stepped down in November 2020, after which Kishimoto took over as writer. In April 2023, the series concluded the first part of its story. Following a brief hiatus, it resumed in August of the same year with a second part titled Boruto: Two Blue Vortex in which a teenager Boruto continues protecting the village in solitude, now that he is seen as an enemy. Boruto originated from Shueisha's proposal to Kishimoto to create a Naruto sequel. Kishimoto rejected this offer and suggested his former assistant Mikio Ikemoto draw it; Ukyō Kodachi, the writer of the film Boruto: Naruto the Movie, created the plot. A 293-episode anime television series adaptation, produced by Studio Pierrot under Kodachi's supervision (episodes 1–216), was broadcast on TV Tokyo from April 2017 to March 2023; a second part has been announced to be in development. Unlike the manga, which begins as a retelling of the Boruto film, the anime starts as a prequel set before Boruto and his friends become ninjas. In addition, a light novel series adaptation has been published. The overall manga series had over 10 million copies in circulation in Japan by October 2025. The series's first part received a mixed-to-positive response, largely due to Boruto's characterization. His main character arc is resolved in the second volume, which led several writers to anticipate his growth and rivalry with Kawaki. Although the use of characters from the previous generation was criticized, Two Blue Vortex received more positive reviews for its portrayal of a stronger and more serious protagonist. Ikemoto's artwork, particularly the fight scenes, was also praised.