I consider myself a Boruto fan - my review for the anime is first on MAL - I’m quite happy to see such a positive reaction to it.
There are several unfortunate things the Boruto manga has going for it - most of it is beyond its control. Yes it’s monthly. Yes it started with a recap of the movie. Yes the art in the beginning was awful - but above all of that - it’s the unfair comparison to Naruto.
This isn't another Naruto, fans should stop comparing. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is a great, and, different spinoff. It’s simply an addition to the Naruto universe. If you’re one of those who don’t want to see Naruto’s story continue - especially with a new generation - it’s fine. Just don’t hate on it unnecessarily just to fit in. Boruto is meant to be different - but it doesn’t mean it’s bad. It’s actually darn good once you move past the first 10 chapters - especially the last 8 have been absolute high quality.
In terms of storyline - once you get past the movie arc - It genuinely gets intense and fascinating to see each chapter unfold. This is the story of Boruto and his journey. It’s not like the typical journey we’ve seen in Naruto - simply because the series starts with Boruto having everything and knowing only of peace - but little by little - things will slip away from him - as shown in the future scene at the very beginning of chapter one. We’re already seeing hints being dropped as to why he’ll end up going rogue.
You have new and original concepts introduced to the Shinobi world, specifically, technology and new incredible abilities. The future of Boruto is bright. I can’t wait to see them explored. As a die hard Naruto fan, this takes me back to Naruto Part 1.
As for technology- It’s genius really. Just look at how much our world has changed in the last 10 years. I’m loving the idea of new concepts being added to the Naruto Universe - and they totally make sense. Please don’t judge it from the movie. It’s totally different and a breathe of fresh air. Keep an open mind.
One of the biggest drawbacks is what I call the “Umbrella” of Naruto and Sasuke - two historic characters who are on levels well and truly above everyone else. How can the series have any consequences if those two are around? Well, without revealing any spoilers, rest assured! I’ll address this in more depth in the “Character” section below.
Kodachi has added to the Naruto universe brilliantly. It doesn’t feel like a rehash but it feels new and exciting. Something I haven’t been able to say since the Pain arc. There’s so much going on. It’s incredible.
Now onto artwork - as stated above -Don’t expect a similar style of art to Kishimoto’s. It’s not meant to be that way. Ikemoto has improved greatly from the beginning of the series. It’s different but beautiful! I recommend you check out some of the latest cover pages.
It does start off iffy but major appreciation to Ikemoto for improving at a fast rate. Hopefully he can keep it up for the manga to become weekly.
Here we go - Characters - if you look on paper you’d think most of the new generation are carbon copies of the previous ones. a few are, a few aren’t. Main trio is a different case. Boruto is such a unique character to the usual Shounen protagonists - he doesn’t follow the usual ‘I’m gonna be the best at this!” mentality. He’s someone who starts off with everything. He has no troubles to begin with - aside from proving himself to his Dad - and don't let that fool you thinking he lacks resolve - he has that but yet to find it. All that will change in due time as indicated very early on the series. He’ll come to meet a crossroad: to either become a ninja hero like his father or a rogue hero like his idol Sasuke. The latter is more likely if the opening scene is something to go by. Isn't that intriguing though? Don't you, as a reader, want to know how it all ended up that way? It's truly breathtaking stuff.
The manga as a whole is the journey of how that will unfold and the implications it’ll have on the supporting cast and the Naruto Universe.
We also have Sarada - a female Uchiha aspiring to be Hokage - imagine that - an Uchiha Hokage. Incredible. She’s determined, skilled, and thoughtful.
Onto Mitsuki - the son of Orochimaru. Mitsuki is the definition of mysterious. We don’t quite know his intentions or motivations. The connection to his Father is also troubling. He’s also ridiculously powerful. Of course you then have the “supporting” main cast but I won’t get too much into them.
Remember these are kids of the greatest generation of Shinobi - Heroes of the 4th Ninja War. Of course they'd be powerful early on - It's pure genetics!
Remember earlier I wrote about the umbrella that is Naruto and Sasuke - well rest assured. We’ve already had new characters introduced who are scary powerful and with abilities we haven’t seen before. It’s clear that they upped the ante setting up more complex challenges for the main cast and the older generation. Without getting into any spoilers there’s a certain new dodgy characters that have their own plans - which makes things fascinating to read. Even their designs is amazing to behold. Fun fact, it is based on the Spanish Inquisition from the 15th century.
Kawaki. It seems rash to talk about someone who’s never appeared aside from one iconic scene at the very beginning- but that is also the reason why. His name is already synonymous worldwide just for that. So his character is intriguing. Who is he? Friend or foe? What happens that’ll lead to “that” scene? His design is so unorthodox even in the Naruto Universe. Props to Kishimoto, Kodachi, and Ikemoto for being even more original - Something that’s unbelievably difficult considering how the Universe has been on-going for 20 years. I can't wait to see more of him in the future.
With Boruto you have to look passed the surface and focus on the subliminal moments. As I said in both my review for the anime and manga.
In terms of enjoyment - I love Boruto and the community surrounding it online. I enjoy reading the manga on a monthly basis discussing theories and upcoming chapters. It is consistently great. Once you get around Chapter 15 and above It is a rollercoaster of a ride.
Overall, I stress patience. It needs time to create it’s own success - but it’s surely heading there. Great and rising sales in Japan are proof of that. I hope it can become weekly soon but I’m glad nonetheless that it exists. It had definitely added to the Naruto Universe - Kishimoto would be proud.
