The release of the first compiled volume of the new Boruto spin-off manga, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, included some eagerly anticipated comments from series illustrator Mikio Ikemoto.
Fans have not had much interaction with Ikemoto up to this point, so getting his thoughts in this volume generated excitement in the fan community.
Ikemoto’s artwork and character interpretations faced some initial criticism when he first started on the Boruto manga. However, over time his skills developed, winning over many doubters.
This improvement is clear to see in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, as evidenced by the positive fan response to the first volume.
With this long-awaited chance to hear directly from Ikemoto, fans are even more enthusiastic about what is in store for the new manga.
Ikemoto’s Caution and Excitement for Future Boruto Chapters
In his comments, Ikemoto announced that Boruto has entered its “seinin” arc, indicating a shift to more mature themes.
Reflecting this transition, the manga’s subtitle has been changed from “Naruto Next Generations” to “Two Blue Vortex.”
It’s 2am in Japan but VOL 1 is out y’all LETS GOOO (Ikemoto’s comment – translation by me) #boruto #BORUTO #BORUTOTBV #BorutoTwoBlueVortex #borutotimeskip #borutoTBVvol1 pic.twitter.com/Of8mn1KaPe
— saladsandbolts (@vianimeano) February 1, 2024
Ikemoto realizes fans may find the resetting of the volume numbers back to 1 with this new arc confusing.
Some may mistakenly think Two Blue Vortex is an entirely new series separate from the original Boruto manga.
So he cautions readers to check that they are getting the right continuation of the story before purchasing.
However, Ikemoto believes that even new readers starting with Two Blue Vortex will become so engrossed in the narrative that they likely won’t bother going back to the previous chapters.
The compelling events of this latest arc will spur their curiosity to keep reading about what happens next rather than filling in the preceding story details.
Ikemoto’s remarks generated excitement among fans as it was the first instance of the artist himself publicly promoting the manga’s future.
His enticing teases have fans optimistic that some truly spectacular chapters are on the horizon.
Devoted readers already loved following the series, but Ikemoto’s hints at major developments to come have further stoked their anticipation for upcoming issues.
The intrigue around what happens next now has fans eagerly counting down to each new chapter release.
Additionally, some supporters were simply pleased to finally hear directly from the infamously quiet Ikemoto after all this time.
Years of near-silence had even spawned playful theories that “Mikio Ikemoto” was a pseudonym for a different artist. But his personal comments seem to confirm Ikemoto’s existence and involvement, delightful news to those fans.
Two Blue Vortex as the True Main Boruto Manga
Ikemoto’s statement implies he views the new Two Blue Vortex storyline as the true, main Boruto manga going forward.
In his eyes, the preceding Naruto Next Generations chapters were just a lengthy prologue leading up to the launch of the serialization he’s now beginning.
This outlook suggests Two Blue Vortex is slated for a very long run. Ikemoto casually summed up the entire 20-volume Naruto Next Generations arc simply as the “youth arc,” downplaying its significance compared to what he has planned next.
If 20 volumes account for only Boruto’s youth in Ikemoto’s grand plan, fans can barely fathom how expansive the full scope of the Two Blue Vortex sequel could be.
But this ambition excites them about the manga’s future potential.
More About Boruto
The story opens with a teenage Boruto and Kawaki confronting one another amidst destroyed rubble that was once Hidden Leaf Village. Boruto begins recounting the events leading up to this dire future.
As the Hokage Naruto Uzumaki’s son, Boruto deeply resents his father putting the village before family.
Boruto joins Konohamaru Sarutobi’s ninja team with Sasuke and Sakura Uchiha’s daughter Sarada and Orochimaru’s artificial son Mitsuki.
When Sasuke returns warning of a threat related to Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Boruto requests to be Sasuke’s disciple to impress Naruto.
The Ōtsutsuki clan members Momoshiki and Kinshiki attack and abduct Naruto during the Chunin Exams to harness the tailed beast inside him.
Boruto, Sasuke, and the Kages confront the invaders, defeating them but Momoshiki first passes his Karma mark to Boruto while cryptically warning of his pivotal future before dying.
Boruto decides to emulate Sasuke’s path rather than succeed Naruto, entrusting Sarada with becoming Hokage. They soon learn of “Kara”, a group seeking Karma hosts like adoptive Uzumaki member Kawaki.
Trying to protect Kawaki, Naruto and Sasuke fall to the Kara leader Jigen possessing Isshiki Ōtsutsuki’s spirit via Karma.
