The wildly popular Naruto anime franchise recently received disappointing news regarding its sequel spin-off series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. After nearly 300 episodes, Boruto went on hiatus earlier this year, leaving fans eager for its return.
However, new rumors suggest the anime may be postponed for another 3-4 years until 2027-2028 before resuming production.
This unexpected delay comes on the heels of the Boruto manga wrapping up its first major story arc in April 2023. The manga then began part two of the narrative, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, a few months later in August.
But while the manga will continue releasing new chapters monthly, anime fans likely won’t see the next saga adapted for quite some time.
For followers of the Boruto series, this rumored hiatus may come as an unfortunate blow. After airing weekly for over 5 years, the show built up a dedicated viewership.
And with the manga forging ahead into exciting new territory, fans will miss seeing those adventures brought to life on screen.
The extended break also raises concerns for the anime industry as a whole, as staple shonen series like One Piece continue thriving after decades on air.
Time will tell whether Boruto can regain its momentum after such a long postponement. But for now, its animated future remains uncertain.
Boruto Anime Delay As Pierrot’s Production Strategy Shifts
A reputable anime insider recently claimed that Boruto: Naruto Next Generation’s production studio, Pierrot, plans to postpone the anime’s return by several years.
According to the leaker, who goes by @Worllff, the series will likely not resume until 2027 or 2028, if at all.
Should Pierrot opt to bring Boruto back sooner, the animated quality may suffer in order to quicken the release.
This could diminish viewership after the show cultivated a dedicated fanbase over 5+ years on air.
The indefinite hiatus decision seemingly stems from the studio rethinking its content strategies.
Rather than relying on long-running series, Pierrot apparently intends to shift focus toward seasonal anime with enhanced animation. This path mirrors the success of many modern hits.
The break also allows Pierrot more time to let the monthly Boruto manga progress, providing additional source material.
But the delay underscores the continued domination of seminal shonen series like One Piece, which has thrived for decades even while facing similar adaptation hurdles.
In the end, Boruto’s future now hangs in balance.
While the manga offers ongoing adventures, anime fans eagerly await updates on if and when the visual adaptation will resume its epic ninja tales.
Why The Studio Postponed Boruti Anime
Studio Pierrot recently revealed through managing director Kiero Itsumi that they plan to shift focus away from long-running anime series.
In an interview with @Anhiksi, Itsumi stated that Pierrot intends to concentrate efforts on creating high-quality, seasonal anime rather than shows with just a few standout episodes.
🚨 BORUTO ANIME PUSHED BACK TO 2027 or even 2028. pic.twitter.com/m8wmnKR3wi
— WorIf 写輪眼 🌙 (@Worllff) February 14, 2024
This announcement directly impacts the future of the popular series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. Itsumi disclosed that currently all of Pierrot’s attention is on the new Bleach anime adaptation.
He also indicated the studio may look to convert other Pierrot titles, like Boruto, into seasonal releases down the line if deemed necessary.
For loyal Boruto fans, this news came as an unexpected blow after waiting patiently for the anime to return following its hiatus earlier this year. However, the break represents a turning point for anime production values and distribution methods.
Though it may be years before Boruto comes back in seasonal format, the potential boost in animation quality could propel the Naruto spin-off to even greater mainstream popularity.
In the end, Studio Pierrot’s strategic shift places Boruto’s future in question but also offers a path for the franchise to reach new heights.
If the studio succeeds in delivering the same lore and adventures from the manga with upgraded visuals, Boruto could eventually emerge as one of the most prominent anime IPs globally.
