Masashi Kishimoto, the original creator of Naruto, has returned to take over the Boruto manga starting from chapter 52. This change marks a major shift in the franchise, as Kishimoto will now be responsible for shaping the future of Naruto’s successor. While Shonen Jump claims this transition was always planned, some believe it is a reaction to Boruto’s struggles.
The Boruto manga, written by Ukyō Kodachi since its debut, has received mixed responses. While the story has been praised, its sales have been weaker than expected. Kishimoto’s return could be an attempt to boost the series by bringing back the original creator’s vision. However, it also raises questions about how much the story will change moving forward.
Why Kishimoto’s Return Is Significant
After concluding Naruto in 2014, Kishimoto moved on to new projects, including Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru. Unfortunately, Samurai 8 was canceled within a year due to poor reception. With this unexpected failure, Kishimoto found himself without an ongoing project, making his return to Boruto a logical step.
漫画『BORUTO』について
Vジャンプ12月号（11/21発売）掲載の『BORUTO』52話をもって、当初からの予定に則り、制作体制が変更となります。
ここまで脚本を務められた小太刀先生、本当にお疲れさまでした。
今後、岸本斉史先生の原案をもとに連載して参ります。— NARUTO・BORUTO【原作公式】 (@NARUTO_kousiki) November 16, 2020
Meanwhile, Boruto’s sales have failed to match expectations despite its solid writing. Shonen Jump likely hopes that Kishimoto’s influence will draw in more readers. His return also reunites him with artist Mikio Ikemoto, who was his chief assistant during Naruto, suggesting that the series might align more closely with its predecessor.
How This Affects Boruto’s Story
With a new writer in charge, Boruto’s plot may take a different direction. Kishimoto could introduce new ideas while altering or removing elements that Kodachi had established. One of the biggest speculations is that Kishimoto will oversee Naruto Uzumaki’s rumored death, which has been teased since Boruto’s first chapter.
Chapter 51 introduced Naruto’s dangerous new transformation, which was said to come at the cost of his life. Many believe Kishimoto’s return means this event will happen soon. Whether Naruto survives or not, the series will now follow the original creator’s vision, which could lead to major shifts in the storyline.
Fan Reactions and the Future of Boruto
The news of Kishimoto’s return has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans are excited, believing he will bring back the emotional depth and character-driven storytelling that made Naruto successful. They hope his writing will strengthen Boruto and make it more engaging.
However, others are concerned that Kishimoto might undo the progress Boruto has made under Kodachi’s direction. Boruto introduced unique elements that set it apart from Naruto, and fans who enjoyed these changes worry that Kishimoto may alter the series too drastically. Additionally, given Samurai 8’s failure, some question whether Kishimoto’s storytelling will still resonate with readers.
With Kishimoto now leading Boruto, the series is expected to undergo major changes. Whether these changes will help or hurt the story remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the Naruto franchise is once again under the control of its original creator, and the upcoming chapters will reveal the full impact of his return.
