Naruto vs Boruto: Which Series Should You Watch or Read First?

Start with Naruto (the original manga/anime), then watch/read Naruto: Shippuden, and only then move to Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. This order preserves the story’s continuity, character development, and emotional payoff, since Boruto builds directly on events and relationships established in the earlier series.

Background: The Two Series and Their Connection

Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto, ran as a manga from 1999 to 2014 and as an anime from 2002 to 2007 (original series), followed by Naruto: Shippuden (2007–2017). It follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja ostracized because he carries the Nine-Tailed Fox demon, as he strives to become Hokage (the village leader) and earn everyone’s respect. The story spans his childhood, the Chunin Exams, the Akatsuki threat, the Fourth Great Ninja War, and his eventual marriage to Hinata Hyuga.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, written by Ukyo Kodachi (later Kishimoto) and illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto, began in 2016. It focuses on Naruto’s son, Boruto Uzumaki, and his peers in a peaceful era where the old ninja system is becoming obsolete. The series explores how the next generation handles a world that no longer needs the same kind of heroism, while dealing with new threats like the Otsutsuki clan and the mysterious scientific ninja tools.

The two series are not standalone; Boruto assumes you know who Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and the other characters are, and it frequently references events from the original. Watching Boruto first would spoil major plot twists and character arcs from Naruto, such as the identity of Tobi, the fate of Jiraiya, and the resolution of Sasuke’s redemption.

Why Order Matters: Continuity and Spoilers

If you watch Boruto first, you will encounter spoilers for nearly every major Naruto revelation. For example, Boruto’s very existence reveals that Naruto survives the war and becomes Hokage, which is a major endgame goal for the original. The series also shows adult versions of characters, implicitly revealing who lives and who dies. Watching in release order avoids these spoilers and lets you experience the original’s twists as intended.

Moreover, the emotional weight of Boruto’s relationship with his father only makes sense if you know how much Naruto longed for a family and how his own childhood was lonely. Seeing Naruto as a busy, absent dad is meaningful precisely because you witnessed his painful past. Without that context, Boruto’s complaints about his father can seem petty rather than tragic.

How to Choose Based on Your Preferences

If you are short on time and only want the core story, you could watch Naruto (original) and then Naruto: Shippuden, skipping most filler episodes (there are many). The original Naruto has about 220 episodes, of which roughly 90 are filler; Shippuden has 500 episodes, with about 200 filler. You can find filler lists online to skip them. That would give you the complete story in about 400 episodes.

If you are a manga reader, the Naruto manga (700 chapters) is faster than the anime and has no filler. Boruto’s manga is monthly and currently ongoing; the anime has many anime-only arcs that are not in the manga, so the pacing differs significantly.

If you are a completionist who loves world-building and side characters, the anime’s filler often expands on secondary characters like Shino, Tenten, or the Akatsuki members. Some filler arcs, like the Kakashi Anbu arc or the Chikara arc, are well-regarded. But if you want the main plot, skip them.

Common Problems When Starting Boruto First

Many new viewers who start with Boruto report feeling lost because the series assumes you know the characters’ backstories. For instance, the appearance of Sasuke Uchiha as a mysterious, powerful figure carries no weight if you haven’t seen his rivalry with Naruto. Similarly, the Otsutsuki clan (Kaguya, Momoshiki, Kinshiki) are introduced as villains in Boruto, but their origins are explained in Naruto’s final arc. Without that context, their motivations seem vague.

Another issue is that Boruto’s pacing is slower in the anime, especially the early episodes, which are mostly slice-of-life school stories. Many viewers who start with Boruto find it boring because they don’t care about the characters yet. In contrast, Naruto’s first episode immediately hooks you with the demon fox attack and Naruto’s pranks.

Finally, the power scaling can be confusing. In Boruto, characters like Naruto and Sasuke are at their peak, but they sometimes struggle against new enemies. If you haven’t seen how they achieved that power, their defeats can seem implausible. Watching the original shows their training, growth, and the cost of their strength.

Comparison: Story, Themes, and Tone

Naruto is a coming-of-age story about perseverance, loneliness, and breaking cycles of hatred. Its themes are universal: the importance of bonds, the pain of loss, and the idea that anyone can change their destiny. The tone ranges from comedic to dark, with moments like the death of Jiraiya or the massacre of the Uchiha clan.

Boruto, on the other hand, is more about legacy and the challenges of a peaceful society. It explores what happens when the previous generation’s sacrifices lead to comfort, and how that comfort can breed complacency. The tone is lighter, especially in the anime, but it also has darker arcs involving the Kara organization and the scientific ninja tools that question the value of hard work versus technology.

In terms of action, Naruto has more iconic fights (e.g., Naruto vs. Sasuke at the Valley of the End, Rock Lee vs. Gaara) that are celebrated for their choreography and emotional stakes. Boruto has some good fights, especially the movie Boruto: Naruto the Movie, but they are often shorter and less impactful because the characters are less developed.

Cost and Accessibility

Both series are widely available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix (in some regions), and the manga is available on Viz Media’s Shonen Jump app. The cost is the same for either series, so there is no financial reason to choose one over the other. However, Boruto is ongoing, so if you start it first, you will catch up quickly and have to wait for new chapters/episodes. Naruto is complete, so you can binge it entirely.

If you are a collector, the Naruto manga box sets are available at a reasonable price, while Boruto’s manga is still being released in volumes. The anime DVDs/Blu-rays are also available for both, but Naruto’s complete series is more likely to be found in a complete set.

Alternatives and Related Media

If you have already seen Naruto and are deciding whether to continue with Boruto, you might also consider the two Naruto movies that are canon: The Last: Naruto the Movie (which takes place after the war and shows Naruto and Hinata’s romance) and Boruto: Naruto the Movie (which is the basis for the Boruto anime’s first arc). Watching The Last is recommended before Boruto because it sets up the relationships.

If you are new to the franchise and want a shorter experience, you could watch the Naruto anime’s first 135 episodes (which cover the main story up to the Sasuke retrieval arc) and then jump to Shippuden. That gives you the essential character introductions without the filler.

If you are a manga purist, you can read the Naruto manga (700 chapters) and then the Boruto manga (ongoing). The Boruto manga is more fast-paced than the anime and skips some of the slice-of-life content, so it might be better for those who want action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Boruto without watching Naruto?

Technically yes, but you will miss a lot of context and spoil the original series. The story will still make sense on a basic level, but character motivations, relationships, and the significance of certain events will be lost. Most fans strongly advise against it.

Is Boruto as good as Naruto?

Most fans and critics agree that Naruto is the stronger series, with better character development, pacing, and emotional depth. Boruto has its moments, but it struggles to live up to its predecessor. That said, taste varies, and some enjoy Boruto’s focus on a new generation.

How many episodes are in Naruto and Boruto?

Naruto has 220 episodes, Shippuden has 500, and Boruto (as of 2025) has over 290 episodes. The Boruto anime is still ongoing, though it has been on hiatus at times.

Is Boruto filler worth watching?

Some Boruto anime-only arcs are well-received, like the Mitsuki arc or the Parent and Child Day arc, but many are considered slow. If you want the main story, you can skip most of them and just watch the manga-canon episodes.

Should I read the manga or watch the anime?

For Naruto, the manga is more concise and has better pacing, but the anime adds music, voice acting, and fight choreography. For Boruto, the manga is more serious and fast-paced, while the anime expands the world but adds filler. It depends on your preference for the medium.

Related

• Which Halo Game Should You Play First? A Beginner’s Guide
• Duet Night Abyss Progression, Monetization and Builds
• Repair Bad Sectors: What You Can and Can’t Fix