It’s been over two years since Boruto: Naruto Next Generations went on break, and fans are still asking: what exactly happened to the anime? The continuation of Naruto Shippuden had built strong momentum before it suddenly stopped airing in March 2023.
So, why did the anime stop airing, and is there any update on when it will return? Here’s everything we know: what caused the pause, what Studio Pierrot has been working on since, and where the anime left off in the story.
The Anime Reached the Manga’s Progress
Boruto stopped with Episode 293, titled “Farewell,” which aired on March 26, 2023. It wasn’t labeled as a final episode, but it clearly marked the end of the first part of the story. The episode wrapped up key events and ended with a future flash-forward, teasing what’s next.
Since then, the anime has gone quiet. No updates, no follow-up episodes, and no official return announcement.
One of the most direct reasons behind the break is that the anime got too close to the manga. This is a common issue for adaptations. Without enough source material to work from, continuing the anime would have required filler or original storylines, which can easily affect pacing and tone.
Unlike other long series that include filler arcs, Boruto’s plot is more continuous. That made it difficult to insert extra episodes without disrupting the main narrative. So the team decided to hold off instead.
Animation Quality Was Another Concern
Many fans pointed out uneven animation during the later arcs. Some scenes felt rushed or poorly drawn, likely due to tight schedules. Weekly episode production can be hard on studios, and it showed in some of Boruto’s episodes.
Studio Pierrot later announced that the anime would return under a seasonal format, meaning it would release a set number of episodes at once rather than running year-round. This new approach gives the staff more time to plan and produce better-looking episodes
.Studio Pierrot Has Been Focused on Other Major Projects
One reason Boruto hasn’t returned yet is that Studio Pierrot has been handling other large projects. Their current focus has been on Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, a major production with a lot of pressure to deliver top results.
Part 3 of the Bleach arc, “The Conflict,” aired from October to December 2024, and Part 4, “The Calamity,” is scheduled for Autumn 2025.
They’ve also been working on Mr. Osomatsu Season 4, coming in July 2025 under their Pierrot Films label. In addition, the studio is developing a new magical girl series called Magical Sisters: Lulutto Lilly, which is planned for 2026.
Another project that likely shifted their schedule was the Naruto 20th anniversary episodes. These were originally set for release in September 2023, but they’ve been delayed for quality improvements.
Where the Anime Left Off
For those who haven’t read the manga, the anime stopped after adapting chapters 67 to 70.
In the last episode, Kawaki made the shocking decision to kill Boruto in order to stop Momoshiki, the Otsutsuki inside him, from taking control. Naruto was devastated. But Momoshiki then revived Boruto, giving up his ability to reincarnate. This permanently changed Boruto’s nature—he became a full Otsutsuki.
After the fight, Boruto and Kawaki agreed to protect Naruto and the Hidden Leaf, even though their views on how to do that differ. The anime closed with a return to the same future scene first shown at the beginning of the series which was Boruto and Kawaki facing off.
The Story Continues In the Manga With Two Blue Vortex
While the anime is on hold, the manga moved forward with a new arc called Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, which launched in V Jump on August 21, 2023. The story takes place three years after the events of the final anime episode.
Boruto is now a wanted man. His village believes he’s a danger, and Kawaki is seen as the one who must stop him. This is due to a major event that altered everyone’s memories. The tone of the story is more serious and takes the characters in a new direction.
Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, returned as the writer, while Mikio Ikemoto continues drawing the manga.
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When Will the Anime Come Back?
As of April 1, 2025, there is no confirmed return date for the anime. At one point, rumors suggested a return as late as 2027 or 2028. More recently, there’s been quiet talk that the series could return sometime in 2026.
Still, nothing official has been announced. For now, fans will need to keep an eye on Pierrot’s announcements and follow the story in the manga. It’s currently available through VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump app and Manga Plus.
The anime is expected to adapt Two Blue Vortex next. And with the new release format, there’s a good chance it will have better pacing and visuals.
For now, fans will need to be patient. Pierrot has several big projects in progress, and Boruto has likely been delayed to make room. But the series isn’t gone forever. It’s just waiting for the right moment to come back.
