Boruto Anime Return: Release Date, Rumors, and What’s Next
Boruto Anime Isn’t Canceled: Part Two Is Almost Ready
Recently, the Boruto fandom was shaken up by a series of big events. On one hand, Naruto’s Japanese voice actress, Junko Takeuchi, officially shared information hinting that the anime’s return is coming very soon. On the other hand, rumors began spreading that the release might be delayed until 2027 or even 2028.
Let’s dive into the details. This isn’t just news—it’s something worth reflecting on about the future of a franchise we all love.
NostalgiaCon Surprise: A Meeting of Legends
To understand what’s going on, let’s go back to the recent NostalgiaCon in Texas, a pop-culture convention that tours across America and celebrates nostalgia. From August 22 to 24, in either Dallas or Houston, the organizers pulled off a huge win by bringing together two legendary Naruto voice actors.
Junko Takeuchi, Naruto’s original Japanese voice, and her English counterpart, Maile Flanagan, appeared on stage together. That was huge—especially considering that Anime NYC, one of the biggest anime conventions in the U.S., was happening at the same time. Why weren’t they there instead? Nobody knows, but NostalgiaCon definitely scored big.
The interview lasted about 24 minutes and felt pretty chill. The two actresses sat side by side, chatting about Naruto as a character and answering audience questions with the help of a translator.
The Big Reveal: Boruto Manga Part Two Confirmed
Halfway through the panel, an unexpected question came up:
“So, have you already recorded lines for Boruto Part Two?”
Junko hesitated for a moment before quietly answering:
“Yes.”
That single word changed everything. Suddenly, the timeline for Boruto’s comeback looked much shorter. Fans had been expecting years of waiting, but Junko’s confirmation suggested the anime could be much closer than anyone thought. She even added that Maile Flanagan has “a lot of work ahead of her,” hinting that Naruto will play a major role in the upcoming arcs.
The Manga–Anime Timeline
Of course, anime adaptations depend heavily on the manga timeline. Usually, there needs to be at least a 30–40 chapter gap between manga and anime. That means there’s still some waiting to do.
Voice recording in Japan happens in two ways:
- Before animation, so dialogue drives the character movements.
- After animation, to sync voices with completed scenes.
Either way, for Junko to already have recorded Naruto’s lines, a significant amount of the animation must be done. English dubbing usually comes later.
If Junko has already recorded lines for the Omnipotence Arc—where Naruto experiences Boruto’s “death,” works with Shikamaru, and gets sealed in Daikokuten by Kawaki—that likely means the animation is in its final stages for the end of Part One.
Wrapping Up Part One Before the Timeskip
Out of Boruto’s 293 episodes, only about 73–74 adapted the manga, covering roughly 66–67 chapters. Before the timeskip in Chapter 80, there are 13–14 chapters left, which would fit into about 12–13 anime episodes.
About a year and a half ago, Studio Pierrot’s president mentioned that paused shows like Boruto and Black Clover would return in a seasonal format, inspired by the success of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. That lines up with the idea of a short season to finish Part One before the timeskip.
Since Naruto gets sealed away after Chapter 79 and doesn’t have lines post-timeskip, Junko’s “a lot of work” comment most likely refers to this arc. Fans are already emotionally bracing themselves for the heartbreaking scenes ahead.
For a full recap of the key events leading up to Two Blue Vortex, check out our detailed breakdown of Boruto’s transformation post- “death” and Kawaki’s role.
The Rumors of Delay
At the same time, the internet has been buzzing with rumors claiming Boruto Two Blue Vortex won’t air until 2027 or even 2028. This is shocking and disappointing, especially since the anime’s been on pause since 2023.
The so-called “source” behind the delay rumors can’t be traced but blames internal issues at Studio Pierrot. However, rushing production would risk tanking the quality, and rushed anime often suffers from poor animation—something Naruto fans remember all too well from filler arcs.
Even as anime fans wait anxiously, Chapter 25’s explosive reveals in the manga—featuring Sarada’s confession and Himawari’s new developments—show the story isn’t slowing down.
Pierrot’s Official Direction
To get clarity, let’s look at an interview with Studio Pierrot’s CEO, Kira Henmi, published in Borderless. Henmi discussed challenges in modernizing processes, adopting new technology, and globalizing Japanese anime.
One key point he emphasized was shifting from a weekly format to a seasonal one, again inspired by Bleach’s success. He stated:
“Instead of weekly releases, when I look at the international reaction to Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, I see so many positive emotions. Studio Pierrot wants to keep bringing positive emotions to people.”
This shows Pierrot’s focus is on quality over speed. If Boruto receives the same treatment as Bleach: TYBW, it could become a masterpiece with stunning animation and soundtrack.
Possible Release Scenarios
With all the conflicting information, here are three possible outcomes for Boruto’s return:
- Optimistic Scenario (Winter 2026):
The studio wraps up the pre-timeskip arc and releases a 12-episode season focusing on Naruto and Boruto’s drama. Fandom explodes with excitement, and animation quality rivals Bleach: TYBW. - Pessimistic Scenario (2027):
Internal issues delay production until 2027. Boruto comes back but with fillers or rushed adaptation, leaving fans disappointed. - Balanced Scenario (Spring 2026 & 2027):
Boruto returns in Spring 2026 with 13 episodes to finish Part One. Then, after a break, Two Blue Vortex drops in 2027. This would allow for proper adaptation and hype-building.
A Turning Point for Boruto Two Blue Vortex Manga
All of this highlights the chaos of the anime industry—the balance between speed and quality, the challenges of globalization, and how international fans shape reactions. For Boruto, timing is everything.
This makes Kawaki’s motivations even more critical—explored in depth in Kawaki’s true motives and Konoha’s fate, which illuminates the emotional weight behind his actions.
Two Blue Vortex is already heating up in the manga with themes of growing up, betrayal, and new threats. But if the anime lags too much, fans might drift away.
In conclusion, Boruto is at a crucial turning point. We may get it sooner than expected—or later, but with higher quality. Either way, it’s an exciting time to be a fan.
Final Thoughts
So, when do you think Boruto is coming back—Winter 2026 or later? Do you believe Junko’s recording work means an early release, or is this just part of the normal anime production cycle? Would you prefer a quick release with risks, or a polished masterpiece that takes longer?
Share your thoughts below!
