With the end of Naruto Shippuden pretty much in sight, it's about time to shift focus on the next gen, the new breed of ninjas in the Naruto universe led by Konoha's latest troika Boruto, Sarada and Mitsuki.
During Shonen Festa, Studio Pierrot announced the upcoming anime adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto's Boruto: Naruto Next Generation.
Set several years after the Fourth Great Ninja War and Naruto's one-on-one showdown with Sasuke, Boruto anime series will certainly bring back the youthful exuberance and coming of age theme of the original Naruto manga series.
Here are the 5 things every Naruto fan needs to know ahead of Boruto Anime Series premiere in April, 2017.
Naruto - the 7th Hokage:
The protagonist of the original series fulfilled his destiny of becoming the Hokage of Konoha, now known as The Village of the Dancing Leaves. Not only he has turned into the leader of the village, Naruto has also become a husband to Hinata Hyuga and the father to two children: Boruto (Bolt) and Himawari (Sunflower).
Unfortunately, being a Hokage has some drawbacks. Firstly, Naruto appears to have missed quality time with his children, especially his eldest Boruto. And secondly is he's always a high-value target by outlaws and unknown forces roaming around the shinobi world.
Sasuke's Return and Marriage with Sakura:
For Susako fans who have been shipping Sasuke and Sakura for the last 14 years, then Boruto has some good news for you all. They are married and have a daughter name, Sarada - the next generation and new hope of the exalted Uchiha Clan.
Here Comes The Next Gen Ninjas:
How time goes by? Really, how time flies by? Naruto and Hinata with Boruto and Himawari, Sasuke and Sakura with Sarada and now almost the whole gang have a family of their own. Boruto: Naruto Next Gen, you will learn more about Rock Lee's stud Metal Lee, Shikamaru and Tenmari's Shikadai, Sai and Ino's Inojin, Orochimaru's Mitsuki and eheeem, ehhem, Gaara's Shinki.
Expanded Chunin Exam
It's not yet confirmed, but I believe Boruto Next Gen anime series will feature an expanded version of the Chunin exam. In the anime series, we will finally see tournament matches featuring Sarada, Mitsuki, Metal Lee and other young genins, which the movie didn't much elaborate due to limited screen time.
Big Bad Strong Villains
We thought the age of peace has arrived in the Ninja world following the defeat of Kaguya Otsutsuki and Toneri Otsutsuki. However, a new story isn't going to be interesting enough without new villains, and honestly Boruto has plenty of that.
There's Momoshiki and Kinshiki, the still mysterious Kawaki and what I believe the first villain in the Boruto series - Shin Uchiha. Yes, Naruto Gaiden: the 7th Hokage and the Scarlet Spring will likely be the very first arc of the Boruto anime series, for chronological reasons as it happened before Momoshiki and Kinshiki's invasion.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generation anime will be released early April every Thursday on Tokyo TV and Crunchy Roll.
For more Boruto anime, manga and anime update, follow me at ShonenLord@Twitter