As a sequel to Naruto, you might think that the watch order for Boruto would be fairly straightforward. But with both movies and a TV series, the watch order can get a little tricky.

Let’s take a look at Boruto, and how it fits into the Naruto shonen anime universe.

Boruto Plot

Before Boruto

The Last: Naruto the Movie at Netflix Japan - Masashi Kishimoto, Scott / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Pierrot

After Naruto Shippuden ended, Naruto Uzumaki married Hinata Hyuga, and started a family.

However, Boruto Uzumaki’s story really begins with either Boruto: Naruto the Movie, or with the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime series.

The movie and the TV series overlap somewhat (specifically episodes 51-66). Some fans say that the series is better than the movie. At the very least, the anime expands upon points made in the movie. Therefore we will concentrate on the TV series when describing the plot.

Setting

Boruto at Crunchyroll, Masashi Kishimoto, Scott / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Pierrot

Boruto takes place more than a decade after Naruto Shippuden. It features the teenage sons and daughters of the original cast from Naruto. The original characters are all still there — Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, Sasuke, etc.

But the main focus is on the next generation. In addition to the family heritage characters, the series also introduces several completely new characters, such as the tech genius Denki; the struggling but hard-working Iwabee; and the rebellious Kawaki.

As it so happens, the world of Naruto changed after the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War.

In Boruto, the great nations are at peace, and the old ninja ways no longer seem as relevant. There are technological changes as well, as Konoha village has grown into a major city.

One big change is the development of “Scientific Ninja Tools.”

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Boruto at Crunchyroll, Masashi Kishimoto, Scott / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Pierrot

Boruto is the son of the Seventh Hokage (Naruto). Like his father was at his age, he starts out as a mischievous troublemaker. Unlike the young orphan Naruto, Boruto feels neglected by his famous, busy father.

Boruto joins a new ninja Team 7 which is vaguely similar to his father’s. Sarada Uchiha, the daughter of Sakura and Sasuke, seems like a blend of her parents. Mitsuki, a partial clone of Orochimaru, is the third genin member of the team. Konohamaru takes on the team leader/ mentor role.

During the Chunin Exams, Boruto uses Scientific Ninja Tools to boost his abilities, which leads to him being disqualified. Shortly afterward, the Otsutsuki Clan attacks. One of the Otsutsuki gives Boruto a mysterious seal, known as Kama.

The significance of the seal becomes more clear with the arrival of Kawaki, who also has a seal. Boruto’s seal was designed to allow Momoshiki Otsutsuki to control Boruto, and eventually regenerate using Boruto’s body.

Team 7 takes the Chunin Exam again. Sarada passes, and becomes the new team captain. Kawaki joins the team.

Eventually, Boruto will find a way to prevent Momoshiki from regenerating through him.

The Complete Watch Order

Boruto: Naruto the Movie at Netflix Japan - Masashi Kishimoto, Scott / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Pierrot

When watching a sequel series, you always have to take the original into consideration. There are characters and inside jokes which make more sense if you are familiar with the history of the anime. (And yes, Naruto is more than just “Boruto’s Dad.”)

However, the Boruto series can stand on its own without needing a Naruto encyclopedia. With Boruto, question is whether you watch the movies, or just the anime series.

Release Date Order: Seasons and Movies

The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014)

Boruto: Naruto the Movie (2015)

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Season 1 (2017-2018)

Boruto, Season 2 (2018-2019)

Boruto, Season 3 (2019-2020)

Boruto, Season 4 (2020-2021)

Boruto, Season 5 (2021-2022)

Boruto, Season 6 (2022-2023)

The Last takes place before either the Boruto movie or the Boruto series. Unlike most Naruto movies, The Last is canon. It’s not filler. Regardless, it’s not strictly vital to any of the Boruto story arcs.

The Boruto movie is also canon. However, you don’t need to watch it if you watch the Boruto TV episodes.

Although the movie came out first, the first season of the TV series takes place before the movie. The Boruto movie overlaps with the series.

Boruto Chronological Watch Order

The Last: Naruto the Movie

The Last: Naruto the Movie at Netflix Japan - Masashi Kishimoto, Scott / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Pierrot

If you are a completionist, you might want to watch The Last, which bridges the gap between Naruto Shippuden, and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. Although technically not a Boruto movie, it does show the beginning of Naruto’s family life. At the end of the film, we get a brief look at Boruto as a young boy.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, episodes 1-50.

The first part of Boruto covers several story arcs not included in the movie, mostly centering on Boruto’s academy days.

Either Boruto: Naruto the Movie or episodes 51-66 of Boruto

Boruto at Crunchyroll, Masashi Kishimoto, Scott / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Pierrot

The movie features the Chunin Exams Arc of the series. This story arc is extremely important, as it introduces Boruto’s Kama seal.

The rest of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

As of summer 2023, there have been 293 Boruto episodes. Although Episode 293 is titled “Farewell,” the story isn’t finished yet.

According to reports, this is only the ending to Part 1 of Boruto. Indeed, the manga is continuing with the Omnipotence Arc.

Filler

Boruto at Crunchyroll, Masashi Kishimoto, Scott / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Pierrot

Boruto has some filler. But it’s not a lot, considering Naruto’s overall reputation for too much filler. They include:

Episodes 16-17

Episodes 40-41

Episodes 48-50

Episodes 67-69

Episodes 96-97

Episodes 112-119

Episodes 138-140

Episodes 152-156

Episodes 231-232

Episodes 256-258