Skippable Boruto Filler Episodes: A List of Every 'Boruto' Episode You Don't Need to Watch
The popular anime series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, has a high percentage of filler episodes and anime-original content, which significantly impacts the pacing and character development compared to the manga.
One such example is the Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure Arc (Episodes 231-260), a filler arc that spans nearly 30 episodes, exploring side missions in the Land of Water. While it offers a break from the main narrative, it does not contribute significantly to the overall story.
Similarly, the Super Beast Scroll Arc (Episodes 16-18) is a supernatural filler arc centered around Sumire and a cursed scroll, and is completely skippable. The Chocho Arc (Episodes 67-69) is another comedic filler arc about Chocho's obsession with love and appearance, contributing little to the overall narrative.
However, not all filler arcs are without merit. The Time Slip Arc (Episodes 128-136) is a filler arc that features Boruto and Sasuke going back in time to meet young Naruto, providing strong character connections and nostalgia. The Kawaki & Himawari Ninja Academy Arc (Episodes 261-273) centers around Boruto's classmates and Himawari's experiences at the Ninja Academy, offering lighthearted moments.
The Sasuke's Training Arc (Episodes 282-286), also known as the Sasuke Retsuden arc, is another example of a filler arc. Adapted from the Sasuke Retsuden spin-off novel, this arc expands on Sasuke's character and is considered canon to the storyline.
On the other hand, the Kara Actuation Arc (Episodes 157-175) is a filler arc that does not contribute significantly to the main narrative. However, it complements the manga's Kara storyline, introducing the tech-forward world of the new generation.
The Byakuya Gang Arc (Episodes 43-50) creates tension in the Hidden Leaf Village with their Robin Hood-style thefts, but it is filler and doesn't impact the main story. The Konohamaru's Love Arc (Episodes 116-119) is a filler mystery set in a remote village, introducing a new original character with only minor suspense.
The Hashirama Cell Arc (Episodes 157-160) is an anime original that explores the fallout from the use of the legendary Hashirama Cell, teasing science vs. tradition themes but is filler. The Mitsuki's Disappearance Arc (Episodes 71-92), however, is an anime canon arc that dives into Mitsuki's identity and sense of belonging, and develops one of the core characters.
The anime, airing weekly while the manga is monthly, incorporates a large amount of filler and anime-original content to avoid catching up to the manga too quickly. This results in slower pacing and often disrupts the main narrative flow seen in the manga.
Because of these issues, the studio behind the anime, Studio Pierrot, has considered moving Boruto to a seasonal release format. This change aims to improve pacing and animation quality by aligning anime episodes more closely with the manga's story beats and reducing filler content.
In summary, filler episodes in Boruto's anime slow the plot pacing and often dilute character development compared to the manga. They serve production needs but can result in uneven story quality and diminished fan satisfaction, prompting potential changes in the show's format.
[1] Anime News Network. (2021, January 26). Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 224 Review: The Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure's Unnecessary Length. Retrieved from https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/boruto-naruto-next-generations/2021-01-26/episode-224/.
[2] Anime News Network. (2021, February 23). Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 227 Review: The Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure's Unnecessary Length. Retrieved from https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/boruto-naruto-next-generations/2021/02/23/episode-227/.
[3] Anime News Network. (2021, March 23). Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 230 Review: The Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure's Unnecessary Length. Retrieved from https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/boruto-naruto-next-generations/2021/03/23/episode-230/.
[4] Anime News Network. (2021, March 2). Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 226 Review: The Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure's Unnecessary Length. Retrieved from https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/boruto-naruto-next-generations/2021/03/02/episode-226/.
Movies-and-TV shows like Boruto: Naruto Next Generations often include filler episodes or anime-original content, which can be found in arcs such as the Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure Arc and the Super Beast Scroll Arc. These entertainment segments, while sometimes offering a break from the main narrative, do not contribute significantly to the overall story, much like certain movies or TV shows that focus on side characters or tangential plotlines.
