BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE

Boruto: Naruto the Movie

Aired Date:2015-08-07

Status:FINISHED

Ratings:70/100

Genres:Action, Adventure, Comedy

Season:2

Total Episodes:1

Duration:95 min/ep

Studio:Studio Pierrot

Source:MANGA

Format:MOVIE

Director:Hiroyuki Yamashita

Review:50/100

Watch Online: Official Site Netflix

Synopsis

Boruto is the son of Naruto who completely rejects his father. Behind this, he has feelings of wanting to surpass Naruto, who is respected as a hero. He ends up meeting his father's friend Sasuke, and requests to become... his apprentice!? The curtain rises on the story of the new generation written by Masashi Kishimoto! (Source: Anime News Network)

Characters

Boruto Uzumaki MAIN

Sarada Uchiha MAIN

Naruto Uzumaki MAIN

Sasuke Uchiha MAIN

Darui SUPPORTING

Kurotsuchi SUPPORTING

Tono Katasuke SUPPORTING

Yurui SUPPORTING

Gaara SUPPORTING

Rock Lee SUPPORTING

Boruto: Naruto the Movie is a 2015 Japanese animated film, part of the Naruto franchise created by Masashi Kishimoto. Directed by Hiroyuki Yamashita, it serves as a canonical entry in the series, set after the events of Naruto: The Last and focusing on Boruto Uzumaki, the son of Naruto Uzumaki, the Seventh Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. Below is a detailed overview based on factual information about the movie.

Plot Summary

The story follows Boruto Uzumaki, a talented but rebellious young ninja who struggles with living in the shadow of his father, Naruto, now a celebrated leader. Boruto feels neglected due to Naruto’s demanding role as Hokage and resents the pressure of his father’s legacy. Alongside his teammates, Sarada Uchiha (Sasuke and Sakura’s daughter) and Mitsuki (Orochimaru’s synthetic son), Boruto participates in the Chunin Exams, a tournament to advance ninja ranks.

Boruto, eager to prove himself, resorts to cheating by using a forbidden ninja tool, which leads to his disqualification and public humiliation by Naruto. Meanwhile, a new threat emerges: Momoshiki and Kinshiki Otsutsuki, powerful extraterrestrial beings seeking the chakra of the Nine-Tails (Kurama) sealed within Naruto. When the Otsutsuki attack, Naruto is captured while protecting the village. Boruto, Sasuke, and the Five Kage unite to rescue him, leading to an epic battle. Through these events, Boruto learns to appreciate his father’s sacrifices and begins to carve his own path as a ninja.

Key Details

• Release Date: August 7, 2015 (Japan); limited theatrical release in the U.S. on October 10, 2015.
• Director: Hiroyuki Yamashita, with Masashi Kishimoto contributing to the script, character designs, and as chief story supervisor.
• Runtime: Approximately 95 minutes.
• Voice Cast (Japanese): Yuko Sanpei (Boruto), Junko Takeuchi (Naruto), Noriaki Sugiyama (Sasuke), Kokoa Amano (Sarada), and Atsuki Tani (Mitsuki).
• Animation Studio: Studio Pierrot, known for its work on the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden anime series.
• Music: Composed by Yasuharu Takanashi and -yaiba-, featuring the theme song “Diver” by KANA-BOON.

Themes and Significance

The movie explores themes of legacy, family, and personal growth. Boruto’s strained relationship with Naruto highlights the challenges of balancing duty and parenthood, while his journey reflects the struggle to establish one’s identity. The film also introduces the next generation of ninja, setting the stage for the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime and manga. Kishimoto’s direct involvement ensured the story aligned with the Naruto universe, making it a pivotal bridge between the original series and its sequel.

Reception

The movie was well-received for its animation quality, action sequences, and emotional depth. Fans praised the climactic battle against the Otsutsuki, enhanced by fluid animation and high-stakes choreography. The father-son dynamic between Boruto and Naruto resonated with audiences, though some criticized Boruto’s initial brattiness as grating. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a positive audience score (no official critic score due to limited theatrical release). Box office data indicates it grossed over ¥2.62 billion (approximately $20 million USD) in Japan, making it one of the highest-grossing Naruto films.

Cultural Impact

Boruto: Naruto the Movie successfully launched the Boruto franchise, leading to a manga (written by Ukyo Kodachi, supervised by Kishimoto) and an anime series. It expanded the Naruto universe by introducing new characters and modernizing the ninja world with technology like ninja tools. The film also appealed to longtime fans by featuring legacy characters like Sasuke and the Five Kage while focusing on the younger generation.

Additional Notes

• The movie is considered canon, unlike some earlier Naruto films, and its events are referenced in the Boruto manga and anime.
• It was released on Blu-ray/DVD in Japan and internationally, with English dubs featuring voices like Amanda C. Miller (Boruto) and Maile Flanagan (Naruto).
• The film’s story was later adapted into the Boruto anime (episodes 51–66, known as the “Chunin Exam Arc”), with some differences in pacing and added subplots.