Boruto Has Exactly One Element That's An Objective Masterpiece

2 weeks ago 31

Published May 23, 2026, 11:51 PM EDT

An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.

His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.

The Naruto franchise has gotten plenty of roses for raising the bar in its day when it came to animation quality, engaging character arcs, and a fascinating powerscaling system to its name. It's an easy fandom to enjoy, especially with such a well-regarded anime and manga story at its core, regardless of bloat and filler. But its sequel series, particularly the anime for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, has historically never gotten the same amount of love, and to a degree, it's understandable. The filler is more pervasive due to weekly episodes adapting a monthly manga, with new characters sometimes being jarring for longtime fans, and a lack of firm direction.

But Boruto: Naruto Next Generations wasn't without its merits. While not perhaps on the level of Naruto's scope, Boruto's visuals were fairly impressive. It had one of the best Naruto movies behind The Last: Naruto the Movie, and across nearly 300 episodes, true to its battle shonen roots, Boruto had some pretty great fights. But one of the few truly excellent qualities of the Boruto anime is an underrated aspect of the medium itself: Boruto has some of the most consistently great ending themes around.

Boruto's Anime Has One Truly Great Quality That Keeps Loyal Fans Coming Back

While it's easy to take a cheap shot by saying the best part of most Boruto episodes is the part where it's over, there's plenty to be said about what ending themes achieve for anime overall. They often allow viewers to come down from emotional highs or emerge out of particularly low points with a contemplative undertone. They also frequently give space for wildly inventive animation, and much like with Chainsaw Man, Boruto's ending themes take on some imaginative twists, from more of an indie Sarada Uchiha look in "Bibouroku" by Lenny code fiction, to cozy tones in ED15, featuring Team 7 skating in a futuristic cityscape set to "Answers" by moi-74.

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Naruto's anime franchise needs more than its promised four episodes, with its true brightest future hiding in plain sight.

While the lyrical depth isn't always profound in Boruto's endings, or indeed many anime ending themes, there are some particularly excellent songs that become long-lasting earworms furiously searched up by intrepid fans years later. This includes "Telegraph Soul" by Jikkyosha Wakuwaku Band for ED4, a truly anison-like rock energy with vocals powerfully reminiscent of Hiroshi Kitadani. It can also include "Central" by Ami Sakaguchi from ED14, featuring a phenomenal, emotionally-driven chorus that perfectly accentuates Boruto chasing his ideals, affirming his mentor, and Team 7 having to bounce back from significant loss.

But even better is when the lyrics, leitmotifs, and visuals of the ending theme gel so perfectly they become a particularly memorable combo. Such is the case with ED5, "Beauties of Nature" by Coala Mode, evoking themes of fleeting natural beauty, "a wasteland of sadness", and how love, in its many forms, is a constant worth living for, all while images of family and friends are juxtaposed against deadly Otsutsuki threats. Or in the case of "Fireworks" by Flowback, an absolute vibe masterclass with pop-heavy beats and lyrics about setting one's heart ablaze, against a visual backdrop infusing traditional Japanese artistic aesthetic with Ikemoto's character template.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations' anime has 23 ending themes, with Boruto: Naruto the Movie featuring an additional song, "Diver" by KANA-BOON, with every other theme song listed below:

Song

Artist

Episodes

Dreamy Journey	The Peggies	1-13
Sayonara Moon Town	Scenario Art	14-26
I Keep Running	MELOFLOAT	27-39
Telegraph Soul	Game Jikkyosha Wakuwaku Band	40-51
Beauties of Nature	Coala Mode	52-63
Laika	Bird Bear Hare and Fish	64-75
Polaris	Hitori	76-87
Tsuyogari LOSER	ЯeaL	88-100
Ride or Die	Sky Peace	101-113
The Incomplete Lights	Haruka Fukuhara	114-126
Wish	Longman	127-138
Fireworks	Flowback	139-150
Maybe I	Seven Billion Dots	151-167
Central	Ami Sakaguchi	168-180
Answers	moi-74	181-192
Sign That You Were There	Halca	193-205
Who Are You?	PELICAN FANCLUB	206-218
Prologue	J01	219-230
VOLTAGE	Anly	231-242
Twilight Fuzz	THIS IS JAPAN	243-255
BIBOUROKU	Lenny code fiction	256-268
Ladder	Anonymouz	269-281
See You	Humbreaders	282-293

The visuals and beats of Boruto's ending themes are more than a point of reflection, though. They function well in getting viewers hyped for the next episode, and linger in fans' memories years later when done right. But perhaps more than anything, this is a strong signal of a long-running pattern for its animation studio.

Pierrot Has A Stellar History With Ending Themes

Coming down from a particular anime high didn't ever mean creating subdued ending themes with Studio Pierrot. Such is the case like SPYAIR's "Last Moment" used for Bleach's 25th ending theme, playing its episodes out on a triumphantly high note. But the genre didn't always have to be J-rock, with poppy early-1990s themes present in all of another Pierrot classic, Yu Yu Hakusho, like in the case of "Sayonara Bye Bye". But this plays into another element that makes Pierrot's anime hit on an emotional level.

There's something powerfully emotional and instantly nostalgic about the music choices featured in Pierrot anime ending themes. It can include recent themes like "Black to the dreamlight" by EMPiRE from Black Clover, quickly spelling out who the animators are rooting for in wooing Asta and prominently featuring Noelle Silva in the process. It can also go back to some wistful roots, like in the case of "Wind" by Akeboshi, depicting the isolating struggles Naruto Uzumaki faced, revisiting those in Naruto: Shippuden's "Shooting Star" where those same struggles are shown, but he looks back on it, as he desperately hopes to bring his old team back together.

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Naruto Uzumaki carries an immense burden — a powerful Tailed Beast sealed inside him since birth by the Fourth Hokage. This fox demon’s chakra gives Naruto extraordinary power but also makes him an outcast. What is the name of this Nine-Tailed Beast?

AShukaku BMatatabi CKurama DGyuki

✓ Correct! Kurama is the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within Naruto by his father, the Fourth Hokage. Initially a source of fear and hatred, Kurama eventually becomes one of Naruto’s closest allies. Their bond is one of the most emotional arcs in the entire series.

✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Kurama. Shukaku is the One-Tail sealed in Gaara, Matatabi is the Two-Tails, and Gyuki is the Eight-Tails sealed in Killer Bee. Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox, is Naruto’s legendary partner.

Naruto’s greatest rival is a prodigy from a prestigious clan who possesses a powerful eye technique called the Sharingan. Consumed by a desire for vengeance against his older brother, he defects from the Hidden Leaf Village. Who is this rival?

ANeji Hyuga BSasuke Uchiha CGaara DRock Lee

✓ Correct! Sasuke Uchiha is Naruto’s eternal rival and best friend. After the Uchiha massacre, Sasuke’s obsession with killing his brother Itachi drives him to leave the village and seek power at any cost. Their rivalry is the emotional backbone of the entire series.

✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Sasuke Uchiha. Neji is a Hyuga clan genius with the Byakugan, Gaara is the Sand Village’s jinchūriki, and Rock Lee is the taijutsu specialist. Only Sasuke wields the Sharingan and defects to join Orochimaru.

Naruto’s signature jutsu is a spinning sphere of concentrated chakra formed in the palm of his hand. Originally created by the Fourth Hokage and taught to Naruto by Jiraiya, it becomes the foundation for many of his most powerful attacks. What is this technique called?

ARasengan BChidori CShadow Clone Jutsu DSage Art: Lava Rasenshuriken

✓ Correct! The Rasengan is a pure chakra manipulation technique that doesn’t require hand signs. Created by Minato Namikaze and passed down through Jiraiya to Naruto, it evolves into many variations including the devastating Rasenshuriken with added Wind Release nature transformation.

✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is the Rasengan. The Chidori is Sasuke and Kakashi’s lightning technique, Shadow Clone Jutsu is a different Naruto staple, and the Lava Rasenshuriken is a late-series variant. The base Rasengan is Naruto’s iconic spinning chakra sphere.

Team 7’s leader is a mysterious, mask-wearing jonin known as the “Copy Ninja” for his ability to replicate over a thousand jutsu using his borrowed Sharingan eye. He’s always reading a certain novel. Who is this legendary sensei?

AMight Guy BAsuma Sarutobi CJiraiya DKakashi Hatake

✓ Correct! Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja of the Sharingan, leads Team 7 (Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura). His Sharingan was a gift from his dying friend Obito Uchiha. Always cool under pressure and perpetually reading Make-Out Paradise, Kakashi eventually becomes the Sixth Hokage.

✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Kakashi Hatake. Might Guy leads Team Guy, Asuma leads Team 10, and Jiraiya is one of the Legendary Sannin who later trains Naruto. Only Kakashi is the masked Copy Ninja with a borrowed Sharingan who leads Team 7.

Sasuke’s older brother massacred nearly the entire Uchiha clan in a single night, then joined the criminal organization Akatsuki. It was later revealed he did it all on orders from the village to prevent a coup — sacrificing everything to protect his brother. Who is this tragic figure?

AMadara Uchiha BItachi Uchiha CObito Uchiha DShisui Uchiha

✓ Correct! Itachi Uchiha is one of Naruto’s most complex characters. A pacifist genius forced into an impossible choice, he bore the hatred of the entire world — including his beloved brother Sasuke — to protect the Hidden Leaf from civil war. His final words to Sasuke remain iconic.

✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Itachi Uchiha. Madara is the legendary clan founder, Obito is the masked man behind much of the war, and Shisui was Itachi’s best friend. Itachi alone carried out the massacre to prevent the Uchiha coup and protect Sasuke.

From the very first episode, Naruto declares his lifelong dream to earn the respect of his village and prove his worth. He vows to achieve the highest rank in the Hidden Leaf — its supreme leader. What is this title that Naruto dreams of?

AKazekage BJonin Commander CHokage DAnbu Captain

✓ Correct! Hokage is the title of the Hidden Leaf Village’s leader, and Naruto’s dream of becoming Hokage drives the entire series. After years of struggle, he finally achieves his dream and becomes the Seventh Hokage in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Hokage. The Kazekage leads the Sand Village, Jonin Commander is a military rank, and Anbu Captain leads black ops. The Hokage is the Hidden Leaf’s supreme leader — and Naruto’s lifelong dream since he was a lonely academy student.

Naruto’s father was the Fourth Hokage, known as the “Yellow Flash of the Leaf” for his incredible speed using the Flying Thunder God technique. He sacrificed his life to seal the Nine-Tails inside his newborn son. What is his name?

AMinato Namikaze BHiruzen Sarutobi CTobirama Senju DHashirama Senju

✓ Correct! Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage and Yellow Flash, sacrificed himself using the Reaper Death Seal to seal Kurama inside baby Naruto. His love for his son and faith in Naruto’s potential made him one of the series’ most selfless characters.

✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Minato Namikaze. Hiruzen Sarutobi is the Third Hokage, Tobirama Senju is the Second, and Hashirama Senju is the First. Minato, the Fourth Hokage, is Naruto’s father who sealed the Nine-Tails at the cost of his own life.

A shy, kind-hearted kunoichi from the Hyuga clan admired Naruto from afar since their academy days. She boldly confessed her love while fighting Pain to protect him, and eventually became his wife. Who is this character?

ASakura Haruno BIno Yamanaka CTemari DHinata Hyuga

✓ Correct! Hinata Hyuga went from a timid girl who could barely speak around Naruto to a fierce warrior who stood against Pain to protect him. Her confession during the Pain arc is one of the series’ most emotional moments. They marry in The Last: Naruto the Movie and have two children, Boruto and Himawari.

✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Hinata Hyuga. Sakura is Naruto’s teammate who loves Sasuke, Ino is Sakura’s rival from the Yamanaka clan, and Temari is a Sand Village kunoichi who marries Shikamaru. Only Hinata loved Naruto from the very beginning.

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Boruto embodies these with 23 ending themes as the connective tissue across 293 episodes. While the eventual return of the series certainly indicates a greater degree of polish, there will also likely be a far tighter release schedule, meaning smaller seasons and fewer ending themes. There will be little room for error, but at the same time, with such nostalgic music in its library, fans are always welcome to add these tracks to their playlists, or chase that high more directly again by rewatching the anime ahead of its inevitable return. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is far from perfect, but Pierrot and the vast pool of talented musicians and animators helped bookend each episode with some wonderful ending themes.

Release Date 2017 - 2023-00-00

Network TV Tokyo

Directors Yusuke Onoda, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Michita Shiraishi, Youichirou Aoki, Shigetaka Ikeda, Taiki Nishimura, Rokou Ogiwara, Mitsuo Hashimoto, Hikaru Sato, Akira Shimizu, Norihiko Nagahama, Takashi Asami, Hodaka Kuramoto, Kiyomu Fukuda, Yoji Sato, Masatoyo Takada, Hazuki Mizumoto, Natsumi Yasue, Hideaki Ōba, Masaaki Kumagai, Mihiro Yamaguchi, Shigenori Kageyama, Nanako Shimazaki

Writers Masaya Honda, Atsushi Nishiyama, Hideto Tanaka, Touko Machida, Kyōko Katsuya, Kiyomune Miwa, Ukyo Kodachi, Masahiro Okubo