Many fans of the Naruto anime franchise have long been vocal about one specific issue that has plagued Boruto: Next Generations since its inception: the excessive number of filler episodes. This is a direct result of being a year-round anime, but the new studio in charge of Boruto, Pierrot, may be bringing about the change the show needs to survive and even thrive.
Per a recent interview with Comic Natalie via Screen Rant, Studio Pierrot may be changing the release format for Boruto: Next Generations once it returns from its hiatus. Despite the extreme number of filler episodes it has churned out thus far, the Naruto sequel is beloved by many, who have been anxiously awaiting its return since the release of the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga.
Bleach and Demon Slayer Have Greatly Influenced the Way Anime Is Produced and Released
Pierrot, possibly inspired by the success of animation studio Ufotable with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba or their own Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, is considering switching Boruto from a yearly-running anime to a seasonal one. With Demon Slayer, the success is self-evident, as it has been able to maintain a strong and dedicated fan base while only releasing one new season every several months -- as well as having released three movies -- with a fourth season on its way. Demon Slayer is especially beloved among fans for its vibrant animation and thrilling action sequences.
Meanwhile, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War was that franchise’s triumphant return to the screen after a 10-year hiatus. Fans immediately noted that the quality of the animation was impeccable, as were the story, pivotal fight scenes and more. This has made plenty believe that the seasonal approach may be the future of anime, as it allows studios to properly allocate time, funds and artists to carefully craft new episodes, instead of being forced to create long stretches of filler while waiting for more manga chapters to adapt. Other anime like Blue Lock have adopted a similar approach.
Studio Pierrot CEO Cites Demon Slayer as Changing the State of the Anime Industry
Pierrot President Michiyuki Honma recently spoke about the Demon Slayer-effect, stating, "I think Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba was a major turning point for the anime industry. It was a high-quality work that took a lot of time and a generous budget to make and it was a big hit when it aired, attracting people from a wide range of age groups. I watched it. Before and after Demon Slayer was announced, I really felt that we had to change the way we create things. Furthermore, other studios were releasing high-quality works on a similar scale and in Japan there was an environment where these could be watched on commercial television." This would be a major change for the anime industry, as shows like Boruto and Black Clover have long been the dominant archetype for production and release. However, strikes and other issues at animation studios may indicate that it is indeed time for a new structure.
Fans are waiting with bated breath for the next chapter in Boruto Uzumaki’s story, and an anime adaptation of the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga may be able to fix the widely perceived mistakes of its predecessor.
Source: Comic Natalie via Screen Rant
