So, you’ve decided to tackle the Boruto Next Generation episode list. Good luck. Seriously, you're going to need it because this series is a massive, sprawling beast of 293 episodes that somehow manages to be both incredibly fast-paced and agonizingly slow at the same time. If you’re coming straight off the high of Naruto Shippuden, the shift in tone can feel like walking out of a heavy metal concert and straight into a bouncy castle. It's jarring.
Most people look at the Boruto Next Generation episode list and see a wall of content that feels impossible to climb. There’s a lot of noise. You’ve probably heard the "filler" complaints. People online love to scream that 80% of the show doesn't matter, but that’s not exactly true. It’s more complicated than that. In Boruto, the line between what is "canon" and what is "filler" is incredibly blurry because the anime started before the manga had enough material to sustain it. This resulted in what the creators call "Anime Original" content, which is supposed to be canon but often feels like it's just spinning its wheels.
The Early Days: Academy Entrance and Sarada’s Quest
The first chunk of the Boruto Next Generation episode list (Episodes 1-15) focuses on the Academy Entrance Arc. Honestly? It's better than people give it credit for. We meet Sumire Kakei and see the "Ghost" incident. It establishes that Boruto isn't just a Naruto clone; he’s a kid with a chip on his shoulder and a weird eye power called the Jougan that we still don't fully understand years later.
Then we hit a real highlight: the Sarada Uchiha Arc (Episodes 19-23). This is adapted from the Naruto Gaiden manga by Masashi Kishimoto himself. If you want to see Sasuke being a questionable father and Sakura proving she’s actually a powerhouse, these are the episodes to watch. It’s short, punchy, and feels like "classic" Naruto. After that, though, the Boruto Next Generation episode list takes a bit of a detour into a school trip to the Land of Mist (Episodes 25-32). This is where the "Anime Original" fatigue usually starts to set in for most viewers. It's cool to see the New Seven Ninja Swordsmen, but they don't exactly live up to the legendary status of their predecessors like Zabuza or Kisame.
The Chunin Exams and Momoshiki
If you only watch one part of the early series, make it the Chunin Exam Arc (Episodes 51-66). This is where the show finally finds its footing. It re-tells the events of Boruto: Naruto the Movie but does it so much better. The animation in Episode 65—where Naruto and Sasuke team up against Momoshiki Otsutsuki—is legitimately some of the best in the history of the entire franchise. It was directed by Chengxi Huang, and you can feel the passion in every frame. That single fight alone justifies the existence of the entire Boruto Next Generation episode list for many fans.
It’s peak shonen. The choreography is fluid, the stakes feel real, and seeing the old guard go all out is a massive nostalgia hit.
Navigating the Great Filler Sea
After Momoshiki falls, the Boruto Next Generation episode list enters a long stretch of world-building. Some call it "slice of life." Others call it "boring." Between Episodes 67 and 140, things get... weird. We get the Mitsuki Disappearance Arc, which tries to be the "Sasuke Retrieval Arc" for the new generation but drags on for way too many episodes.
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You also have the Time Slip Arc (Episodes 128-146). Now, this is pure fanservice, but it’s good fanservice. Boruto and Sasuke travel back in time to the old Hidden Leaf Village. Seeing Boruto interact with a young, knucklehead Naruto is genuinely touching. It’s a love letter to the original series. Does it move the main plot forward? Not really. Is it worth watching? Absolutely. Especially the scenes where Sasuke has to hide his identity from his younger self and a suspicious Jiraiya.
Kara and the Vessel
Eventually, the Boruto Next Generation episode list remembers it has a plot. The Kara Actuation Arc starts around Episode 157. This is vital. It introduces the shadowy organization Kara, which is basically the new Akatsuki. This leads directly into the Vessel Arc (Episode 181), where we finally meet Kawaki.
Kawaki changes everything. The dynamic between him and Boruto is the emotional core of the series. It’s not just about ninja battles anymore; it’s about brotherhood, trauma, and the terrifying "Karma" seal. The episodes spanning from 181 to 218 are arguably the most consistent stretch of quality in the entire show. We get:
- The fight against Ao (yes, that Ao from the Mist).
- Naruto vs. Delta (where the Seventh Hokage shows he’s still a beast).
- The heartbreaking showdown with Isshiki Otsutsuki.
Episode 218 is the one everyone talks about. No spoilers, but if you've been following Naruto’s journey since 2002, you’re going to need tissues. It marks the end of an era. It’s the moment where the power scaling shifts definitively toward the new generation.
Why the Post-Isshiki Episodes Feel Different
After the massive climax with Isshiki, the Boruto Next Generation episode list struggles again. We go back into another long period of anime-original content (Episodes 221-281). There’s a second Chunin Exam, a trip to the Land of Water (again), and the Labyrinth Game Arc.
The Labyrinth Game (Episodes 276-281) is actually a decent psychological thriller, reminiscent of Squid Game or Alice in Borderland. It’s a departure from the usual ninja tropes, but it works surprisingly well. It shows that the writers were trying to experiment with the formula, even if the fans were clamoring for the manga's "Code Arc."
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The Code Arc and the Part 1 Finale
Finally, we hit the Code Arc (Episodes 287-293). This is where the "Part 1" of the Boruto Next Generation episode list wraps up. It’s intense. It’s bloody. It sets the stage for the massive time skip that manga readers have been obsessed with for years. Code is a different kind of villain—someone who worshipped the Otsutsuki and feels like a true fanatic.
The finale, Episode 293, "Farewell," leaves things on a massive cliffhanger. It’s frustrating, but it’s effective. It tells us that the world as we knew it in Naruto is gone. The era of shinobi is, quite literally, under threat.
Making Sense of the Watch Order
If you’re looking at the Boruto Next Generation episode list and wondering how to actually watch it without burning out, you have to be ruthless. You don't have to watch every single episode. Nobody is going to take away your "fan card" if you skip the episode where they try to find a rare trading card or the one about a runaway potato chip.
Here is a realistic way to digest the series:
- The Essentials: Watch 1-15 (Academy), 19-23 (Sarada), 39 (Mitsuki Backstory), and 51-66 (Chunin Exams).
- The Character Building: 71-92 (Mitsuki's Will) is long but important for his development. 141-151 (Mujina Bandits) sets up the Kara plot.
- The "Must Watch" Plot: 157-218. This is the meat of the story. Don't skip these.
- The Sasuke Retsuden Bonus: Episodes 282-286. It’s a side story about Sasuke and Sakura on a mission together. It’s great.
- The Finale: 287-293.
If you follow that path, the Boruto Next Generation episode list becomes much more manageable. You get the world-building, the emotional beats, and the high-budget fights without the 100+ episodes of fluff that tend to turn people off.
Is It Worth It?
Honestly, Boruto is a mixed bag. It’s a show about a world that has moved on from the constant warfare of Naruto’s time. It’s about technology, peace, and the struggle of children trying to live up to legendary parents. Some people hate that. They want the grit of the original series. But if you stick with it, you see a story that is trying to do something different.
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The animation peaks are higher than almost anything in Shippuden, even if the valleys are lower. When Studio Pierrot decides to go all in, they really go all in. The music by Yasuharu Takanashi—the same guy who did the iconic Naruto soundtracks—is also fantastic, blending modern rock with traditional Japanese instruments in a way that feels fresh.
Navigating Your Next Steps
Watching the Boruto Next Generation episode list shouldn't feel like a chore. If you're bored during an arc, skip it. The beauty of modern streaming is that you aren't beholden to the weekly release schedule of 2017.
Track your progress with a guide. Use a fan-curated "filler list" if you want to be surgical about it. Sites like Anime Filler List or the Boruto subreddit have detailed breakdowns of what is "Manga Canon," "Anime Canon," and "Filler." It’s the best way to ensure you don't get stuck in a twenty-episode loop of nothingness.
Pay attention to the Karma seal. From the moment it appears in Episode 65, it becomes the driving force of the narrative. Understanding how it works is key to enjoying the later arcs.
Wait for Part 2. The anime is currently on hiatus. When it returns—likely titled Boruto: Two Blue Vortex based on the manga's rebranding—the stakes are going to be infinitely higher. Catching up now on the essential episodes of the current Boruto Next Generation episode list is the only way you'll have the context needed for the time skip.
Read the manga if the anime's pacing kills your interest. The manga is monthly and moves at a breakneck speed. Many fans find that reading the manga and then watching only the big-budget fights in the anime is the "optimal" way to experience the story. It saves time and keeps the hype levels high without the filler-induced burnout. Regardless of how you choose to watch, the journey of the Seventh Hokage's son is far from over, and despite its flaws, it has earned its place in the massive Naruto mythos.