Boruto Anime Reportedly Paused Due to Excessive Filler Episodes
Despite its popularity, Boruto faces major production issues with filler episodes, leading to an indefinite hiatus.
The Boruto anime, despite its controversies, remains one of the most-watched series in recent years. As the successor to Naruto, the show had enormous shoes to fill, and while it brought some memorable moments with iconic characters like Naruto and Sasuke, it hasn’t always lived up to the expectations of many fans. The show has faced backlash for various reasons, but now it’s facing a new problem that may explain its sudden hiatus: an overwhelming amount of filler content.
Why Did the Boruto Anime Go on Hiatus?
The Boruto anime officially went on hiatus after the airing of episode 293 on March 26, 2023. Since then, fans have been left wondering when—if ever—the anime will return. One key reason behind the indefinite break is the overwhelming number of filler episodes that have plagued the show.
Reports indicate that a significant portion of Boruto episodes has been filled with non-canon material—content that isn’t directly tied to the original manga. These filler episodes have been so numerous that they outnumber the canon episodes, which has frustrated both fans and animators alike.
According to sources within the industry, the production company behind the anime, Studio Pierrot, decided to shelve the anime while they rethink their approach to the series. Many animators, both in-house and freelance, have expressed a lack of enthusiasm for working on filler-heavy episodes, which in turn has impacted the quality of the show. While the decision to include filler isn’t entirely up to Studio Pierrot, the studio has the authority to push back against such decisions, yet they have not done so in this case.
Filler Episodes: A Major Source of Frustration
The widespread issue of filler episodes has sparked frustration across the Boruto fanbase. The show has long been criticized for focusing on filler content that distracts from the manga’s main storyline, often leaving fans feeling unsatisfied with the direction the anime is taking. Some animators have publicly expressed their dismay over the situation, with one animator noting on social media that Studio Pierrot could have refused to produce such a large amount of filler, but chose not to, ultimately affecting the quality and reception of the anime.
While fillers are a common feature in long-running anime series, the sheer volume in Boruto seems to have strained both the creative staff and the show's fans, leading to the current hiatus.
What’s Next for Boruto?
As of now, there’s no official word on when the Boruto anime will return. It is clear, however, that the hiatus won’t be short-term. It’s likely that Studio Pierrot is waiting for more content from the Boruto manga before resuming the anime, to allow for a more balanced release with less filler. In the future, the series could possibly return as a seasonal anime, which would allow for better quality control and reduce the need for filler content.
For now, fans can continue to enjoy the existing episodes, but many are hoping that the studio will rethink its approach and deliver a more faithful adaptation of the Boruto manga once production resumes.
Where to Watch Boruto
Despite the hiatus, there are still plenty of Boruto episodes available for fans to watch. The anime is currently streaming on Crunchyroll, allowing viewers to catch up on past episodes. For those who want to stay up-to-date with the story, the Boruto manga is available on Manga Plus, offering an alternative way to follow the adventures of the next generation of ninjas.
As Boruto’s future remains uncertain, the series’ hiatus has only fueled further discussions about the impact of filler content on anime quality. Fans are hopeful that once the anime returns, it will strike a better balance between canon material and filler episodes, giving them the Boruto they’ve been eagerly waiting for.