Timeline of Naruto vs. Boruto: What Changed?

Naruto Uzumaki grew up as an outcast, dreaming of being Hokage. His journey, filled with heartbreak, training, and war, became one of anime’s most beloved stories. Years later, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations launched, shifting the spotlight to a new cast led by Naruto’s own son—Boruto Uzumaki.

But how does Boruto’s world compare to Naruto’s? Has the ninja world improved—or lost its edge? Let’s break down the timeline and evolution from Naruto to Boruto, and explore what really changed.

Part 1: The Timeline – When Does Boruto Take Place?

Naruto Part 1: Starts when Naruto is 12 years old.
Naruto: Shippuden: Begins around age 15 and ends when Naruto is about 17.
The Last: Naruto the Movie: Fills in the gap after the Fourth Great Ninja War; Naruto and Hinata’s relationship develops.
Boruto Begins: About 10–12 years later, when Naruto is in his early 30s and Boruto is around 12.

That’s nearly two decades of time jump from classic Naruto to the start of Boruto.

Character Shifts: From Underdogs to Privileged Prodigies

Naruto:

Grew up orphaned, hated, and ignored.
Fought tooth and nail for recognition.
Had no parents, few friends, and a literal demon fox inside him.

Boruto:

Grew up with both parents.
Has access to top-tier training and tech.
Faces internal conflicts—feels neglected due to Naruto’s Hokage duties.

While Naruto fought against loneliness and prejudice, Boruto fights boredom, pressure, and the struggle to live up to a legendary legacy.

Same emotional depth, but different emotional direction.

Worldbuilding Differences: Peace vs. Progress

In Naruto, the world was recovering from war. There were constant threats: rogue ninja, Akatsuki, tailed beasts, and power struggles between villages.

In Boruto:

The world is relatively at peace.
Ninja tools and tech (like Scientific Ninja Tools) are widespread.
Modern technology exists—smartphones, game consoles, trains.

The stakes are different: less about survival, more about evolution and identity.

Ninjas with tech feels like sci-fi meets tradition—and fans are divided.

Power Scaling: Did Things Get Too OP?

Naruto’s Power Scale:

Grew gradually: Rasengan → Sage Mode → Kurama Chakra → Six Paths.
Battles were more tactical, raw, and emotional.

Boruto’s Power Scale:

Introduced Ōtsutsuki aliens early on.
Karma seals, Jougan, and tech-enhanced weapons dominate.
Characters like Kawaki and Boruto wield near-godlike powers while still in their teens.

Some fans argue that Boruto escalated too fast, making early arcs less grounded. Others enjoy the high-concept battles and cosmic lore.

Naruto was grit and growth. Boruto is acceleration and expectation.

Side Characters – Who Stands Out?

In Naruto, side characters like Rock Lee, Neji, Gaara, and Shikamaru were loved for their unique journeys. Even secondary battles were iconic.

In Boruto:

Mitsuki (Orochimaru’s synthetic son) is mysterious and layered.
Sarada Uchiha is ambitious and shares her father’s stoic determination.
Kawaki brings real edge and anti-hero vibes to the story.

That said, many fans feel Boruto’s side characters don’t get as much development as the OGs did—yet.

Visuals & Animation – A Clear Evolution

Boruto’s animation quality is often more fluid and modern, especially in key fights like:

Naruto & Sasuke vs. Momoshiki (Episode 65)
Kawaki vs. Garou
Boruto & Kawaki vs. Code

Still, Naruto’s hand-drawn, emotional close-ups in key fights (e.g., Naruto vs. Sasuke, Pain vs. Naruto) had a different raw appeal.

Technical upgrade? Yes. But nostalgic charm? Naruto still wins there.

Themes: Survival vs. Legacy

Naruto: About belonging, growth, overcoming trauma, and earning respect.
Boruto: About legacy, identity, pressure, and generational change.

Boruto doesn’t want to be “the next Naruto.” He wants to be his own person. That message, while less dramatic, is deeply relatable in today’s world.

New generation, new questions—but same emotional depth.

What Changed?

Category	Naruto	Boruto
Main Conflict	Isolation & War	Legacy & Identity
Power Growth	Slow & earned	Fast & cosmic
Technology	Basic	Highly advanced
World	Chaotic	Peaceful (but fragile)
Theme	Belonging	Self-definition

In essence: Naruto taught us how to chase dreams. Boruto explores what happens when you’re born into them.

Do you prefer Naruto’s humble roots or Boruto’s futuristic evolution? Is one better—or just different?

Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇 or share this with your anime friends for a nostalgic (and maybe heated) debate!