Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations: Set 14 Blu-ray Movie Review

Boruto: Kawaki brings back the fan-favorite anime series for another round of exciting action-packed adventures featuring Boruto and the original Ninja warrior, himself – Naruto! The anime series comes from creators Masashi Kishimoto, Mikie Ikemoto, and Ukyō Kodachi. The series features exceptional animation produced by studio Pierrot (Black Clover, Naruto Shippūden). The Boruto: Kawaki box set collection includes episodes 190-210. The spin-off saga was first broadcast in Japan on the TV Tokyo station. Available on home video from VIZ Media, Boruto: Kawaki brings action-packed adventure for series fans.

Naruto joins the adventure again. This time around, Naruto helps by bringing a Kawaki with him (in order to train him under his belt). With a heart of compassion and a sese of determination, Naruto strives to be a hero to the Kawaki. Naruto strives to push forward with training the Kawaki but the change causes conflict with Boruto. Boruto isn’t happy at all to have a roommate he doesn’t get along with so well.

Even though Naruto is trying his best to help out with Boruto and Kawaki, an unexpected attack against the Leaf Village causes new dangers. The stakes are high as the Delta have arrived with the intent of bringing back Kawaki. Naruto and Boruto might face their biggest obstacles to date but things won’t stop them from pursuing justice and peace. Can the day be saved from the Delta forces?

The series found success, in part, due to the ongoing legacy of Naruto. The series fans were thrilled to return to the franchise with a continuation of the original Naruto program with an expanded cast list, including Boruto and friends. The spin-off aspect is something that is sometimes controversial with anime fans but for die-hard enthusiasts seeking any extra screen time with Naruto it delivers more adventure with returning characters. The series brings new fans something special to enjoy alongside the original fanbase.

Boruto benefits from having superb animation and this is one of the key production elements that has helped the series to be an effective program. The production features animation direction from Ichiro Uno (The Last: Naruto The Movie, The World Is Still Beautiful) and Koji Yabuno (Naruto Shippūden, Space Brothers). The team of animators involved on the series production help imbue the series with creative energy. There is plenty of good work from the animators and the team finds new ways within the series animation realm to expand on the series. The background animation is superb and there is a lot of great attributes on display through the series art style.

The series features character designs by Hirofumi Suzuki (Naruto Shippūden: The Lost Tower, Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom) and Tetsuya Nishio (Naruto, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG). The design elements used on the production are excellent and help provide the series with some incredible character art. Fans of the character art from the original Naruto production will be pleased to see that the art style used for character designs on Boruto remains similar in tone and style.

Another important element of the production is the cinematography. The cinematography by Mai Masuno (The Last: Naruto the Movie, Boruto: Naruto the Movie) is an impeccable element of the production. The series looks visually inventive and the cinematographic effort is one to emphasize color and light. The visuals are often exceptional. The series cinematographer helps to showcase the comedic sensibilities of the production and bring a good tone to the series.

There are also a number of impressive action sequences on Boruto and these sequences help to deliver the goods. The action- packed energy of the production is one of the key elements of the series. Fans of action-adventure anime will thrill at the exciting ninja battles and the effort the characters undergo to become the best warriors. These components of the fight scenes amp up dramatics and make the stakes more exciting.

The original score composed by -yaiba- (New Fist of the North Star, Naruto Shippūden) and Yasuharu Takanashi (Naruto Shippūden, Fairy Tail) is exciting and provides the series with the right ingredients necessary for an action-packed adventure. The score is a great backdrop to the battle sequences and provides viewers with exciting soundscapes to keep the series entertaining as the characters duke it out. A fun score and one that is a good accompaniment.

Screenwriter Makoto Uezu (Assassination Classroom, KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world!!) provides the production with dialogue and characterizations alongside the action as the chief screenwriter for Boruto. The screenwriter expands on the mythology and storyline with a balance of comedy and action. The story is one that continues to tackle the hero’s journey. A solid effort from Uezu.  

Chief director Masayuki Kouda provides the goods. Kouda knows how to create an exciting action-adventure sequence. Boruto has to find a good balance of energetic fight scenes and character moments. As head director, Kouda certainly understands the audience and makes the series entertaining. Boruto: Kawaki continues to expand on the action-packed universe and delivers something fun for die-hard franchise fans.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations: Set 14 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from VIZ Media, Boruto: Kawaki is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen.  The high-definition presentation looks exceptional on the release. Color reproduction is top-notch and the original animation is certainly well reproduced. The animation can stand to look a little bit soft at times and this appears to be source inherit so viewers shouldn't worry about this aspect of the release too much. The clarity is good overall. A worthwhile high-definition presentation.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations: Set 14 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The lossless sound quality is enjoyable, providing good dialogue clarity and detail. The series sounds crisp and organic. The soundstage is surprisingly effective for a stereo sound mix and there is a good amount of detail separation between the channels. The audio encoding by VIZ Media is solid. Fans will be quite pleased with the results.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations: Set 14 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Interview with Amanda C. Miller – English Dub Voice of Boruto (HD, 3:38)

Storyboards:

Episode 198 Monsters includes 5 click-through pages of storyboards.

Episode 207 Regeneration includes 5 click-through pages of storyboards.

Art Gallery includes 8 click-through illustrations.

Clean Openings (HD, 3:01)

Clean Endings (HD, 4:32)

More from VIZ Media (HD, 1:34)

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations: Set 14 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Boruto: Kawaki offers fans of the action-adventure program more excitement as Boruto and the other ninja fighters push forward with new challenges along the way. The series remains a solid follow up to franchise hit Naruto and fans of the original series will appreciate the call backs to the original series (while newcomers will find it enjoyable as well). The Blu-ray release features a excellent presentation alongside a selection of exclusive bonus features only available in the set. Boruto fans should consider picking up the release. Recommended.