Boruto anime may return sooner than fans think and Pierrot's latest collaboration is the proof

Modified Oct 17, 2024 07:45 GMT

Boruto anime may return sooner than fans think and Pierrot — Boruto as seen in Boruto anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

As fans may remember, Studio Pierrot announced earlier this year that the Boruto anime's return would be delayed by a few extra years. This is because the animation studio decided to release high-quality anime in seasonal format rather than long-running anime with "big episodes."

With Studio Pierrot having a lot on its plate like Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Black Clover, and the new Naruto anime, it initially seemed like it would take eons before the animation studio could shift its focus back to the Boruto anime. However, recent announcements from the studio suggest another possibility.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the author's opinion and may contain spoilers from the Boruto manga.

Studio Pierrot's collaboration with Asahi Productions suggests an early return for Boruto anime

Ichigo Kurosaki as seen in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War (Image via Studio Pierrot)

As fans may recall, soon after Studio Pierrot revealed its decision to switch from a long-running format to a seasonal anime format, the studio revealed plans to create an alternate studio for its big anime. This new studio, Pierrot Films, is currently producing Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime.

Given the high-quality animation seen in the series, it was assumed that Pierrot Films would focus on one big anime at a time. Considering that Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is currently airing its third part and will release its final part sometime next year or in 2026, fans believed that the Boruto anime wouldn't return anytime before 2027. However, a new announcement by the studio suggests otherwise.

Studio Pierrot and Asahi Productions (Image via Studio Pierrot, Asahi Productions)

As announced by Pierrot, the animation studio has decided to collaborate with Asahi Productions. By doing so, Pierrot plans on producing high-quality anime with the use of advanced technology. This should allow the studio to release anime that matches the industry standard every year.

The reason they chose Asahi Productions as the company to collaborate with is because they already had a relationship with them due to the number of contracts Asahi Productions obtained for them. Additionally, the animation studio has production capabilities comparable to Pierrot itself. Hence, having them on board would only allow Pierrot to fasten its production process.

Boruto as seen in the Boruto anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

While Studio Pierrot is especially known for its work on big anime and great 2D animation, Asahi Productions has accumulated the know-how of CG animation and several other advanced technologies. Therefore, with the alliance, the two animation studios should be able to leverage each other's strengths to establish a system for stable high-quality works.

It is improbable for the animation studio to produce the anime adaptation of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex anytime soon. However, Pierrot Films could possibly adapt the rest of the Boruto anime by adapting the final 12 chapters from the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations manga. The final 12 chapters encapsulate the Omnipotence Arc from the manga and carefully set up the manga's sequel series.

Given the possibility of a 12-episode Boruto anime, fans can expect the anime to premiere sometime sooner than the expectations they held onto previously.