2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the BORUTO series. For this special occasion MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA has released a 15 minute interview with the current and former editors of Boruto manga giving fans an inside look at what it goes to make the series.
Below is the full YouTube video from MANGA Plus & the full transcript.
Full Transcript:
Q: How did the series start out?
A: “We first started having some preliminary discussions around 2013 or 2014. If I remember correctly, NARUTO ended in the fall of 2014, so we had already been talking about it roughly over a year before that. The BORUTO movie was already set to be made, and Kishimoto had also set the groundwork by writing the story so that future developments could be made even beyond that. That’s essentially how it was born. – Otsuki
Q: How was it decided who would take on the artwork for the series?
A: “Kishimoto really loved Ikemoto’s artwork. This is probably something I’m allow to say…? Kishimoto mentioned that he wanted to see BORUTO drawn by Ikemoto. And so we spoke with Ikemoto about it, and he kindly agreed, which is how the project officially began moving forward.” – Otsuki
Q: Were there any specific requests from Kishimoto to Ikemoto when the series began?
A: “Kishimoto reiterated a lot that BORUTO was Ikemoto’s work, and he wanted him to approach it with his own sensibilities and style.” – Otsuki
Q: You’re following such a big title. Were there any difficulties or challenges you faced when starting up BORUTO?
A: “To be honest, I don’t think we even had the luxury of worrying about how difficult it might be. We just decided to go for it and stat running with the idea. From there, we held meetings to figure out what kind of story we wanted to develop.” – Otsuki
Q: Was Naruto always going to have a child? How did the character Boruto come to be?
A: “The idea that the characters would be married and have children had already been decided to some extent.” – Otsuki
Q: Were you (Otsuki) the one who went over Boruto’s character design?
A: “Ah, yes, that’s right. I probably should’ve brought them with me! I might actually still have some of the rough drafts.” – Otsuki
Q: What were your first impressions when you saw Boruto?
A: “What really struck me was how much he resembled both Hinata and Naruto. When I first saw his design I just thought, “Wow, this is amazing.””. – Otsuki
Q: How did Kawaki come to be?
A: “Him being a character who essentially starts with nothing, yet exists as someone who has been given so much to fill that emptiness… I believe that was something we had discussed from the very beginning.” – Otsuki
Q: How did you feel when you became the new editor in charge?
A: “I was really happy about it. I’d been reading NARUTO since I was in elementary school and kept reading it through high school. So I was really happy to be involved in a sequel to that series.” – Muraoka
“Yea I guess I was the same.” – Otsuki
Q: How do you work on the series now?
A: ” I usually just meet with Ikemoto and figure things out together. To put it simply, we talk about the next chapter. What direction the chapter should take and which characters will be spotlighted. Ikemoto will share his ideas, and I’ll either agree or offer some suggestions. That’s basically how our meetings go. Based on those mettings, Ikemoto creates the storyboards. I review them first, and if there are no issues we have Kishimoto supervise them. From there, Kishimoto will offer praise or some feedback, and with that, the manuscript is created.” – Muraoka
Q: Do Kishimoto and Ikemoto ever speak directly with each other?
A: “Not very often. I remember a French Interview where they said they discussed whether a certain character should live or die. That’s what they said in a past interview. In cases like that, the two of them speak directly over the phone.” – Muraoka
Q: Do you know which characters are popular overseas?
A: “From what I can tell, Boruto, Sarada, and Himawari seem to be especially popular. Boruto and Himawari as Naruto’s kids, and Sarada as Sasuke’s daughter. Be it the Sharingan or Rasengan, I think part of it is that they carry on these iconic NARUTO elements and that propbaly plays a big role in why fans connect with them.” – Muraoka
Q: Were there episodes that left you amazed after receiving the manuscripts?
A: “Back during the original NARUTO series, there’s this scene between Naruto and Sasuke, I think it was Chapter 698. They’re both lying on the ground, and Sasuke says “Shut up… You buffoon.” It being set in The Final Valley, with their hands sort of overlapping, was already decided and so I took part in discussions about what the final line there should be. That scene really meant a lot to me. And then later, in the first chapter of BORUTO, I think it was the opening color pages… When Kawaki and Boruto are facing each other. Kind of like this. When I first saw that, I remember thinking “Ah… it’s really beginning.” It left a strong impression on me.” – Otsuki
A: “Chapter 10 in Volume 3. There’s an action panel with Sarada… this. Shows Manga panel The moment where Sarada uses Chidori is just so cool. And in this same chapter, Himawari awakens. That becomes the big cliffhanger at the end of the chapter. Shows Manga panel It really felt like a perfectly constructed chapter. I remember getting really excited about it.” – Muraoka
Q: What snacks or refreshments do you get for Kishimoto and Ikemoto?
A: “Kishimoto doesn’t each much while working on a chapter. So when we’d have meetings after one was done, I’d usually bring a hot coffee from 7-Eleven. Kishimoto actually really liked that, so… I know I should probably bring something better. I really should! But… that’s what he liked.” – Otsuki
A: “Ikemoto used to really love chocolate. When I started working with him, he was always saying how much he loved it. So I used to go out and buy some of Tokyo’s best chocolates. Tokyo’s best Belgian chocolates. I’d bring a lot of that. These days, he’s more into traditional Japanese sweets. You know like those famous “top three” dorayaki or something like that.” – Muraoka
Q: What motivated you to become an editor?
A: “I really admired artists and writers who create stories like this. So I figured I’d either try to become one myself, or join a publisher and work on manga that way. Those were the two paths I had in mind. I think I started vaguely feeling that way around the middle of elementary school… And I’ve pretty much lived my life with that goal in mind.” – Otsuki
A: “I was really into manga and video games. I was always playing or reading something. So I knew I wanted to work in one of those two fields, and I got hired on the manga side.” – Muraoka
Q: What makes being an editor rewarding?
A: “When I sit down and talk things through with a manga artist and then see how those ideas actually turn into a finished chapter, or how powerful the artwork is, how it turns into such a moving story… I get to show up to meetings and be constantly amazed at things like that.” – Otsuki
A: “In the case of BORUTO, I meet with Ikemoto and we talk through ideas. And sometimes he’ll say, “Oh, that’s good, I’ll use that.” When one of my ideas actually gets used for the manga, it makes me really happy.” – Muraoka
Q: What struggles do you face as an editor?
A: “If you look at the artwork, you can tell how much time it takes. Everyone’s always concerned about whether we’ll make the deadline or not. We’d be in a bit of a panic, going, “This is bad… this is bad.”” – Otsuki
A: “I’d have to agree it’s deadlines. More specifically, BORUTO is unusual these days because it’s still drawn completely in analog. So I have to go to his house to collect the manuscripts myself. Of course, that can be tough. But when I’m walking around with the pages in my bag, I really feel like I’m an editor, and honestly, that’s when I feel rewarded.” – Muraoka
Q: What is something you feel is important to keep in mind as an editor?
A: “We always tried to make sure the characters stayed true to who they are. That was something we were always careful about in meetings. Moreso than myself being careful about it, it was something that Kishimoto mentioned a lot. He said to be careful not to make the characters act simply in service of the plot. He repeated that often, and so I tried to be very conscious of that.” – Otsuki
A: “Not avoiding the tough parts of the job, I’d say. What I mean is, when a manga artist brings in an idea or storyboard, technically, we could just say “OK” and let it go through. But we’re the first readers. It’s our job to really think about whether something works or not, and to say so honestly. In one sense, it’s about being willing to take on that responsibility. It also includes doing your best to try to meet the needs and demands of the artist.” – Muraoka
Q: A message to the Readers
A: “I think this year will mark about ten years since BORUTO began serialization. We’re truly grateful to everyone who has been reading and supporting it for so long. NOw, as just another fan, I’m looking forward to see what’s in store. I’m confident that Kishimoto, Ikemoto, and Muraoka will continue to bring their amazing work into the world, and so I sincerely hope you’ll continue to support the series.” – Otsuki
A: “Coming up on ten years of serialization, I really have the sense that BORUTO has made it this far thanks to our overseas fans. Ikemoto really does think about the fans abroad. He receives fan letters from overseas as well. They’re a huge source of motivation for him, and we really have the sense that we’re being supported by everyone. We’ll keep doing our best to bring you exciting stories, so please continue to cheer us on.” – Muraoka
Q: What places in Japan would you recommend?
A: “Shinjuku Gyoen. And in Kyoto, there’s a tradtional sweets shop called Daigokuden” – Otsuki
A: “For me, it’s Hokkaido. I go there about three times a year. My favorite spot there is a cape called Cape Chikyu.” – Muraoka
Q: Who is your favorite BORUTO character and why?
A: “I really like the antagonist character Jura. He’s playful and his character doesn’t feel tied down by the fact that he’s a villain. That sort of freedom is what I like about him.” – Muraoka
A: “I’d have to say Boruto. The way he doesn’t give up when things get tough, or how he looks ahead and keeps going really endear me ton him as a protagonist.” – Otsuki
Q: Favorite food
A: “I love takoyaki. I’m a big fan of Gindaco.” – Muraoka
A: “Ikura. I really love Ikura bowls. Ikura sushi too.” – Otsuki
Q: Top 2 Manga outside the titles you handled
A: “YuYu Hakusho, Slam Dunk, and Kaguya-sama: Love Is War. I remember thinking, “Wow, I’ve never read a romantic comedy like this before.”” – Otsuki
A: “Hikaru no Go. It’s a real tearjerker. And Usogui. Honestly, my last answer would be Slam Dunk, but to not overlap with Otsuki, maybe I’ll go with Hunter x Hunter. But I really love both of them.” – Muraoka
