Manga Plus: A New Era of Free Manga from Shueisha
Manga Plus, the free manga platform from Shueisha, has recently taken a significant step by launching a “humor” category, notably excluding the second part of the Boruto series. This change comes after Manga Plus experienced high viewership during August, particularly with a substantial resurgence in popularity for One Piece after a three-month hiatus. Additionally, a one-shot manga featuring Naruto’s father, Minato Uzumaki, contributed to this success by reaching 2 million views just one week after release.
The Boruto manga continues to face challenges as it finds itself in a precarious position on Manga Plus. Chapter 81 was released online on this platform, and just one day post-launch, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex made it into the top 10 hottest manga on Manga Plus, currently ranking at number 7.
Unlike its predecessor, “Boruto: Naruto Next Generations,” which closely followed the original storyline, humor, and main characters, “Boruto: Two Blue Vortex” is more aligned with themes of adventure, ninjas, and main story arcs.
Manga Plus seems to be signaling a change in focus for readers, offering a more joyful experience than what has been seen recently. However, the cheerful elements in Boruto Part 2 may soon become rare.
This shift is particularly evident when comparing Naruto’s return to the Hidden Leaf Village after the timeskip, highlighting the joy and vibrancy of life, contrasted with Boruto’s struggles as he returns to the village. Boruto will face a daunting battle against Code and Kawaki.
The determination to pivot away from the humor category in the new manga aligns with a darker tone than the preceding narrative, especially spotlighting the uncertainty surrounding the survival of the Hokage. Naruto has faced challenges in an alternate dimension, leading to an overwhelming realization that Boruto might be in danger.
Furthermore, a significant twist in Boruto’s journey unfolds as Kawaki takes center stage. It is clear that “Boruto: Two Blue Vortex” is designed to delve deeper into themes compared to “Naruto Shippuden.” Enthusiasts should brace themselves for an array of unexpected developments.
