While purists might dismiss this as "filler," that would be a mistake. The anime’s strength is its ability to spend time on relationships that the monthly manga cannot afford. Episode 23 directly sets up:
Episode 23 is undeniably a Mitsuki episode. Up until this point, Mitsuki was a fan-favorite for his deadpan humor and mysterious origins, but his motivations were opaque. Was he a spy? A ticking time bomb? Or simply a boy trying to find his place? Boruto- Naruto Next Generations Episode 23
The episode’s title directly references the series’ central theme: connections with others define a ninja’s strength. Naruto explains to Boruto that bonds aren’t limited to friendship—they include rivalry, mentorship, and even family friction. This reframes Boruto’s resentment toward Naruto (for neglecting family due to Hokage duties) as a bond that requires active repair, not rejection. While purists might dismiss this as "filler," that
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 23, titled " Bonds Come in All Shapes Up until this point, Mitsuki was a fan-favorite
