Naruto and its sequel series Boruto share a universe, but the two eras have built distinctly different figure catalogs over the years. Deciding which one to start collecting comes down to which cast of characters and story arcs you connect with most.
Naruto's original run has a decade-plus head start, giving it an enormous, deeply established figure catalog across nearly every major format. Boruto is newer, with a smaller but steadily growing catalog centered on its own next-generation cast.
Here's how the two actually compare for a collector deciding where to start. Both series share Bandai's core figure lines, including S.H.Figuarts and Banpresto prize figures, so format familiarity carries over between them.
Naruto's figure catalog is vast, spanning the original series, Shippuden, and countless iconic fight scenes that have been recreated across S.H.Figuarts, Ichibansho, and Banpresto prize figure lines. Nearly every major character has multiple figure versions to choose from.
Boruto's catalog is smaller but growing steadily, with figures centered on Boruto, Kawaki, and the new generation's own major story arcs, including recent scale releases tied to the Two Blue Vortex arc.
Collectors who want maximum character variety and decades of iconic fight-scene figures tend to find Naruto's catalog the deeper, more established option.
Both eras share access to the same core figure formats, including articulated S.H.Figuarts releases, static Ichibansho and Banpresto prize figures, and premium scale statues for major characters.
Naruto's older, larger catalog means more secondary-market variety and reissue history, giving collectors more options at different price points depending on how deep they want to go.
Boruto's newer figures tend to launch at current market pricing without the reissue history Naruto has built up, which can mean less price flexibility but also fresher sculpting standards.
Collectors drawn to iconic, decades-familiar characters and a huge back catalog of figure formats tend to find Naruto's original era the more rewarding place to start, given how much material there is to explore.
Collectors who want to follow an actively unfolding story with a next-generation cast tend to prefer Boruto, especially as its own catalog continues expanding alongside the ongoing manga and anime.
Some collectors build a shelf spanning both eras, since Naruto and Boruto share a universe and many legacy characters appear in both, letting a mixed collection tell one continuous story.
Both eras see strong support from Bandai across S.H.Figuarts and Banpresto lines, meaning neither is short on new releases for collectors following either series closely.
Naruto's older catalog does mean some earlier figures have gone out of production, so tracking down specific vintage pieces sometimes requires patience or secondary-market searching.
Boruto's newer status gives it an advantage in current availability, since most of its catalog remains in active production rather than requiring a secondary-market hunt.
Naruto's long-running popularity has built an especially large collector community, with dedicated trackers and fan resources making it easier to research a specific figure's history and pricing before buying.
Boruto's community is smaller but growing steadily alongside the anime's continued releases, and both series benefit from Bandai's consistent support across S.H.Figuarts and prize figure lines.
Following official reveal channels for both eras remains the most reliable way to catch pre-order windows before popular character releases sell through.
Specialty anime retailers and major online marketplaces both carry extensive Naruto and Boruto figure selections, making either era accessible without needing to hunt through multiple niche sources.
Comparing a specific listing's photos and seller reputation matters more for older Naruto figures, given the longer time since original release and correspondingly wider condition variance.
Figures from both eras benefit from a stand or riser, particularly S.H.Figuarts releases with heavier accessory loadouts that can affect balance during dynamic posing.
Grouping figures by era or story arc on the shelf is a popular way to visually organize a mixed Naruto and Boruto collection, making it easy to see how the story has evolved.
Fan wikis and tracker sites for both series are a genuinely useful resource for confirming a figure's official release date before committing to a purchase.
Both franchises continue to expand with new figure waves as the anime progresses, so it's worth expecting the character roster to keep growing across both Naruto and Boruto lines for the foreseeable future.
Yes, Naruto has a much larger catalog given its decade-plus head start.
Yes, both use S.H.Figuarts, Ichibansho, and Banpresto prize figure lines.
Yes, new Boruto figures continue releasing alongside the ongoing story.
Yes, since both share a universe, many collectors display them on the same shelf.
Whichever era you collect, EVORETRO's 4-step acrylic display stand gives Naruto and Boruto figures an elevated, organized way to show off on the shelf.
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