Is Iwabe a canon character in Boruto? Explanation

The manga Boruto was adapted into a sequel to the immensely popular Naruto series. It closely follows the events of the manga and expands upon the story and its diverse range of characters.

One of the newcomers we have noticed is Iwabe Yuino. At first, he appeared aloof, direct, and overbearing, but after meeting Boruto Uzumaki, he underwent a transformation and adopted a more optimistic outlook. Due to his actions and personality, fans have questioned whether Iwabe is considered canon or not.

In simple terms, Iwabe Yuino is not considered part of the official canon. He appears in the anime as well as a novel that covers the first 6 episodes of the series. However, his role in the overall story is somewhat complicated.

Iwabe Yuino’s Canonicity in Boruto

Despite making his first appearance in the anime’s first episode, Iwabe Yuino’s time at the Academy was marked by his consistent academic struggles. Nonetheless, he stood out among his peers and was eventually placed in Team 5 alongside Metal Lee and Denki Kaminarimon.

In the manga, he does not make an appearance, but he has primarily been featured in the anime. Iwabe has appeared in 16 out of the anime’s 26 arcs, with his most recent appearance being in the Kawaki & Himawari Academy Arc. In this arc, he joins his friends in attending a festival organized by the Academy.

Despite the joyful atmosphere, the festival was abruptly disrupted by a terrorist threat. In response, Iwabe and his fellow students stepped up to assist in resolving the situation by removing explosive tags from the surrounding area.

Essentially, the anime has also been transformed into a novel series called Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Novel. These novels have been written by Kou Shigenobu and Miwa Kiyomune, with illustrations by Mikio Ikemoto.

There have been a total of 5 novels released, among which are The New Leaves Soaring Through the Blue Sky! (featuring Iwabe), A Call from the Shadows!, Those Who Illuminate the Night of Shinobi!, School Trip Bloodwind Records, and The Last Day at the Ninja Academy!.

All of these novels contain a specific amount of anime episodes. The initial part of the main manga comprised of 26 arcs and 80 chapters, concluding with the Prophecy Arc. The story then continues in Part 2, also known as Two Blue Vortex, which has currently published 12 chapters.

Final thoughts

Wasabi Izuno and Iwabe Yuino (Image via Pierrot)

Despite not being a canon character in the main manga, Iwabe Yuino still holds significance in the Naruto franchise. Throughout the first part of the anime, he played a crucial role in guiding the young Uzumaki, serving as a mentor and influencing his growth as both a shinobi and a person.

Additionally, had he not been intended for future use, he would not have been given such significant screen time. Given the creative team behind Boruto, it is certain that Iwabe will play a significant role in upcoming episodes. As per usual, the anime will continue to develop his character in order to provide further depth.

Boruto anime is unlikely to return anytime soon (and for a good reason)
Is Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto involved in Boruto? Explained
Does Boruto have enough manga material for a new season? The anime’s future, explored