'Boruto' anime release date news 2016: 'Boruto: Naruto Next Generations' anime announced for April 2017

A "Naruto" anime spinoff focused on the adventures of the Seventh Hokage's son, Boruto, has been announced by TV Tokyo at the Jump Festa.

Titled "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations," the anime spinoff will premiere in April and will be based on the manga of the same name, which began back in May.

"I plan to make it even better than Naruto," Masashi Kishimoto, who created the "Naruto" franchise as well as "Boruto," said of the "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" anime.

He also thanked fans for their support of the "Naruto" franchise, which went on to be one of the biggest and longstanding series in Japan. "I think that it is thanks to all of you that we can continue this long," Kishimoto said.

The manga on which the anime spinoff will be based began in May. It served as an adaptation of the "Boruto – Naruto the Movie" although stories beyond the film are expected to be told as it goes on.

As for the voice cast of the "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" anime, the titular character will be voiced by Yuuko Sanpei, who called the gig a "dream come true."

"What will happen in the world Boruto's father, Naruto, made in the previous generation? What will they do? The mission at Three Man Cell, the happy family... There's so much I want to see," he said as quoted by Crunchyroll.

"I hope to go on exciting adventures with Boruto, Sarada, Mitsuki and the rest of the gang in my work. I hope you enjoy BORUTO as much as you did NARUTO! Watch me be awesome," he went on to say.

Joining him will be Kokoro Kikuchi (Sarada), Ryuichi Kijima (Mitsuki) and Junko Takeuchi (Naruto).

At the moment, fans can get their anime fix from "Naruto Shippuden," which features story arcs from "Naruto" books set after the Great Ninja War.

The current story arc is focused on Sasuke. A new episode, "Sasuke's Story: Sunrise, Part 4: Kerryugan," will air on Thursday, Dec. 22.