Episode 221 is crucial because it re-anchors the series in the grounded reality of ninja rankings.
However, this is not filler. The anime studio (Pierrot) has worked closely with creator Mikio Ikemoto to flesh out the emotional gaps in the manga. Episode 221 adds crucial texture to Boruto’s condition, explaining why he isn’t immediately possessed by Momoshiki. For manga readers, this episode feels like a director’s cut—deleted scenes that should have been in the book. Boruto- Naruto Next Generations Episode 221