Summary
The last time that Kurenai Yuhi was playable in aNarutovideo game, thePS2 was still going strong, theiPaddidn’t exist andThe Dark Knight was the consensus greatest superhero filmever.
My how times have changed.
Flash forward to 2024, and thePS2 is a relic of the past, severalbrand-new iPads have just releasedand The Dark Knight is just one ofseveral amazing superhero films. Oh, and Kurenai is once again a playable character in a Naruto video game.
Officially announced on Friday, Kurenai Yuhi is the third DLC fighter inNaruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections. She’ll be available beginning May 30, and Bandai Namco says new combination techniques and other items will also be part of the pack when it drops.
It’s Been A Really Long Time Since Kurenai Was Playable
The officialNaruto video games Twitter accountrevealed the first look at Kurenai in all her HD glory. Check it out:
It’s a welcome sight for longtime fans of the arena fighting series. Up until this point, Kurenai had largely been relegated to support duties and not as a playable character. The last time players could use her in a Naruto game was way back in the PS2 era, meaning it’s been well over a decade since she’s been playable.
While she did not have nearly as pronounced a role inNaruto Shippuden– the sequel series to the original Naruto anime – she still is an integral character in the larger plot. For years, fans clamored for her inclusion in the Storm franchise. Now those dreams have come true.
The Storm Connections Datamine Continues To Be Accurate
With Kurenai officially announced and the Otsutsuki siblings coming before her,the datamine of the first season pass continues to be correct. That datamine, which was shared right around the releaste date in 2023, outlined five DLC characters for the season pass.
So far, so good. That means that within the next few months, fans can expect DLC announcements for updated forms of Kawaki and Boruto along with the usual new costumes and items.
Once all of these characters have been released, it remains to be seen if a second season pass will come out. But given howBandai Namco has supported its previous games, it seems likely. Then, maybe we’ll get a playable Shinki.
Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections
WHERE TO PLAY
Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections continues the series of fighting games based on the hit anime, and celebrates its 20th anniversary. It has the largest roster yet, and allows players to relive iconic scenes from Naruto’s journey.
