To put it simply: It’s important to be fair when discussing Boruto. While some see it as the weaker version of Naruto, always striving for improvement, those who give Boruto a chance will discover numerous aspects they enjoy. Interestingly enough, there are certain areas where Boruto surpasses its predecessor. Naruto and Boruto are two separate series that cater to diverse audiences, each having their unique strengths.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex!
Let me clarify, we’re not implying that Boruto surpasses Naruto. Naruto is a legendary anime that significantly shaped the contemporary battle shonen genre in terms of storylines and character development. Boruto, however, may not possess the same iconic status or impact as its predecessor, and it might never achieve that level. Nevertheless, we believe Boruto deserves more recognition than it currently receives, and it’s only fair to acknowledge instances where Boruto excels over Naruto.
1) Boruto and Kawaki Work Better Than Naruto and Sasuke
From an outside perspective, it seems almost blasphemous to say this, but there’s a grain of truth in it. Naruto and Sasuke are undeniably two of the most adored, iconic shonen duos ever created. However, their relationship, which is often marked by an unusual friendship and mutual regard, can be perplexing. This peculiar bond is nurtured throughout the early stages of the Naruto series, only for the subsequent part to primarily focus on Naruto’s mission to retrieve Sasuke.
This narrative structure, intentionally or not, places an overwhelming emphasis on Naruto and Sasuke, often stifling the organic development of their dynamic. At times, it even appears forced or contrived.
In contrast to traditional shonen series, Boruto and Kawaki don’t engage in a typical rivalry. While there are suggestions and hints of a more conventional rivalry, such as their unique bond through Karma, and moments that echo classic conventions (in a positive manner), like Boruto playfully mocking Kawaki for not training at the start of “Two Blue Vortex”. However, their relationship feels less contrived and more authentic, offering ample space for development. Instead of being the main focus in “Boruto”, they serve as conduits to unravel its mysteries.
2) Boruto Dials The Political Dynamics Up To 10
Politics significantly influenced the narrative of Naruto, and it’s clear that they serve as the backbone, creating tension and setting the stage for many pivotal moments within the series. As the story progresses in Naruto, political relationships between nations become increasingly crucial, with themes such as proxy wars, covert operations, and discrimination playing significant roles in driving the plot forward. In essence, politics is an integral part of the Naruto universe.
In Boruto, politics becomes an integral part of daily life. The series subtly portrays peace and stability as a potential danger to the shinobi system, with the political machinery of each nation frequently influencing the shinobi villages. Matters that were previously background elements in the Naruto world, such as financial issues, surveillance, bureaucratic squabbles, and administrative tedium, are given greater emphasis than ever before in Boruto. This results in a universe where politics feels less like a narrative tool and more like an authentic part of life.
3) Boruto Has a Better Sense of Introspection
From the very beginning, the core idea of Naruto was clearly set and consistently carried throughout the series. This fundamental concept, it’s important to note, emphasizes that love, empathy, and comprehension are the cornerstones for harmony. Reflecting this theme, many of Naruto’s antagonists followed a similar pattern: they had been swayed from the path of peace by some driving force, and the best strategy to counter them was to rekindle their alignment with Naruto’s core values, essentially meaning to persuade them to once again support Naruto’s way of life.
Instead of being fundamentally flawed, Naruto has its appeal for good reasons and many of its antagonists are cherished due to the depth they add. However, while Naruto occasionally leaned towards heavy-handed idealism, Boruto is more open to critiquing Naruto’s core principles. The villains in Boruto vary from tragic backstories similar to those in Naruto (such as Kawaki if he’s considered a villain) to being genetically engineered for evil (like Code) to grappling with the very essence of humanity (such as the Divine Trees). Essentially, the “Talk no Jutsu” approach no longer suffices. Moreover, the moral righteousness of the shinobi society is frequently challenged through methods like the aforementioned surveillance systems. In summary, Boruto is not shy about scrutinizing Naruto’s roots in ways that Naruto never did itself.
4) Boruto‘s Battles Are Much Stabler
In contrast to his infamous reputation, Boruto didn’t strive to restore the power limit set at the close of Naruto Shippuden. Yet, what he opted for instead deserves more recognition: elevating the old power cap into a new power base. Tools like scientific ninja technology or chakra absorption, once considered game-ending, are frequently utilized to ensure fights appear more balanced. Moreover, the variety of techniques available has significantly decreased, particularly against end-game adversaries.
In Boruto, although it limits the variety of strategies that Boruto can use, it counterbalances this by making every fighter’s chances more equal and lessening the dramatic shifts between battles. Strategy remains crucial, but it now shapes combat in an entirely new way. Instead of simply being about overwhelming opponents as Naruto often became (particularly near its conclusion), Boruto manages power levels by focusing on strategic exertion in battles. The best fights from Naruto continue to shine in Boruto, while the least effective ones from Naruto are hardly noticeable.
5) Boruto Makes Naruto‘s Worst Twist Make Sense
The Otsutsuki plot twist in Naruto is one of the most divisive conclusions among anime fans. Kaguya seems to materialize suddenly, seemingly invincible, and her arrival is followed by extensive backstory explanations that, at best, weaken the narrative arc up until then, not to mention the impact of twists like Black Zetsu and Reincarnation on the fundamental themes of Naruto. Additionally, Kaguya’s origins were rather vague, and she wasn’t particularly engaging as a climactic character.
Instead of focusing on human antagonists initially, Boruto opted to develop the Otsutsuki saga further, which turned out to be a brilliant move. The Otsutsuki clan offers more complexity and diversity than Naruto ever hinted at, creating an intriguing science-fiction vibe that’s plausible enough for fans to immerse themselves once more. Through the ‘Two Blue Vortex’, Boruto has seamlessly progressed beyond the limits of the Otsutsuki storyline and opened up a new avenue of exploration, allowing Boruto to revisit Naruto’s original themes of powerful bijuu, ninja strategies, and heart-wrenching narratives, albeit from a fresh perspective.
6) Boruto Gets More Out Of Its Peaks
In the battle sequences of Boruto, there aren’t as many jaw-dropping, electrifying scenes compared to Naruto due to the more balanced playing field. However, when those peak moments do occur in Boruto, they are just as exhilarating as Naruto’s most thrilling moments, standing out even more against the backdrop of more consistent battles. Unlike Naruto, where battles often felt like a rapid exchange of power-ups and outplays that were unexpected, Boruto’s fights are more predictable, making those rare intense scenes all the more impactful.
In the latest instalments of “Two Blue Vortex,” moments such as Himawari’s sudden awakening of Kuruma and Sarada’s swift activation of Mangekyo Sharingan, elicited a genuine emotional response from me as I delved into the story. The pinnacles in “Boruto” often revolve around long-awaited payoffs, and each time they strike, they pack quite a punch.
7) Boruto Lets Supporting Characters Shine More
Initially, we suggested an unexpected comparison between Kawaki and Boruto, and Naruto and Sasuke. In conclusion, we find ourselves making another surprising statement: Boruto handles its secondary characters quite well, particularly in contrast to Naruto Shippuden. It’s worth noting that not every legacy character receives proper treatment in Boruto, especially in the manga. However, those given a chance to excel truly do so, regardless of whether they are part of the original generation of shinobi or the new one.
Shikamaru Nara stands out as an effectively portrayed legacy character, exhibiting depth and intrigue, particularly in his position as Hokage. The series “Boruto” provides ample time for Shikamaru’s character development. As for emerging characters, Sumire is a surprising standout who started with a less memorable role but has grown into a significant supporting character with engaging interactions. One of the criticisms leveled at “Naruto,” particularly during “Shippuden,” was an overemphasis on a limited group of characters, resulting in others appearing flat and underdeveloped. However, “Boruto” skillfully avoids this issue.
Let me clarify that we’re not implying that Boruto surpasses Naruto overall, quite the contrary! We simply want to acknowledge the strengths of Boruto, given the immense expectations it faces following Naruto’s legacy.
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2025-08-02 02:12