Naruto: 7 Characters Who’ve Had the Best Evolution in Boruto

Growing up as ardent anime enthusiasts, we’ve shared a remarkable journey alongside our cherished characters from the 2000s. During this period, some exceptional shonen series were born, shaping the future direction of anime. Among these, one that holds a special place in our hearts is Naruto. When Masashi Kishimoto began penning the Naruto manga in 1999, he likely didn’t anticipate the massive impact it would have over subsequent years. However, when it initially premiered in 2002, Naruto truly earned every bit of attention it received, and even today, with Boruto, it continues to captivate us.

In the original Naruto series, I followed along as 12-year-old Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura honed their skills and pursued their dreams. Then, in Naruto Shippuden, every character underwent even more growth that had us rooting for them, getting frustrated with them, and cheering them on again when they overcame obstacles. And their development didn’t stop there; it carries on in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations! The once teary-eyed kids have now matured into influential figures of the Hidden Leaf Village. However, among all the characters who’ve grown significantly, some truly shine brighter than the rest. So, without any delay, let’s delve deeper into the characters from Naruto that have evolved most impressively in Boruto!

1) Ino Yamanaka

In the original Naruto anime, Ino and Sakura both harbored feelings for Sasuke since childhood, yet he barely acknowledged them. Their rivalry over him often provided amusing moments, despite neither gaining his attention. Within the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Ino primarily served to bolster Shikamaru’s intelligence and Choji’s power. However, it wasn’t until the Fourth Shinobi War Arc that we truly saw her grow, but even then, her influence was more tactical than directly combative.

In the anime titled Boruto, Ino has taken on multiple roles. She is Sai’s spouse and the mother of their child, Inojin. But her duties don’t stop there. In addition to managing her family’s florist business, she holds two significant positions: the leader of both the Yamanka Clan and the Konoha Sensory Division. This means she works closely with the Hokage, keeping an eye on potential threats before they reach the village. When troublemakers like Kara and Otsutsuki emerged with ill intentions, Ino was quick to take action. This demonstrates that although she may not be directly on the battlefield, her contributions are invaluable to the village, working diligently behind the scenes.

2) Shikamaru Nara

It wasn’t surprising that Shikamaru Nara was destined for greatness in the future, given his initial portrayal as a laid-back individual with a penchant for avoiding work. However, we came to recognize his true capabilities during the Chunin Exams, where he outwitted Temari despite her physical and intellectual prowess. Furthermore, Shikamaru was instrumental in rallying his comrades to pursue Sasuke in the Sasuke Retrieval Arc. Even after losing his father during the Fourth Shinobi War, Shikamaru demonstrated remarkable responsibility by prioritizing his duties over personal grief. And here we are today, wondering if he might one day ascend to the position of provisional Hokage.

In the anime series Boruto, Shikamaru stepped into the role of Naruto’s chief advisor as the Hokage, taking on crucial responsibilities such as devising strategies to counteract significant threats like Kara and Code. His contributions during the Kawaki and Isshiki arcs showcased his leadership abilities in both politics and military affairs. Notably, when Naruto went missing due to Kawaki’s manipulation of events, Shikamaru was temporarily appointed as the acting Hokage, demonstrating that he has matured into a strategic decision-maker capable of shaping outcomes beyond just battles.

3) Sai

Initially, Sai emerged as an enigmatic character in the Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission. Prior to this, he had been schooled under Danzo’s Root division, where he learned to conceal his feelings to achieve the ideal shinobi. His suspicion towards Team 7 and strategically calculated actions demonstrated his internal turmoil throughout Naruto Shippuden. However, over time, Sai grew more affectionate towards the main group, unreservedly backing them during the Fourth Shinobi War using his Ink Technique.

Following the time jump, Sai appears as Ino’s spouse and father to Inojin. Originally a shinobi known for being cold and calculating, Sai has transformed into a devoted and nurturing family man, which is incredibly gratifying to observe. However, he’s not just a loving husband and father; he also holds the position of chief in Konoha’s Intelligence Division. His skills in surveillance, analysis, and interrogation make him a terror for rogue ninjas, ensuring Konoha’s safety alongside his wife Ino.

4) Karin Uzumaki

Karin is known for being a highly debated character within the world of Naruto. During the Naruto Shippuden period, she was part of Sasuke’s Taka team alongside Suigetsu and Jugo. Hailing from the dispersed Uzumaki family, she possessed unique healing capabilities. By allowing others to bite her and consume her chakra, they could heal rapidly. Unfortunately, this power made her a target for abuse and experimentation by Orochimaru. Despite Sasuke also exploiting her abilities, he was the first to display kindness towards her, which sparked an obsession in her for him.

In the anime series ‘Boruto’, Karin has evolved significantly from her past roles. Now, she’s a skilled scientist and researcher who works under Orochimaru and oversees Mitsuki’s progression. She also hunts down renegade ninjas by employing genetic studies and her heightened senses. Unlike her younger self, who was enamored with Sasuke to the point of being jealous of Sakura, Karin now cherishes both Sarada and Sakura deeply.

5) Sasuke Uchiha

Sasuke Uchiha was among the initial characters presented in the original Naruto anime. Initially, he was depicted as a solitary child with a single focus: to eliminate his elder brother Itachi, seeking retribution for the slaughter of their clan. The Uchiha were determined and went to great extremes to achieve this objective, including leaving their village and training under Orochimaru.

Upon achieving his goal, I discovered that Itachi had been instructed by the Hidden Leaf Village to eliminate his own clan. This marked the onset of Sasuke’s descent into villainy, as he sought to annihilate Konoha and even attempted to assassinate his former comrades. However, during the Fourth Shinobi War, Sasuke underwent significant transformation, once again joining forces with Naruto and Sakura on the battlefield.

In Boruto, Sasuke opted for a solitary existence, yet remained vigilant against Konoha’s adversaries. He monitored the Otsutski realms and kept tabs on Kara’s activities. Interestingly, he also took on the role of mentor to Boruto, which could be seen as his attempt to foster the next generation and ease his solitary lifestyle. Although Sasuke may not yet fit the mold of a family man, he has certainly evolved significantly from his vengeful shinobi days in the original Naruto series.

6) Naruto Uzumaki

In the television series titled “Naruto,” the main character, Naruto, initially faced adversity as he was an orphan shunned by his very own secret ninja village because he housed the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox within him. Despite his parents being selfless heroes who gave their lives to safeguard the village, Naruto received little of the nurturing he deserved. During the original “Naruto” series, he often found himself lagging behind his more gifted peers, and his aspiration to become Hokage seemed like an impossible dream. However, by the culmination of “Naruto Shippuden,” Naruto finally tapped into his full power and emerged as a capable ninja worthy of the title of Hokage.

In the anime Boruto, we witness Naruto’s dream come true when he is chosen as Kakashi’s successor as the Seventh Hokage. However, his journey doesn’t stop there. Despite growing up as an orphan without family love, in Boruto, Naruto experiences a significant change and becomes a family man himself. He marries Hinata, with whom he has two children – Boruto and Himawari. Balancing his duties as Hokage and his role as a loving father isn’t always easy for him, but his affection for his family is undeniable. This transformation in Naruto’s life, given his past as an orphan, showcases how one can achieve greatness when they don’t let others’ hostility affect their moral compass.

7) Konohamaru Sarutobi

You might rephrase it as: Everyone recalls Konohamaru, the impish grandson of the Third Hokage who always tagged along with Naruto in the original Naruto series. He was one of the rare villagers who admired and respected Naruto. Although Konohamaru displayed immature behavior throughout the initial series, he remained a devoted fan of Naruto during his hardships. It wasn’t until the Pain’s Assault Arc that Konohamaru’s true abilities came to light as he successfully defeated one of the Six Paths using his Rasengan.

In the series “Boruto,” Konohamaru matures into a Jonin and heads Team 7, which includes Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki. He persistently emulates Naruto and becomes proficient in numerous of his skills. Furthermore, he dedicates himself to mastering the signature techniques of the Sarutobi clan, such as Burning Ash, used by his uncle Asuma, and monkey summons like those of his grandfather. Utilizing his talents and intellect, Konohamaru directs his team through significant missions, including the Mujina Bandits storyline and the Hashirama Cell Investigation.

Despite some fans finding Konohamaru’s performance falling short of his presumed abilities, his development from a juvenile admirer imitating Naruto’s moves to a trusted sensei is undeniably evident. If he keeps growing at this rate, there’s a strong possibility that Konohamaru could someday follow in the footsteps of his family as the second Hokage.

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2025-07-24 19:12