Diving into the world of Boruto for the first time, I was met with quite a few unexpected turns: some delightful, others not so much. Since its initial release, Boruto has been a series that’s sparked intense debate among fans. While there’s been a good deal of criticism levied at it, much of this isn’t entirely warranted.
Let me explain why. Naruto, the manga from which Boruto springs, is one of the most celebrated in the annals of comics, and its anime counterpart has mirrored this success. Boruto, undeniably, had some extremely large shoes to fill right from the get-go, a challenging circumstance that’s hard to navigate.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex up to Chapter 24.
It’s more challenging because Boruto is determined to carve out its unique identity instead of merely mirroring its predecessor, Naruto. For the large part, this endeavor has been successful, with the series offering numerous unexpected twists and turns that even seasoned Naruto fans might not anticipate. However, there are instances when Boruto stumbles, reinforcing negative perceptions. Here’s what left us surprised upon our initial viewing of Boruto.
1) Good: The New Mechanics Exceed Expectations
In Boruto, perceptions about combat from outsiders often differ drastically from the reality depicted in the series. The novel elements such as scientific ninja tools, Karma, and senjutsu are extensively utilized, adding an exciting dimension to the narrative. Interestingly, this is unexpected considering that many Naruto fans criticize Boruto’s combat style. Upon closer inspection, however, one can understand that Boruto intentionally amplifies everything, setting a baseline that builds upon Naruto’s peak power levels.
However, what follows is consistently consistent. To illustrate with chakra absorption as a point of reference: in the series Naruto, this ability was scarcely seen except in characters like Kisame, final enemies, and Rinnegan users. Contrastingly, in Boruto, it’s more prevalent, but not excessively powerful due to practical constraints. For instance, physical matter from the real world cannot be absorbed compared to chakra-generated matter. To put it simply, imagine water from the ocean versus water produced by chakra – this is a stark contrast to how critics of Boruto might portray it.
2) Bad: Boruto Can Be a Little Too Much Like Naruto
One issue with Boruto is that it often seems like it’s attempting to recall its ancestor while outperforming it simultaneously. This approach sometimes pays off, such as when Boruto exhibits Sasuke’s character traits yet sounds remarkably like Naruto. However, not every attempt is successful, and at times they can even seem a bit excessive or catering to fans. The most glaring example of this is the disclosure that Kashin Koji is a clone of Jiraiya, who then unexpectedly reappears as Boruto’s ally later on. It’s exciting, certainly, but also raises questions about its necessity.
In simpler terms, Boruto’s storyline appears to mirror aspects of Naruto and Sasuke’s relationship with Hashirama and Madara from their past, but this similarity may overshadow the complex external factors that originally strained their relationship. The issue lies in how Boruto seems hesitant to distance itself from Naruto’s influence, potentially undermining both Naruto’s legacy and Boruto’s own gravity as a separate series.
3) Good: The Seventh and Eighth Hokage Get a Bad Rap
In the world of Naruto fans, opinions about Boruto’s two Hokages, particularly Naruto, tend to split in two. Some fans acknowledge that Naruto doesn’t always fulfill the promises he made during Naruto Shippuden, which is a fair observation. Others, however, are more enthusiastic (similar to how they feel about the Fourth Hokage) and praise Naruto as an exceptional Hokage, often based on a general positive feeling towards him rather than specific actions.
As an interim Hokage who manages the implementation of extensive surveillance systems, Shikamaru also faces criticism from fans of both Naruto and Boruto.
However, all interpretations overlook the vital perspective that fully experiencing Boruto offers. For instance, is Shikamaru merely shaping Konoha into a police state? Absolutely. Yet, he doesn’t act alone; external societal and political pressures compel him, but he seizes every chance to resist these influences when possible. As for Naruto, while not a flawless Hokage, he is more actively engaged in his role than fans often suggest. Both of Boruto’s Hokages proved to be unexpectedly dynamic figures in action.
4) Bad: The Boruto Manga and Anime Are Totally Different Beasts
Discovering unexpected twists while diving straight into Boruto’s manga was quite a shock. Unlike Naruto, there’s a wealth of content beyond its main series and Boruto, given that it’s a monthly manga, has certain boundaries. To compensate for this limitation, the Boruto anime delved into animating much of the material outside the manga, thereby creating an “anime canon” that runs parallel to the “manga canon”. Essentially, everything from the “manga canon” is included in the anime, but the reverse isn’t always true.
Reading only the Boruto manga might give fans an incomplete perspective of the world within Boruto, as it tends to focus heavily on Konoha, with minimal exploration beyond its borders. This resembles the latter part of Naruto, where other parts of the shinobi world are underrepresented. However, this is not the only issue with the manga, which we’ll discuss further later on.
5) Good: Konoha Feels Alive
One of the most delightful aspects of “Boruto” is that Konoha seems more vibrant, notably contrasting with “Naruto Shippuden.” The transformation is so significant that it almost feels like going back to the intricate world detail present in Naruto’s story before the time-skip. Set after Kakashi’s term as Hokage, Boruto has undergone considerable changes aimed at fostering international harmony and diplomacy following the Fourth Great Ninja War. Under both Kakashi and Naruto, Konoha experienced a significant shift in its lifestyle, effectively evolving into a ninja megacity.
If only those changes were all there were, it would be underwhelming and dull. However, the truth is that Konoha is now facing challenges it hasn’t seen before. The town’s budget is shrinking, and the government of the Fire Country is keeping a closer eye, even interfering with Konoha’s administration more than before. Boruto reveals the hidden side of the shinobi world, highlighting the difficulties in maintaining peace. This shift from Naruto’s era is thought-provoking and complex.
6) Bad: Legacy Characters Are a Glaring Problem
As a die-hard Naruto fan, it’s no shocker that one of my biggest gripes with Boruto is how it handles the legacy characters from the original series. The way it’s being handled is truly disappointing, especially for those who only follow the manga. Take Orochimaru, for instance; his most significant appearance is in the “Sarada Uchiha” arc, which isn’t part of the Boruto manga at all. This inconsistency is a glaring issue that Naruto enthusiasts can’t help but notice.
Orochimaru serves as an excellent illustration, given he’s the kind of character from the Naruto universe that Boruto should have delved deeper into. His cloning and research align with Boruto’s core technologies, and his son Mitsuki significantly impacts the series. However, Orochimaru appears to be largely absent. The issue is not just about Boruto diminishing legacy characters by making them irrelevant; it’s a matter of untapped potential when considering the stories and character developments that could have been presented but weren’t.
7) Good: Its Writing Is Super Tight
In a surprising yet captivating manner, Boruto, particularly its manga, is remarkably thorough. While long-time fans might not notice this intricacy, newcomers are in for an exciting journey. The storytelling in Boruto offers substantial rewards over time, with its first and second parts having significant payoffs spanning colossal arcs. For instance, the activation of Baryon Mode by Naruto and his subsequent loss of Kurama in Naruto Next Generations would be a heart-wrenching moment for any Naruto fan, as Kurama played a crucial role in shaping not only Naruto’s character but also his overall identity.
In an unexpected twist, Himawari’s request to become a ninja in the final episodes of “Naruto Next Generations” sets up a significant event later on. In “Two Blue Vortex,” Himawari becomes the vessel for the reincarnated Kurama. While not the most subtle execution, this plot point seems to have been carefully planned throughout Boruto’s entire storyline thus far, making it incredibly satisfying when it unfolds. And this is just one example of many such set-ups in “Boruto.
8) Bad: Boruto Unsurprisingly Can Verge on Derivative
Despite its flaws, Naruto was a remarkably innovative manga in numerous aspects. The storyline centered around characters helped it to avoid many common anime cliches, which is why Naruto established a distinct identity among battle shonen during its time. It might be that the impact of Naruto makes it harder to appreciate Boruto’s originality, but Boruto wouldn’t struggle with being even more unique.
Previously mentioned, Boruto shares many similarities with Naruto, but it also draws on other sources for its primary plot points. For instance, Momoshiki’s character strongly resembles a “condemned hero” trope, similar to Yuji/Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen or Asta/Liebe in Black Clover. While this isn’t necessarily an issue, the current trend of grimdark themes in battle shonen series can make one yearn for Boruto to maintain some of the authenticity and originality that Naruto exhibited.
9) Good: Boruto‘s Villains Are Impeccable
Approaching Boruto with low expectations regarding the Otsutsuki clan, we were taken aback by the complexity and diversity shown in their portrayal throughout the series. Despite their initial appearances, the Otsutsuki clan proves to have an unexpected depth. As Naruto: Next Generations progressed, characters like Code, Eida, and Daemon were integrated, and it’s amazing to see how much Boruto is able to explore with relatively straightforward personalities. Among these newcomers, Eida and Daemon stand out as particularly entertaining to watch.
In “Two Blue Vortex,” the true payoff lies when Kawaki assumes a questionable role, either villainous or antiheroic. At this point, the Divine Trees become significant players, and they are undeniably captivating Shonen Jump antagonists at present. The enigma and ambiguity surrounding Jura’s pursuit of knowledge and the connections between the Divine Trees and the shinobi whose chakra summoned them make each moment they appear on the page a delightful read.
10) Bad: Villains Can Also Be Way Too Flat
Conversely, Boruto continues to tread the path once taken by Naruto, yet this isn’t necessarily a positive development for the series. Naruto gained its fame in part due to the captivating characters of its antagonists. However, Boruto aims to carve its own niche by distancing itself from the Naruto mold of villainy, but the legacy of Naruto’s empathetic and compelling villains can sometimes feel like a burden for Boruto.
In contrast to the captivating antagonists such as the Divine Trees in Boruto, many of its villains appear one-dimensional in design. For instance, Code, Eida, and Daemon lack a substantial backstory deliberately; Eida and Daemon are artificial beings, while Code was subjected to Kara’s experiments his entire life. The Otsutsuki clan, while mostly absent from Two Blue Vortex, were never fully developed, remaining as overpowered alien invaders throughout their appearances. This is in stark contrast to Naruto, where the villains felt more fleshed out and engaging, leaving some viewers desiring a deeper exploration of Boruto’s antagonists, even though Kishimoto still contributes to the series.
As a die-hard fan excitedly counting down the days until Season 2 of Boruto drops, I can’t help but share this thrilling news with you all! If you haven’t had the pleasure of joining this captivating journey yet, now is your chance to dive in! Once you do, come back here and let us know what left you spellbound!
And for those who want to rekindle the excitement of Naruto: Next Generations before Season 2 premieres, simply click on the link below to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane!
https://comicbook.com/anime/news/best-boruto-naruto-next-generations-episodes/embed/#
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2025-08-01 19:17