Boruto: How The Writers Nerfed Naruto Uzumaki

This article contains spoilers from Boruto: Two Blue Vortex

Summary

Naruto Uzumaki‘s power level in Boruto has been significantly nerfed.
Naruto started as a mighty ninja but was beaten repeatedly in the sequel.
Many of Naruto’s key powers have been stripped away in the Boruto series.

Naruto Uzumaki, without a doubt, stands as the most renowned figure within the “Naruto” franchise and is cherished by fans worldwide. Over time, Naruto has evolved into an icon and source of inspiration for countless individuals across the globe. It’s clear that his impact on anime and manga in particular is significant, and within his own narrative, Naruto embodies the definition of a hero. Regrettably, in the sequel series called “Boruto,” this character hasn’t always been given the recognition he deserves.

I’ve come to realize that there are several contributing elements at play here. Regrettably, he’s been whittled down, leaving only a shadow of his vibrant past self. To make matters worse, his resilience has been relentlessly chipped away, time and again.

Naruto Uzumaki’s Power Level in Boruto

Naruto Uzumaki Started As A Mighty Ninja
Naruto Was Beaten Time And Again

In the early stages of the Boruto series, spectators were confident about Boruto’s power. When the Boruto series debuted with Boruto: Naruto the Movie, viewers anticipated thrilling action centered around the Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki. This expectation was fulfilled when the Otsutsuki invaded Earth, as Naruto stepped up and delivered on this promise since he, alongside Sasuke, was the only one powerful enough to confront them. As their conflict unfolded, it became evident to viewers that Naruto and Sasuke were not yet utilizing their full potential, due to various reasons. One possible explanation for this is that Naruto had already lost half of his energy to Momoshiki prior to the battle, while in Sasuke’s case, using his Rinnegan to transport eight individuals to an entirely new dimension required a significant amount of chakra, leaving him drained.

Us Shinobi are a very resilient lot. – Naruto Uzumaki

Man, let me tell you, in this latest showdown, it was evident that Naruto and Sasuke took a significant hit in power – if only they hadn’t, I truly believe that Naruto might’ve stood a chance against Momoshiki all on his own!

A significant surprise unfolded later in the Boruto series. When Naruto and Sasuke clashed with Jigen, they ended up being soundly defeated, failing to inflict even a single hit on him, despite his restricted state. Given their formidable powers, it seemed they should have emerged victorious instead. It appeared as though the authors intentionally held back these characters from fully displaying their true capabilities and strengths.

All Of Naruto’s Stripped Powers In Boruto

Naruto Uzumaki Couldn’t Use A Bunch Of His Powers

In the anime series “Boruto,” it’s been observed that Naruto Uzumaki has experienced a significant decrease in his powers compared to their previous strength. For instance, after the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto was able to possess both the Yin and Yang halves of Kurama, a power that fans might expect would significantly enhance Naruto’s strength. However, in “Boruto,” this doesn’t seem to provide much aid. Furthermore, Naruto’s Six Paths Sage Mode, once a formidable power, appears to be greatly diminished in the series. Although it’s still present in some capacity, it is not nearly as potent as before. Additionally, it appears that Naruto can no longer summon Truth-seeking Balls, even though they are retrievable and indestructible by nature. Some fans might argue that Naruto lost these balls during the Fourth Great Ninja War, but their indestructibility suggests that they could potentially be recovered.

Be good, Naruto! And don’t join me anytime soon. – Kurama

From where I stand, it wasn’t hard to imagine Sasuke taking those hidden abilities for himself instead of passing them on to Naruto. And let’s not forget the fact that Naruto seems to have lost the power to employ the Yin Yang Release – a power he once used to heal Kakashi, extend Guy’s lifespan, and revive Obito. Unfortunately, it appears that Naruto in Boruto is but a shadow of his former self.

Despite his healing abilities taking a significant hit, as evidenced during the fight with Shin when he was wounded by Sasuke’s sword, it’s quite humbling to see Naruto succumb to such a basic injury. In contrast, earlier in the series, Naruto endured a pierced lung and at that time, he had minimal control over Kurama, only manifesting one tail.

In addition, it’s evident that Naruto’s ability to perceive things has been restricted in the Boruto series. Despite Naruto activating the Six Paths Sage Mode, which granted him knowledge of everything in the world, he failed to detect Jigen using Sukunahikona’s power to shrink himself. Given Naruto’s exceptional ability to see Madara’s Limbo, a plane invisible to the naked eye, his inability to sense something as simple as size reduction within the same plane seems unusual. This suggests that the author intentionally weakened some of Naruto’s powers, potentially diminishing the impact and prestige of his character.

Was Nerfing Naruto A Good Decision?

Nerfing Naruto Was The Worst Decision In Boruto

In the series Boruto, it’s evident that the decision to tone down Naruto’s power was a mistake. Rather than being Naruto’s story, the narrative seems to favor Boruto Uzumaki as the main protagonist. It’s essential for all primary characters, including Boruto, Kawaki, Sarada, Mitsuki, and even veterans like Naruto and Sasuke, to receive their due attention. Regrettably, the way the Boruto series is structured appears to undermine these characters. The authors have opted to diminish Naruto and Sasuke by weakening them and humiliating them in the storyline. Their once strong bonds, such as Naruto’s with Kurama, and Sasuke’s Rinnegan achievement, have been broken or taken away. This seems to be a deliberate move to push these characters aside, making way for Boruto and Kawaki to take center stage.

In a different phrasing, the author might have devised alternative methods to keep Naruto and Sasuke out of action, preoccupied by various dangers, while Boruto would become the central focus. Regrettably, the chosen narrative direction for this series has been problematic since its inception, and it’s one of the factors that have left fans disappointed with how the plot has unfolded. Naruto Uzumaki, together with the characters from the previous generation, deserve a fair resolution, but it seems improbable that they will receive it.

A positive aspect emerging from this situation is that it appears the “Two Blue Vortex” series is making attempts to correct the mistakes of the initial Boruto installment. Fingers crossed that things will improve in the second part, allowing Naruto and Sasuke to regain their former heights while preserving the significance they deserve throughout.

You can access Boruto manga from Viz Media. Fans have the opportunity to read it officially and at no cost on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. Mark your calendars for January 20, 2025, as that’s when the next chapter, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter 18, will be released.

2025-01-08 04:34