Boruto: Kawaki's Tragic Past, Explained

Highlights

Kawaki’s tragic childhood, filled with abuse and trauma, shaped his current personality and attitudes towards others.
Promised safety by Jigen, Kawaki’s life took a turn for the worse as he became a vessel for Isshiki Otsutsuki.
Naruto’s influence on Kawaki led to some growth, but remnants of his traumatic past still affect his interactions.

As a dedicated fan of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, I must say that Kawaki’s character arc is one that truly resonates with me. His tragic childhood, filled with abuse and trauma, has left an indelible mark on his personality, much like a Karma seal on his soul.

In its transition towards the new generation, the franchise has brought in a host of fresh characters, one of whom is currently stealing the spotlight: Kawaki. Although the manga provides glimpses into his troubled past, the anime delves deeper into Kawaki’s heart-wrenching backstory, revealing the hardships he faced.

From an abusive father to being trafficked into the hands of a ruthless, power-hungry man, Kawaki’s childhood has been nothing more than a tragic chronicle. Until Naruto stepped into his life, Kawaki had lived a life of misery and hardship, a fact that is reflected in his current disposition and attitude towards others.

The Child of a Broken Family

Kawaki Endured the Abuse of a Drunken Father

Before becoming a host for Isshiki Otsutsuki, Kawaki’s life was far from pleasant. Born in a secluded village to an ex-ninja, he was subjected to a harsh childhood, laboring to satisfy his father’s alcohol addiction. His days were spent chopping wood, and the earnings from his labor were used to buy alcohol for his father. If he failed to do so, he would endure a physical beating, and as punishment for his failure, he would be denied food for the night.

Shut up! You hollow idiot.

In brief moments of relief, Kawaki found solace in a goldfish seller who claimed to offer him a brighter future. Regrettably, this man was a trafficker of children. Eventually, his father was approached by Jigen with the proposition to purchase Kawaki from him, an offer gratefully accepted. Despite promising Kawaki that he would become his true father, Jigen later subjected him to mistreatment and cruelty, further deepening the suffering and despair that had marked Kawaki’s existence up until then.

Kara’s New Vessel

Kawaki Became the Key to Kara’s Plans

Kawaki’s childhood in his native village might have been filled with suffering, but what followed was arguably worse. Despite being officially under Jigen’s care, Kawaki was promised a life of protection and peace – a promise that swiftly turned out to be one of Jigen’s deceitful lies. A seemingly kind gesture from Jigen involved placing Kawaki in an artificial womb with fourteen other children. However, as each child fell victim to the Karma, Kawaki was left powerless to prevent the tragic spectacle.

Kawaki, you seem to have nothing in your life – neither a family nor friends, no power or special skills. It appears as though you possess absolutely nothing at the moment. In essence, you feel hollow or void of anything substantial.

Despite achieving the position of Isshiki Otsutsuki’s new host, Kawaki continued to endure his hardships. With a fresh Karma seal on his hand, he found himself in the crosshairs of resentment and jealousy from some members of Kara. The most fervent among these was Code, a dedicated Inner who sought to eliminate Kawaki out of envy for his role as the next vessel. Garo, another member of Kara, also attempted to end Kawaki’s life, but he ultimately became the first casualty of Kawaki’s newly activated Karma mark.

As a devoted fan, I’d rephrase it like this: Kara’s troubles were minor compared to the torment inflicted by Jigen, the man responsible for my suffering and false promises of a brighter future. Under his ruthless training regime, devoid of rest or mercy, even trivial errors led to brutal punishment. My youth was consumed by unimaginable hardship, and the scars of this traumatic past are evident in my present demeanor.

How Has Kawaki’s Childhood Shaped His Current Personality?

Kawaki’s Personality Reflects His Abuse and Trauma

Kawaki’s childhood plays a significant role in shaping his character, as we can clearly see from his initial behavior. He was portrayed as a rebellious teenager who wouldn’t work with others, stemming from his mistrust of adults following Jigen’s deceit. This distrust deepened due to the mistreatment by Code, Delta, and Kara, leading him to trust only himself and be wary of others.

After Naruto adopted him, Kawaki experienced a considerable transformation in his personality; however, his general distaste for many people persisted. Despite growing closer to Boruto and his inner circle of friends and relatives, he remained aloof towards others. Although Kawaki’s empathy seems limited at times, he has shown kindness on several occasions, like when he sacrificed his arm to save Himawari or risked himself to rescue Naruto from Jigen’s hold.

As a fan, I find it fascinating that, while Kawaki’s upbringing shares some parallels with Naruto’s troubled past, their personalities couldn’t be more contrasting. Unlike Naruto, who found empathy within his hardships and extended understanding to his enemies, Kawaki initially showed no such sentiments towards others. However, this changed once he encountered Naruto and Boruto. Even after undergoing a significant personality transformation, the scars of Kawaki’s tragic past still linger, serving as a stark reminder of how deeply a traumatic childhood can impact an individual.

Boruto is available to stream on Prime Video.

2024-08-09 20:03

Boruto: Kawaki’s Tragic Past, Explained