The Downfall Of Naruto And Sasuke In Boruto, Explained

As a long-time fan of the Naruto universe, I must say that my heart aches every time I open a new chapter of Boruto. It feels like watching a beloved friend being mistreated and diminished, all for the sake of promoting a new generation.

This article contains spoilers from the Boruto series.

Summary

Naruto and Sasuke built their legacies in different ways.
Boruto series undermines Naruto and Sasuke’s achievements.
Boruto needs to treat old characters better, but damage is already done.

In the realm of anime and manga, Naruto and Sasuke stand out as legendary figures, not just within the Naruto universe but globally. Their unique relationship, a blend of rivalry and bond, has reshaped our perception of such dynamics in these mediums, providing countless fans with unforgettable moments of delight for years. Whether you admire or criticize them, these characters have left an indelible mark, one that transcends the impact of the Boruto series on their stories.

In other words, since Boruto takes place in the same world, fans had high hopes that Naruto and Sasuke would shine in this story too. Regrettably, the Boruto series didn’t handle Naruto and Sasuke as well as expected, which is disappointing for fans to see their decline.

How Naruto and Sasuke Built A Legacy For Themselves

Naruto built himself from absolutely nothing
Sasuke brought out his innate talent

In a nutshell, Naruto and Sasuke are standout characters, each embodying distinct roles. Unlike Sasuke who initially possessed exceptional abilities, Naruto was born without any innate ninja talents. Initially considered an unpromising ninja, he demonstrated no skill in ninjutsu whatsoever. Remarkably, despite his humble beginnings, he overcame his shortcomings and gained the respect of those around him. Through sheer determination and hard work, Naruto built a name for himself and climbed to the pinnacle of the ninja community. It’s safe to say that Naruto is the most cherished character in the entire series, hands down.

I will come for the hatred inside you too. – Naruto to Kurama

Similar to Naruto, Sasuke was cherished by many. However, while Naruto’s character is one of a talented individual who continually works hard, Sasuke was naturally gifted from birth. This innate talent didn’t diminish his dedication to mastering his skills. Over time, Sasuke evolved into an exceptional ninja. His path towards darkness added depth and intrigue to his character. Though both Naruto and Sasuke possess immense power, it’s their universal appeal that truly captivates fans worldwide.

Through various actions across the series, like their battle against Haku in the Mist or their alliance against Obito and Madara during the 4th Great Ninja War, they forged a legacy unmatched in history. Remarkably, each of them approached this feat differently. While Naruto Uzumaki dedicated himself to rigorous training and earned respect from those around him, paving the way for global peace, Sasuke Uchiha ventured into darkness and found his own route, ultimately arriving at the same goal as Naruto.

It’s not unexpected to learn that after the war concluded, Sasuke and Naruto became world protectors, effectively warding off catastrophes that could have destroyed Earth. Given their significant roles within the Naruto franchise, it was only logical for them to receive better treatment in Boruto, a fact which is indeed unfortunate.

Boruto’s Mistreatment Of Naruto and Sasuke

Boruto Keeps Undermining Naruto and Sasuke

In my gaming world, I was thrilled when they announced the continuation of Naruto with the Boruto series, right after the original had wrapped up. Initially, we got a movie, Boruto: Naruto the Movie, and then came the sequel manga, which was a blast at first. However, as the story unfolded, it became apparent that Naruto and Sasuke’s roles were more about boosting Boruto and Kawaki’s status in the narrative, rather than having a significant part of their own.

While it’s true that some fans may contend that Kishimoto maintains a supervisory position in the Boruto series, it’s important to note that, in essence, he holds minimal influence over the direction and evolution of the Boruto manga.

Farewell. You be good, Naruto! And don’t join me anytime soon. – Kurama

In the Boruto anime, viewers witnessed Naruto and Sasuke being significantly weakened during their battle against Jigen. Instead of displaying a majority of their powerful abilities, they were defeated in a way that seemed unfair. Later, when Isshiki appeared, these characters struggled once again and could only defeat him by sacrificing the power of Kurama. This sacrifice left Naruto severely diminished, and he was eventually sealed away by Kawaki. Since then, his influence on the storyline has been limited, and he now primarily serves as a motivator for Boruto’s continued progression in the plot.

Just as Sasuke was eliminated from the storyline, leaving him a mere shadow of his former self. In the Boruto series, Sasuke was transformed into a tree, further damaging his reputation. Regrettably, both Naruto and Sasuke have been absent from the Boruto series, and no matter when or if they reappear, fans may find it hard to overlook their depiction in this new storyline.

Will The Boruto Series Redeem Itself?

Boruto Could Do Better, But The Damage Is Done

To truly make a comeback, the Boruto series needs to show more respect for its characters, not only Naruto, Sasuke, and their teammates like Sakura, but also the rest of the Konoha 11 and even the Kage leaders such as Kakashi. The original Naruto series didn’t solely revolve around Team 7; it also highlighted characters like Jiraiya, Tsunade, other Kage members, and numerous individuals from the prior generation.

In a different phrasing, here’s how it could read: Unlike what many might expect, Boruto has been tearing down the accomplishments of its predecessors instead. Despite occasionally offering significant roles to these characters, their treatment throughout most of the story has been less than respectful. Regrettably, it seems that this pattern is likely to persist in the future, and fans must come to terms with the fact that Boruto may not accurately depict the true greatness of Naruto and Sasuke, and their legacies will endure regardless of how the series alters these characters for the sake of making Boruto and Kawaki appear superior.

Boruto is available to read via Viz Media. The series can be read by the fans officially and for free on the Shonen Jump and the Manga Plus app. The release date for the next chapter of Boruto, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter 17, is set to be December 20, 2024.

2024-12-12 18:04