Highlights
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations received mixed responses from fans, with some excited and others disappointed at the protagonist being Boruto Uzumaki.
Fans were initially satisfied with the portrayal of Naruto and Sasuke in the narrative; however, their significance gradually diminished, leaving a sense of disappointment among many. The neglect of beloved characters such as Sakura, Rock Lee, Gaara, and Kakashi from the original Naruto series resulted in a lack of complexity within Boruto's storyline. The upcoming revamp of the franchise potentially presents a chance to tackle these concerns.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the sequel to Naruto, received mixed responses from fans upon its announcement. While some were excited to see Naruto's story continue, others were disappointed with Boruto as the protagonist when Naruto still had untapped potential.
Although Boruto has had its moments, it has overall failed to convince fans. One major concern is the lack of care and respect given to the old characters from the Naruto era. With the introduction of the new manga, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, fans are left wondering if any improvements will be made in this regard.
Naruto And Sasuke In Boruto Part 1
Naruto and Sasuke are not only highly esteemed characters in the Naruto franchise but also in the wider world of anime and manga. These two iconic figures have garnered a global fanbase over the years. However, when Boruto was introduced, a significant portion of the fandom felt let down as they believed there was still much untapped potential in exploring the depth of these characters, along with many other beloved Naruto characters. Nonetheless, fans decided to give Boruto a chance, assuming that the original characters would still play a significant role in the narrative. Initially, fans were pleasantly surprised with the portrayal of Naruto and Sasuke in the story.
Both characters remained at the core of the plot, with fans appreciating their continued embodiment of the legendary status they had acquired over time. Naruto and Sasuke were seen as the world of ninjas' sole reliable defense against formidable threats, such as the Otsutsuki. However, their importance gradually diminished as new characters began to overshadow them, rather than complement their presence. For example, the author chose to weaken both Naruto and Sasuke by stripping away their most powerful abilities. Naruto lost Kurama, while Sasuke was left with a severely damaged Rinnegan. This intentional weakening of these characters—simply to elevate the new character Boruto—stirred much dissatisfaction among fans. It became evident that their initial treatment, though promising, was primarily a technique to engage fans and subsequently offer the spotlight to the next generation, which could have been executed with better finesse.
Other Naruto Characters In Boruto Part 1
Naruto and Sasuke were key figures from the previous era in Boruto, but their portrayal did not meet fan expectations. Nevertheless, they were luckier than most other Naruto characters, as the majority had no role in Boruto. Sakura Haruno remained on the sidelines throughout the manga and had no significant impact. Kakashi, another legendary figure from the Naruto series, was completely absent from the story. Similarly, characters like Rock Lee, Tenten, and ninjas from other villages, including Gaara, played minimal roles. This was surprising to fans, considering their popularity and potential to add depth to Boruto.
Even characters like Konohamaru, the leader of the New Team 7, who should have been in the limelight, were largely ignored in the manga. Fans were disappointed by Konohamaru's lack of significant contributions throughout the series. It was evident that the story focused primarily on Boruto and Kawaki, disregarding other characters. Even the new generation side characters like Sarada and Mitsuki were neglected, showcasing the evident flaws in Boruto.
Boruto's Apparent Rebrand
Boruto's initial storyline took a firm stance on its old characters, causing a significant portion of Naruto fans to lose interest. However, a transformation is underway as Boruto undergoes a complete rebranding. Instead of continuing with the old manga, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the series is introducing a new part 2 manga called Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. This indicates that Boruto is in need of a major overhaul, possibly addressing the issues faced by the old Naruto characters. Before delving into the Naruto characters, Boruto must address its own supporting cast. While Boruto and Kawaki have received a great deal of attention, characters like Sarada and Mitsuki from the new generation lack depth and focus. It is disheartening that other teams, like Team 10, who are active in Konoha, have had minimal appearances. Additionally, the manga seems to overlook the next generation ninjas from other villages. These are crucial aspects of the story that must be addressed for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex to succeed.
Will Naruto Characters Receive Better Treatment In Boruto?
When it comes to the Naruto characters, Boruto Part 2 needs significant improvement. The old characters like Sakura, Rock Lee, Ino, Choji, Tenten, Gaara, Kakashi, Tsunade, and Orochimaru should have more involvement in the ongoing events. These legendary characters possess the power and insight necessary to confront the Otsutsuki threat. Neglecting them completely suggests a lack of respect for the original manga and disappoints the fans.
Additionally, Naruto and Sasuke deserve special attention as they were integral to Naruto's journey and brought countless moments of joy to the fans. Unfortunately, they were poorly portrayed towards the end of the first part of the series. Fans can only hope that the second part rectifies this issue. Whether Boruto will succeed in doing so remains to be seen, but with a rebranding, there is a greater opportunity for the series to tackle these problems and surpass its predecessor in terms of success.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex will be available to read on Viz Media.