Boruto Uzumaki has matured significantly since the beginning of the anime. Here’s how he’s grown up and what fans can expect from him in the future.
With 67 chapters and 239 episodes under their belts, it’s fair to say that the characters of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations have matured significantly since their introduction, and the namesake Boruto Uzumaki is no exception.
His experiences and struggles have made him a stronger and more well-rounded character, but maybe not as much as some of his contemporaries. There are a few key moments in the novel that serve as catalysts for Boruto’s development and result in noticeable changes in his demeanor.
Kakashi’s Tough Love
Boruto, unlike his father Naruto’s days at the Ninja Academy, shines out as a ninja from the start, becoming something of a natural leader to his class while having his father’s impulsive inclinations, contempt for authority, and love of pranks. Another significant difference between Boruto and Naruto, who has always desired to be Hokage, is that the former lacks a clear aim at beginning. Instead, he was going through the motions, not giving much thought to his future.
Kakashi, the retiring 6th Hokage, considers this intolerable and feels that, despite his natural skill, Boruto lacks the commitment and attitude to become a ninja. When the younger Uzumaki tries to challenge him alone at the graduation exam, Kakashi easily defeats him and threatens him with permanent failure to become a ninja. Boruto eventually collaborates with his classmates to subdue Kakashi, and they all pass the test, becoming Genin.
Boruto finally realizes that his ambition is not to become Hokage like his father, but to be a powerful defender of the Leaf Village like Sasuke, who takes him under his wing. Regardless, after his confrontation with Kakashi, Boruto realizes the value of teamwork and conviction in his ninja life. While he is always kind, he has an arrogant streak that has faded to some extent since these events.
Improving Naruto’s Relationship
Boruto’s connection with his father is strained at the start of the novel. Naruto’s duty as Hokage often takes him apart from his wife and children, and as a result, Boruto harbors animosity against him. Initially, he disappoints Naruto by choosing shortcuts when they present itself, like as employing sophisticated ninja instruments to cheat in the Chunin Exams.
The invasion of Momoshiki and Kinshiki Otsutsuki affects everything. Boruto witnesses his father’s courageous attempts to protect the village for the first time, and for the first time in his life, he realizes not just why Naruto’s profession is vital, but also how strong a ninja his father is. After Boruto assists in defeating Momoshiki, Naruto makes a concerted effort to get to know his kid and support his development, and their connection improves tremendously.
While they share many characteristics, one way Boruto differs from Naruto is that he seldom puts his emotions on his sleeve. When it comes to Naruto, he is frequently cautious to express his true feelings, but he improves with time. Boruto and Naruto’s growing mutual regard throughout the novel is one of the most satisfying aspects of Boruto.
The Price of Kama
Momoshiki implants his genetic code into Boruto after his defeat, ultimately intending to use his body as a sacrifice to re-manifest. This is referred to as Kama. He also remarks on Boruto’s one-of-a-kind right eye, the Jougan, and predicts that it will take all from him. Boruto, like his father’s jinchuriki status, essentially becomes an unwilling vessel for Momoshiki. Around the same time, Naruto takes in another Kama user, Kawaki, who becomes Boruto’s adoptive brother since they are both sheltered from the organization Kara.
Boruto develops substantially during this arc, gradually realizing the seriousness of the predicament he finds himself in, particularly after Sasuke loses his Rinnegan and Naruto loses his status as a jinchuriki in their battle with Isshiki Otsutsuki, rendering them permanently weakened. Boruto almost dies when battling the Kara member Code when Momoshiki takes over his body, but Kawaki tries to murder him to halt this, a strategy the two agreed upon previously to safeguard the community. Momoshiki chooses to intercede and rescue Boruto’s life in order to save his own, but he is now unable to re-manifest. This has a cost in that Boruto is now effectively a complete Otsutsuki who may be sacrificed to Ten-Tails, which is Code’s purpose. This is comparable to the Akatsuki’s ambitions for Naruto, which resulted in the Fourth Great Ninja War. As a result, Boruto finds himself in a dangerous situation, with his father and mentor significantly less capable of defending him.
It didn’t seem like Boruto would be forced to endure such a weight at the start of the novel, and the influence it would have on his personality after the time-skip is something to keep an eye on. Boruto will be calmer and more careful than before, particularly now that he realizes the destiny of the town may depend primarily on his shoulders.
