Why Ikemoto needs to involve Konoha 11 in two blue vortex

Ever since it was first released in 2016, has Boruto series has been the subject of constant criticism and complaints from fans of Masashi Kishimoto's work. While some of these questions have been blown out of proportion, a statement that most fans can now agree with, there are some that still hold to this day. From the overwhelming amount of filler episodes, making fans wish for a remake without unnecessary fluff, to a sudden shift in tone, from a fantasy manga to a sci-fi story, Boruto the series is by no means flawless.

Still, there is one pervasive problem that could easily be solved by having the lead writer, Mikio Ikemoto, reintroduce some of the best and most beloved characters from the original Naruto series: the powerful members of the Konoha 11. Despite being the same vast and exciting world that the Seventh Hokage lived in, the sequel tends to feel like a person who is only relevant at one point. Bringing back the characters that made the original feel so special could solve this problem, without taking the spotlight away from the new generation.

Boruto's world needs to feel more alive

When the story of Boruto anime and manga began, the first chapters made it clear that this new series would not be taken over by the heroes of the original. The shinobi world went through a huge evolution during the long time jump between the end of the mighty Fourth Great Ninja War and the sequel. As such, the franchise also needed to evolve, leaving the past behind and focusing on the new generation of ninjas ready to save the world.

Although this decision was objectively the correct one, in order not to force the sequel to live in the shadow of the original, the team behind the series ended up completely forgetting about the cruel warriors who saved Konoha in the past. This issue is more ingrained in the manga than the anime, as many of the best filler episodes in the anime tend to feature characters from Naruto lore. The manga, on the other hand, rarely depicted members of Konoha's previous generation, with Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru being the main exceptions.

As such, the world that once felt alive and exciting ended up being perceived as desolate by most fans. This problem can be easily solved by bringing back the members of Konoha Elevel, not in a main role, but as a support for the children. Although the Hidden Village's next generation of ninjas are exceptionally strong, they still lack the experience of their parents, and having mentors can help them overcome their current struggles. This would also solve a large plot hole Boruto the series has suffered from the beginning, because it doesn't make sense for these brave warriors not to defend their home.

Why aren't the Konoha 11 protecting their village?

Image by Viz Media

While bringing back Naruto's old friends and teammates would likely be the main goal to bring more life to the series, there is another reason why this change is necessary for the story. Since Momoshiki's arrival during Boruto's first Chunin Exam, the members of the previous generation seem to be absent from almost every major battle without a real reason behind it. This makes no sense in lore, as these ninja were known to be brave and noble warriors who would always protect their home.

From a writing standpoint, it's possible that Ikemoto doesn't want to add unnecessary characters to the exciting fight scenes, more so when none of them have the power to defeat the strongest villains in the franchise. But this results in Konoha's heroes appearing either lazy or cowardly enough to allow others to fight their battles. These characters wouldn't even have to be present during the battle against the arc's big bad, but they could still be depicted as trying to help the main characters in some way.

Mamushi's arc, which featured the biggest battle inside the Hidden Leaf in more than 18 years, is a perfect example of this. The God Tree Clone sent hundreds of copies of himself to wreak havoc in Konoha, and even during this great event, Naruto's friends and comrades were nowhere to be seen. None of them were shown trying to stop Mamushi's Invasion, although most of them are still active members of Konoha's military. In the past, this would never have been the case, as even when the odds looked bleak for them, the saviors of the hidden blade would jump into action.

The anime has already proven that this can be done

Although it can be argued that the anime adaptation of the Boruto the series is not as fun as the manga, it has some advantages. One of the most important aspects is the time it spends developing characters other than the main heroes and their opponents. While a large majority of the filler arcs tend to add nothing of value to the story, there are more than a couple of great original episodes that bring the spotlight back to the most popular Naruto sign.

Also, because the show took the time to develop the series' world beyond Konoha and its imminent threat, it's much easier for fans to empathize and enjoy the heroes' adventures. The manga may, in moderation, contain scenes or chapters that take the focus away from Boruto, his friends, or the main villains, to give Konoha 11 a chance to shine again. Regrettably, this solution cannot apply to the main battles of the series.

Ever since the introduction of the Otsutsuki clan and their otherworldly powers, it has become apparent that ordinary Shinobi have no chance of winning a fight against them. Even now, against Jura and his team of God Tree Clones, any ninja with less than spectacular abilities will be powerless to stop even one of these villains. However, this doesn't mean that beloved characters like Hinata, Choji, Ino, or even Rock Lee can't join the fight every now and then to protect their home and add some nostalgia Boruto series.

Release date

April 5, 2017

Network

TV Tokyo