Why does Ikemoto need to plug Konoha 11 into the two blue vortexes

Since it was first released in 2016, Boruto the series has been the target of constant criticism and complaints from fans of Masashi Kishimoto's work. While some of these issues were blown out of proportion, a statement that most fans can now agree with, there are a few that still hold true today. From the sheer amount of filler episodes that have fans wishing for a fluff-free remake, to the sudden shift in tone from fantasy manga to sci-fi story. Boruto the series is by no means flawless.

Still, there is an overriding problem that can easily be solved by head writer Mikio Ikemoto reintroducing 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 it has no life and is only relevant in a few moments. By bringing back the characters that made the original so special, this problem could have been solved without putting the spotlight on the new generation.

Boruto's world needs to feel more alive

When the story of Boruto anime and manga started, the first few chapters made it clear that this new series was not going to be taken over by the heroes of the original. The world of Shinobi underwent massive development during the long time jump between the end of the impressive Fourth Great Ninja War and its sequel. As such, the franchise also needed to evolve, leaving the past behind and focusing on a new generation of ninjas ready to save the world.

While this decision was objectively correct as it didn't force the sequel to live in the shadow of the original, the team behind the series ended up completely forgetting about the wild warriors who saved Konoha in the past. This problem is more rooted in the manga than the anime, as many of the best filler episodes in the anime tend to feature characters from Naruto tradition. On the other hand, the manga rarely featured members of the previous generation of Konoha, with the main exceptions being Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru.

As such, a world that once felt alive and exciting was seen as desolate by most fans. This problem can easily be solved by bringing back the Konoha Elevel members not in a main role but as support for the kids. Even though the new generation of ninjas in the Hidden Village are extremely powerful, they still lack the experience of their parents, and having mentors could help them overcome their current problems. That would also solve a major plot hole Boruto the series suffered from the beginning because it doesn't make sense for these brave warriors to defend their home.

Why don't Konoha 11 protect their village?

Image by Viz Media

While bringing more life to the series would probably be the main focus of bringing back Naruto's old friends and teammates, there is another reason why this change is necessary for the story. Since Momoshiki's arrival during Boruto's first Chunin Exams, members of the previous generation seem to be absent from almost every major battle without any real reason behind it. It doesn't make sense in the lore because these ninja were known as brave and noble warriors who always protected their home.

In terms of writing, it's possible that Ikemoto doesn't want to add unnecessary characters to exciting battle scenes, even more so when none of them have the power to defeat the strongest villains in the franchise. However, this makes the heroes of Konoha look either lazy or cowardly to allow others to fight their battles. These characters wouldn't even have to be present during the battle against the big bad of the arc, but could still be shown trying to help the protagonists in any way they can.

Mamushi's arc, which featured the biggest battle inside the Hidden Leaf in over 18 years, is a perfect example of this. The God Tree Clone sent hundreds of copies of itself to wreak havoc in Konoha and even during this momentous event Naruto's friends and comrades were nowhere to be seen. None of them tried to stop Mamushi's invasion, although most of them are still active members of Konoha's army. In the past, this would never have been the case, for even when the odds looked bleak for them, the saviors of the Hidden Leaf leapt into action.

Anime has already proven that it can be done

Although it can be argued that the anime adaptation Boruto the series is not as fun as the manga, it has several advantages. One of the most important aspects is the time it spends developing characters other than the main characters and their antagonists. While the vast majority of filler arcs tend to add nothing of value to the story, there are more than a few great original episodes that return attention to the most popular Naruto characters.

Additionally, since the show has taken the time to develop the world of the series outside of Konoha and its immediate threats, it's much easier for fans to empathize with and enjoy the heroes' adventures. The manga could sparingly include scenes or chapters that distract from Boruto, his friends, or the main villains so that Konoha 11 can shine again. Unfortunately, this solution cannot be applied to the most important battles in the series.

Since the introduction of the Otsutsuki clan and their otherworldly powers, it has been shown that regular Shinobi have no chance of winning a fight against them. Even now, against Jura and his team of God Tree Clones, no ninja with less than spectacular abilities will be powerless to stop either of these villains. But that doesn't mean beloved characters like Hinata, Choji, Ino, or even Rock Lee can't join the fight to protect their home once in a while and bring a little nostalgia to the world. Boruto series.

Release date

April 5, 2017

Network

TV Tokyo