Reflection and Analysis

Baruto - Failing (6/27/2021)

So – Boruto is bad. I can't take Kawaki seriously as a villain and I can't take Boruto seriously as a hero, yet I'm also struggling with – well, the entire plot which pretty much nerfs the previous generation and gives the next generation power ups just because they can. Well, I'm looking over the comments from the Quora "Why is the Boruto anime so bad compared to Naruto and Naruto Shippuden?"

Here's the first thing to stand out to me.

Mitsurugi Hayato – "Well, for one, the Boruto series isn't directed or overseen by Kishimoto, the original creator of Naruto. That could be it."

I know, I know that they're talking about the Anime here, but I'm talking about the Manga and—gasp—Boruto is being overseen by Kishimoto as he is the editor and now back to being the writer because—well, to be honest I can't blame the writer for quiting given the amount of editing control I suspect Kishimoto has. The writer actually isn't a bad writer, for what they wrote for the light novel focused on Gaara was actually quite good even though some fangirls didn't like the idea of Gaara being paired up with anybody but their personal self-insert. The person whose not a good writer is Kishimoto.

Then again, I've come to the conclusion that the reason people like Naruto is because of the Anime, because if they read the Manga they'd realize what a complete ass hole he is. I say this having started into analyzing the series and one of the things which stood out to me being how they actually toned down Naruto's personality in the Anime to be less of a brat, but the times we see Naruto truly grow – well, it's in the Anime filler whereas when its in Kishimoto's hands he's actually taking what seems like one step forward and one-step back, not to mention there are so many narrative lies surrounding Naruto.

But let's talk about some of the other comments.

Yasin Onur – To summarize their position, "I'm not able to jerk off."

Effectively – well, they're arguing "people should stop tabooing others actions" and also that Western society is supposedly the reason why stuff that gets a pass in Seinen manga doesn't get a pass in a Shonen manga while also completely missing the fact they and all the other men out their who jerk off to series aimed at tweens and teens aren't the target audience for Shonen series. Of course, this person is also arguing about not wanting any feminist values in what they consume because society should cater to men because men do all the hard work and thus entitled to not have their obviously sexist actions policed because its "just entertainment".

Of course, this guy must believe the narrative Naruto's got going that all adult men are perverts when in reality not all men are perverts and some women can be as well, but there's no getting around the fact a person chose to be a pervert. Sure, there's nothing wrong with being sexually aroused by certain things, and even talking about it privately among friends, but we're talking a public forum for the entire world to see and you still wondering why people treat you funny? Some people forget the internet is a public space and that if you wouldn't do it in public then you shouldn't do it online, though in this case this person is also arguing for – well – men not taking responsibility.

Which, I wouldn't be surprised if they were being sarcastic, but if they are, this is the worst group of fans to aim said sarcasm at.

Bama Ams – "So Naruto is still a masterpiece..."

We're talking about the only Manga series I know of to have a glaring contradiction the moment the second chapter came out, right? We're talking the series where the creators math is worse than J.K. Rowling, right? There's no getting around the fact there are some major issues with the Naruto plotline that started from the very beginning rather than the end like many fans like to believe.