From the very beginning, ‘Boruto: Naruto Next Generations,’ created by Masashi Kishimoto and produced by Studio Pierrot, shows us a world that is vastly different from the one in the original ‘Naruto‘ series. While Naruto faced loneliness, rejection, and constant struggle, Uzumaki Boruto grows up in a life filled with family, friends, and recognition. His challenges are not about earning a place in the village but about carving out his own identity in the shadow of his father, who is the Seventh Hokage of the Konoha Village.
This contrast between the two generations immediately frames Boruto’s journey as a unique exploration of legacy, expectations, and responsibility, while also explaining why some fans love the story and others remain critical.
Boruto’s Growth in a World Shaped by Naruto’s Legacy
One of the clearest contrasts is in their beginnings. Naruto started with almost nothing. He was an orphan, shunned by the village because the Nine-Tailed Fox was sealed inside him. He had no friends, no family, and no recognition. Every achievement he earned came through determination, hard work, and the will to prove his worth. Boruto, on the other hand, grows up with almost every advantage imaginable. He is the son of the Hokage, surrounded by friends, and enjoys a stable and loving family life. Because of this, his struggles are different. Instead of seeking acceptance, he deals with the pressure of living in his father’s shadow and contending with expectations placed on him because of Naruto’s achievements. For some of us, this shift is a more modern reflection on legacy and responsibility, while for others, it can feel like a story about a spoiled child rather than a compelling hero.
Boruto is also portrayed as a natural prodigy. He masters techniques quickly and has access to a mysterious, powerful eye called the Jogan. In comparison, Naruto had to develop every skill through persistence, creativity, and using the power of the Nine-Tails. Boruto’s story emphasizes the experience of a character born with talent in a peaceful world. He represents the challenges of someone who doesn’t have to fight for survival but must define their own identity in a world where success comes easily. This focus on natural ability rather than earned skill is one reason some fans feel disconnected from him. We can see the parallels between Boruto and other powerful figures in Naruto’s generation, but the absence of the struggle that defined Naruto makes Boruto’s victories feel different, and for some, less meaningful.
The world they live in also highlights these differences. Naruto’s era was defined by war, danger, and high-stakes missions. Every fight mattered because survival depended on skill and strategy. Boruto’s world is one of peace, modernization, and technological innovation. The introduction of Scientific Ninja Tools allows users to perform techniques without training or chakra, changing how conflicts are approached. Early in Boruto’s story, his reliance on these tools emphasizes his privilege and lack of appreciation for traditional methods, but over time, we see him growing and learning that effort and skill still have value, showing us that the story does explore important lessons even in a world where challenges are less dire.
Expectations, Power, and the Cost of Inherited Glory
Fans argue that Boruto can feel ungrateful, especially early on. His frustration with Naruto sometimes appears childish because he resents a father who is overworked but loving. Some fans also feel that the narrative cheapens Naruto’s legacy, as Boruto’s struggles seem small compared to the hardships his father faced. The focus on powerful enemies like the Otsutsuki clan shifts the stakes from personal and village conflicts to global or cosmic threats, which can feel disconnected from the intimate struggles that defined Naruto’s journey.
Side characters are treated differently too. Many of the familiar figures we loved from Naruto’s era, like Rock Lee or Temari, have smaller roles, while new characters like Kawaki take the spotlight. Boruto’s story also relies on powers that seem unearned, such as the Karma seal, making his victories feel less the result of hard work and more the result of plot design. At the same time, his relationship with Kawaki mirrors the Naruto-Sasuke dynamic, giving us familiar tension but in a new context.
Ultimately, Boruto’s story gives us a character who must navigate the weight of expectations, legacy, and self-discovery rather than surviving deprivation. His journey asks us to consider what it means to grow up in a world of peace, how privilege shapes identity, and how one defines themselves outside of parental shadows. Whether we view him as a hero with his own lessons to teach or as a reflection of his father’s legacy is open for interpretation. The story leaves layers for discussion, and the questions it raises about family, talent, and responsibility are ones we can continue to explore together.
