Boruto Could Have Done the Unthinkable With Sakura That Might Have Given Her the Redemption She Needed

SUMMARY

• Boruto's manga and anime had many problems but its compromise on the designs was also one of them.
• Sakura's design could have been much different.
• Masashi Kishimoto had initially designed Sakura to look somewhat different from what she turned out to be.

Boruto hasn’t had the best run ever since it began. Whether it was with the manga or the anime, things have been rough for Masashi Kishimoto’s sequel when it was instead meant to enhance Naruto’s legacy. It was flawed in many ways but fans were even more enraged by how much it disassociated with the original personalities of the various characters they had grown to love.

Naruto reconciles with Boruto | Credit: Studio Pierrot

There were many characters who got upgrades while there were some who were pushed to the side. As the manga and anime transitioned from Naruto’s journey to his son’s; the art style also saw its changes whether Kishimoto was involved or Mikio Ikemoto. While that alone wasn’t appreciated, the character designs took the biggest hit.

Boruto’s Softer Designs

Each and every character in Naruto was drawn with immense care. They had expressions that made them more human and their ability to emote made them relatable characters. It wasn’t just that, but the art felt sharper and more to the point. When it comes to Boruto, however, things are different. Both Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto’s art incorporated softer tones. No matter their expression, the look on their face created a softer environment to work with.

Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga | Credits: Studio Pierrot

Naruto’s charm and boyish personality died down into what was supposed to express maturity but what instead looked like the life was sucked out of him. Naruto wasn’t just Boruto’s father, he was the one who started it all. He was the protagonist who made it possible for a sequel to work in the first place. What his design was turned into could not be regarded as an upgrade.

One of the many characters who got a change in their design was Sakura. The character had always been controversial to begin with. When at first it was about her potential, it then turned into her position in the series altogether. In the sequel, even her design felt lackluster.

The Case of Sakura Haruno

Sakura and Sarada | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Sakura’s design in Boruto wasn’t something many found out of the ordinary as compared to the other characters. However, it brought about the picture that she was also embracing the softer side of things. There existed an alternate design, one that was only featured for a single time in Naruto: Book of Thunder. While the book itself wasn’t written by Masashi Kishimoto, he had lent his hand in providing some exclusive illustrations. Among them was one of Sasuke, Sakura, and Sarada.

In it, Sakura’s outfit wasn’t so different from what she wore later on, but it gave her a much edgier look. The joy on her face gave off the idea that she was to achieve much more in her life. It was filled with hope, mischief, and life. At the same time, it did not lack any maturity either. While the design featured only once, were they to stick to it, it would have helped give her character a more evident personality.

She wouldn’t have just been a side character aiding the protagonists but someone with a purpose. Her character was treated poorly throughout the manga and anime, what she needed the most was something to help lift her up. That design could have been a stepping stone towards that.

Boruto: Naruto the Movie is available to watch on Netflix.

Written by Adya Godboley

Articles Published: 1739

An avid writer fluent in everything Marvel, Adya Godboley is an Assistant Anime Content Lead for FandomWire. She has rich experience in critically analyzing all that is said in between the lines. Hopelessly obsessed with Greek Mythology, she is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in English. Adya has written over 1400 articles on various topics expressing her passion and love for all things entertainment, from superheroes to anime and the occasional gacha games.