One of Kishimoto’s Favorite Naruto Characters Has Become As Useful As a White Crayon In Boruto

In an interview with Word Anime, Masashi Kishimoto admitted that Choji and Killer Bee were one of his favorites at the time. Choji Akimichi is one of Naruto’s closest friends throughout the story, as well as a powerful ally. Yet, Boruto has turned the character into nothing more than a doting father.

Choji was proof that every underdog character had their own moment in Naruto. Unfortunately, the character has been reduced to a simple glutton once again.

The Fall of Masashi Kishimoto’s Favorite Character in Boruto

Choji is one of the most important Naruto characters despite having a supporting role. During the Chunin Exams, he took on Jirobo of the Sound Four. In Naruto Shippuden, he immobilized Sora when the chakra of the Nine-Tailed was released. During the Fourth Shinobi War, he, along with Ino and Shikamaru, fought the reborn Kakuzu. He also stalled the Ten-Tails.

Choji’s arc was about self-acceptance and about proving that strength comes from within. He is the best representation of a Shinobi who grows stronger through belief in oneself and friendship. Yet, in Boruto, his role was reduced to next to nothing in order to make space for the new generation of characters.

In Boruto, Choji failed to move a single meteorite that blocked a hot spring. He had to take the help of Might Guy, Kakashi, Marai, and the Yugakure shinobi. Most of his character was constructed around his daughter. In the entire Boruto manga/anime so far, Choji’s only mission from Kakashi was spent off-screen, and his role was reduced to a gluttonous shinobi.

Boruto and the Art of Nerfing Legacy Naruto Characters

Legacy Naruto characters were unjustly nerfed in Boruto | Credits: Pierrot

Boruto is all about the new generation of Shinobi; thus, it is important to make space for the characters to grow. Otherwise, they would always remain in the shadow of the original Naruto characters. Yet, for longtime fans, the transition is too abrupt. The characters with whom they grew up or loved for years have suddenly been dialed back. The underdog legends are now fathers who get too easily sidelined for their kids.

Naruto might have become a Hokage, but Kurama was ripped away from him, rendering him far less powerful than before. Sasuke’s journey was that of a co-protagonist, yet he lost his Rinnegan in Boruto, which reduced his character incredibly. Whether it is Sakura, Hinata, Kakashi, or Choji, each Naruto character was dialed back till fans could no longer witness the disaster anymore. The worst hit was probably Kurama’s death, which undid hundreds of chapters’ worth of bonding between the tailed beast and Naruto.

Boruto didn’t just nerf legacy characters; it destroyed the bond that fans had with these characters. The once powerful legends have been reduced to stand-ins for family drama. They have become stepping stones for the next generation. Yet, one has to ask: Is nerfing original characters the only way to make the next generation look stronger?

What do you think about how Boruto diminished the roles of Choji and other legendary figures? Let us know in the comments below.

Naruto and Boruto anime are currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.