Naruto’s Next Anime Is Officially Doubling Down On Shippuden’s Worst Habit

The next chapter in the Naruto franchise’s epic tale has taken the plot into several explosive directions, but when the anime does finally return, it will likely continue to disenfranchise one of its most popular characters just as Boruto: Two Blue Vortex has. Even though the story has continued with monthly manga releases, recent character popularity polls reveal a strong continued passion for the Naruto series, especially for a character whom fans previously mocked consistently.

Both Sasuke and Naruto have had adventures following Naruto’s Shippuden‘s ending, which has aged like fine wine. But the sequel series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations and Two Blue Vortex, have focused much more attention on its newer cast instead of including most of Naruto‘s beloved characters. Which is something the next Naruto anime series will likely continue to do to its own detriment.

There is nothing wrong with a series wanting to devote its time to developing new characters, but it’s difficult for longtime fans not to be a little disappointed that a Naruto sequel series is doing little to nothing to expand on the members of the cast that they grew up with. As years progressed, certain characters have grown in popularity, with Sakura shockingly placing third in the most recent global popularity poll. That growing fondness is only one of the many reasons she should have a more prominent role in Boruto.

Boruto’s Story Could Explore A Lot With Sakura’s Character

There is not currently a release date for the return of the Boruto anime, but when it does inevitably come back, it will likely continue the manga’s trend of not including Sakura. Along with Sasuke, she was one of Naruto’s closest friends who would surely have had some sort of curiosity about the Seventh Hokage’s disappearance. And much like her sensei, the Fifth Hokage Tsunade, Sakura’s exceptional strength and healing abilities would be a big help in almost every confrontation the story has presented.

Besides her obvious strengths on the battlefield, the plot of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is rich with storytelling potential between Sarada and her mother. While Sakura is likely being occupied with her job of taking care of Konoha’s hospital, it seems unrealistic that she and Sarada wouldn’t share any scenes that would help the young Kunoichi navigate the considerable inner turmoil that’s plagued her throughout Boruto: TBV‘s arcs.

With everything that Sakura went through in Naruto and Shippuden, it’s not only surprising that she has taken no steps to learn about Naruto’s fate or rescue her husband Sasuke, it’s disappointing. The exciting epilogue to Naruto‘s final chapter, the mini-arc known as “The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring”, provided a brilliant showcase of an adult Sakura defending her family against an extremely formidable Sharingan user by the name of Shin. It would be a disservice to the character if that is the only time fans get to see a more mature Sakura in action.

Sakura’s Proved Herself Worthy Of More Than What The Writers Are Giving Her

Sarada has had more impact on Boruto: Two Blue Vortex‘s plot than she did in Naruto Next Generations. After confronting her feelings for Boruto and losing her father to the mysterious God Trees, the young Uchiha has been struggling to find any sort of solid foundation to rest upon. A role that could easily be occupied by Sakura.

The Boruto story is running out of reasons to keep Naruto out of it, but the same could easily be said for Sakura. Besides being able to play a vital role in Sarada’s development as her mother, it would be many long-time fans’ dream come true to see the Seventh Hokage return and set out on a mission to rescue Sasuke with the pink-haired medical ninja of the original Team 7. However, as much as it pains this old Naruto fan to accept, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex seems more determined to tell its own story rather than rely on nostalgia.

Video Game(s)

Naruto: Clash Of Ninja Revolution 3, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (2003), Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, Naruto: Rise Of A Ninja, Naruto: The Broken Bond, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, Naruto Shippuden Dragon Blade Chronicles, Naruto: Path Of The Ninja, Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections

Cast

Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei

Latest Film

Boruto: Naruto the Movie

Writer

Masashi Kishimoto

Writers

Masashi Kishimoto

Penciler(s)

Mikio Ikemoto

Inker(s)

Mikio Ikemoto

Colorist(s)

Mikio Ikemoto

Publisher(s)

Viz Media