This article contains spoilers from the Boruto series.
The Boruto series is one of the most interesting new-gen manga at the moment, and it is still going strong, closing in on 10 years of serialization very soon. Fans know that the Boruto series excels in certain areas, but at the same time, it is plagued by problems that frustrate them to no end.
Boruto: Best Fights In The Anime, Ranked
The Boruto series is laced with riveting battles and thrilling fights. Here's a look at some of the best ones in the anime.
One of the biggest problems with the Boruto series is the way that it has treated old characters of the series, and with that, destroyed many legacies. Even the legacy of the position of Hokage has been utterly destroyed in Boruto, and based on the way things are progressing at the moment, the Hokage position doesn't hold the same value anymore. While it used to be an exalted position once, the Hokage has been reduced to a shadow of its former self, and that is something that Boruto needs to fix.
The Hokage Is The Most Legendary Ninja of Konoha
- The Position of a Legendary Hero That Saves The Village
- The Most Important Ninja Of A Village
In the Naruto series, the Hokage was meant to represent the epitome of the ninja world. To begin with, Konoha was always known to be the strongest and the greatest of all ninja villages, so it makes sense for the leader of the village, the Hokage, to be the strongest and the greatest ninja in the entire world. To put it simply, the Hokage is essentially the leader of the village. Oftentimes, the Hokage also ended up being the strongest shinobi of the village because it would make sense for a village to be led by its strongest ninja in a time when wars and battles were raging on. But the Hokage needs to be much more than just powerful; they also need to have a smart head on their shoulders and, on top of that, be shrewd and diplomatic in exciting ways.
I'm the Hokage, Boruto. The whole village is my family. I have to look after everyone. — Naruto Uzumaki to Boruto
Most importantly, the Hokage must carry the will of fire, that is, to realize the potential in the next generation and defend them with their lives. The Hokage must also see the entire village as their own family and sacrifice themselves if need be. That is the true essence of Hokage that the Naruto series showed to the fans, and it is unfortunate to say that the Boruto series has essentially destroyed all that in one go.
No longer is the position of Hokage respected like it used to be, and fans know that this title simply doesn't mean as much anymore because of the way the series has dealt with the Hokage, both when Naruto was present, and since he has been sealed away.
After The Fate of Naruto, The Hokage Has Lost Its True Meaning
While most fans would assume that the problems with Boruto's handling of the Hokage position stem from after the disappearance of Naruto, that isn't exactly accurate. Even when Naruto was the Hokage, little focus was put on his character, and fans did not actually get to see him perform any of the duties of the Hokage of the village, other than dealing with paperwork and fighting the occasional enemy that used to come and attack Konoha. The true essence of Hokage is defending and raising the next generation, right, and looking after everyone as if they were their own family.
This concept of the Hokage was entirely lost in the Boruto series, and Naruto hardly ever appeared outside of the major battles where Ikemoto only used him to make a point of how strong the villains in the Boruto series truly were. Ultimately, even Naruto's biggest powers were stripped from him, and he was sealed away, leaving the Hokage position even hollow than ever before.
This isn't a tale about a boy who aims to become Hokage. That was my dad's story. This is none other than my story! — Boruto Uzumaki, Boruto Chapter 1
Boruto: The New 8th Hokage, Explained
The 8th Hokage will officially replace Naruto Uzumaki. There are a few contendors in Boruto.
Since then, Konoha has elected Shikamaru as the interim Hokage, and it is safe to say that this position has never been more undervalued in the entire franchise. With Shikamaru now being the Hokage, when many other powerful individuals are present, it has truly lost all meaning.
Right now, in the Boruto series, the essence of a Hokage is only to give orders to better ninjas and allow them to handle things on their own. This is not what a Hokage should be. The Hokage should be the one leading from the front and setting an example for the next generation. He is the one who should be defending his village and all the people in it with his life.
This is the example that the First Hokage set when he fought Madara Uchiha. This was once again reiterated when Hiruzen Sarutobi defeated Orochimaru and sacrificed his life. When the Fourth Hokage sealed the Nine Tails, this was once again emphasized. The Hokage is a sacrificial pawn for the next generation and his goal is to protect and raise the children right. But in Boruto, all these values have been utterly lost and destroyed.
The Hokage Position Has Died A Symbolic Death In Boruto
- Naruto Was Undervalued As Hokage
- The Position Doesn't Matter Much
No matter which way fans look at it, the essence of being a Hokage has been destroyed in Boruto, and it doesn't truly matter who ends up taking on this position. Unless the main cause of the problem is addressed, the position of Hokage will continue to be undervalued in the Boruto series, which is incredibly unfortunate. This symbolic death that the Hokage has died in the Boruto series has rightly upset many fans, but there is also hope that the next generation will set things right when the time comes.
Sarada Could Revive The True Essence Of Being A Hokage
Right now, Konoha doesn't truly have a true Hokage that represents all the values that they must have. Also, of course, there is Konohamaru Sarutobi, whom fans have great expectations from, but it is quite clear to see that he has largely disappointed in the Boruto series, thanks to the atrocious character writing of the author. The only one who can truly revive the position of Hokage and give it the meaning that it must hold is Sarada.
Fans know very well that Sarada wants to follow in Naruto's footsteps and become the next leader of the village. She is kind-hearted and has all the right qualities to become a great Hokage. Perhaps, when she takes on this position, she will show the world what a true Hokage must be like, and lead by example from the front just as the previous Hokage of the village used to do back in the Naruto series. To see that, however, fans will have to wait for a long time because, by the looks of it, the Boruto series is not going to end anytime soon.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is the sequel to the original Boruto series, written by Mikio Ikemoto, and supervised by Masashi Kishimoto. The series follows the journey of Boruto Uzumaki, 3 years after the events of Omnipotence struck in the story. Boruto must now work to save to world from the perils it faces while dealing with his brother, Kawaki. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 30 is set for its official release on January 20, 2026. The release time of the chapter is 10 AM EST/ 3 PM UTC. As always, fans can read the chapter officially for free on the Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump apps.