All depends on how you use it.
Creative Staff
Creator/Supervisor: Masashi Kishimoto
Story: Ukyo Kodachi
Art: Mikio Ikemoto
Translation/Adaptation: Mari Morimoto
What They Say
Boruto and his teams’ mission to rescue Konohamaru gets complicated when Ao shows up. Ao may be old, but he as experience and powerful ninja tools at his disposal. But what is this mysterious vessel that Ao, and the organization known as Kara, are after? And how it it connected to Boruto?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The rescue mission to save Konohamaru is a success, but with a casualty. They learn Ao is definitely involved with Katasuke’s ninja tools and that he knows something about Kara. They are able to escape Ao, but they are still being hunted and what to do with ninja tools and Ao is up for debate. With a pep talk from Boruto, they decide to go after Ao, who still has one Katasuke’s ninja tools.
Ao meets with Koshin Koji, seemingly a member of Kara. Koji seems to know that Boruto’s group has a plan to defeat Ao. He also reminds Ao that emotions are unnecessary for an outer Kara that is nothing, but a tool to be used. The fight against Ao and Boruto’s group goes just like Boruto’s group plans. Or so they thought. Ao has one more trick up his sleeve and that is remote drones that drop bombs. Though their plans seem to be thwarted, Boruto still gets the upper hand and defeats Ao.
Just when it seems that this battle is truly ended, Koji appears. He summons a large toad and attacks. Ao uses his last bit of ninjutsu to save Boruto. Koji is there to erase anyone with knowledge of Kara. It’s Konohamaru time to shine and goes on the offense. However, when Konohamaru is suddenly in grave danger, Boruto can’t take it. He activates whatever the small diamond is in his left palm and negates Koji’s jutsu. Koji, surprised, calls him the Karma as the diamond mark spreads over his body. Eventually, Boruto passes out from the immense use of his new power. Koji, who is now interested in Boruto’s situation, decides to withdraw voluntarily.
After Boruto awakens, they all head towards the Leaf Village. They come across a puppet droid similar to the one they battled, but it was destroyed. Curious, they explore the area and find young passed out nearby.
In Summary:
I think every time I review a volume from the series, I say the same things. Is this manga and the current anime of the same name even the same? I’m guessing that the anime is overflowing with filler content until the manga gets further ahead and the story can proceed, but at volume 6 of the manga and episode 123 of the anime, it truly seems the story has diverged.
That being said, I still adore this series in any form it takes. I joked with my spouse that we’ll be watching some form or another of this series until we’re 80. Who knows, that very may well be the case. But, as I giggle at lightsaber like swords and ninja scroll flash drives, the future of ninja could indeed be high tech. I think that’s what this story is trying to do, bridge an old Japanese concept of a ninja to more current days trends and issues, which include use of technology.
Content Grade: B
Art Grade: B
Packaging Grade: C+
Text/Translation Grade: A
Age Rating: Teen
Released By: Shonen Jump (Viz)
Release Date: June 4, 2019
MSRP: $9.99
