TheNarutoanime franchise is one of the most interesting that fans have been introduced to in recent years. The extensive cast and the vast lands that are part of this universe are still hiding thousands of secrets, even decades after the series was first released. An attempt was made to give followers deeper insight into the Shinobi World with the release of theBorutoanime, a direct sequel to the original story.
However, many fans agree thata sequel was not the best decisionthe team behind the series could have made. What fans of Masashi Kishimoto’s manga truly want is to learn about the world and its characters long before the titular protagonist was even born. There are several ninjas like Minato or Shisuiwho fans desperately want to see more of.
Boruto Is Great, but a Prequel Would Have Been Even Better
There Are Many Potential Sources of Inspiration a Prequel Could Use
In 2014, after theNarutomanga had ended, Kishimoto was asked by the executives of Shueisha, the publishing house in charge of the series, to write a sequel. At the time, the creator refused the offer, as he had already accomplished everything he wanted with the story. Instead, his loyal and trusted assistant, Ikemoto, was tasked with bringing theBorutomanga to life. While the series has had several rough patches throughout the years, with many fans calling it a disappointment, it has recently been charming readers, thanks to theBoruto: Two Blue Vortexmanga.
Even though the sequel series has been relatively successful, a complaint that followers of Kishimoto’s work have raised is the blatant refusal to address its past. A story focusing on the Ninja World pre-Narutowould have been a much better choice, adding additional detail to the world and characters fans already know and love. While this might seem outlandish to some, the extensive lore of the franchise and the plethora of unexplored characters prove there wasmore than enough material for a prequel series to be made.
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As theNarutomanga progressed, many past events were hinted at, giving fans small glimpses of what a series based around these times would be like. These moments prove that exploringNaruto’spast and the lives of the series' most beloved characters would have been an amazing decision. Revisitingthe previous Great Ninja Wars, explaining more about other villages, or expanding upon the already existing lore would have even better immersed fans in the world of theNarutofranchise.
Naruto Has Many Amazing Protagonists To Focus On in a Prequel
When the sequel series was announced,Narutofans were concerned about the introduction of a completely new character. Viewers had already fallen in love with the cast of the original series, who they had watched for many years. Although the introduction ofBorutoand his friends was an exciting addition to the franchise, it also caused many to drop the series, as they did not find the new cast charming. By working on a prequel instead, this problem could have been resolved from the beginning, seeing as the original series already had a large pool of characters with untold stories.
This has already been proven in the past with the success of spin-off manga and novels that focus on existing and cherished characters.Minato’s one-shot manga is one of the most popular side projectsin the franchise, going as far as toinspire a fan-made anime adaptation of the chapter.Itachi Shinden, a novel that tells the story of Sasuke’s brother before and during the Uchiha massacre, has also been warmly received by fans. The success of these entries is a sign that fans are attracted to the stories of characters they already know and love.
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Still, Minato and Itachi are not the only characters fans would have loved to learn more about in a prequel manga. Many cast members left a lasting mark on the franchise despite only having one or two appearances. Kakashi’s father,Sakumo Hatake was introduced as a god-tier ninjawho surpassed the power of the Legendary Sanin. Even then, the series only featured him two times. The carrier of the most powerful Genjutsu in history, Shisui Uchiha would also have been an ideal candidate, seeing as fans long for him to receivemuch more screen time than he got.
The Story of a Prequel Would Have Been Easier To Handle
One of the main complaints that fans have about theBorutoseries is its major alterations to the themes of the original. TheNarutofranchise was once a story about a world of ninjas, albeit with superhuman abilities, who fight for peace and prosperity. The sequel took almost all human elements away and replaced them with aliens and deities,capable of using god-level Jutsu without any effort. The series is undoubtedly enjoyable and has many amazing moments, but the most basic elements of its predecessor are noticeably lacking.
A prequel series would not have been faced with the difficulty of coming up with completely original plot points to remain entertaining. Most of the events of the past addressed in the series hadestablished endings that were impossible to alter.The show would have had to fill in the blanks left by the original, but it would have been much easier and more manageable than creating an entirely new story.
Boruto Is Still a Worthy Successor
The Series Has Done an Amazing Job So Far
Even though a sequel series might not have been the best way to continueNaruto’s legacy, there is no doubt thatBorutohas managed to prove its worth throughout the years. Fans might sometimes criticize its story and the changes it made to the world created by Kishimoto, but this entry in the franchise has left a worthy legacy.Borutotook risks that the original series could not afford,such as focusing on other species like the powerful members of the Otsutsuki clan. The series has greatly helped to expand the lore ofNaruto, without relying on nostalgia.
In the future, a prequel series focused on one ofNaruto’sbeloved characters might become a reality. Until then, fans should appreciate the exciting story and iconic characters of the sequel. Viewers will not regret givingBorutoand his friends a chance, and they might discover what has attracted millions of fans to this beloved world.
