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One of the biggest criticisms associated withBorutois Mikio Ikemoto’s designs. As a former apprentice and assistant to Masashi Kishimoto, Ikemoto designed Haku and Zabuza’s characters in the series. But like most artists, he isn’t exempt from censure.
After assisting Kishimoto in his magnum opus, the mangaka is headlining the sequel. While most would expect him to have an attachment to the hero, it is quite the opposite.
The mangaka opened up about his qualms regarding the hero. He revealed his reasons for not empathizing with him which makes sense mostly. Apart from that, he also shed light on the process of characterization.
All of this ties well with the blatant critique regarding the “same face syndrome” in the series. While this seems excessive, it is equally irrefutable.
Mikio Ikemoto’s empathy for his characters
While it may not be as glorious asNaruto,Borutohighlights loneliness in its unique way. Each character reflects complexities in more ways than one. Be it, the hero or Sarada, the sequel redefines character-building in several aspects.
Additionally, this also ties well with the ever-present conflicts within the characters. For the hero, it’s mostly theSeventh Hokage’s absenceand neglect. In Sarada’s case, the absence affected her differently and she would doubt her parental relationship.
Interestingly, this contrasts withKawaki’s character,who displays a longing for parental love. It is clear in his attempts to scapegoat the hero for his gains. As a former test subject of Isshiki Otsutsuki, his trauma and responses add clarity to his motives.
It also underlines his tragic backstory as he follows the trajectory of envy and hate. The sequel brilliantly outlines the enmeshing of psychological undertones with his character. Precisely why Ikemoto favors both him and Sarada over the hero.
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In an interview withManga Plus, Ikemoto revealed his empathy toward most characters exceptBoruto. He quoted:
Most of the time, I am closely attached to each character I am drawing. In that sense, it is easier for me to empathize with Sarada, Kawaki and main characters other than the protagonist. Because Boruto’s actions are pretty much predetermined in the storyline, there are many restrictions in his depictions. On the other hand, I have more freedom with other characters, so they are easier to depict.
Ikemoto’s attachment toward other characters makes sense considering Kishimoto’s predetermined ideas regarding the hero. Moreover, as Kishimoto has cited previously, the series follows a storyboard designed specifically by him.
With storyboards, Ikemoto can follow up on the events and upcoming developments in the series. Whilehe gave us some of the iconic character designs inNaruto, the criticism remains with his same-face syndrome in the sequel series.
The banality of character designs inBoruto
Most characters inBorutoare flatlined in several aspects, including their facial expressions. This has led fans to resort to a heavy backlash in terms of the banality of characters. For the past few years, Ikemoto has faced flak for his lackluster art and designs.
While this may seem severe, it mostly makes sense. While Kishimoto’s earlier designs are intricate and detail-oriented,Ikemoto’s facesare rather bland. They look lifeless and have a certain sense of homogeneity.
Interestingly, this fits well with the Otsutsuki clan members. Be it Momoshiki or Isshiki, the characters fall short compared to the villains in the original series. FromOrochimaru’s diabolical pursuitsto Pain’s menacing aura, Kishimoto added gravitas to the bad guys.
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By and by, the art and designs have improved in every aspect withTwo Blue Vortex manga. Boruto’sidentity shines through his strength and wit. It is a much-needed break away from Kishimoto’s shadow.
Borutois available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on Mangaplus and Viz Media.
Himanshi Jeswani
Anime Writer
Articles Published :993
Himanshi Jeswani is an anime writer at Fandomwire, with her work spanning over 900 articles. Her articles cover shojo, shonen, seinen, and all things beyond. Her interests, however, aren’t limited to simply anime. She has a penchant for exploring different genres of manga, be it horror, yanki, music, and food. She brings out her specialization and expertise in the performing arts through her articles. As a writer, she strives to bridge the gap between the viewers and the medium itself. To her, anime is a revolutionary medium that is capable of creating communities and stories after all.
