Boruto restores his confidence in himself, but not in the show.
Another week, another dead end for the main plot of Boruto. Just when it seems we might finally get an answer about Boruto’s dojutsu or the demon beast, the story finds yet another way to sidetrack itself. Given that we are only nine episodes into the series it is hard to complain about the lack of plot activity, but I can’t help but feel like we are being teased at this point. Misdirection or no, the episode does quickly tie up the storylines from last week and offers up two fight scenes as consolation for the otherwise dull episode.
Still determined to prove his Byakugan is for real, Boruto agrees to spar with his aunt Hanabi. Despite giving it his all, he is unable to manifest his powers. That night he leaves the Hyuga Clan compound in search of food only to come across another possessed ninja, this time the actor who plays the heroic ninja Kagemasa. Naruto takes the enraged actor down with the help of Sarada, reaffirming his belief in his eye power.
Between these more action-packed moments are a few shorter scenes featuring conversations about Boruto’s abilities between Naruto and Hiashi, but the episode rushes between these reflective scenes so quickly it is hard to feel much impact from them. Same goes for the opening battle with Hanabi, which does feature some inventive use of shadow clones from Boruto, but ultimately cuts short Boruto’s dojutsu ambitions in an unsatisfying way. The resulting episode feels rushed, with me struggling to figure out what I’m supposed to take away from these odd conclusions.
Last week’s contemplation on what it means to be a hero also makes a return, as Boruto and Sarada take on the possessed Kagemasa actor whose fame has resulted in him become fat and lazy. Boruto accuses him of not following his own teaching and issues him a sound beating as punishment. Like the other storylines in this episode, the payoff for this one feels weaker than the scenes leading up to it, though the battle does feature a neat throwback to Naruto and Sasuke’s battle against Zabuza from the original series (also episode 9!). Thankfully identifying Kagemasa’s shortcomings does convince Boruto to drop the “cool” hero act, but afterwards he finds himself right back where he started, still searching for a way to prove himself to his father.
Again, Boruto builds momentum one week only to spin tires the next. Because we are not quite ten episodes in I want to give the show the benefit of the doubt, but given that the original series was already in the Land of the Waves arc at this point, it can’t help but feel like Boruto is dragging its feet a little. I plan on seeing this first arc through, but at some point I will have to wonder how much I’m letting my love of the original series carry this new show.
The Verdict
Despite a strong setup from the previous episode “Proof of Oneself” results in yet another dead end for Boruto’s demon hunt. The episode moves along too quickly for any of the scenes to have a strong impact, and last week’s storylines fall flat even with some inventive battles supporting them. The throwback to the original series brought a smile to my face, but the rest of the episode was, unfortunately, forgettable.
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