[Movie Review] What Naruto Looks like as a Father in “Boruto: Naruto the Movie”! Make Sure to Stay Away from Spoilers!

Naruto is a long-running shinobi-themed manga series that reached its conclusion last November. A month later on Dec. 6, the opening of The Last: Naruto The Movie in theatres marked the beginning of the “Naruto New Era Opening Project.” The new era features the children of Naruto’s generation as its main characters, and the story of the children is illustrated in Boruto: Naruto the Movie that is to screen in theatres in Japan from Aug. 7.

The new Boruto movie is the eleventh of the Naruto series, and is a masterpiece that original author Masashi Kishimoto had wished for. Not only is the entire script created by Kishimoto himself, character designs and other elements of the movie were reviewed and revised until he was completely satisfied. Kishimoto commented on the quality of the Boruto movie, stating that there is absolutely no way he can make anything that surpasses it. What was it that made him make such an incredible comment…?

Before the movie opened in theatres, I had a chance to attend the pre-release screening. Authorized individuals and members of the media were not the only ones present, as fans who were chosen through a drawing were also there, contributing to a wonderful feeling of excitement and anticipation.

This Is the New Naruto

The story revolves around Boruto, son of Naruto who is the Seventh Hokage. Because the movie is set in a new era of rapid growth, viewers can find fresh traces of a more modern age, such as a personal computer in Boruto’s room, a portable game system that he plays with, and a large screen in the Hidden Leaf Village. Technology is not the only thing that has changed, as the forehead protectors that children wear are no longer the same ones that are tied together. It appears that they are now allowed to choose their own colors.

As the Hokage, Naruto finds himself incredibly busy with too many tasks to take care of. Even with numerous clones of himself to help out, dark circles still form under his eyes as he goes through seemingly endless amounts of work in the Hokage Room. Is this what rapid growth means for the new Hokage? Seeing Naruto unable to return home due to his workload certainly struck a cord and made me feel a little bit sad for him.

With Naruto away and hard at work, Boruto grows up to become a rather audacious boy who dislikes his father. He is so rebellious and cheeky that I became slightly irritated just by watching him! Didn’t he inherit any part of Naruto’s straightforward and genuine personality? It is quite possible that his position as the son of the Hokage, where he is provided with whatever he needs, contributes to this problem. Then again, if we look past the surface, it’s not hard to see that Boruto simply needs more attention and love from his father. It’s hard to watch Naruto force a smile when he watches his son take the easy way out, becoming someone who is the exact opposite of him, someone without the same shinobi qualities.

Naruto’s difficult position as a father is really what makes the movie intriguing. Having lost both of his parents after he was born, Naruto does not know what a parent is like. Although he has had opportunities to fight alongside his resurrected father, Naruto has never experienced daily life with him, and does not have a role model to follow after in taking care of his own son. He wants to reach out to Boruto, but uncertainty and embarrassment make it difficult. Scenes of the father and son struggling in their relationship made my heart beat faster and faster. When Naruto finally faces Boruto and realizes how lonely his son is without him, I couldn’t control my tears.

We have followed along with Naruto as he matured through his journeys in the manga series, and in the movie we see him take another step forward to become a real father. Yes, the Naruto that we know and love has become a father! Naruto is not the only one who grows in the movie, as Boruto’s newfound knowledge about Naruto as a father and as a shinobi helps in his development. The movie that Kishimoto wished for packs more emotions and excitement than we can imagine into a one and a half hour package. Fans of the Naruto series may find themselves wiping away tears on more than one occasion.

Even in the new era, Naruto’s bonds with his companions remain strong. Shikamaru is always there to support the new Hokage, and Sasuke’s trust in Naruto extends onto Boruto as well, who ends up as Sasuke’s disciple. Some of the cornier scenes between the characters are also relived in the movie, which makes it even more entertaining!

In addition, the sons and daughters of Naruto’s generation, as well as countless special details contribute to the positive viewing experience.

Remember to sit through the credits, since the parents of Mitsuki, the mysterious shinobi in the same group as Boruto, is revealed at the very end. The last scene had the entire audience cheering in absolute shock! Make sure to stay in your seats!

Boruto: Naruto the Movie opening in theatres on Friday, Aug. 7
© Masashi Scott Kishimoto / Shueisha Inc., TV Tokyo Corp., Pierrot Co. Ltd.
© Boruto the Movie Production Committee 2015

Source: Gadget Tsushin
Source article written by non