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EP. REVIEW: Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

What I liked about this episode was Toneri and his dialogue. I don't recall there ever being any references or connections to The Last Naruto Movie up until now. Aside from Naruto and Hinata being together, it felt like the events in that movie never happened, yet we finally get that connection. I'm also looking forward to the show expanding on the Otsutsuki clan as it always appeared there was way more going on, on the moon, than originally shown.

I'm not sure using the device is "technically" against the rules. I don't think Boruto would use it if there were a specific rule against non-jutsu tech (which there isn't yet, since it hasn't existed previously). Given the vast array of weapons and such that people can summon, it doesn't strike me as being that much different in function. It feels more like past "cheating is not allowed in this exam" when successful candidates were expected to cheat, if not almost required to.

But of course it does violate the spirit of the exams, so naturally there will be consequences.

Gina Szanboti wrote:

I'm not sure using the device is "technically" against the rules. I don't think Boruto would use it if there were a specific rule against non-jutsu tech (which there isn't yet, since it hasn't existed previously). Given the vast array of weapons and such that people can summon, it doesn't strike me as being that much different in function. It feels more like past "cheating is not allowed in this exam" when successful candidates were expected to cheat, if not almost required to. But of course it does violate the spirit of the exams, so naturally there will be consequences.

Does it violate the spirit? I still just don't understand the underlying conflict here except in the sense that the device is so easy to use that Boruto winning with it is not suggesting he is a great ninja. It's obviously more impressive when it is due to the ninja's own inner strength in the open, but if we look back to history here...there should be no moral outrage. In fact, the best outcome would be for Boruto to "cheat" like this and get away with it! As long as a ninja is successful and walks away with the secret of how he accomplished it, that is the ultimate goal. The whole point of the written exam was to cheat and not get caught. The question shouldn't be, "will Boruto cheat?", but "how good is Boruto at cheating?" Sasuke approves!

So color me very confused throughout this Boruto story arc. I was thinking he needs to get creative with those things and mix it up. Maybe help develop potent combos.

I think the reason why using the device is seen as so disgraceful is that this is an exam, and an exam is supposed to test the skills of the participants. The device seems to allows anyone using it to use skills they don't know how to fully use with little no effort on their part. That isn't to say that the device should be banned outside of the exam. In fact, I think the sole reason why Naruto didn't ok the use of the device was because Katasuke specifically wanted to do it during the exam. I also think the reason why this cheating is seen as bad when the cheating in the previous series isn't, is that in Naruto they were using their own skills to cheat. The purpose of having them cheat and not get caught was for them to use their own skills so it was still testing their knowledge and technique. While they cheated they were actually using their own skills, which Boruto clearly isn't.

But in Anko's test, again it would be getting caught that got you expelled. If you could suss out a way to peek without getting caught, no problem.

But that's what I meant about it violating the spirit of the exam, i.e., to test your own powers. In function though, it still doesn't seem any different from any other summoned weapon to me. The user still has to use it creatively and effectively.