7 Naruto Characters Who Were Nerfed In Boruto

Naruto will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the greatest anime of all time, dominating as one of the Big Three and shaping multiple generations of anime fans around the world. Naruto delivered an incredible adventure with every episode, brilliant world-building, and a winding conflict filled with tension and excitement. Naruto also provided a wealth of interesting and entertaining characters, some of which stole the spotlight from Naruto himself.

The colorful cast of characters in Naruto is also among the strongest in the series, ninjas who put their lives on the line to protect the village hidden in the leaf. These ninja constantly honed their skills to live up to their predecessors’ expectations and one day surpass them. While Naruto has come to a close, Boruto is a story about the vibrant new generation, with Naruto’s son at its helm. While Boruto has its own collection of powerful characters, some fan favorites from the original series didn’t quite measure up to their potential or past versions. Here are some characters from Naruto who were nerfed in Boruto.

TenTen

Former Weapon Specialist Now Shop Owner

TenTen didn’t have a prominent role in Naruto, but she was a skilled warrior and elite weapons specialist. She received multiple opportunities to shine in both Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, displaying her mastery of blades that she commanded with precision.

While not the strongest, it was clear that TenTen had endless potential, and after her Tsukiyomi dream where she was a prominent Kunoichi, fans believed that she would receive an upgrade to Boruto. Unfortunately, TenTen retired from being a ninja and now runs her own weapon shop. While she may still possess her skill, she does not display it in the series.

Naruto Uzumaki

The Kncuklehead Ninja Sealed Away

Naruto, the series’s namesake and the most famous face in anime, was the star of the show, who went from underdog to Hokage and achieved his lifelong goal. Naruto was a powerhouse of strength, speed, and jutsu, wielding the powerful Rasengan, multi-shadow clone jutsu, and Jinchuriki enhanced physiology.

A crowning moment for Naruto was when he arrived on the scene to face Pain, destroying two of his bodies in an instant. In Boruto, Naruto loses Kurama and is sealed away by Kawaki, with the memory of him erased from the world. Many fans hope to see a different side of the character in the new series in development.

Hinata Uzumaki

Powerful Fighter Turned Housewife

Hinata’s journey from Naruto to Boruto is one of the most touching in the animes’ universe. Her long-held secret crush on the knuckleheaded ninja evolved into a deep love that resulted in the two becoming husband and wife, marking a defining moment for both characters. But Hinata was no civilian; she was a highly capable ninja who grew exponentially after the Chunin exams.

Unfortunately, in Boruto, Hinata’s combat days are over, and she resides as a mother and housewife to enjoy the era of peace Naruto accomplishes. Many fans wished for Hinata to have a more prominent role and a Naruto team-up similar to Sasuke and Sakura’s moment during the final battle against Shin Uchiha.

Sasuke Uchiha

Still Formidable, Just Missing An Eye

Sasuke is the Yin to Naruto’s Yang, serving as his greatest rival and most trusted friend between Naruto and Boruto. Saskue was one of the last Uchiha alive to obtain the Mangekyou Sharingan and eventually the Sharenagon. Obtaining a level of power no other ninja had ever reached, Sasuke was one of the two strongest ninja in the world.

As the story progressed in Boruto, Sasuke came under attack and lost his Rennegon eye, which significantly dampened his power. While still formidable in his own right, he has lost a considerable portion of his army.

Kakashi Hatake

The Copy Ninja No More

Kakashi’s presence in Naruto is one of the most prominent throughout the entire series, serving as the support that the other characters rely on. Starting out as Naruto, Sakura’s, and Sasuke’s sensei, he became a father figure, friend, and ally on the battlefield when needed.

Kakashi has an extensive history in the ninja world, being renowned as the Copy Ninja. Having gone toe to toe with hidden mist swordsmen and elite Uchiha, Kakashi has the respect of his peers and opponents. In Boruto, Kakashi has been pushed out of the spotlight, having been moved to a primary mentor position, leaving the battlefield behind. He has also lost his Sharingan after the events of the final battle against Kaguya.

Shino Aburame

Possible Sanin, Now A Teacher

Shino may be one of the most accomplished ninja in Naruto, who faced every challenge with the intellect of Shikamaru and the skill of Kakashi. At a young age, Shino demonstrated a profound understanding of the world around him and acknowledged that sometimes difficult choices had to be made.

Along with his bug host jutsu, Shino displayed impeccable skill that would only grow stronger. However, fans expecting Shino to follow in the footsteps of Orochimaru or Jiraiya were shocked to find him becoming a normal instructor in Boruto and reduced to comedic relief.

Rock Lee

The Former Green Beast Loses His Fangs

Rock Lee is highly thought of as a well of untapped potential. Beginning as a bright green star who nearly overshadowed Naruto and Sasuke, Rock Lee won the hearts of fans after dropping his leg weights against Gaara, proving that underdogs are worth rooting for. Unfortunately, this would be the height of Lee’s presence in the series, as he was pushed to the back of the line as the story progressed.

In Boruto, Rock Lee is far from the Green Beast he used to be, and the focus has shifted to his son, Metal Lee. Many fans have expressed disappointment that the majority of past characters have been cast aside in Boruto, unlike those from the previous generation, such as Sarutobi and Jiraiya in Naruto.