When Naruto first began, there was already a new generation of shinobi waiting to carry on the legacy of the series’ heroes. This ninja showed remarkable ambition and skill, positioning him as a future rival for Naruto and the next potential Hokage, leaving fans eager to see how far this character would rise in the sequel, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.
However, when Boruto began, that promise felt increasingly overlooked. Despite his opportunities to shine in leadership, strategy, and combat, he was largely relegated to the background, sidelined in favor of new faces and storylines. As a result, Konohamaru, the young, spirited ninja from early episodes of Naruto, was left with great untapped potential.
Konohamaru Was Introduced Early and Had Immense Potential in Naruto
Konohamaru Sarutobi was introduced early in Naruto as the grandson of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, immediately positioning him at the center of Konoha’s legacy. His lineage alone set high expectations, hinting that he would grow to be a skilled ninja in both combat and leadership. From the start, he was framed as more than just another background character.
Even as a child, Konohamaru had shown audiences that he was ambitious and determined. When he met Naruto and found that he wasn’t impressed by his status as the Honorable Grandson, Konohamaru began to see Naruto as a role model and rival. From a young age, he set his sights on surpassing him and becoming the Hokage himself.
This dynamic established him as a relatable and engaging character and immediately set the stage for the future of the series. Despite being a few years behind Naruto, Konohamaru stood as someone who could parallel or challenge the series’ main hero, potentially leading to a future where he would emerge as one of Naruto’s fiercest rivals.
His early missions proved that he was adaptable, intelligent, brave, and a very quick learner. Whether it was simple training exercises or taking part in defending the village, Konohamaru demonstrated natural leadership and a knack for strategy. These moments throughout the original series positioned him as a capable and promising young ninja.
Boruto Wasted One of the Only Ninjas Who Could Rival Naruto
Despite reaching jōnin rank and leading the new Team 7 in Boruto, consisting of Boruto, Sarada Uchiha, and Mitsuki, Konohamaru’s potential has largely been untapped in the sequel. While he was once positioned as a promising young ninja who would become capable of rivaling Naruto, his role has instead been largely reduced to supporting Boruto and the younger generation.
Even his key abilities, including his mastery of the Rasengan, taught to him by Naruto, had rarely received any meaningful narrative focus, leaving his immense talent overshadowed by both his peers and students. Despite being highly skilled, he hardly achieved any decisive victories against major threats, making his impact feel diluted.
Even in Naruto, Kakashi Hatake and Yamato receive significant screentime and development as the leaders of Team 7, a courtesy not extended to Konohamaru in the sequel.
While it’s only natural for the series to focus on Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki, pushing supporting characters like Konohamaru to the sidelines undermines his potential. Even in Naruto, Kakashi Hatake and Yamato receive significant screentime and development as the leaders of Team 7, a courtesy not extended to Konohamaru in the sequel.
Not every supporting character needs to receive significant or equal screentime and development. However, given Konohamaru’s established promise since the start of Naruto, pushing him to the sidelines and constantly allowing his students to overshadow him feels like a waste of his potential and development.
Konohamaru Has Become Increasingly Sidelined
Konohamaru’s character development in Boruto has been noticeably limited. While the series is designed to focus on the next generation, that doesn’t necessarily mean that other characters, especially the new leader of Team 7, need to be pushed off to the sidelines. Rather than having his own growth and development, Konohamaru has become a tool to facilitate others’ stories.
His own ambitions, personal challenges, and internal motivations are rarely explored, leaving him a stagnant figure who fails to engage the audience. Despite being a jōnin, his combat style largely resembles Naruto’s, which further limits his presence as he lacks a distinct arc to make him stand out among other characters.
This is even seen in high-stakes situations where he often serves a secondary role. While Konohamaru may coordinate missions or provide tactical support, all the major story-driving conflicts are dominated by the younger generation, ultimately overshadowing Konohamaru’s support and making him feel even more like a minimized character with no meaningful role in the storyline.
Yet, despite these limitations, his background and lineage still carry a presence in the story. He functions as a pillar of stability and mentors the next generation. However, these contributions often go unnoticed by fans and the storyline itself, making the gap between his early potential and role in Boruto all the more glaring.
Konohamaru Deserves Far More Recognition and Attention
Konohamaru is one of the few legacy characters in Boruto with significant untapped potential that could enrich the series. His growth in the original series to a jōnin in the sequel is full of promise that can be built upon in the future of the series. As a character with a solid foundation, Konohamaru can easily develop within the series.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex presents an excellent chance for this payoff. With Konohamaru in a more central position as the Hokage’s top advisor, the series can show off his potential in ways it hadn’t been able to do so previously. By taking on a larger role in the conflict against the Shinju, Konohamaru might finally get the opportunity to prove himself.
Seeing Konohamaru step into a more prominent role would enhance the series by offering a satisfying, rewarding payoff decades in the making. He has also demonstrated the drive and ambition to become a formidable ninja who may one day become the next Hokage, and Boruto has the opportunity to make good on his potential.
Sidelining Konohamaru in Boruto was one of the series’ biggest mistakes, wasting the chance to show off his growth and potential as a jōnin. While his skill, leadership, and ambition remain strong, the series has yet to fulfill his early promise. However, the franchise’s future might elevate his role, proving that Konohamaru still has the capacity to leave an unforgettable impact.
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- First Film
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Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
- Latest Film
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Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- First TV Show
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Naruto
- Latest TV Show
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Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- First Episode Air Date
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October 3, 2002
- Cast
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Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists’ children and returning faces.
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- Created by
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Masashi Kishimoto, Ukyo Kodachi, Mikio Ikemoto
- First Film
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Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- Latest Film
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Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- First TV Show
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Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- Latest TV Show
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Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- First Episode Air Date
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April 5, 2017
Boruto is the sequel to the Naruto franchise, created by Masashi Kishimoto and illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto. It follows Boruto Uzumaki, Naruto’s son, as he navigates the challenges of being the Hokage’s child while forging his path as a ninja. The series explores the evolving world of shinobi and introduces new generations of characters while maintaining the franchise’s core themes of friendship, perseverance, and legacy.
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