Context of Neji’s Death
Neji’s tragic demise occurred during the Fourth Great Ninja War, where he was fatally injured by debris thrown by the Ten-Tails while protecting Naruto. At that moment, Naruto was unable to tap into Kurama’s chakra because he had already exhausted his power limit while fighting Madara and Obito. Due to this limitation, Naruto was unable to save Neji, despite his deep emotional connection with him.
However, the situation became complicated with Boruto, where Himawari, Naruto’s daughter, displayed a remarkable ability to access Kurama’s chakra. According to Kurama himself, Himawari is more compatible with his chakra than Naruto, enabling her to perform feats that surpass what even Naruto could achieve. This raises questions about why this power wasn’t available during Neji’s time.
Criticism of Neji’s Death and Inojin’s Survival
Many fans feel that Neji’s death was rushed and lacked sufficient character development, especially considering that other significant characters like Jiraiya received more meaningful farewells. On the other hand, the survival of Inojin Yamanaka, a relatively less important character, after a grave injury thanks to Himawari’s powers, feels inconsistent with the narrative’s established rules.
While Himawari’s healing abilities are impressive, fans have criticized her role in the series. Some argue that if Himawari had been present during the war, she could have easily healed Neji, making his death seem avoidable and undermining the emotional impact of that event. This inconsistency raises doubts about the stakes in Boruto and whether significant losses, like Neji’s, truly matter in the larger narrative.
Narrative Consistency
The controversy about Himawari’s abilities highlights the challenge of maintaining a consistent narrative over a long-running series like Naruto. While the display of Himawari’s powers is awe-inspiring, it poses an issue with the logic of the story. If such abilities were available, why weren’t they used in pivotal moments of the original series?
This debate reflects broader concerns about the direction of the Boruto series, as fans question whether the plot is being driven by logic and emotional stakes or whether certain events are being manipulated to fit newer developments.
Conclusion
The contrasting treatment of Neji’s death and Inojin’s miraculous survival underscores ongoing debates about plot coherence and the handling of important character arcs. The healing abilities of Himawari, though impressive, continue to be a source of frustration for fans who feel that the narrative’s stakes are becoming too low, diminishing the emotional impact of the series.
