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Is Kawaki evil? This is one of the most debated questions in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. This article answers that.
Kawaki is a multilayered character, and the answer isn’t so cut and dry. He is a character who’s a product of trauma and a tumultuous childhood. While his actions may sometimes appear villainous, they come from his determination to protect Naruto at any cost.
Kawaki is not entirely a bad guy. Rather, he is a morally compromised anti-hero whose decisions question the very definition of right and wrong. His methods, though extreme, are often for what he believes to be the greater good. This makes it tricky to classify his character purely as good or evil. His willingness to cross moral lines, even against those he loves, deepens his character and intensifies the debate around his morality. This article talks about his reasons and standing.
Kawaki’s Troubled Past
To understand Kawaki’s actions, we first have to look at his upbringing. Jigen, the leader of Kara, turned the young boy into the perfect vessel for the god-like Isshiki Otsutsuki by subjecting him to horrific experiments. Not only did these experiments leave him with physical scars, but they also hardened him mentally. He learned to follow orders, endure pain, and rely on his strength to survive.
His entire life has been filled with suffering. Unlike Boruto, Kawaki never had a normal childhood, which affects his sense of right and wrong. Because of this, he sees the world as a place where his strength is all he relies on. Kawaki has an issue when it comes to trust, even after being freed from Kara. His time with Naruto and the Hidden Leaf introduced him to kindness and familial bonds.
But his instincts were hardwired towards self-preservation. He never fully cast off his hardened exterior, always ready to deploy force when needed. This is why his moral decisions often differ from those around him. His painful past affects how he sees the world, making him ready to make tough choices others might avoid. Even though he cares about Konoha, he still believes survival comes first, guiding everything he does.
His Bond with Naruto and Boruto
Kawaki enjoyed his life in Konoha as Naruto’s son. This new family, though, gave him a sense of purpose beyond his mere survival. For the first time, he felt that he was seen not as a weapon but as a person. However, his love for Naruto drove him to extreme actions to protect him.
Unlike Boruto, who believes in understanding and redemption, Kawaki sees things in black and white. He is prepared to go to extremes if it means protecting Naruto. Threats, to him, have to be vanquished, not negotiated with. This belief puts him at odds with Konoha’s ideals, leading to conflicts that question where his loyalty truly lies. His loyalty to Naruto is almost obsessive. While those tendencies come from a place of gratitude and love, they also lead him to be reckless and ready to sacrifice anything or anyone to keep Naruto safe. Even if that includes Boruto himself.
The Turning Point: His Decision to Kill Boruto
One of the most shocking things Kawaki does in Boruto is his targeted attempt to kill Boruto himself to prevent Momoshiki from being able to take control of him. Fans were divided by this decision. Was he being practical, or was this a precursor to him becoming a villain? In his twisted mind, killing off Boruto was the only solution to stop something worse from happening.
For him, this was not a betrayal of Boruto but an essential compromise. He understood that if Momoshiki fully took over, countless lives would be at risk. This moment illustrates Kawaki’s ends-justify-the-means mentality, even at the cost of someone he considers family.
His readiness to bear the brunt of incomprehensible decisions differentiates him from those around him and cements his place as an anti-hero rather than a villain. His inability to consider alternatives or trust in others’ abilities makes him a dangerous wildcard in the ongoing battle against the Otsutsuki threat.
Kawaki vs. Code and the Otsutsuki Threat
Kawaki’s ruthlessness extends beyond Boruto. When facing Code, the last remnant of Kara, Kawaki shows no hesitation in using lethal force. He is singularly focused on eradicating the Otsutsuki threat and preventing another catastrophe like Isshiki’s invasion. His actions against Code prove that his morality is shaped by necessity rather than compassion.
Unlike Naruto, who believes in redemption and second chances, Kawaki sees complete annihilation as the only solution. He does not entertain the possibility of Code reforming or being spared. This makes him efficient but also dangerously unforgiving. His philosophy aligns more with figures like Sasuke during his rogue years—willing to do what others cannot, regardless of the consequences.
In the Post-Boruto’s Return arc, when Amado told him to revive Akebi, his daughter, Kawaki refused. He believed that there was a possibility that she would return as an Otsutsuki, and that is not something he wants. Ultimately, he agreed to bring her back but only after his attack potency was at its peak. So that he could eliminate any potential Otsutsuki threat. This shows Kawaki’s dislike for the Otsutsuki and his willingness to do anything or not do something for their sake.
The Future Conflict: Kawaki vs. Konoha
This leads to the important flash-forward scene at the beginning of Boruto. In it, Kawaki faces Boruto and says he will send him where Naruto is, hinting at a terrible fate for the Seventh Hokage. This moment has fueled speculation about Kawaki’s potential fall into villainy.
But it’s likely his priorities haven’t changed for the sake of Naruto and the world itself. This will sometimes involve butting heads with former allies. His statement about the end of the shinobi era implies that something extreme has taken place that has necessitated him to work against Konoha’s forces.
Whether this makes him a villain or simply a man following his justice is yet to be determined. The unfolding events in Boruto will further reveal the depth of his convictions, and whether his actions will ultimately be justified in the grand scheme of things remains to be seen.
Kawaki’s Role as an Anti-Hero
Kawaki’s tale is about survival, power, and divided loyalties. He is neither a hero nor a villain. Kawaki is someone who, as a result of pain and out of necessity, became who he is. He values results over ideology and, therefore, acts unpredictably. By holding certain values, his actions would be seen by some to challenge the perception of morality.
He does what he believes needs to be done. This raises moral questions of whether some actions can be deemed barbaric to achieve peace. While Naruto and Boruto believe in traditional heroism, Kawaki’s approach is far more pragmatic. He does not seek validation or ask for permission from others. This creates tension between him and others, but it also makes him one of the most fascinating characters in the series.
His unwillingness to back down from his beliefs makes him both a potential savior and a potential danger to the people he wants to protect. His methods may be extreme, and they leave those around him wondering if he is good or if he is just going to be the next big villain.
Conclusion
Kawaki’s not evil. He’s just driven by a ruthlessly uncompromising moral framework that puts results over ideals. Instead of a villain, he’s an anti-hero, a character willing to do what it takes for the greater good. As the story advances, it will become clearer what side of the coin he is on, whether as a protector or an antagonist.
Either way, Kawaki is still one of the most interesting and unpredictable characters in the series! His story has only begun, and whether he turns into a hero or villain ultimately depends on how far he will go for the people he loves. His presence in Boruto, as it has been throughout most of Naruto, will remain one of the forces that drive some of the most important events of the series.
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