8 Boruto Characters Who Have Been Sidelined in the Manga Like Chocho

Boruto characters who have been sidelined in the manga like Chocho show how promising shinobis lost prominence in the main storyline.

Boruto Characters Who Have Been Sidelined in the Manga Like Chocho
Boruto Characters Who Have Been Sidelined in the Manga Like Chocho (Source: Studio Pierrot)

In Boruto’s universe, some characters who initially showed tremendous promise have gradually faded into the background. While the manga focuses intensely on Boruto’s journey and the new threat of Jura, many characters have been pushed to the sidelines. Just like Chocho, whose screen time has diminished despite her unique personality and abilities, several other characters have met a similar fate.

Let’s learn about eight Boruto characters who have been sidelined in the manga, also examining their potential and what could have been.

8. Denki Kaminarimon

Denki who mostly combines jutsu with scientific ninja tools
Denki who mostly combines jutsu with scientific ninja tools (Source: Studio Pierrot)

The tech-savvy ninja who brought a fresh perspective to the Boruto series has unfortunately become one of the many sidelined characters in the story. Despite being positioned as the bridge between the ninja world and modern technology, Denki’s role has diminished significantly. His unique approach to combining scientific ninja tools with traditional jutsu offered an intriguing glimpse into the future of shinobi warfare. 

As the heir to the Kaminarimon Company, Denki’s character had the potential to explore the modernization of the ninja world. But the manga has largely overlooked this fascinating angle. He occasionally appears in the anime’s filler arcs, but his presence in the manga has become nearly non-existent. It leaves unexplored the interesting dynamic between traditional ninja arts and technological advancement.

7. Sumire Kakei

Sumeri one of the Boruto characters who have been sidelined
Sumire (Source: Studio Pierrot)

Once a central figure in Boruto‘s early arcs, Sumire has become another of the sidelined characters in the manga. Despite her complex backstory as the former class rep turned Scientific Ninja Tools researcher, her character development has stalled. Her unique connection to Nue and her scientific expertise positioned her as a potentially crucial character in the evolving ninja world. 

While the anime explores her relationships and growth more thoroughly, the manga has relegated her to occasional appearances in the background of Scientific Ninja Tools Division scenes. This is particularly disappointing considering her potential role in bridging the gap between traditional ninja techniques and scientific advancement. This is much like her mentor, Katasuke Tono.

6. Shikadai Nara

Shikadai Nara as seen in the series
Shikadai Nara as seen in the series (Source: Studio Pierrot)

Following in his father Shikamaru’s footsteps, Shikadai showed early promise as a tactical genius and loyal friend in Boruto. However, like many others, he has become one of the sidelined characters in the manga’s later arcs. Despite inheriting the legendary Shadow Possession Jutsu and displaying remarkable strategic abilities, his appearances have become increasingly rare. 

The manga has missed opportunities to showcase his growth as a leader and strategist, particularly in crucial moments where his tactical mind could have been invaluable. He maintains a more prominent presence in the anime. But manga readers have been deprived of seeing Shikadai’s development as a worthy successor of the Nara clan’s legacy.

5. Iwabe Yuino

Iwabe as seen during the Chunin exam
Fighting pose of Iwabe as seen during the Chunin exam (Source: Studio Pierrot)

Iwabe’s journey from a hot-headed rebel to a dedicated shinobi has been largely overlooked in the Boruto manga. It thus makes him another of the significantly sidelined characters. His unique Earth-style jutsu and ninja weaponry expertise offered a contrasting perspective to the series’ technological advancement theme. 

Despite being older than his peers and having a compelling backstory about struggling with the academic aspects of ninja training, the manga has failed to develop his character further. His strong beliefs in traditional shinobi ways and initial rivalry with Boruto could have provided interesting commentary on the changing ninja world. But these aspects remain unexplored in the main storyline.

4. Tsubaki Kurogane

Tsubuki as seen in the series
Tsubaki as seen in the series (Source: Studio Pierrot)

The samurai exchange student from the Land of Iron represents one of the most unique additions to the Boruto cast. Yet she has become another of the sidelined characters in the manga. Her presence offered a rare glimpse into the samurai culture and its relationship with the ninja world, but this potential remains largely untapped. 

Tsubaki’s journey of adapting to ninja ways while maintaining her samurai heritage could have provided fascinating cultural insights. While the anime develops her character through various missions and personal challenges, the manga has barely acknowledged her existence, missing opportunities to explore the rich dynamics between samurai and ninja traditions in the modern era.

3. Shinki

Shinki adopted son oof Gaara
Shinki, the adopted son of Gaara (Source: Studio Pierrot)

As Gaara’s adopted son and the most promising ninja of his generation in Sunagakure, Shinki’s sidelining in the Boruto manga is particularly noticeable. His Iron Sand techniques and stern personality made him a compelling character during the Chunin Exams. But he has since joined the roster of sidelined characters. 

The manga could have explored his relationship with Gaara. His role in maintaining peace between villages, and his development as a future leader of the Sand Village. Instead, his appearances have become rare. It leaves unexplored the potential of this powerful young shinobi who carries the legacy of both Gaara and the Third Kazekage’s Iron Sand techniques.

2. Mitsuki

Mitsuki as seen during the Chunin exam
Mitsuki as seen during the Chunin exam (Source: Studio Pierrot)

Despite being a member of Team 7 and Orochimaru’s synthetic son, even Mitsuki has not escaped being one of the sidelined characters in the Boruto manga. He initially played a significant role with his mysterious origins and unique abilities. However, his character development has stalled in recent arcs. 

His sage mode, which showed immense potential, remains largely unexplored, and his unwavering devotion to Boruto lacks deeper examination. The manga has missed opportunities to delve into his struggle with identity, his relationship with Orochimaru, and his journey to understand human connections. It makes his sidelining particularly disappointing for a character with such rich potential.

1. Sarada Uchiha

Sarada Uchiha is one of the Boruto characters who have been sidelined
Sarada Uchiha (Source: Studio Pierrot)

Perhaps the most shocking entry among sidelined characters in the Boruto manga is Sarada Uchiha herself. As the daughter of Sasuke and Sakura, and a character who openly aspires to become Hokage, her reduced role in recent arcs is particularly noticeable. Despite possessing the Sharingan and showing promising development as a leader, the manga has increasingly pushed her to the background. 

Her dream of becoming Hokage, her relationship with her father, and her potential to evolve the Sharingan have all taken a backseat to other plot elements. This sidelining of a character who represents the future of the Uchiha clan and could potentially be the first Uchiha Hokage represents a significant missed opportunity in the story.

Conclusion

The sidelining of these characters in the Boruto manga represents missed opportunities for rich character development and diverse storytelling. While some find more screen time in anime-original arcs, their reduced roles in the manga’s main storyline leave many compelling narratives unexplored.

Fans can only hope that these characters will eventually return to prominence, bringing their unique perspectives and abilities back to the forefront of the story.


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