An episode of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations where Sasuke fights a dinosaur leaves Naruto fans shocked, amazed, and in some cases, angry.
After the episode aired, Twitter exploded with fan reactions to it. Many poked fun at the strange scenario, including Pedro Vermelhudo (or @S1NE4T3R), who joked that the episode was “clearly” a reference to the fighting game Tekken 2, which features a reptilian fighter with blue boxing gloves. Twitter user @Gojira199215 reacted in a similar vein, joking that Sasuke was actually fighting Blue, the iconic raptor from the Jurassic World movie franchise. While many posts convey lighthearted bemusement, other fans reacted more hostilely to the episode, arguing that it is nonsensical and only exists so more people will tune into Boruto.
Naruto Fan Reactions
Notably, the aforementioned episode does not adapt a scenario from the Boruto manga. It is actually part of a story arc from the light novel Naruto: Sasuke’s Story – The Uchiha and The Heavenly Stardust. Written by Jun Esaka and Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto, this novel has Sasuke held as a prisoner within an Astronomy Research Institute, home to a dinosaur guard named Menou. In Boruto Episode 282, Sasuke goes head-to-head with Menou. While many fans, including Twitter user @AnimeAjay, acknowledge this is a legitimate scenario from the light novel, the Twitter user @doctordangdarn, disregarded that, arguing that the main reason Naruto didn’t have dinosaurs in it was due to quality control from Kishimoto.
Similar posts bely a cynical, dismissive attitude towards Boruto that exists in a portion of the Naruto fanbase. However, many Naruto fans did stand up in defense of the episode. @AnimeAjay, for instance, pointed out that the presence of a dinosaur was merely a “funny deviation” from Naruto’s standard lineup of creatures based on Eastern mythology. Twitter user @VanshPa16647521 also made a meme image poking fun at the fact that some fans are willing to accept outlandish scenarios in Naruto but not Boruto, suggesting a double standard in how fans judge the two series.
Boruto, Naruto’s son, was first introduced to the franchise with the film, Boruto: Naruto the Movie, which debuted on Oct. 10, 2015. This movie directed by Hiroyuki Yamashita revolves around Boruto’s complicated feelings towards his father, whom he desperately wants to surpass in strength. To achieve this, Boruto takes an apprenticeship with Naruto’s famous friend and rival, Sasuke Uchiha. The film’s sequel manga, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, launched in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine on May 6, 2016. Pierrot’s anime series adaptation premiered on April 5, 2017.
Naruto, Naruto Shippuden and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations are available to stream on Hulu.
Source: Twitter
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