Boruto: Naruto Next Generations 1×190 Review – “Escape”

I was wondering about how the anime writers will offer non-manga content once Kawaki’s introduced. If the upcoming coming episodes are similar to ‘Escape’, I’m excited about what the anime has planned when it comes to Kawaki getting to interact with Boruto and the rest.

‘Escape’ opened with Konohamaru giving his mission report to Naruto, Sai, and Shikamaru. Even though Konohamaru’s team lost Mugino, they didn’t have time to properly mourn his death. I liked Sai mentioning they had to make sure Mugino’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain by learning more about the Kara organization and bringing them down.

As for Konohamaru’s fight with Kashin Koji, even though Naruto, Shikamaru, and Sai were surprised to hear about Kashin Koji being capable of using the Rasengan, they chalked it up to him likely using a Scientific Ninja Tool to initiate such an attack.

Their current priority was to decide how to handle Kawaki. Naruto, being the type of character he is, wanted to bring Kawaki to the Hidden Leaf Village. However, Shikamaru was quick to state they can’t trust Kawaki even if he’s still a kid. Due to the ninja-centric world that our characters live in, kids can be incredibly dangerous. Sometimes Naruto’s too kind for his own good. With Naruto and Sai heading to the research institute in Ryutan City, I’m looking forward to Naruto getting to meet Kawaki.

Coming to Kawaki, he’s being kept in a cell for monitoring folk undergoing scientific ninja tool research. Apparently, even though he possesses impressive regenerative abilities, he’s still not strong enough to force his way out the cell. In Kawaki’s mind, Boruto and his group could be working for the Kara organization. Due to his traumatic childhood, I understood why Kawaki didn’t trust anyone and wanted to run as far away as possible from the research facility in case Jigen or some other Kara member showed up.

On the other hand, Boruto wanted Kawaki to trust them. And, understandably, he got annoyed when Kawaki kicked away the tray of food Sumire brought into the cell. Boruto, in my opinion, has always been sensitive toward Sumire. To Boruto and his classmates, she will always be their Class Rep. Add to that what Boruto knows about Sumire’s background involving being forced by her father to become a weapon for destroying the Hidden Leaf Village, Boruto doesn’t like anyone making Sumire sad.

The only thing I didn’t like about ‘Escape’ was how “plot convenience” was used to help Kawaki escape from his cell. Katasuke and his team not thinking of adding small toilets inside cells made no sense. Aren’t these people supposed to be geniuses?

Having said that, I liked seeing Kawaki observing his surroundings and coming up with his plan to use a flash grenade on Boruto and Mitsuki to enter the air vent system. Kawaki’s strategy led him to encounter Sumire at the staircase. I don’t know about you, but I’m here for the writers exploring the connection between them. Both kids were abused by their fathers (adoptive father in Kawaki’s case) as weapons. Darkness and trauma are present inside both of them. In a sense, Sumire is a character who can understand what Kawaki’s going through at a deeper level.

With Kawaki being successful at running away from the facility, I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen next, especially with Naruto about to arrive at the location.

Also, shoutout to Nue for the way he defended Sumire. I wonder if Nue will be able to absorb Kawaki’s scientific ninja tool-enhanced chakra once Kawaki recovers a bit more.

Anyway, feel free to share your thoughts with us.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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