Boruto: Naruto Next Generations 1×139 Review – ‘The Terror! Enko Onikuma’

The Terror Boruto anime 139 review
Team 40 in ‘The Terror! Enko Onikuma’ (Image: Screengrab)

I have to say I enjoyed ‘The Terror! Enko Onikuma’ even though it was a filler episode. I wouldn’t mind seeing members of Team 40 have a bigger role as the Boruto anime continues.

Trying to flesh out background characters 139 episodes later makes no sense to me. Considering how interesting I found Team 40, I wish we had gotten to know about them sooner. The fact that Enko felt lonely because other people feared her made me remember how Naruto was treated in the village because of being a Jinchuriki.

Just imagine how much better Enko’s narrative arc would have been if an adult Naruto had talked to her and shared his childhood experience. But nopes, the writers had other plans and they rushed Enko and her team’s character development by jamming it all in a single episode.

‘The Terror! Enko Onikuma’ shared a lot of interesting narrative potential that could have been explored, but again, it kind of all went to waste because of the plot’s rushed nature.

What are the limits of Enko’s secret family jutsu? How did her teammates feel when they first saw her lose control? Who helped design the sedative to knock Enko out? I had so many questions while I watched the episode. If only the writers had decided to give us a two or three-episode arc.

Having Team 40 do more in the previous episodes (even if just in the background) would have helped the current plot come across as more impactful.

Boruto anime episode 139 review
Enko trying to regain control in ‘The Terror! Enko Onikuma’ (Image: Screengrab)

I think one of the reasons Team 40 took so long to enter the spotlight had to do with there being way too many supporting and background characters in the Boruto anime. In Naruto, we got attached to characters like Shikamaru, Neji, Hinata, etc., because there weren’t a lot of young ninjas running around.

However, the Boruto anime has a lot of Genin teams. Like, I’m a fan of Team 25, but do we really need those ninja kids?

Anyway, it was nice to see Ibiki again. I don’t know why he would be assigned to take Enko under his wing, though. Can her powers really be used during interrogation sessions?

Seeing Enko’s teammates (Doshu Goetsu and Tsuru Itoi) doing their best to support her was nice. They just had to stand next to Enko and not make her feel lonely. Again, Enko’s predicament reminded me of child Naruto and what he had to face while living with the nine-tailed beast inside of him.

I also liked their special powers. With Tsuru’s hair jutsu, Doshu’s sealing rings, and Enko’s beast-like ability, Team 40 can be an effective defensive as well as an offensive asset on the battlefield.

As for what Boruto and his team were up to this week, ‘The Terror! Enko Onikuma’ had scenes where Team 7 tried to help Team 40. Salad turning to psychology books to find an answer to aid with beating fear was in character for her. I laughed when it was revealed she’s not a fan of horror films.

If only the entire thing wasn’t rushed, the current plot would have been far more enjoyable.

What did you think of this week’s episode? Let us know.

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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