Boruto: Two Blue Vortex has improved itself in many ways compared to part 1 of the series, narrowing its focus and giving more prominence once again to the new generation of Konoha’s shinobi, but it’s still unable to shake its longest-standing flaw. This issue was present in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, and arguably even more so in Naruto: the series doesn’t commit to killing off its characters.

Releasing the first chapter of its new series in 2023, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex skips four years ahead in the Naruto universe, with its young shinobi having matured significantly, developing deadly new talents. This includes the eponymous protagonist who has gone into hiding while training under Sasuke, but also pertains to a new Hokage taking over for Naruto, Team 10 growing their abilities, and Himawari’s training.

However, with deadly foes like the living God Trees, death seems like a distinct possibility, yet it doesn’t seem to be permanent for potentially anybody in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex.

Nobody Stays Dead in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex

An Issue Plaguing Comic Books Worldwide

Death is conveniently avoided plenty of times by the characters of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, with the latest lucky beneficiaries of this being Inojin Yamanaka and, surprisingly, Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox. Inojin’s apparent death is especially indicative of the series’ flaws, not committing to killing off a character, instead turning it into an “Only a Flesh Wound” trope thanks to Himawari’s Kurama-powered healing intervention. This is not to say there aren’t significant deaths in Boruto‘s prequel series, but plot armor begins to show itself as a flaw that determines who stays dead.

This is not to say death is nonexistent in Boruto. After all, Ohnoki, Kagura Karatachi, Ao, Deepa, and numerous Otsutsuki clan members are still stubbornly deceased. However, of these, only Kagura is somewhat shocking, with the rest either being antagonists or in Ohnoki’s case, being the grim price of being an aging Kage whose death ushers in a new, younger leader, much like Hiruzen Sarutobi in Naruto. Death is a real phenomenon in Boruto, but even its titular character’s encounter with it is quickly reversed, hinting that many Konoha residents are seemingly given plot armor to protect themselves against it.

Inojin’s Death Would Have Been a Bold Choice for Boruto

Killing a Supporting Character Less Than a Year in Would Create Tension

Inojin Yamanaka’s apparent death would have been a shocking loss in the series, coming less than a year and only eleven chapters since the series debut in August 2023. While the Yamanaka clan’s male members have not had the greatest luck in the past, with Inoichi meeting a gristly fate in Naruto, this early demise would properly sell fans on how threatened Konoha truly is even after four years of preparation. The Ino-Shika-Cho formation would be devastated, and a long-time major asset of Konoha would have been lost, creating tension for future Boruto chapters.

After all, Inojin’s apparent death in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter #10 would make perfect sense, being brutally impaled by Jura with not nearly as much room for survival as Sasuke in Naruto’s Land of Waves Arc. It would still serve as a catalyst for Himawari’s Kurama-empowered outburst, yet it instead serves almost like a parallel to her father’s awakening as a jinchuriki. But on the other hand, a major death this early in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex could simply be a case of rushing things, and now readers know it’s possible as long as there’s no Uzumaki healing intervention.

Kurama Not Staying Dead Is Interesting in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex

Reversing the Kyubi’s Death Allows for New Interpretations of His Character

Kurama coming back in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapters #10 and #11, while surprising, allows for more stories to be told about him after his original demise as a consequence of Naruto’s Baryon Mode. His death is brushed aside as death not being eternal for a Biju, which means the other Tailed Beasts stand to benefit from this as well. While Naruto’s fate is still ambiguous in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, if he is freed from his imprisonment, an emotional reunion with Kurama through his daughter would be a sight to behold.

Additionally, Himawari being the new jinchuriki for Kurama is a great choice, taking some of the prominence off Boruto and making Kurama’s death reversal a more interesting decision. Combining her lengthy training and awakened Byakugan eyes with the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox is an incredible premise, as it means she’s awakening her potential to be a strong female supporting character alongside Sarada Uchiha and numerous others.

While Boruto: Two Blue Vortex refuses to commit to death, Kurama’s rebirth as a consequence introduces enticing potential to the series.