Warning: SPOILERS for episode #291 of Boruto: Naruto Next GenerationsThe Boruto anime’s newest villain, Code, reveals the secret of the power of Karma, and it turns out that this is based on the same principle as Naruto‘s trademark technique, the Shadow Clone Technique.
In episode #291 of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Code, the last remaining member of Kara’s Inner Circle and the current main villain of the story, is facing Boruto and Kawaki in battle. Despite having his true power currently sealed, Code proves to be much stronger than his opponents, and he proceeds to explain the secret of Karma, the genetic memory of the members of the Otsutsuki clan, which can be implanted in a “host”. Through Karma, the host can access not only the techniques and powers of the Otsutsuki but also the memories and experiences of their countless battles, acquired over their centuries of existence.
Boruto‘s Karma Is Based On A Similar Concept As The Shadow Clone Technique
This concept is very similar to a “trick” that let Naruto abuse his Shadow Clone Technique. Kage Bunshin no Jutsu allows the users to create a series of duplicates of themselves, who possess a fraction of their chakra and can act independently. Initially, Naruto used this technique for misdirection or to overwhelm his opponents with sheer numbers. However, when trying to master nature transformation, Naruto learned from Kakashi that shadow clones can also be used to accelerate training periods. When a clone disperses, his experience will be absorbed by the original, meaning that if the clones train, the result of their training will then be acquired by the user of the technique.
Naruto is the only one who can use shadow clones in this way, due to his absurd amount of chakra, and he was able to take advantage of this trick very effectively, becoming stronger in a short amount of time. In some ways, the Otsutsuki’s Karma is obviously superior to this, because it simply transfers all experience and abilities to someone else, without the need for actual training. However, Karma users still have to learn how to “draw out” this experience, which explains the gap in power between Code and Boruto/Kawaki. The user of Kage Bunshin, instead, will instantly acquire all the information and experience gained by his clones, which however comes with great mental and physical fatigue.
Karma Highlights Boruto‘s Main Issues
While Karma and the Shadow Clone trick are based on a similar principle, their differences also highlight the gap between Naruto and Boruto. Naruto had to actually train to use his shadow clones in this way, it required a complex setup and the strain was so much that this could not be repeated often. Karma, on the other hand, is simply handed over, and it is used to offhandedly explain why Code is so strong, without any setup or background. While the Shadow Clone Technique instantly became one of the most recognizable features in Naruto, Karma is an example of everything that Boruto did not do quite right.
All the episodes of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations are streaming on Crunchyroll.
