Boruto: Naruto Next Generations was believed to be one of the big things in the anime world. The manga was good enough, but the anime was not up to the mark. But gradually, it improved, and more people are turning to it. The Naruto fandom has people from both the old Gen and the new Gen.
The Old Gen fans loved Masashi Kishimoto’s character designs. But recently, the New Gen Naruto fans are claiming that Boruto illustrator Mikio Ikemoto has surpassed Kishimoto sensei in terms of character design. This has caused several people to react. Some reacted in for, while most reacted against it.
Fans React to Claims of Mikio Ikemoto Surpassing Masashi Kishimoto
The battle between new Gen fans and old Gen fans is not a new thing. It is been there for a long time. But when questioned, the old Gen Naruto fans feel that equipment nowadays is much more advanced compared to the old days. But still, Masashi Kishimoto did magic with his character designs.
Do you think Ikemoto has surpassed Kishimoto in terms of character design?#NARUTO #BORUTO pic.twitter.com/U5EjohQi0H
— Ghost | CR : One Piece (@OptimusCrimeeee) August 17, 2023
Everyone remembers Sasori’s design. He never changed because he made himself a puppet. Everything was done so gracefully. They also feel that Mikio Ikemoto was not good at first, but he improved gradually with time. Moreover, at the beginning of Boruto, most of them were Masashi Kishimoto’s character designs, which created the pathway for Mikio Ikemoto.
— sah_wkawaki🇬🇫 (@nonossgg) August 17, 2023
On the other hand, the new Gen fans feel that the old Gen lacked the spark. Mikio Ikemoto brought that spark to Boruto. Momoshiki, Jigen, Ao, Isshiki, etc., had great character designs.
According to some fans, Masashi Kishimoto made normal character designs, while Ikemoto made every character design amazing.
The Battle of the Gens
Even though the new Gen go for Ikemoto and the old Gen go for Kishimoto, few would do the opposite. Masashi Kishimoto single-handedly created the whole Naruto world. Sage of Six Paths, Naruto, Ten Tails Obito, Pain Gedo Statue, etc., is yet to be matched by Mikio Ikemoto.
Long time ago I’d say
— Konfal👁️🗨️ (@Konfal05) August 17, 2023
Also Read: Boruto Chapter 81: 6 Shinobi Who Would’ve Been a Better 8th Hokage after Naruto Than Shikamaru
The opposite old Gens feel that Mikio Ikemoto’s gradual improvement has made him better than Kishimoto. The opposite new Gens said that Obito’s mask changes resemble his power level rise, which is an astonishing fact.
Not yet. Character designs are meant to match the character. Boruto does this well, but Naruto does this perfectly. Ex. how Obito’s masks matches every phase of power Obito had. Or how Sasori made himself permanently young because that’s the last time he saw his parents pic.twitter.com/haR4jzi5jJ
— DannyM (@CertifiedDannyM) August 17, 2023
Both generation have their counterpoints. But from the mass point of view, Kishimoto is still considered better than Mikio Ikemoto in character design. With Kishimoto’s help, Mikio Ikemoto has been building a great story and beautiful character designs to accompany it.
I think yes, but Kishimoto’s designs are also goated pic.twitter.com/zzIfkmyvSB
— Seventh Hokage (@we_boruto) August 17, 2023
Masashi Kishimoto will rule the heart of the Naruto fans, but Mikio Ikemoto is slowly and steadily creating his place.
Source: FanVerse
