You’d think the answer to who is the main character in Boruto would be obvious. It’s right there in the title of the show, isn't it? For years, we followed Naruto Uzumaki’s journey from a social outcast to the Hokage, and when the sequel series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations launched, the baton seemed to pass directly to his son.
But things have changed.
If you’ve been keeping up with the manga, specifically the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex era, you know that the "main character" status is currently a point of massive debate among fans. Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto have pulled a narrative rug out from under us that makes the identity of the protagonist feel more like a shifting target than a fixed point. It’s Boruto Uzumaki, sure, but it’s also someone who has quite literally stolen his life.
The Face on the Poster: Boruto Uzumaki
Let's start with the basics. Boruto Uzumaki is the primary protagonist. He was introduced as the rebellious, tech-savvy, and somewhat entitled son of the Seventh Hokage. Unlike Naruto, who had nothing and wanted everything, Boruto had everything and felt burdened by it.
That friction defined the early arcs.
He didn't want to be Hokage. Honestly, he kind of hated the office because it took his dad away from the dinner table. This subversion of the "shonen trope" was intentional. Instead of following his father's footsteps, Boruto chose the path of the "Shadow Hokage," modeling himself after Sasuke Uchiha. He’s a prodigy. While Naruto struggled to mold chakra, Boruto was subconsciously adding lightning nature to his Rasengan before he even knew what he was doing.
But being the main character in a Kishimoto story usually involves a descent into tragedy. For Boruto, that tragedy is the Karma mark. This seal, placed on him by Momoshiki Otsutsuki, turned him from a hero-in-training into a ticking time bomb. It changed the stakes from "will he become a great ninja?" to "will he even exist in a year?"
Why the "Protagonist" Label is Getting Messy
Then came Eida.
If you haven't reached the "Omnipotence" arc, brace yourself. Eida, a cyborg with god-like powers, accidentally rewrote the memories of the entire world. In an instant, the roles were swapped. Kawaki—the foster son of Naruto—became the "true" son of the Hokage in the eyes of everyone in Konoha. Meanwhile, Boruto was rebranded as the outsider, the traitor, and the "killer" of Naruto.
So, who is the main character in Boruto when the world thinks the main character is the villain?
This is where the storytelling gets brilliant. For a significant portion of the narrative, Boruto is living the life of a rogue ninja, hunted by his own friends. He is the protagonist of the story, but Kawaki has usurped the role of the protagonist within the world. It’s a meta-commentary on identity that we rarely see in battle manga.
Kawaki: The Rival Who Stole the Show
You can’t talk about the lead role without talking about Kawaki. He isn't just a secondary character; he is the foil that defines Boruto’s entire existence. Introduced in the Vessel Arc, Kawaki’s trauma and his obsessive bond with Naruto Uzumaki have made him one of the most complex figures in the franchise.
Some fans argue that Kawaki is actually the driving force of the plot.
Think about it. Almost every major decision in the latter half of the first series was sparked by Kawaki’s fear of losing Naruto. His desire to protect the Seventh Hokage is so extreme that he’s willing to kill Boruto to stop Momoshiki's resurrection. He’s willing to imprison Naruto in a timeless dimension "for his own safety."
He’s a protagonist driven by love, but that love has turned into a terrifying obsession. When the Omnipotence happened, Kawaki didn't just take Boruto's place; he took his name. In the eyes of Sarada and Sumire (who are mysteriously immune to the memory wipe), Boruto is still the hero. But to Shikamaru, Mitsuki, and the rest of the village, Kawaki is the Uzumaki they need to protect.
The Two Blue Vortex Shift
Since the timeskip into Two Blue Vortex, the identity of the main character has solidified back onto Boruto, but in a much darker way. He’s no longer the kid wearing a clean tracksuit. He’s older, scarred, and carries Sasuke’s sword.
He’s become a "true" shinobi in the most traditional, self-sacrificing sense.
The focus has shifted from "can Boruto get his dad to notice him?" to "can Boruto save a world that hates him?" This shift has elevated the series. It’s no longer just a sequel; it’s a high-stakes survival story. Boruto’s mastery over his powers—including the devastating Uzuhiko Rasengan—shows that he has surpassed the "student" phase. He is the undisputed powerhouse of the series now, even if he has to operate from the shadows.
What about Naruto?
Is Naruto still the main character? In short: no.
The writers made a very deliberate choice to sideline Naruto and Sasuke. By sealing Naruto away in the Daikokuten dimension, the story forced the younger generation to stand on their own. Naruto is the motivation for the characters, but he is no longer the agent of the plot.
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This was a risky move. Naruto is one of the most beloved characters in fiction. Taking him off the board for years is a bold play that tells the audience: "Stop looking at the past."
Key Players Influencing the Narrative
While Boruto holds the title, the "main character" energy is often shared. The narrative structure of the series relies on a small circle of elite players:
- Sarada Uchiha: She is the emotional anchor. As the only one (alongside Sumire) who remembers the truth, she carries the burden of being Boruto's only ally in the village. Her goal of becoming Hokage is the only thing keeping the old "Will of Fire" alive while the village hunts its true hero.
- Mitsuki: His "sun and moon" dynamic with Boruto was flipped. Now, he views Kawaki as his "sun," leading to a heartbreaking confrontation where he tries to kill his actual best friend.
- Code: As the remaining antagonist from the Kara organization, Code provides the external pressure that keeps the plot moving forward, though he often feels like a punching bag for the more powerful leads.
The Reality of the "Main Character" Question
So, when you ask who is the main character in Boruto, you're really looking at a duality.
Boruto Uzumaki is the hero we follow. He is the one whose growth, pain, and eventual triumph the story is built upon. But Kawaki is the character who dictates the reality of the world they live in. The tension between the "rightful" protagonist and the "imposter" protagonist is exactly what makes the series worth reading right now.
The series has moved past the "bratty kid" phase. It has evolved into a story about what it means to be a hero when no one is cheering for you. It’s about the sacrifice of identity.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the shifting roles in the series, here is how to navigate the current lore:
- Read the Manga over the Anime: The Boruto anime has a lot of "anime-original" content (often called filler) that can dilute the main plot. To see the true progression of Boruto as a protagonist, the Two Blue Vortex manga is where the real meat of the story is.
- Watch the "Omnipotence" Arc Carefully: Pay attention to the specific wording Eida uses. The "main character" swap wasn't a physical body swap; it was a conceptual rewrite. Boruto still has his powers and his DNA, but his social existence was deleted.
- Follow the Symbolism: Look at the clothes. Boruto wearing Sasuke’s cloak and carrying his sword isn't just cool—it signifies that he has inherited the role of the "Supporting Kage" while being stripped of his home, much like Sasuke was.
- Monitor the Release Schedule: Two Blue Vortex chapters drop monthly. Because it's a monthly series, the plot moves slower but with more weight per chapter. Keep an eye on V-Jump or the Shonen Jump app for updates.
The story isn't over yet, and with the stakes this high, the title of "main character" might still have one more twist left before the end.