The development Boruto undergoes as a character is rather good, helping him get over a lot of his earlier flaws without making him perfect. He arguably develops faster than his father did during the first part of Naruto, but both of them suffer heavily from moments where they act their age.
Given everything that happens in both series, it’s easy to forget just how young Boruto is. He’s not even close to being on the cusp of adulthood, and it shows with some of his immaturity.
10 He Fell Into The Depths Of Despair Because He Didn’t Have The Byakugan
When Boruto’s Jogan activated, he instantly thought his Byakugan had awakened, and given his heritage, it wasn’t a wrong assumption to make. Feeling proud that he’d gotten stronger, he bragged to his family, leading them to explain that wasn’t possible.
The answer was echoed by Hiashi as well, leading to him having to spar with Hanabi to prove he’d activated the dojutsu. After the spar proved his parents right, Boruto was instantly despondent and down in the dumps.
9 He Vandalized The Hokage Statue Just So He Could Get To Spend Time With His Father
Part of the blame has to fall on Naruto here as Boruto wouldn’t have to take such extreme and childish measures if his dad would just pay proper attention to him.
That said, Boruto’s actions were that of a kid, feeling that all attention is good, even if it’s the negative kind. His ploy to get Naruto to help him clean up the defaced Hokage Rock together even backfired, earning him nothing more than a quick lecture before Naruto departed.
8 Being Angry At Naruto For Leaving, which allowed Sarada Time With His Dad
Most of Boruto’s anger at Naruto is justified, but in this case, he was way off base. He had no reason to be angry at his dad for leaving for a mission before he got there to see him off.
If the Hokage himself is leaving to do something, it’s important, and in this case, it was dealing with Shin. Rather than chasing after him as Mitsuki suggested, he gave the lunch to Sarada and pouted. That decision allowed Sarada to spend the time with his dad that easily could have been his.
7 He Forgot To Get Himawari’s Gift In Kirigakure, Upsetting Her
When Boruto went on his school trip to Kirigakure, he promised to bring back his little sister Himawari something. Given what happened while there, Boruto can be cut some slack.
He did help stop an insurrection from the new Seven Swordsman of the Mist, alongside Mitsuki and Chojuro. It doesn’t fully excuse his actions as he easily could have gotten her something when he first arrived, and she had every right to be upset, especially when he initially lied about it.
6 Having No Goals Beyond Being Better Than His Father Led To Kakashi Calling Out His Lack Of Resolve
When the graduations came around, Boruto was forced to realize how little he cared about being a ninja. While being interviewed by Kakashi in disguise, he saw the only reason he joined the academy was to prove that he was stronger than his father.
This lack of focus was further berated when all of the academy students were given the bell test, telling Boruto that he made all of his friends weaker due to his laziness and lack of drive. It started a good development for Boruto, but not without taking a hit to his ego.
5 His Ego Continually Led Him To Lose Sight Of The Importance Of Teamwork
Arrogance is something that Boruto, unfortunately, suffers from all the time. It happens early in the series when he thinks he’s becoming a great hero because of his Jogan. It rears its head after graduation as well as he starts to brag about doing things on his own and not needing a team, ignoring everything Kakashi tried to teach him.
The attitude caught another lecture from Naruto, one that led to him blowing up at his father yet again, further fracturing what little relationship they had at the time.
4 His Desire To Prove His Strength Led Him To Use Kote & Getting Himself Disqualified From The Chunin Exams
One of the worst acts of Boruto’s childish nature was the fact he chose to wear the Kote during the Chunin Exams. He cheated so many kids out of the opportunities they worked hard to achieve, including his best friend Shikidai.
That total disregard of others is something that makes Boruto completely unlikable at times and why Naruto was right to call him out in front of everyone. He was a disappointment to more than just his dad that day.
3 Trying To Attack Momoshiki With His Kote After The Otsutsuki’s Arrival
It’s hard to blame Boruto for this fully as attacking an intruder tends to be most folk’s first reaction to an intruder, that or running away. The problem is he didn’t even stop to assess the situation and just rushed forward, launching an assault that all got absorbed by the Otsutsuki member.
It forced Naruto to intervene to protect his child, Sasuke soon arriving to do the same. Boruto was too young to realize the power gap and too impatient to strategize.
2 Lying To His Parents To Join Sasuke In Land Of Wind Put Him In Urashiki’s Sights
Even as he developed character-wise, Boruto continued to have moments where he was a petulant child, and a prime example of that was lying to his family so he could follow after Sasuke.
He grabbed a train to the Land of Wind and caught Sasuke and Gaara battling Urashiki, bringing him into a conflict he never should have been involved in. Worse than that, he blew off his family.
1 Abandoning His First B-Rank Mission Nearly Led To Shojoji Eating Him
When Boruto discovered his new friend Tento had been kidnapped by the Mujina Bandits, he decided to handle the situation himself, having Sarada cover for him. The fact Boruto wanted to save his friend is rather noble, but running in half-cocked and without a plan wasn’t so much.
Once he came toe to toe with the boss, Shojoji, he was put in his place rather quickly and nearly ended up as the bandit’s next meal. Thankfully, Boruto’s teammates arrived to save him.