Summary
TheBorutoseries has expanded on several ofNaruto’siconic elements, all in a bid to ensure the new Team 7 undergoes similarexperiences as its predecessor. Naturally, a tournament arc in the form of the Chunin Exams was the next step for the new generation, yet the events that followed suit have merely tainted the nature of the exams.
With thrilling battles and despair-ridden situations,the original Chunin ExamsinNarutowere arguably one of the most memorable events in the series. However,Boruto’sattempt at emulating a similar setting has backfired tremendously, largely owing to its low-stakes fights and subpar tests. With two separate Chunin Exams taking place in Boruto, the series has only muddled the legacy of the exams by passing off trivial fights as a legitimate exam.
The Appeal of the Original Chunin Exams
The Arc Offered Action-Packed Fights, Fearsome Antagonists, and Ample Character Growth
The Chunin Exams were the highlight of part 1 ofNaruto, with the tournament arc showcasing exactly what the anime had to offerin terms of fierce antagonists, high-stakes battles, and the gravity of the overall plot. Whether it was the written exam’s intense cheating fiasco or the life-and-death situation that plagued the Forest of Death, each phase presented an equally engaging and thrilling facet of the exams.
However, the most prominent element of the exams were the one-on-one fights, a classic mode of battle that showcased the novelty of each character. The battles weren’t merely a show of action and power, as they served a deeper purpose of fleshing out the characters and presenting their true motives and backstories. Overall, the arc tied together character development with adequate plot progression, offeringthe perfect tournament arcout of any shonen anime out there.
Where Does Boruto’s Chunin Exam Fall Short?
Boruto’s Chunin Exams Failed to Capture the Original’s Profundity
Borutohas failed to live up to viewers' expectations, largely due to the show presenting itself as a low-stakes ordeal. The same issue plagued the series’ Chunin Exams, as each phase of the exam was a poorly executed rendition of the original. While thefirst Chunin Exams inBorutowere a somewhat serious attempt at recreating a legitimate test, the entire multi-stage exam was overshadowed by Boruto’s cheating ordeal, coupled with the oddly-timed Otsutsuki invasion that was meant to mimic the Konoha Crush.
Well… it was a unique battle, but the results are what matters…
Borutohad already dropped the bar with its first attempt, yet the second Chunin Exams came as an even bigger disappointment. The entire exam was wrapped up in a handful of episodes, with four genin being promoted to Chunin after a series of uneventful battles that seemed more akin to training fights. Boruto and Mitsuki’s side-quest to save Amado from a non-existent threat received more screen time than the actual one-on-one battles, making the exams seem even more of a parodical joke.
Despite being extremely short and largely unimpressive, the second Chunin Exams somehow ended up being the most consequential in terms of characters being promoted. The exam led to Sarada, Denki, Hoki, and Wasabi becoming Chunin, yet their promotion largely felt unearned. It’s clear that the series merely wanted to promote a member from each team to Chunin, as the conclusion of each battle was unexpected, to say the least.
The Ramifications of Boruto’s Chunin Exams
The Chunin Exams Have Lost Their Initiatial Significance
With the possibility of death at every corner,the original Chunin Examswere a truly terrifying experience, even more so with the addition of a few antagonistic infiltrations.Boruto’srendition of the exams, on the other hand, has left a muddled impression on the entire experience. With extremely weak characters such as Wasabi and Denki being promoted, the rank of Chunin itself has been relegated to nothing more than a ceremonial title.
While it can be argued that the second Chunin Exams weremerely filler content, the fact still remains that such half-baked fights were passed off as a parallel to the grave battles of the original. The exams may not be manga canon, yet they are still classified as anime canon, meaning the results of these tests hold some weight for the narrative. Characters that are barely at genin-level have now become captains of their respective squads, a fact that makes these exams seem further like a farce.
Boruto’sChunin Exams are a reflection of the sequel as a whole, as the series has disappointed fans of the original time and again. Fromdowngrading the Otsutsukito a mere recurring nuisance to undermining Naruto and Sasuke’s true potential, the writers have made several questionable decisions with the franchise. The Chunin Exams are just another aspect of the series that has been watered down to fit the sequel’s narrative.
