Due to Naruto's legacy, Boruto The manga has always been the focus of attention from fans and critics, often sparking controversy not only for its storytelling decisions but also for its character designs of the new generation of female shinobi. The current artist and writer of Boruto, supervised by Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto received backlash over female characters' costumesespecially the main character Sarada, because of her revealing outfit and unsuitability for an active ninja.
While the character designs in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex were controversial, the criticism began long ago, after Ikemoto changed Sarada's original outfit, drawn by Kishimoto, into a tight miniskirt. However, one of the biggest objections Ikemoto faced was because he changed the female characters' everyday shoes to high heels, fashionable but uncomfortable footwear that ninjas would not wear on missions.
Because of this, at the special event in France for the Naruto series “Nuit à Konoha”, where the authors of Boruto were interviewed about the new part of the manga, Ikemoto decided to explain the reason behind his questionable choice of outfit.
The interview below was translated by fans so there may be some inaccuracies.
Drawing female Boruto characters in high heels helps Ikemoto stay motivated
Boruto's female character designs raise concerns after comparisons to Naruto
In an interview translated by user @UzuRepo posted on Twitter, when asked about advice for aspiring manga artists, Ikemoto talked about drawing things you like to help stay motivated, using the high heels he drew in Boruto as an example and revealing that he chose them because he liked them.
I would advise them to express and reveal what they love. […] Even if you're into something obscure, if you gain traction, loyal fans will likely encourage and follow you.
Sometimes I read the comments about Boruto. Some people find it strange that all the female characters wear high heels even though they are ninjas. However, that is my hobby, so it is what it is. That is one of the things that keeps me motivated. Originally, they were experts in chakra control, so for them, it was not a problem. After all, they are ninjas of the new generation. The fact that you can do things like this is also an advantage of the manga. – Mikio Ikemoto
Ikemoto's comments were made a new perspective on his character designIt seems that fashion is an important theme in the Boruto manga to show a different world from its predecessor, and as the author, he has the right to do what motivates him to continue drawing. However, fans also have good reason to be concerned about the obvious contrast between the female character designs in Naruto and Boruto, as the outfits in the original series are more realistic.
Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, wears heels, but she has been retired for some time and is also a grown woman. Sakura also wears heels in Naruto: Shippuden, but hers are not stilettos nor are they as high as the ones worn by the characters in Boruto. Even in the anime Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Sarada's high heels have been modified to better fit her.Because of this, even if functionality isn't an issue for Boruto's female characters as chakra control experts, fans still find their designs problematic.
Boruto isn't the only anime where female characters wear high heels while fighting.
The lack of criticism for other series suggests the controversy is about the character's age rather than function.
Female characters often wear high heels in battle in some anime, such as Nami and Robin in One Piece, Yor in Spy x Family, and 2B in Nier: Automata. Even in the popular game Bayonetta, the character Cereza uses high heels as a weapon, as she uses them to carry a gun. However, the reason these characters are not controversial about their footwear and instead look feminine and fashionable is because because they are no longer minors.
Boruto fans debate the issue of high heels because it reflects the objectification of the characters, who were 12-year-old girls before the time skip. And while the style is maintained for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, the characters are still in their teens. Ikemoto may have drawn high heels out of his own taste and as a fashion statement that he believes doesn't limit the characters, but because of what is considered age-appropriate, the theme will likely remain a point of criticism for Boruto.
Source: UzuRepo.
