Boruto anime has only one way to fix Sarada's embarrassing moment, and no, it's not how you think

The Boruto series has consistently struggled with one glaring issue: it demonstrates ongoing failures through its poor treatment of its most promising female lead character, Sarada Uchiha.

The fanbase has entered a heated discussion over the recent scene in which Sarada fails to trigger her Sharingan at a crucial moment with Kawaki, showcasing the problematic way female characters are portrayed in the series. This troubling scene represents deeper storytelling flaws that harm character development while relying on outdated tropes that modern audiences rightly reject.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the opinions of the writer.

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The scene in Boruto that sparked outrage

I pray this gets changed in the anime byu/leosnake0577 inBoruto

In the manga panels that have ignited fan discussions, Sarada declares, "All the more reason to stay!" when faced with Kawaki's threat, only to stand frozen as he attacks. The Uchiha, whose abilities include Sharingan activation, acknowledges the inherent dangers of power levels but fails to use her signature move.

The episode reaches its peak when Boruto gets his signature eye scar while protecting Sarada, who appears powerless to spectators, leading them to consider this moment inconsistent with her character development. The frustration stems from the fact that the scene had an obvious solution to maintain character integrity.

The fan feedback suggests that Sarada activating her Sharingan with thoughts like "He's way too fast, I can't dodge in time!" would uphold her character strength while delivering the same scene result. This adjustment would both demonstrate Sarada's competence and maintain the scene's original outcome.

Furthermore, it would highlight Sarada's tactical thinking and determination to fight while acknowledging the genuine power disparity between her and someone who stands equal to Sasuke and Naruto.

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A pattern of wasted potential

The scene reveals a systemic problem with Boruto's portrayal of female characters. Despite being framed as Boruto's potential equal and rival, Sarada is repeatedly pushed into a secondary character position during essential sequences.

The series develops Sarada's intelligent personality and her determination to become Hokage, yet she remains in the background during significant events. There is a clear disconnection between Sarada's established character traits and her representation in key scenes.

The anime version of the story demonstrates improved balance by portraying Sarada and Boruto as joint protectors, rather than depicting the latter as Sarada's permanent rescuer, as seen in the manga. These advancements highlight the disappointing way the original material manages character dynamics.

When fans can easily spot better alternatives to key scenes, it indicates fundamental problems with the creative direction.

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The damsel in distress problem

The way Sarada is treated in the story harms her character by perpetuating the outdated "damsel in distress" trope, which modern narratives should no longer employ. Sarada stands out as a character because she belongs to the Uchiha clan while also having genuine intentions of becoming Hokage.

Reducing her to someone who freezes in critical moments contradicts everything the series claims to represent about her growth and capabilities. The fan community's proposed solutions demonstrate a clear understanding of what makes compelling female characters.

They want Sarada to lose fights—that's acceptable and realistic given power scaling—but they also want her to lose while demonstrating competence, courage, and tactical thinking. The distinction between being outclassed and being incompetent is crucial for maintaining character integrity.

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In conclusion

Kawaki (Image via Studio Pierrot)

The upcoming anime adaptation presents an opportunity to rectify past narrative flaws by portraying Sarada as capable yet realistically limited, preserving tension without undermining her growth. Her inconsistent portrayal in the series underscores ongoing issues with female representation in shonen manga. Despite some progress, instances of sidelining characters like Sarada reveal the need for further improvement.

Fans aren’t demanding perfection—just consistent, competent storytelling that respects established character traits. The strong response from viewers indicates a desire for meaningful development. Unless these issues are addressed, Boruto risks wasting one of its most promising characters and alienating a dedicated audience.

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