The Boruto manga series has progressed considerably, now covering events after the timeskip in the latest chapters. The latest chapters have done a brilliant job of giving fans some action-packed scenes and featuring substantial plot development. Overall, the manga is quite enjoyable and has come a long way since its inception.
However, there seems to be a recurring topic of discussion among fans on various social media platforms and forums. A good chunk of the fanbase seems to be under the assumption that Mikio Ikemoto isn't great at drawing. He is the illustrator of the manga, and fans have been quite critical of the art and the consistency of overall quality.
This begs the question - Does Ikemoto get unnecessary hate? Yes, Ikemoto gets unwarranted hate from a sizable portion of the Boruto fanbase. Let's understand why this is the case and look at the evolution of his illustrations over time.
Disclaimer: This article contains minor spoilers from the Two Blue Vortex manga chapters.
Understanding why the Boruto fanbase’s hatred towards Mikio Ikemoto is unnecessary
One of the main complaints this particular fanbase had about Mikio Ikemoto was his art during the early stages of the manga. When the series first began, the illustrations weren't particularly great, and that's when fans first highlighted some of the issues with his illustrations. The entire fanbase was incredibly harsh and didn't hold back in criticizing the young illustrator.
However, Ikemoto's quality only got better as time progressed. It is very important to note that Masashi Kishimoto picked Mikio Ikemoto to continue this series. Therefore, a sizable section of the fanbase was optimistic and patiently waited for the art to improve.
The Boruto series initially suffered from poor-quality illustrations in which the facial expressions didn't match what the author wanted to convey. The lines weren't as clean as Masashi Kishimoto's strokes, and the choice of angles was such that the illustrations looked quite plain and dull.
These initial issues were resolved as Ikemoto significantly improved the quality of his art. However, fans continued to hate Ikemoto even when certain panels didn’t have the intricate details that other important panels had.
One Punch Man, known for its incredible art, also features a couple of not-so-exciting panels every now and then. Intricate details are given only to specific panels and not to every panel in the manga.
If we look at some of the latest chapters of the Boruto Two Blue Vortex, we can see Ikemoto's technical prowess. In one of the latest chapters, where Boruto and Sarada reunite after the time skip, there's a panel featuring a wide shot of the entire village. In that shot, we can also see Hokage Rock in the distance.
Final thoughts
Over the course of time, Ikemoto’s quality of illustrations has improved drastically. The panels are well-balanced, feature exciting angles, and also contain intricate details, all of which make for a fresh reading experience. While fans had valid reasons for criticism in the early stages, the current dislike for the illustrator is unwarranted.
Stay tuned for further updates on anime and manga news as 2024 progresses.
