The Otsutsuki Clan, one of the most enigmatic additions to the Naruto universe, was introduced late in the original series. Their mysterious origin and intentions have been explored further in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. While much about the clan remains shrouded in mystery, recent revelations have provided fans with deeper insight into these celestial beings.
A Sudden Introduction in Naruto
The Otsutsuki Clan made their first real appearance during the latter half of the Naruto series, specifically in the Fourth Great Ninja War. Here, Naruto Uzumaki encountered the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the first Otsutsuki fans met. However, Hagoromo’s connection to the clan was tenuous, as he was born to Kaguya Otsutsuki and a human, making him half-human. At this point, the clan’s backstory was still relatively simple.
However, with Kaguya’s sudden re-emergence, things took a drastic turn. It was revealed that she was a celestial being who came to Earth centuries ago and became the progenitor of chakra. This raised many new questions: Where did Kaguya come from? Were there others like her? What was the true origin of the Otsutsuki? As Naruto drew to a close, fans were left pondering these mysteries.
After Kaguya’s defeat, it was clear that series creator Masashi Kishimoto had bigger plans for the Otsutsuki. In The Last: Naruto the Movie, Toneri Otsutsuki, a descendant of Hamura Otsutsuki, emerged as the villain, continuing the trend of otherworldly threats. Similarly, Boruto: Naruto the Movie introduced Momoshiki and Kinshiki Otsutsuki, once again cementing the clan’s role as the primary antagonists.
Ikemoto’s Vision of the Otsutsuki as Villains
Recently, Boruto author Mikio Ikemoto offered his perspective on the Otsutsuki Clan. Speaking about their role in the series, Ikemoto revealed that, from the start, the Otsutsuki were envisioned as alien beings. According to Ikemoto, they were always meant to be celestial, even though their backstory wasn’t fully fleshed out in Naruto.
In the early drafts of Boruto, the team considered other antagonists, including human characters, but none of them seemed compelling enough. As a result, they settled on the Otsutsuki as parasitic aliens who feed on planets, consuming their energy to achieve godhood. This idea fit well with the post-Naruto world, where the Shinobi villages were united, and the traditional sources of conflict had diminished.
Ikemoto also addressed the challenge of maintaining the ninja theme in Boruto. While the Otsutsuki’s alien origins may not resonate with every fan, Ikemoto insists that their presence provides a unique opportunity to explore new dynamics in the Naruto universe. Despite criticisms, the Otsutsuki plotline is here to stay, and Ikemoto hints that much more about their lore will be revealed in the coming chapters.
The Future of the Otsutsuki in Boruto
As Boruto progresses, the Otsutsuki Clan’s influence continues to grow. Fans now know that these beings are parasitic aliens who travel with a partner, each carrying a seed of the Ten-Tails. Once they arrive on a planet, they plant the Ten-Tails, which grows into a God Tree. This tree then produces a chakra fruit, which the Otsutsuki consume to gain strength. To fuel this process, the lower-ranking Otsutsuki sacrifices themselves to the Ten-Tails, but not before embedding their Karma in a host to ensure their resurrection.
This cycle of planetary consumption and rebirth grants the Otsutsuki near-immortality. Their quest for godhood makes them relentless and powerful antagonists, ensuring their relevance in the Boruto storyline.
One of the most intriguing Otsutsuki characters introduced so far is Shibai Otsutsuki, who has achieved godhood by consuming numerous chakra fruits. Shibai has ascended to a higher plane of existence, leaving his physical form behind. Ikemoto hints that Shibai may play a significant role in the future of Boruto, and the powers he once held are now in the hands of other villains.
As the Boruto series progresses, fans can expect more exciting revelations about the Otsutsuki. With the power of Shibai in play and the ever-present threat of the clan’s planetary devouring tendencies, the stakes for the Ninja World have never been higher.
Boruto is available for fans to read on Viz Media, Shonen Jump, and the Manga Plus app, with the next chapter set to release on September 20, 2024.