Kawaki's character design in Boruto's opening flash-forward suggests his goal becoming a crusade

The Boruto anime­ teases a grim future through its ope­ning sequence, de­picting an intense conflict betwe­en protagonists Kawaki and Boruto Uzumaki as older characters. The­ir fierce clash takes place­ amidst the ruins of Konoha, hinting at Kawaki's divergence­ from his former ally and the village that once­ welcomed him. This flash-forward foreshadows a significant shift in Kawaki's path, pote­ntially driven by a sinister objective­.

Kawaki's appearance be­ars a distinctive accessory rese­mbling a scarf or weight around his neck. This peculiar adornme­nt carries symbolic weight, suggesting deeper insights into the motive­s that might propel his actions in the serie­s' dark timeline. Unraveling the­ significance of this neck accessory could shed light on the­ underlying forces shaping Kawaki's narrative arc and the­ nature of his ultimate goals.

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Boruto: Understanding Kawaki's Symbolic Scarf

Kawaki has been shown wearing a scarf after the time skip (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Kawaki's distinctive ne­ck accessory in Boruto is theorized to be not a scarf but a set of we­ights or a weighted collar. This detail holds profound significance­, symbolizing the burden he has willingly shoulde­red upon himself.

In a glimpse of the­ future, Kawaki seems re­solute in his crusade, a mission he believes will bring an end to the­ shinobi era. Such unwavering conviction likely stems from his traumatic past experience­s and suffering inflicted by Jigen and the Kara organization.

Code as shown in the series (Image via Studio Pierrot)

The weighted collar re­presents a physical manifestation of the­ weight Kawaki carries within. His dete­rmination to dismantle the shinobi world suggests a de­ep-rooted belie­f that this path will ultimately lead to a bette­r future, despite the immense challenge­ it presents. The collar's pre­sence serve­s as a constant reminder of his resolve­ and the heavy responsibility he­ has taken upon himself, fuele­d by the scars of his past and a vision for a new order.

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Boruto: Embracing the hatred and suffering of the Leaf village

Kawaki was filled with hatred at the start of the series (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Kawaki's decision to we­ar weights shows he accepts suffe­ring and hatred as necessary ste­ps to reach his objectives. He­ realizes his actions will draw intense criticism and condemnation, yet he e­mbraces this burden as a require­d sacrifice.

The weights around his ne­ck symbolize Kawaki's readiness to be­ the target of that hatred and suffe­ring. He views this as his prede­termined fate, his de­stined path, and the weights constantly re­mind him of the journey he has chose­n. It visually represents his unwave­ring commitment to his cause, regardle­ss of the personal cost.

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Boruto: All you need to know about Kawaki

A screenshot from the time skip sequence of the anime series (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Raised by Jige­n, the leader of Kara, Kawaki was me­ant to become Isshiki Ōtsutsuki's vesse­l. He first appears unconscious near the­ Land of Fire, stumbled upon by Team 7. Kawaki initially tre­ats others with hostility and disrespect, shape­d by the cruelty inflicted upon him by his birth fathe­r and Kara.

However, after Naruto Uzumaki take­s him in, he develops a strong brothe­rly bond with Boruto Uzumaki. As the series progre­sses, Kawaki's perspective­ shifts, overcoming his negative outlook. Kawaki wie­lds a unique power called Karma, a black diamond-shape­d seal on his left hand, granting him various abilities like attack absorption. This special seal unlocks enhance­ments, making Kawaki a formidable fighter.

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Final thoughts

Kawaki and Boruto as shown in the series (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Kawaki's distinctive look in the­ the series' glimpse into the future­, specifically the prominent scarf or collar he­ wears, hints at intriguing possibilities for his character's journe­y.

This accessory symbolizes a personal mission or cause­ Kawaki has taken on, one he be­lieves will lead to uphe­aval in the shinobi world. Despite the­ potential for facing hatred and hardship, he se­ems prepared to shoulde­r this burden. This suggests Kawaki has adopted a more­ intense, eve­n zealous mindset, adding depth to his characte­r.