Why Talk no Jutsu won't work on major Boruto villains, explored

Modified Oct 31, 2024 15:30 GMT

Why Talk no Jutsu won't work on major Boruto villains, explored (Image via Studio Pierrot)

In Boruto, the Talk no Jutsu, which is Naruto’s powerful ability to reach his enemies through heartfelt dialogue, loses its impact against the series' new villains. Raw power, revenge, and self-interest are what draw Boruto's foes, which makes them far less susceptible to empathy or persuasion. However, this is quite different from Naruto's antagonists, who were conflicted.

Characters like Code, whose fixation on dominance blocks genuine connection, and Eida, who manipulates perceptions to serve her own ends, resist the emotional appeal that once turned enemies into allies. With the escalating dangers in Boruto, high-stakes confrontations prioritize survival over dialogue, leaving Talk no Jutsu as a relic of a bygone era.

Major Boruto villains are pure evil reincarnates, which leave no room for Talk no Jutsu

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Talk no Jutsu, Naruto's famous technique of swaying enemies through heartfelt dialogue faces an uphill battle against the villains of Boruto. Unlike Naruto's era's villains, who were more relatable, the antagonists from the future era lack empathy. They are also driven by self-interest or a thirst for power, making them largely resistant to emotional persuasion.

For instance, Code’s fixation on revenge and his desire to become more powerful create a mental barrier that prevents genuine dialogue from having any impact. Unlike Naruto’s earlier foes, whose tragic pasts or relatable struggles allowed Naruto to connect with them on a deeper level, the next generation's villains remain closed off to these appeals.

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

Moreover, the power dynamics in Boruto have intensified dramatically. With characters like Code possessing abilities far beyond many shinobi, these villains are unlikely to pause for conversation when they can overpower their opponents with ease. This imbalance reduces the effectiveness of Talk no Jutsu, as high-stakes encounters now hinge more on survival than on connection.

Complicating things further, Boruto’s antagonists are ideologically rigid. Characters like Kawaki, shaped by complex traumas, and Eida, who uses her abilities to manipulate others, show a deeper psychological resilience against heartfelt appeals. Eida’s power to twist perceptions means that any honest conversation would likely backfire, as she bends words to suit her own goals.

Finally, with the catastrophic threats these villains pose, there’s simply little time for dialogue. The immediate danger Boruto’s foes bring demands action over negotiation, leaving Talk no Jutsu as a relic of Naruto’s time.

Why did Talk no Jutsu work on most of the antagonists in the Naruto series?

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Talk no Jutsu allowed Naruto to connect with and change his opponents by tapping into shared pain, empathy, and moral conviction. Many of Naruto’s enemies, like Gaara and Zabuza, share histories of isolation and trauma that often stem from being misunderstood or ostracized.

Naruto’s ability to relate on a personal level, having faced similar struggles, lets him form an emotional connection with them, as he did with Gaara, convincing him that he didn’t have to remain isolated.

Naruto’s deep empathy also plays a crucial role. He listens, understands, and respects the perspectives of others, creating a foundation of trust. This is particularly evident in his encounter with Nagato (Pain), where Naruto acknowledges the pain Nagato endured, ultimately swaying him to consider an alternative to revenge and violence.

Naruto’s charismatic optimism inspires those around him to believe in the potential for change, offering a hopeful, alternative path. His heartfelt conversation with Zabuza about loyalty and bonds pushed Zabuza to reflect on his life choices, embracing redemption over revenge.

Guided by strong moral convictions, Naruto’s approach emphasizes themes of friendship, redemption, and humanity. Instead of resolving conflicts through brute strength, he opts for words over violence, believing understanding and dialogue can lead to peace. His Talk no Jutsu succeeds because it resonates with the villains’ remaining humanity, creating a rare opportunity for villains like Gaara, Zabuza, and Nagato to embrace change.

Final thoughts

Uzumaki Naruto as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

The intensified power dynamics and lack of emotional vulnerability among Boruto’s villains make Talk no Jutsu ineffective. Unlike Naruto’s era, where empathy and connection often broke the villains, Boruto’s antagonists leave no room for dialogue, demanding decisive action over heartfelt persuasion to confront their threats.