Boruto: Naruto Next Generation chapter 1 is originally scheduled for release on May 9, but for some reason the full 60-page chapter of the manga series has already been leaked online. While I cannot give you the site where you can view the leaked chapter (I assumed you already know which scanlation site is it), I have nevertheless prepared a synopsis and review of the Boruto the Manga chapter 1.
Synopsis (Bullet Points)
-Standing on the crumbled face statue of the 7th Hokage, Kawaki and Buroto squares off to settle the score once and for all. Kawaki, the guy with a Mohawk hairdo, seeks the end of the ninja era, while Boruto (the son of the 7th Hokage Naruto) wants to continue the history of shinobi.
-Kawaki, who is apparently wielding a Gedo staff, threatens Boruto to send him to the same place as the 7th Hokage. There isn't clear explanation whether Kawaki teleported Naruto to another place or he really killed him, but the prevailing assumption is Naruto dies in this war.
-Noticeably, Kawaki and Boruto have similar tattoos. Kawaki had its red version in his left arm, Boruto had its blue form in his right.
We don't know yet if this body ink allows the users to increase its power multiple times, but given the destruction Kawaki brought to Konoha - which is by the way turned into a complete wasteland - it is assumed that it enables someone to transcend beyond the power of the strongest Shinobi.
-Boruto, determined to avenge what happened to the Village and his family, tied up Sasuke forehead protector and revealed his newly activated Byakugan to the surprise of Kawaki. Incredible amount of chakra bursts from Boruto's body, indicating the 7th Hokage's son is now ready for war.
-The next scene saw Boruto waking up in his own bed. He then started narrating his life from the moment he realized the burden of having a Hokage father. He also revealed that once he had a 'deep resentment' towards ninjas but somehow found his ninja way in an unexpected turn of events.
-This is the start of Boruto: Naruto the next Generation. A story Boruto insists made for him as its central character.
Review & First Impression Grades:
Story (B+): The first six pages of Boruto: Naruto the Next generation is oozing with awesomeness. I mean we are talking about the destruction of the Village of the Dancing Leaves at the hands of Kawaki, whose power might exceed that of Naruto.
Then, there's teenage Boruto with his newly activated Byakugan, vowing to avenge the death of his father and the destruction of his village. Unfortunately, all the hype generated through the first six pages went down the drain once I learned that almost ¾ of the entire chapter is a retelling of the Boruto Movie.
Art Style (B-): Meh. I therefore conclude that Masashi Kishimoto's art style is way better than that of Mikio Ikemoto. I understand that it's hard to outdo your sensei at first swing, but why drastically changed the character designs of Hinata (flat chested and appeared to have undergone reverse aging) and Sasuke (curly hair)? Ikemoto's makeover has somewhat diluted the image of these characters to the dismay of most fans.
Upside (B+): A passing grade for the first chapter of Boruto Manga isn't expected. Again, through the first six pages, the manga actually showed a lot of promise. Everybody is all hyped to see Boruto at its peak fighting an equally strong foe. However, after knowing that the series is so far off from that epic scene and everything is back to zero. I just don't know if the second episode is worth a read. I mean it's predictable, the second chapter is the second half of Boruto: Naruto the movie.
Overall Grade (B+): Boruto opened strong with a big wow factor. But for some reason, bringing us back to the opening scene of the Boruto movie isn’t a good idea. Apart from Sasuke and Hinata’s ‘new-gen’ look, the chapter as a whole didn’t live up to the hype. I am sorry Ikemoto, but I guess it’s rookie mistakes.