Why Boruto Isn’t Hokage (Yet) — A Humorous Look at Boruto Uzumaki’s Life

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In the beginning, where we first see Naruto Uzumaki, he is just a back alley kid with a dream as big as the Hidden Leaf village to become a Hokage. After a couple of years and trials that would make Hercules cry, this back alley kid has matured into a world-saving ninja on more than one occasion and has fulfilled his dream of being the Hokage, then came the new generation of ninjas in Boruto with Naruto's son as part of this generation, this leaves fans wondering if boruto will take up the mantle of Hokage as his father once dreamt of?

At first glance, it seems like a natural progression—after all, he's the child of the Seventh Hokage, so it makes sense for him to want to follow in his father's footsteps. However, Boruto has repeatedly demonstrated that becoming Hokage isn’t really on his agenda. So, why isn’t Boruto Hokage yet, and does he even have the desire to be? Let’s explore some reasons why Boruto might not be cut out for the job, considering his unique traits, fears, motivations (or lack thereof), and typical teenage rebellion. Who knows? Maybe he has a plan up his sleeve… or maybe he just isn’t suited for the role.

Boruto’s Relationship with Responsibility — Or Lack Thereof

One of the main differences between Naruto and his son Boruto is their approach to responsibility. Naruto grew up without a family, was shunned by the village, and had plenty of personal struggles that shaped him. In comparison, Boruto has enjoyed a relatively privileged life, with a Hokage father, a caring mother, and all the ramen he can eat. While Naruto aimed for recognition and leadership to overcome his loneliness, Boruto finds himself in the awkward position of having fame handed to him just because of his name.

As a result, Boruto doesn’t share the same deep desire to lead or protect his village. He’s more focused on proving himself in his own way rather than taking on the Hokage responsibilities. At times, he comes across as more of a “I’ll just improvise” type instead of the serious leader his dad ultimately became. And while that makes him entertaining to watch, it hardly screams “Hokage material.”

Boruto Is Just a Teenager — And Not the "Wise Beyond His Years" Type

Let’s face it: most teenagers aren’t exactly ready to run a village, especially not a ninja village filled with daily threats from rogue shinobi, rogue scientists, and let’s not forget the constant risk of alien invaders (we’re looking at you, Otsutsuki clan). While Naruto as a kid was idealistic and driven by a strong sense of justice, Boruto seems more preoccupied with having fun and rebelling against his dad. He’s still figuring out who he is, let alone who he could be as Hokage.

For instance, Boruto’s solution to problems often involves a quick Rasengan instead of careful planning or diplomatic solutions. While his impulsive approach is amusing, it’s hardly the mindset you want in someone who might need to handle delicate peace treaties or protect the village from danger. If Boruto tried to take on the Hokage position at this point in his life, he’d likely get bored in five minutes and start doodling on mission reports.

The "Shadow Hokage" Ambition

In one of the biggest surprises in the Boruto series, Boruto revealed that he doesn’t even want to become Hokage. That’s right! While fans might have expected Naruto’s son to naturally want to continue his legacy, Boruto is actually more interested in supporting someone else as Hokage rather than taking the role himself. He seems to admire his mentor, Sasuke, and has openly stated that he’d rather be like him.

For those unaware, Sasuke Uchiha is Naruto’s lifelong rival and friend who acts more like the "Shadow Hokage" — working behind the scenes to keep the village safe rather than leading it publicly. Boruto’s admiration for this role shows he’d prefer being the guy who fights from the sidelines and operates in secret instead of being the public face of the village. After all, what’s cooler than sneaking around in the shadows, tackling top-secret missions, and being known as the “cool, mysterious guy”?

Daddy Issues: Boruto’s Complicated Relationship with Naruto

Let’s be real: Naruto and Boruto don’t exactly have a warm father-son relationship. As Hokage, Naruto is often too busy with his duties to spend time with his family, leaving Boruto feeling neglected and resentful. This complicated dynamic has made Boruto rebellious towards anything tied to his father’s position, including the Hokage role.

For Boruto, becoming Hokage would mean following in his father's footsteps, which he seems more inclined to avoid. His frustration and resentment towards Naruto's absence have shaped his career choices — if you can call “rebellion without a cause” a career choice. Instead of aspiring to be like his dad, Boruto focuses much of his energy on distancing himself from Naruto's image, which is tricky when your name is literally Boruto Uzumaki.

The Pressure of Legacy — Living Under Naruto’s Enormous Shadow

When your dad is literally the most famous ninja ever, the pressure to live up to that reputation is enormous. Naruto’s accomplishments, from saving the world during the Fourth Great Ninja War to becoming the Seventh Hokage, are impossible to overlook. For Boruto, adhering to that legacy might feel less like an honor and more like an impossible challenge. He might be thinking, “Why would I want to become Hokage if it means always being compared to my dad?”

Instead of trying to outshine Naruto directly, Boruto appears more interested in forging his own path. It’s like he’s a young artist who doesn’t want to paint exactly like their famous parent, instead opting for something wildly abstract (or, in Boruto's case, battling giant aliens in space). Boruto’s wish to carve out his own unique identity makes him less likely to pursue the traditional Hokage role.

The Hokage Job Isn’t as Glamorous as It Seems

Naruto may have made being Hokage look impressive with all the dramatic, world-ending battles, but the reality of the job is far from glamorous. As Hokage, Naruto spends most of his time dealing with paperwork, organizing village defenses, and mediating disputes between various factions and clans. Essentially, it’s like running a country on hard mode. Boruto, who is still young and adventurous at heart, isn’t exactly suited for the endless desk work and bureaucratic hurdles that come with the title.

Imagine Boruto as Hokage: he’d be dodging paperwork like it’s enemy shuriken and likely end up passing most of his responsibilities onto his assistants (who would undoubtedly be exhausted by him). Boruto’s impatience for rules and love of adventure don’t really align with the daily grind of a Hokage. If you're not someone who enjoys countless budget meetings and public relations challenges, then the Hokage life probably isn’t for you.

The Big Shoes to Fill

Naruto not only saved the world but also ushered in an era of peace and unity among ninja. Those are some massive shoes to fill, and Boruto, with his tendency to bend the rules and reject authority, might not even want to try. Right now, he’d likely prefer leaving the “village protector” role to someone else while he concentrates on what he does best: getting into trouble, refining his ninja skills, and discovering his true purpose.

Boruto's abilities are undoubtedly impressive, but he’s also aware of his shortcomings. He knows he isn’t as strong or as dedicated as his father was at his age. This self-awareness keeps him from aiming for the Hokage position because he understands the weight of that responsibility.

Kawaki: A Different Possible Hokage?

In the anime, Boruto’s adopted brother, Kawaki, emerges as a strong contender for the Hokage role. Unlike Boruto, Kawaki has faced hardship and loss and truly understands what it means to protect the village. While Boruto struggles to find meaning in leadership, Kawaki’s character development suggests he might be willing to take on that burden. The show hints that Kawaki, with his serious and duty-driven demeanor, could be the perfect contrast to Boruto’s carefree personality.

While Boruto might be happy as a “shadow” figure, Kawaki is the kind of person who might willingly shoulder the Hokage mantle if it means protecting those he cares about. This dynamic could pave the way for Kawaki to become Hokage while Boruto remains a warrior on the outskirts, taking on a role similar to Sasuke’s.

Conclusion: Boruto, the Hokage That Never Was?

In the end, Boruto’s journey isn’t about becoming Hokage — it’s about discovering his own path, separate from his father’s legacy. Unlike Naruto, who chased the Hokage title to prove himself to the world, Boruto appears focused on proving himself to himself. He’s a young man trying to escape the burdens of his father’s legacy while also protecting those he loves in his own way. Whether that journey will ultimately lead him to the Hokage seat or not remains to be seen.