Boruto Episode 236 of the anime, titled “Cut and Run”, split the current cast into multiple groups to handle different situations created by the Funato clan. Also, yes to Salad using Genjutsu!
As Clan Funato continues to cause trouble in the Land of Water, I’m very interested to see how the climax unfolds. Isari, Araumi, and Tenma (who was introduced in this episode) look like formidable villains. Not only do all three seem strong, but, as far as I can tell, they’re also smart. The plan they hatched to seize power in the Land of Water proved to be quite successful.
Of course, our young heroes will stop the Funato Clan in future episodes, but until then, I appreciate seeing the stakes rise. Fingers crossed we get some well-choreographed fight sequences as our young ninjas take on Araumi and her two sons.
‘Cut and Run’ was jumping a lot. After meeting Denki’s team, Salad and Mitsuki worked together to rescue the hostages on Dotou Island. Denki, Iwabe, and Metal Lee traveled to the port to take over a Funato Clan transport ship to help the hostages get off the island. While Boruto, Kawaki, and Buntan infiltrate Tenma’s gigantic water fortress.
Now, you’d think a single episode trying to manage three storylines would have pacing issues. However, in my opinion, the writers handled everything very well. Each storyline was given appropriate screen time.
Speaking of Salad and Mitsuki, I liked seeing the two work together without Boruto. And the way Salad used Genjutsu to defeat the leader of the pirate group on Dotou Island made me smile. I love it when Salad uses Genjutsu on his opponents. I want her to use more instead of always deciding to hit her enemies.
My only complaint about Salad and Mitsuki’s rescue mission would be how the two didn’t tie up their opponents after knocking them out. These young ninjas were in a life or death situation. The least they could have done was quickly tie up their defeated opponents if they weren’t willing to kill them. I guess we could attribute this to plot convenience, as the leader of the pirate party had to lead his small army to the transport ship later? Hmmm.
Coming to the transport ship, I liked how excited Denki’s team was (and a little nervous) about handling a potential S-rank mission for the first time. Denki was really successful towards the end of the episode trying to override the ship’s controls. Lack of time made him change his approach. And even though he was injured in the process, he was at least able to help the hostages.
However, I think their victory will be short-lived. The transport ship is quite massive and the other members of the Funato clan should catch up with it soon enough. Not to mention that the Funato clan also had a powerful ninja science weapon that could be used to blow up the ship from a distance.
With Denki steering the ship to the rendezvous point to meet Kagura, I think it will be up to Boruto, Kawaki, and Buntan to do something about the weapon inside the fortress before it is not used to harm the ship.
Boruto’s dynamic with Buntan was also handled well. Boruto clearly didn’t trust her, but he had no choice but to work with her because that’s what Kagura wanted. Kawaki being the one that relates to Buntan’s personality made sense. Similar to Kawaki, Buntan had also grown up in a world where weakness was not an option.
However, she was trying to change herself. She was also trying to do the right thing by helping Kagura in exchange for her sentence being reduced (think suicide squad). The least Boruto could do was give him some slack.
As for Tenma’s introduction in “Cut and Run,” I think he made an interesting villain. It’s supposed to be strong enough (show, don’t tell, Boruto lively!). Also, I liked how the writers made it different from the kind of bad guys we usually get when clan dynamics are involved. Instead of Tenma being someone who wants to overthrow his father Araumi and sideline his brother Isari to take over the Funato clan, he is loyal to them.
The danger is far from over for our heroes. I can’t wait to see what will happen next!
What did you think of “Cut and Run”?
Let us know.
Author: Farid-ul-Haq
Farid holds a double master’s degree in psychology and biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in molecular genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville and The Game Master of Somerville. It gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.
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