If the hard work thing was mostly just Rock Lee then what are some of the story themes? Is it "what other people think you are isn't what you have to be" with all the many human weapon characters that later become normies?
The anime, being a TV show that has lasted many seasons, has many opening and ending themes. These themes have been from original Japanese songs, but they have been edited to fit within a 90 second opening sequence by TV Tokyo. The average usage for openings are around 25 episodes with some exceptions: the final opening for Naruto (Swaying) and the 12th opening for Boruto (Karma); while the endings can be up to 12 episodes with some exceptions: the first two endings for Naruto (Wind and Harmonia) and first for Naruto: Shippūden (Shooting Star Shooting Star). They are shown here in order:
The song is pleasant to hear. It isn't that energetic but it also isn't slow. The opening cycles through the memories from the entire 1st season such as Tsunade kissing Naruto's forehead and Naruto and Sasuke's fight. The style coupled with the memories throughout place this opening at #5.
The opening has 2 versions as well: one with Tsunade and one without her. Because of all of the information, as well as the catchy tune and chorus being mainly in English, this opening has captured the hearts of many Naruto fans and remains a beloved theme song sung to this day.
This is exactly the opposite of what happened in Naruto. The presence of the Nine-Tails inside Naruto's body gave him a significant power boost, but he always refrained from using it (until, later in the series, he made peace with Kurama), except for the times when he lost control. This is best shown in Naruto's epic battle against Pain. After seeing Hinata almost killed, Naruto loses control and goes berserk, releasing eight tails. However, thanks to the intervention of Minato's spirit, Naruto resumes control, and he beats Pain only with the shinobi and sage arts that Jiraiya taught him. This in general a recurring theme in Naruto (at least until the final stretch of the series), and it's also visible in Sasuke's descent into darkness after his betrayal of Konoha.
This ties in with another major issue in Boruto. At the current stage of the story, the two main characters mostly fight with the power of Karma. This, compared to the complex techniques seen in Naruto, is incredibly easy, as it requires no seals, almost no chakra manipulation, and its effects are absurdly overpowered, which makes the fights in Boruto look much duller. Just compare Naruto and Sasuke's unforgettable battles with those between Kawaki and Boruto, and the problem is clear. Adding the fact that, as confirmed by episode #288, the story completely dismisses the idea that for a big, "unfair" power there is always a price to pay, this shows that Boruto has completely missed one of Naruto's most important themes.
aa06259810