Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #28!
The world of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex has fallen into particular disarray much like in its predecessors, but much like in Naruto, love can still bloom on the battlefield, or even before then. In the case of one Inojin Yamanaka and Himawari Uzumaki, though, the confirmation of Inojin’s feelings for Boruto’s sister is a pleasant surprise two years in.
For longtime Boruto fans though, this isn’t necessarily a shocker. Their bond has been teased for just over eight years now thanks to an anime-canon episode of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. But their next battle could well be for survival before either of them can confess their feelings.
Himawari Uzumaki Has a Confirmed Admirer
Romance has been brewing in multiple directions in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, such as Konohamaru and Moegi, but Inojin and Himawari have actually been steadily hinted since the start. Even since the beginning of the sequel manga, their only substantial moments spent apart were during Himawari’s conversations with Kurama, and Inojin’s meeting with Boruto.
The common connection here is that they’re only apart, seemingly, when they physically can’t be near each other. Inojin is present for Himawari’s training in chapter #1, steadfastly protecting her in chapter #2, showing his loyalty to her arguably even more than his teammates in chapter #9. When Himawari’s life is threatened by Jura in chapter #10, Inojin rushes in.
Even since the beginning of the sequel manga, their only substantial moments spent apart were during Himawari’s conversations with Kurama, and Inojin’s meeting with Boruto.
In the most traditional sense, Inojin clearly has strong feelings for Himawari well before Koji Kashin and Boruto suss it out of him in chapter #26. It’s also more than likely a mutual connection, with Himawari unleashing Kurama’s chakra in a rage over Inojin’s dire injury, and staying by his side at the hospital in chapter #14.
But this connection wasn’t even built up over just the course of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. Inojin originally rejuvenated his passion for art while discovering he shares that in common with Himawari. With Himawari having canonically made a vase for the Uzumaki home, her knack for arts and crafts was not a shock, either.
Boruto’s Latest Romance Has Been Years in the Making
Inojin is roughly nine years younger than Boruto and is among the youngest of his Academy generation, allowing his bond to Himawari, approximately two years Boruto’s junior, to be more organic. With Inojin roughly 15 and Himawari around 14, it’s clear that there is still room for their connection to grow beyond Inojin’s officially-confirmed feelings.
The catalyst for their bond, however, was their mutual love for drawing. As shown in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations episode #33, Himawari’s adoration for her father propelled her to draw. With Himawari winning a recent art contest, she is brought in as a guest teacher by Sai Yamanaka for her senpais. It’s here that her bond with Inojin would grow.
Sai, while talking with Ino about their son, mentions that he loves art for how it connects himself to people. With the following day having Sai immediately bring Himawari to Inojin’s class, it lays the groundwork for their bond.
The series was clearly pushing the pair together, and the fandom even has a ship recognizing them: InoHima. While Inojin felt uninspired and on the verge of quitting, despite his Beast Mimicry jutsu being a particularly unique creation thanks to his style, Himawari found his talent amazing, instilling a sense of validation in him.
But what would endear the two forever would be when Himawari’s prized drawing of herself and Naruto was nearly blown by the wind into the water and ruined, Inojin swiftly retrieves it using his jutsu. Freshly-inspired with a sense of purpose, Himawari even requests Inojin to use his jutsu on her drawing, setting a precedent for him as her protector.
- Writer
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Masashi Kishimoto
- Writers
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Masashi Kishimoto
- Penciler(s)
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Mikio Ikemoto
- Inker(s)
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Mikio Ikemoto
- Colorist(s)
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Mikio Ikemoto
- Publisher(s)
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Viz Media
