Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 232

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 232

Dotou Island

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 232 isn’t a very exciting episode. But, we knew that was going to be the case ever since the preview for the episode last week. I mean, it’s about Denki, Metal, and Iwabe. We can’t really expect it to be a good episode.

Still, there are some things I can discuss in regards to this episode. And the first of those things is the destination of Team 5’s mission, Dotou Island within the Land of Water. Coincidentally, Team 7’s mission next week is also in the Land of Water.

Unfortunately, I don’t believe we got the kanji reading for Dotou within the episode. And I can’t go back and check now because all streaming sites are currently down due to the release of the new Attack on Titan episode.

Dotou Island displayed on a screen from the anime series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 232
Dotou Island displayed on a screen

But, there are a few readings of Dotou that could make sense. It could be a reference to the earthen spire of the island’s mountain, earthen waves, or even just an island made of earth (probably not this one).

The spire and waves references make the most sense to me when you consider how the geography of the island was likely formed. Looking at Dotou Island, it’s clearly the site of an ancient meteorite impact.

There’s a distinct crater with a raised ridge of earth around it. And within the very center stands a raised portion. This is what impact craters look like, though the central spire typically isn’t so pronounced.

So, I think the name Dotou Island is likely a reference to how the island’s most defining features were formed — the earth was molten and reformed by an impact. And, this may also be why there’s a large deposit of gold within the central spire.

Automated Puppets

The automated puppets featured in this episode are a bit odd. Are they puppets or are they robots? That’s not entirely clear. And, yes, there should be a few differences between puppets and robots within the Boruto series.

Puppets are controlled by chakra, while robots would be controlled by electricity. That might not sound like it matters all that much. But if these automated puppets really are controlled by chakra, where does this chakra come from?

Since the automated puppets aren’t necessarily going to be operated by a shinobi, we have to assume that they can function even if the operator can’t use chakra. That would mean the puppets have an alternate source of chakra powering them.

Denki controlling the automated puppets from the anime series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 232
Denki controlling the automated puppets

Of course, we know there are scientific ninja tools that allow people who can’t normally use chakra to perform jutsu. So, theoretically, the same technology could be at work here. The automated puppets may have a core of stored chakra within them or something like that.

I believe this is also how the Thunder Train works, as well. It has what looks like a large lightning chakra storage tank on the front of the train, which presumably powers it. And since Dr. Katasuke is a scientific ninja tool specialist, it makes sense that this is how he would power the automated puppets.

However, from a practical standpoint, the automated puppets being electricity-powered robots makes a lot more sense. Electricity can be generated within the facility that surrounds the mine.

Oh, and speaking of the facility surrounding the mine, it’s pretty dumb that anyone can just lock everyone inside for 12 hours and shut off their air supply. That seems like a pretty terrible design to me. Shouldn’t there be guards outside to stop that from happening?

B-Rank Missions

I believe B-rank missions are typically the highest-ranked missions given to a chunin-lead team. Jonin are also given these missions, along with A-rank missions. And S-ranks are reserved for teams of Jonin or other powerful shinobi, such as the Hokage himself.

For example, Konohamaru could be sent on a B-rank mission solo. For an A-rank mission, he would likely be paired up with at least one other Jonin, as he was with Mugino in the past. And for an S-rank mission, he would be part of a team that was hand-selected for the specific job.

With that said, I don’t really agree with this mission being B-ranked. Even though there was the potential threat of combat, I still think it should have been a C-ranked mission. The mission doesn’t take place in a warzone and there was no prior knowledge of a definitive threat.

Metal Lee fighting a bandit from the anime series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 232
Metal Lee fighting a bandit

And, the enemy shinobi Team 5 encountered during this mission really had nothing to do with their mission itself. These weren’t shinobi who were hired to prevent Team 5 from delivering the automated puppets. They just happened to be committing a crime in the same place and at the same time.

By that logic, any mission could be B-rank or higher. A team of genin could be on a mission to find a lost cat when they stumble upon a bank robbery in progress. Does that mean their mission should have been ranked higher than D, to begin with? No.

You could also always make the argument that it’s possible the cat isn’t lost but was actually stolen by a dangerous organization. I don’t think what-if scenarios should play a role in the rank a mission is assigned when there’s no evidence to back it up.

Conclusion

What do you think about Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 232? Would you have liked more world-building surrounding Dotou Island? Do you think the automated puppets are powered by chakra or electricity? And what rank would you give this mission? Let me know in the comments.

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My review of Episode 233 is available now.

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