Boruto Episode 177

Boruto Episode 177

The Iron Wall’s Sensing System

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations episode 177 was a bit of an odd episode because it both starts to set up the next major arc while also being somewhat of a filler episode. The next episode is actually going to be setting up the next arc, but this episode was like the pre-setup.

I’m fairly certain that the new sensing system Ino Yamanaka has created for the Hidden Leaf Village isn’t actually important to the story. However, some of the ideas that were brought up in this episode surrounding the sensing system are.

For now, let’s just go over the new sensing system. The first thing I want to point out about it is that it’s pretty useless considering there was already a sensing system in place. The Hidden Leaf Village has had a sensing system in place for decades. All that’s different now is that it uses computers — but those computers still need sensory-type shinobi working at them.

Kohan Yamanaka receiving information from the sensory HQ from the anime series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Kohan Yamanaka receiving information from the sensory HQ

You also may remember that in the previous episode review I brought up the fact that while the world of Boruto has all of this technology, they still don’t have long-range communication. You’d think that developing communication technology would be a better use of resources than remaking the sensing system that was already in place.

The Hidden Leaf Village just doesn’t seem to have their priorities in order when it comes to technological advancements.

Anyway, if you’re wondering how exactly the sensing system works, it basically scans the chakra of everyone who enters the village through the A-Un gate. Those people can then be tracked via their chakra at any time while in the village. And, an alert is sent out whenever someone enters the village by other means.

Inoichi Yamanaka

When talking to Inojin about why his mother is so invested in the villages’ sensing system, Sai explains that the main reason is because of Inoichi Yamanaka. Inoichi is Ino’s father and Inojin’s grandfather who died during the Fourth Great Shinobi War (along with Shikaku Nara, who will be mentioned next week).

Inoichi is probably the best sensory-type shinobi we know of. There have been many who were competent at sensory jutsu, including most if not all of the sage chakra users. But, we know that Inoichi’s mastery of sensory jutsu put him above the rest and is why he was chosen to lead the sensory division of the Allied Shinobi Forces.

As the leader of the sensory division, Inoichi also performed his duty to the very end. The sensory division HQ was about to be destroyed by some tailed-beast bombs and there was no way of saving it and the people within it. And yet, even knowing that he was about to die, Inoichi was able to put that aside and project Shikaku’s final plans out to everyone on the battlefield.

Sai and Inojin from the anime series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Sai and Inojin

Something I really like about the Boruto series is how it uses its “filler” episodes to tie the current plot and characters back to moments and other characters of the past. This is something we’ve seen throughout the life of the series, and episode 177 is just the latest example.

Of course, not every episode can do that. Some truly are just filler episodes. But I think it does go a long way in showing how good the writing of the Boruto anime can be at times. I’m not saying that Boruto is even a “good” anime, but it definitely makes the most of what it has, which is a long history.

Inojin’s Combined Jutsu

As you may recall, this isn’t the first episode that focuses on Inojin’s inability to use his mother’s jutsu. Inojin can use sensing jutsu and the Mind Transfer jutsu, but he’s much more suited to the Super Beast Scroll jutsu of his father.

However, over the years, I’ve come to appreciate Inojin as a character a bit more due to his ability to combine the different jutsu he knows. Inojin definitely isn’t one of the stronger genin in this series, but he’s able to make up for that with his ingenuity. And that ingenuity was on display at the end of this episode.

I don’t believe this is the first time we’ve seen Inojin combine his jutsu. I recall him using his Super Beast Scroll to immobilize enemies so that he could land his Mind Transfer previously. But, maybe that’s just me misremembering things. Either way, I thought what he did this time around was great.

Inojin using his Super Beast Scroll to power up his sensory jutsu from the anime series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Inojin using his Super Beast Scroll to power up his sensory jutsu

When Inojin broke out his scroll, I thought we were about to see him make one of his large birds and hop on its back to get a vantage point over the market. By using his sensing jutsu from the air, he would probably get a bit of a larger range and it would be easier to differentiate between people.

However, what he did was even more creative. Because his drawings are infused with his chakra, he can use them to expand the range of his sensing jutsu. Each of the little birds he sent out works as a signal booster for his jutsu. If he were to spread them across the entire village, he would theoretically be able to canvas it all.

What’s also interesting about this is that the same thing was done in the Fourth Great Shinobi War. By dispersing Naruto’s Nine-Tails chakra, Inoichi’s messages were able to be sent to everyone on the battlefield rather than just to specific, sensory-type receiver shinobi.

Conclusion

What do you think of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations episode 177? Do you think the Leaf Village’s upgraded sensing system is a good use of resources? Do you like how Boruto “filler” episodes tie into the franchise’s past? And what are some jutsu combinations you’d like to see from the current group of genin (and Shikadai)? Let me know in the comments.

If you enjoyed this review, remember to click the like button ❤️ down below. Also, follow me over on Twitter @DoubleSama so you don’t miss out on any future content. And come join our Discord server if you’re interested in discussing anime with other members of the community.

Finally, I’d like to thank HeavyROMAN for supporting DoubleSama.com at the Heika tier this month. To learn more about how you too can become a supporter of this blog, check out Patreon.com/DoubleSama.

My review of the next episode is available here.

Leave a Comment