Kawaki

A former Kara vessel who found a home with the Uzumaki family.

Kawaki Uzumaki is a central character in the manga franchise Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, created by Ukyō Kodachi and Mikio Ikemoto. Introduced initially as an archnemesis to Boruto in a dark flashforward depicting a ruined Konoha, his backstory was later revealed to show him as a rebellious former member of Kara seeking escape from the cursed Karma mark on his body. During his flight, he encountered Boruto's ninja team and was brought to the Hidden Leaf Village. There, the Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki, took Kawaki under his wing. Over time, Kawaki bonded deeply with the family, beginning to view Naruto and Hinata as parents and Boruto and Himawari as siblings.

Quick Facts

Series: Boruto
First: Boruto: Naruto Next Generations chapter 1: Boruto Uzumaki!! (2016)
Creator: Ukyō Kodachi
Designer: Mikio Ikemoto

Lore & Background

Kawaki was originally bought from a cold and drunkard father by Jigen of the Kara organization. He became one of thirteen children and teenagers experimented upon to receive the Karma mark, alongside microscopic Shinobi-Ware implants that altered his physiology for combat. Labeled as "the Vessel," he defected after suffering abusive treatment from Jigen. Upon arriving at Konoha, he was adopted by Naruto Uzumaki.

His integration involved specific moments of bonding, such as repairing a vase Himawari made for Hinata's birthday which he had accidentally destroyed. When Kara member Delta attacked to retrieve him, Naruto defended Kawaki, prompting the youth to request training to become a ninja. Later, when Jigen tracked and kidnapped Naruto, Kawaki joined Boruto, Sarada Uchiha, and Mitsuki to rescue him. The team faced Kara member Boro, where Boruto's Karma allowed Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki to possess him and kill Boro.

After learning of Jigen's true nature from Amado, they faced Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, who had reincarnated in Jigen's charred corpse. Through the combined efforts of Naruto, Sasuke, and Kawaki, Isshiki was defeated.

Reader's Guide

Kawaki was created as a major rival to Boruto, with Masashi Kishimoto suggesting their introduction via flashforward for greater impact. His design features a Roman numeral IX tattoo under his left eye from his time in Kara. Unlike Boruto, who wears Sasuke's clothing, Kawaki has no notable clothing representing his personality due to a lack of interest. In December 2020, Yuma Uchida was announced as his Japanese voice actor, while Michael Schwalbe voices him in English.

Artist Mikio Ikemoto noted their relationship is antagonistic yet more vitriolic than Naruto and Sasuke's, with Boruto's design becoming "overgrown" when interacting with Kawaki. Reception shifted from initial backlash over the flashforward's implied violence against Naruto to praise for his growth from a cold-hearted teenager to a caring person under Naruto's influence. In a 2021 poll, he was voted the seventh best character in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, and his fight with Garo was listed as the best anime fight of that year by Crunchyroll.