Abilities, Origin, and Everything We Know

The power system of Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto world is a fascinating, if odd one, especially regarding its mysterious genetic gifts, known as Kekkei Genkai. While many are undeniably world-shaping canonical abilities like the Sharingan, Rinnegan, or Byakugan Eye, others have emerged due to anime episodes hastily introducing them. One classic example is Boruto Uzumaki’s Jougan Eye.

While this eye is popularly recognized as Boruto’s dōjutsu, namely, ocular jutsu bestowed by a Kekkei Genkai originally labeled by animator Chengxi Huang as the Jougan (written as Jōgan) or “Pure Eye”, its canon status is a bit more complicated. Regardless, the Jougan eye raises important questions for the Boruto fandom, not showing any signs of going away.

Is Boruto’s Jougan Eye Canon?

Easily the biggest burning question about Boruto’s Kekkei Genkai, predominantly in the Western fan base, is whether Masashi Kishimoto or Mikio Ikemoto have confirmed the Jougan as canon in the manga. With people observing the events of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations episodes #15 and #125, they were eager to close the case, but there’s no explicit confirmation yet.

Fans whipped up a frenzy about Kishimoto allegedly confirming the Jougan, citing vague interviews out of France, with them pointing to KONOHA EXPERIENCE in Paris in August 2024. At the event, there’s a full 17-minute video of the pair completing real-time illustrations of Naruto and Boruto while fielding questions. The Jougan doesn’t come up in the transcript.

While there are frequent paraphrased claims of a special eye alluded to by Kishimoto, even then, there doesn’t appear to be a discernible source backing this statement regarding the manga. Even then, however, with Urashiki Ōtsutsuki directly acknowledging it in a non-filler episode of the Boruto anime, it’s anime-canon, which is still a big deal.

Instances like Boruto: Naruto Next Generations chapter #44 and #57 show direct mentions of his power, after activating his Kāma, as a Byakugan. While this makes sense given his Hyuga heritage from Hinata, when in use, Boruto’s special eye doesn’t feature the characteristic engorged veins on either side, yet retains the white sclera, unlike the anime. It’s undeniably an inconsistency.

But yet, the latest installment, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter #28, shows Boruto finally resigning himself to Momoshiki’s control. While his injured eye is obscured, as fans know from both episode #1 of the anime and chapter #1 of the manga, it’s noticeably still present. Chapter #29 will perhaps be the first proper glimpse of Boruto’s special eye in years.

What Are the Jougan Eye’s Powers?

The Jougan is not yet fully explained, especially since it is never explicitly mentioned in the manga. However, it shares common elements with the Byakugan, namely, the ability to see chakra pathways, but to the point of being able to identify individual chakra signatures. It can even see between dimensions and may even have Time-Space jutsu capabilities.

The Jougan is identified by a noticeably black sclera in Boruto’s eye upon activation, alongside his iris and pupil turning especially bright shades of blue. Given it’s identified by name by an Ōtsutsuki (in the anime, for now) and is seen by Jougan as a “troublesome eye” given its ability to predict his movement, it’s an enormous sensory asset.

While this is handy in the anime, the main instances where a comparable eye appears in the manga are when Boruto’s Kāma activates. In chapter #9 of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, Boruto’s Kāma resonates with Kawaki’s due to being in close proximity as they briefly clash, prompting Boruto to flee. This could be due to the eye’s ties to Momoshiki.

Everything We Know So Far About Boruto’s Special Eye

While there’s no explicit mention of the Jougan in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex or the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations manga, there’s also not enough convincing evidence debunking it appearing later. The eye’s abilities could be hand-waved as Byakugan but don’t bear the usual characteristics, and it being impervious to harm is another confounding element.

The eye surfaced at different times for the anime versus the manga, however. The anime showed a first non-flashforward instance in episode #15 well before the Momoshiki fight in episode #65, while the manga has shown him using it in select instances after Momoshiki inhabited his body. In Momoshiki’s view, Boruto has “strongly inherited the power of the Ōtsutsuki”.

“Beware. Those blue eyes shall eventually take everything from you.”

-Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations chapter #10

In cases like Boruto: Naruto Next Generations chapter #43, however, these rare appearances of the eye are clearly the result of Momoshiki attempting to take over his body as Boruto’s Kāma activates. The villainous entity taunts Boruto, and the series frequently notes how his eyes are “bluer” than even his father’s.

This lack of clarity allows more enticing theories to take hold among the fandom. One even suggests alternate translations suggesting an exorcism technique for the Jougan eye, which would make a convincing case for a Kekkei Genkai-obsessed character like Orochimaru to return. But standing out from the Byakugan, Tenseigan, and Senrigan, the Jougan remains Boruto’s most mysterious eye.

But with Boruto: Two Blue Vortex’s release of chapter #29, there could be a new chance to explore Boruto’s special eye, and whether Ikemoto and Kishimoto expand on it. After all, Boruto is showing more proficiency with his Kāma’s chakra absorption; surely he’ll have a better understanding of his eye, Jougan or otherwise, with this devilish new Momoshiki deal.

First Episode Air Date

October 3, 2002

Cast

Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei

Writer

Masashi Kishimoto

Writers

Masashi Kishimoto

Penciler(s)

Mikio Ikemoto

Inker(s)

Mikio Ikemoto

Colorist(s)

Mikio Ikemoto

Publisher(s)

Viz Media