Delivering the best episode in the show's history, Boruto has been changed forever by Kawaki's first fight. A sequel to the hugely popular Naruto series, Boruto has experienced mixed fortunes since debuting in 2017. Both the anime and manga versions have enjoyed independent success, with the animated adventures of Naruto's son proving especially popular, but the Boruto TV show has also been predominantly filler material, deviating significantly from the comic books. Thankfully, in the dying months of 2020, Boruto began to introduce the villainous Kara group, picking up the manga story with Kawaki's escape and a mysterious airship crash in the middle of Konoha territory.

Naturally, Team 7 are sent to investigate. Boruto, Sarada, Mitsuki and Konohamaru face off against the traitor Ao and the formidable Jiraiya-esque Koji Kashin before encountering the mysterious Kawaki unconscious in the woods. Hunted by Kara and bearing a Karma mark on his palm almost identical to Boruto's, the shinobi insist on taking this stranger back to Konoha Village, but Kara have other ideas and send their Outer soldier Garō to retrieve Jigen's so-called "vessel."

Related: Boruto Theory: Amado Is The True Enemy (& Turns Kawaki Into A Villain)

Boruto episode 189 "Resonance" features the spectacular battle between Kawaki and Garō. The animation is several notches above Boruto's usual standard, and the art looks notably more consistent with the manga, as demonstrated by Konohamaru's hairstyle and the more textured character designs. But the fight also improves hugely upon the corresponding manga chapter. The comic clash between Kawaki and Garō was a fairly run of the mill battle - a solid but unspectacular scrap. The anime adds more slick martial arts action, more combat ingenuity from Kawaki and much more intensity between the two opponents. In another anime glow-up, Kawaki's ability to grow natural weapons from his body looks infinitely better in animation than in black and white print, leaving viewers eager for his return to action.

Kawaki looking down at someone in Boruto

Only once before has Boruto hit such heights - during Naruto and Sasuke's battle against Momoshiki. As impressive as that fight was, however, the episode was essentially a retelling of Boruto: Naruto the Movie, whereas the recent Kawaki battle is entirely original to the ongoing series, making "Resonance" the most important Boruto episode to date. In terms of introductions, Kawaki has made one of the best first impressions in the entire Naruto franchise, with Studio Pierrot going all-out to make this pivotal new character a star. Kawaki has already proved popular with manga fans, but by brutally dispatching Garō with such a dazzling display of power, this stylish rebel will surely now explode among anime fans, possibly even outshining Boruto.

As alluded to previously, the Boruto fandom has, until now, been divided between anime and manga supporters, but Kawaki vs. Garō could be the unifying moment Naruto's sequel sorely needed. Certainly, the episode's response so far has been unanimously positive. Anime-only watchers have been patiently awaiting Kawaki's debut since he first appeared battling Boruto in a dramatic flashforward, and by surpassing all expectations, the Boruto anime can finally kick on with its main story - two brothers brought together by fate to face a common threat, only to become mortal enemies as teenagers. Now where have we heard that before?

With Boruto giving Kawaki vs. Garō the royal anime adaptation treatment, it's exciting to think what other manga fights might come with a similar sheen. Naruto vs. Delta, any of the Jigen battles, and Team 7's effort against Boro all stand out as scenes that could be vastly improved by the Boruto anime.

More: Boruto: Why Ao Betrayed His Village (& Why It's Perfect)