The 'Boruto's Dad' meme originated in 2017 after a Crunchyroll social media post promoted the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations series by referring to the iconic Naruto Uzumaki simply as 'Boruto's dad.' This phrasing instantly sparked a wave of ironic humor among long-time fans who found it hilarious that one of the most famous characters in anime history was being reduced to a secondary familial role for a new audience. The meme typically highlights the generational shift in the franchise where newer viewers might not know Naruto's massive history, and it is frequently used to poke fun at the perceived disrespect toward the Seventh Hokage's legacy. It remains a staple in the anime community for expressing both nostalgia and comedic frustration through the lens of a simple name swap.