Key Takeaways:
1. Creator Masashi Kishimoto designed Sakura Haruno to be a realistic woman in ‘Naruto’.
2. Attempt to make her relatable, especially to the female audience, backfired.
3. Despite criticism, Kishimoto tried several approaches to make the character more popular, but they proved unsuccessful.
4. In hindsight, Kishimoto admitted that focusing more on Sakura’s growth might have enhanced her recognition.
The ‘Naruto’ Tale: Sakura Haruno’s Character Falls Short
One of the most recognizable figures of the acclaimed ‘Naruto’ anime series, Sakura Haruno, has notably faced more criticism than admiration. Despite aim by the series creator, Masashi Kishimoto, to feature her potential, Sakura’s character is often perceived as underutilized. This fact still worries ardent fans, even years after the epic tale concluded.
Masashi Kishimoto’s Rationale: Towards a Realistic Female Character
The manga artist, Masashi Kishimoto, had envisaged Sakura as the most realistic woman among the powerful ensemble in ‘Naruto’. He hoped to make her character relatable, especially to the female viewership. Primarily, he strived to capture her innermost thoughts, emotional conflicts, and mindset, much like a real-life woman. However, the plan did not pan out as expected, leading to a surge in significant backlash.
Interestingly, even the demographic Kishimoto aimed to impress, young girls, expressed their distaste for Sakura. The criticism thrust upon Sakura came as a shock for Kishimoto, as he hadn’t anticipated such a reception. His character, once destined to be an icon for women who enjoyed ‘Naruto’, turned out to lack some crucial aspects that could have made her standout character.
Attempts to Course Correct: Making Sakura More Central
In response to the growing critique, Kishimoto double down on his efforts to bolster Sakura’s image amongst fans. He admitted that recalling the character was not an option; hence, he sought other ways to enhance her role. His ambition was to transform Sakura into a more relevant component of the plot, as he viewed her as a protagonist whose value had to rise to garner the audience’s appreciation.
However, the issues stemmed from Kishimoto’s approach. One instance he cited was on the cover page of the 66th volume, where he portrayed Sakura alongside Naruto and Sasuke. Despite dedicating more time to illustrate Sakura, intending to make her more attractive, it was not recognized by the audience, as they directed their attention towards her character growth.
Sakura’s Declining Popularity, Hinata’s Unexpected Rise
As Kishimoto continued to grapple with re-shaping Sakura’s image, he noticed a surprising twist. Ironically, another female protagonist, Hinata, started gaining immense popularity amongst the fans. This unforeseen development led him to contemplate swapping Sakura and Hinata’s respective roles at one point.
In hindsight, Kishimoto recognized the lacuna in his strategy. Concentrating only on Sakura’s exterior appeal, instead of nurturing her growth, was an oversight. Sakura’s diminishing popularity reflects the miscalculation and missed opportunities. However, despite the hurdles, ‘Naruto’ continues to be a fan-favourite anime series, available for viewing on Netflix. The saga of Sakura offers interesting insights into the challenges and choices in character development.
