The Sakura situation is worse than you think.

Jun 22, 2020 12:37 PM

Offline

Jan 2012

416

The short version is: everybody hates Sakura, including Kishimoto himself.

The long version: as described in this site, on the "Creator's Pest" entry: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Trivia/Naruto

1) Sakura was added into the series because of an editor's order, Kishimoto absolutely HATED the idea of adding a female protagonist because he isn't good with female characters (Sasuke exists because of said editor as well);

2) He actually considered giving more developement to Sakura, but upon realizing that EVERYONE in the fandom ALSO hated her, he went to the conclusion that developing Sakura would be a complete waste of time AND started exploiting her status as hated character (hence that fake love confession, it was added ON PURPOSE to add more fuel to the fire). Said hatred extends to the ENTIRE Haruno clan, by the way;

3) And let's just say Sakura represents everything Kishimoto HATES about a woman (i.e. very violent and difficult to deal with).

And there you have it: a character who was doomed from the very start.

Jun 22, 2020 12:53 PM

removed-user

Offline

Jul 2018

564612

Vini310 said:
Sakura was added into the series because of an editor's order, Kishimoto absolutely HATED the idea of adding a female protagonist because he isn't good with female characters (Sasuke exists because of said editor as well).

Well, I always knew that Kishimoto never cared about these two. Too bad that editor did not order Kishimoto to show some love to these characters. Truth be told, I never really cared about them myself, I only loved Naruto because of the Akatsuki.

Jun 25, 2020 7:56 AM

Nick-Nick-Nick

Offline

Jul 2014

Is there a source on this? If that’s true then that’s a real shame..

Jun 25, 2020 10:13 AM

Atlos

Offline

Aug 2018

5194

Kishimoto isn't going to make a good character if he hates them.

_______I like rocks__

Jul 5, 2020 7:26 AM

Vini310

Offline

Jan 2012

416

Nick-Nick-Nick said:
Is there a source on this? If that’s true then that’s a real shame..

Interview at Jump Festa 2010, where Kishimoto confirmed he made Sakura detestable: https://web.archive.org/web/20141021073730/https://narutochapter.wordpress.com/2010/02/06/interview-masashi-kishimoto-jump-festa-2010/

2014 Jump Festa interview, confirming that Kishimoto added Sakura into the story because of an editor's order: https://web.archive.org/web/20180330022613/https://imgur.com/a/4Fouv

The 2014 Fuji TV Kobayashi interview, where Kishimoto confesses he never liked Sakura AND confirms that her lack of development is intentional: https://web.archive.org/web/20170924111946/http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Thread:164031

Jul 5, 2020 8:30 AM

Nick-Nick-Nick

Offline

Jul 2014

Vini310 said:

Nick-Nick-Nick said:
Is there a source on this? If that’s true then that’s a real shame..

Thank you for these. I really wanted to give Kishimoto the benefit of the doubt but I’m pretty disappointed about this. There is no benefit whatsoever to him doing this and shows an immaturity on his part..

Aug 12, 2020 2:17 AM

Axelthrow

Offline

Jan 2017

Vini310 said:
The short version is: everybody hates Sakura, including Kishimoto himself.

The long version: as described in this site, on the "Creator's Pest" entry: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Trivia/Naruto

1) Sakura was added into the series because of an editor's order, Kishimoto absolutely HATED the idea of adding a female protagonist because he isn't good with female characters (Sasuke exists because of said editor as well);

2) He actually considered giving more developement to Sakura, but upon realizing that EVERYONE in the fandom ALSO hated her, he went to the conclusion that developing Sakura would be a complete waste of time AND started exploiting her status as hated character (hence that fake love confession, it was added ON PURPOSE to add more fuel to the fire). Said hatred extends to the ENTIRE Haruno clan, by the way;

3) And let's just say Sakura represents everything Kishimoto HATES about a woman (i.e. very violent and difficult to deal with).

And there you have it: a character who was doomed from the very start.

These are exaggerations and stretches.

1) The editor didn't order him, he suggested it. Kishimoto didn't hate the idea of adding a female character, he was just worried that he wouldn't write them well. He never viewed Sakura as a protag and saw her more as equal to the other konoha 12 besides Naruto and Sasuke.

2) He considered developing her, and he did. Sakura got focus during the sasori arc. He considered developing her more by adding her family in, but he thought she was so hated there was no point and he didn't have time to fit it in, so he put it in the movie. He never hated Sakura, in fact he even gave her a lot of hurrah's during the final arc even though he didn't need too. Kishimoto also said in another interview he regrets Sakura's character because she was unpopular, and in an interview with Viz said he wished he introduced more of her backstory.

3) Kishimoto never said Sakura represented everything he hates about women. He said Sakura was similar to his wife. He may not have liked Sakura as much as Hinata, but that doesn't mean he hates her or put his anger at women into her.

Vini310 said:

Nick-Nick-Nick said:
Is there a source on this? If that’s true then that’s a real shame..

1. Your first link has a very rough translation where kishimoto just said she did something detestable. I wouldn't trust it. In that same link Kishimoto also says she will become more of a heroine after this, so it conflicts with your point he didn't plan on developing her and wants her to be hated.

2. Your second link doesn't say the editor ordered him, it says the editor persuaded him, and Kishimoto even agrees it was good advice.

3. Your third link doesn't say anywhere Kishimoto never liked Sakura.

See All Discussions

Poll: » Naruto Chapter 342 Discussion kittykun2011 - Nov 8, 2008	5	by Chfenj_ »» Apr 13, 9:54 AM
Poll: » Naruto Chapter 244 Discussion Thystrix - Mar 20, 2016	6	by Chfenj_ »» Mar 30, 9:34 AM
Poll: » Naruto Chapter 649 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Blaine - Oct 2, 2013	74	by actuallytom »» Mar 29, 12:14 PM
Poll: » Naruto Chapter 97 Discussion jeanfarias - Aug 7, 2012	5	by MissDoublefinger »» Mar 13, 6:52 AM
Poll: » Naruto Chapter 87 Discussion jeanfarias - Jul 4, 2012	5	by MissDoublefinger »» Mar 12, 7:10 AM

The Sakura situation is worse than you think.

More topics from this board

Poll: » Naruto Chapter 342 Discussion

Poll: » Naruto Chapter 244 Discussion

Poll: » Naruto Chapter 649 Discussion ( 1 2 )

Poll: » Naruto Chapter 97 Discussion

Poll: » Naruto Chapter 87 Discussion

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters