The Controversy of Sakura's Treatment: Did Naruto's Anime Do Worse Than Masashi Kishimoto's Manga?

Many fans often criticize Sakura Haruno for not having a prominent role in the Naruto story compared to Naruto and Sasuke. Some express disappointment with what they see as her ordinary contribution to the series and question her true importance.

Sakura Haruno

However, there are many viewpoints that suggest that the treatment of Sakura in Naruto anime might have been worse than what was done by Masashi Kishimoto in the manga.

The Varied Depiction of Sakura’s Character in Naruto Anime and Manga

Some Naruto fans have different opinions about Sakura Haruno’s character. Some like how she grows and changes, while others don’t like how she was first shown as too focused on Sasuke and not contributing much to the story.

At the beginning of the series, especially in the anime, Sakura is shown as really into Sasuke and often needing help. Some fans didn’t like this and wanted a stronger female character. The anime sometimes made this worse, making some fans not like Sakura.

Sakura in Manga

But if you read the manga, you might see Sakura differently. The manga gives more details about her growth. She becomes a skilled medical ninja with training from Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, and gets better at fighting on her own.

Also Read: What was the Special Technique Minato Wished Naruto to Learn that Forced him to Merge Half the 9-Tailed Fox in Masashi Kishimoto’s Iconic Character?

Sakura Didn’t Necessarily Shun Naruto in the Manga

In the manga, Sakura’s feelings for Sasuke are deep and complicated, going beyond just a crush. She struggles internally and is determined to become strong enough to save Sasuke, especially during her training with Tsunade.

In Naruto: Shippuden, the time skip arc brings a big change to Sakura. After training with Tsunade, she becomes not only a skilled medical ninja but also gains physical strength and combat abilities. Her commitment to bringing Sasuke back becomes a driving force for her growth.

Sakura Haruno In Naruto: Shippuden

Sakura’s relationship with Naruto is more detailed in the manga. Despite some moments in the anime where she seems dismissive, the manga shows a more intricate relationship.

Sakura cares about Naruto, and their interactions show a complex mix of friendship and camaraderie. Their shared goal of bringing Sasuke back adds depth to their relationship.