I think Hinata is an awesome character in the manga. She is always concerned about everyone else. Quite recently she's become strong, confident and a real asset to Konoha. I mean, I actually though it was pretty cool when she tried to fight Pein to save Naruto. I think she has a lot of good insight, her taijutsu is good and she is just a lovable character. I mean, say she was actually involved in the plot. She could have done really important stuff like point out that Kakuzu has four hearts or that Sasori is nothing but a heart. For someone that's not even supposed to be a main character, she's had more influence on Naruto than Sakura. How would the battle with Pein have turned out if she didn't intervene. She is not some weak and feeble character. I think she's a very heroic and influential character. I mean, she put her life on the line TWICE for Naruto. The fact that she is in love with Naruto makes her stronger. If you buy-in to Naruto's ninja way then you automatically buy-in to hers. I don't think Hinata is a fodder, why on earth do people even think that?