If Sakura had a past, would it make her a better character.

[KingHashirama]

Nope she is fine the way she is.

 

[Twisted007]

This way of thinking is wrong.

Remember at the Valley of End. Nothing Naruto said could reach Sasuke. They were both lonely, but still different. Realist quote from Sasuke, "How could you possibly understand me. You NEVER had parents to begin with. I'm suffering now because I HAD those things." Naruto didn't understand Sasuke until Jiraiya died. Then he told Sasuke I understand why you killed Danzo, and why you want to destroy the village.

Sakura has her parents and she's not lonely. How can she truly understand them. Sakura was just a normal girl with a boy crush. She looked at Naruto as some annoying brat, but now she cares for Naruto. That's character development. Sakura isn't the same little girl who couldn't do anything for herself beside cry though. She might be weak and borderline useless, but that doesn't make her a bad character.

The problem is that Sakura is a main character, her 'development' would have been fine if she was a side character. She is underwhelming as a main character, hell side characters like Gaara and Shiki got better development. But it's not just Sakura, all Naruto female characters are bad imo.

She doesn't a sad past, what she needs is a future, a goal (other than doing Sasuke). Yeah she is a fine medic ninja but who cares about healers in a battle manga? Kishi should have made her the brain of the group if she wasn't going to be combat strong. Kinda like Armin of Attack on Titan.....

 

[Solo]

The problem is that Sakura is a main character, her 'development' would have been fine if she was a side character. She is underwhelming as a main character, hell side characters like Gaara and Shiki got better development. But it's not just Sakura, all Naruto female characters are bad imo.

She doesn't a sad past, what she needs is a future, a goal (other than doing Sasuke). Yeah she is a fine medic ninja but who cares about healers in a battle manga? Kishi should have made her the brain of the group if she wasn't going to be combat strong. Kinda like Armin of Attack on Titan.....

Absolute power triumphs EVERYTHING. Shikamaru smartest person in Naruto, couldn't do nothing when Obito was getting ready to nuke the alliance.

Making her the brains wouldn't work either. That's what Kakashi is there for.

 

[ldrill28]

Again, Sakura is a normal girl with parents. Then we try to compare Sakura to Naruto and Sasuke. You're wrong about the curse mark. Sasuke was the one who told her not tell Naruto or Kakashi.

I'm well aware of Sakura's nuclear family, and I understand Sasuke told her not to tell. I don't think you understand that I'm making inferences.

What was she going to do? Tell Kakashi? He was off on a mission. Tell Naruto? Sasuke would have been long gone. You forget that Sakura was a 12 year old girl at time.

Sakura had the foresight to know he would leave, she could have informed any number of capable shinobi including the Hokage.

How? When Naruto asked Sakura for help with the Tree climbing, she helped him. Sasuke was too embarrass to ask her.

Of course she helped him, I don't know what point you're trying to make.

This is NOT true. Sai told Sakura that Naruto is suffering because of the promise he made you. Naruto had just got beat up by some Cloud Ninja to protect Sasuke. Sakura was trying to make Naruto forget about that promise.

Again I'm drawing my own conclusion based on the evidence provided to me, obviously there is no manga page where Sakura implicitly states my opinion as fact lol.

I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. When did she do any of this?

Sakura threatened Sai, made demands of Sasori, and overall had an audacious approach to her confrontations in Part 2 both verbally and physically. Sakura made more of her role as Tsunade's disciple than she should have, you saw her involve herself in situations when she had no cause to. Some examples, trying to stop Naruto from leaving when he found out about Jiraiya's death, proclaiming she would go see Danzo regarding the Sasuke situation, and leaving the village to go try and bring Naruto back.

@Sakura tried to kill Sasuke thing:
Kakashi tried to kill Obito to protect the past Obito memories. Sakura basically tried to do the same, but couldn't bring herself to hurt Sasuke. Dude, she's girl with a teenage crush. Did you really think she would go through with it?

That's not what Sakura tried to do, how you defend Sakura is very interesting.

-------------------------------------

I don't think you are interested in an actual discussion about Sakura, nor do I think you fully get that it's okay to draw conclusions from the story that aren't directly stated. That's what takes place on forums though and countering my opinion with "Dude, she's a girl with a teenage crush" or "Sakura was a 12 year old girl at the time" shows me that you didn't grasp what I wrote. I don't think you even know my position on the matter, instead it seems you just got upset at certain lines and responded with surface level facts from the manga that are irrelevant to anything I said.

Sorry if I upset you with something in my post, but thanks for taking the time to read it. Though I might not enjoy what you took from it, I always appreciate commentary on my longer posts. Especially when I was as tired as I was when writing it, no hard feelings bro.

 

[BenjerminGaye]

No. We already passed the 600 chapter mark and unlike side characters she's been here since...Chapter 2? It's too late.

 

[Twisted007]

Absolute power triumphs EVERYTHING. Shikamaru smartest person in Naruto, couldn't do nothing when Obito was getting ready to nuke the alliance.

Making her the brains wouldn't work either. That's what Kakashi is there for.

Your right about absolute power > everything in Naruto one of Kishi's biggest mistakes if you ask me. Naruto and Sasuke drive the plot, Kakashi is the brain of the group and comes with the strategies. Kishi basically made another main character he has no use for.

 

[Solo]

I'm well aware of Sakura's nuclear family, and I understand Sasuke told her not to tell. I don't think you understand that I'm making inferences.

This is what you state about Curse Mark:
"When the curse mark is introduced into the situation, you see Sakura view the information of it's existence as some special connection between her and Sasuke. Not telling Kakashi or Naruto to ensure that privileged connection, and to once again try and establish a deeper relationship."

She was going to tell everyone about Sasuke's Curse Mark, but what happen? This happen:

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

She could have still told Kakashi, possibly. From your POV, you make it seem she used the curse mark as factor to bring them closer. When in fact, that's not true.

Sakura had the foresight to know he would leave, she could have informed any number of capable shinobi including the Hokage.

Again, who? Naruto who was mad at Sasuke at the time? Kakashi who was off on a mission? Ino her best friend? 5th Hokage, that's another possibility? Those were the closes to Sasuke. If Sasuke wanted to leave, would that stop him?

Keep in mind it was the middle of night. Anyone else would have been like "Nahh.. the kid is fine just give them some time". If she would have told them before he left the village, she used the words "I thinkSasuke is going to leave the village."

Of course she helped him, I don't know what point you're trying to make.

Again you stated:
"In the academy Sakura scored very well, and was the most book smart student there. Not the natural genius Sasuke was, she still excelled in many areas and because of it had an ego. Often in part 1 she enjoyed displaying skill or knowledge in an area some member of her team lacked in...."

How did she have an ego if she helped them in every way she could?

Again I'm drawing my own conclusion based on the evidence provided to me, obviously there is no manga page where Sakura implicitly states my opinion as fact lol.

I'm giving you manga facts. No opinions. We can't argue with a person's opinion. Regardless, facts always hold more weight than opinions.

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

These are facts.

It's easy to play with words. You can take this and make it seem like Sakura was doing this because she felt guilty and trying to make herself feel better, not Naruto.

Sakura threatened Sai, made demands of Sasori, and overall had an audacious approach to her confrontations in Part 2 both verbally and physically. Sakura made more of her role as Tsunade's disciple than she should have, you saw her involve herself in situations when she had no cause to. Some examples, trying to stop Naruto from leaving when he found out about Jiraiya's death, proclaiming she would go see Danzo regarding the Sasuke situation, and leaving the village to go try and bring Naruto back.

Sai is the main cause of Team 7 drama. Plus, Sai was a *******. Naruto made threats to Sai.

Sasori did have information of Orochimaru, who at the time had Sasuke.. right? It make sense to me.

I'm sure Sakura was worry about Naruto when Jiraiya died. Both Naruto and Sakura wanted to see Danzo, he labeling Sasuke a missing Ninja(Which he was).

That's not what Sakura tried to do, how you defend Sakura is very interesting.

Sakura is my least favorite, but people tend to portray her character wrong.

I don't think you are interested in an actual discussion about Sakura, nor do I think you fully get that it's okay to draw conclusions from the story that aren't directly stated. That's what takes place on forums though and countering my opinion with "Dude, she's a girl with a teenage crush" or "Sakura was a 12 year old girl at the time" shows me that you didn't grasp what I wrote.

I can give you facts from the manga. To back every claim I make. Not make silly opinions and playing off words. If Sakura isn't a girl with a teenage girl with a crush, please correct me. Take it how you will, but that's the truth.

I don't think you even know my position on the matter, instead it seems you just got upset at certain lines and responded with surface level facts from the manga that are irrelevant to anything I said.

Sorry if I upset you with something in my post, but thanks for taking the time to read it. Though I might not enjoy what you took from it, I always appreciate commentary on my longer posts. Especially when I was as tired as I was when writing it, no hard feelings bro.

I created this thread to hear opinions, and debate the topic at hand. So why would I be upset with anything you post? I'm not mad. If that's what you believe, then that's what you believe. We can debate the topic, maybe I'll change your mind.. maybe I won't.

I truly feel people had forgot what Character Development really is.

 

[b7718]

It’s difficult to take her seriously as one of the main characters when there’s no meat to her backstory. She comes across as uninteresting and shallow by comparison to her other comrades.

It would also help if her “infatuation” with Sasuke wasn’t based so heavily on his physical attributes.

 

[b7718]

ldrill28,

You took your time and put a great deal of effort into your above post. - Good job.

 

[ldrill28]

This is what you state about Curse Mark:
"When the curse mark is introduced into the situation, you see Sakura view the information of it's existence as some special connection between her and Sasuke. Not telling Kakashi or Naruto to ensure that privileged connection, and to once again try and establish a deeper relationship."

She was going to tell everyone about Sasuke's Curse Mark, but what happen? This happen:

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

She could have still told Kakashi, possibly. From your POV, you make it seem she used the curse mark as factor to bring them closer. When in fact, that's not true.

That's all well and good but she didn't tell did she? Also, at that point the fear of him distancing himself from her drove her to attempt a reveal. Him being sidelined would keep him near her, however once he won and went to the Hospital she didn't pipe up again did she? That seal represented how powerful he could become, and she knew she could never stand in the way of that overwhelming potential. Yet she wanted so badly to be the only one to know the truth, she only coughed up info when it seemed like she would lose him.

Again, who? Naruto who was mad at Sasuke at the time? Kakashi who was off on a mission? Ino her best friend? 5th Hokage, that's another possibility? Those were the closes to Sasuke. If Sasuke wanted to leave, would that stop him?

Keep in mind it was the middle of night. Anyone else would have been like "Nahh.. the kid is fine just give them some time". If she would have told them before he left the village, she used the words "I thinkSasuke is going to leave the village."

Sakura could have gone to the 5th Hokage, the police(I'm sure after the massacre, a policing group still existed), or if not that any number of the special stations for Shinobi throughout the village. I don't think her revealing information about Orochimaru would be taken lightly after he attacked the village. Anbu could have been assigned to watch Sasuke, and if he had been stopped don't think it out of the realm of possibilities that Jiraiya wouldn't agree to train him as well. True, the curse mark was a powerful example of Orochimaru's prowess but the combined effort of a Tsunade, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Naruto is a powerful force.

Again you stated:
"In the academy Sakura scored very well, and was the most book smart student there. Not the natural genius Sasuke was, she still excelled in many areas and because of it had an ego. Often in part 1 she enjoyed displaying skill or knowledge in an area some member of her team lacked in...."

How did she have an ego if she helped them in every way she could?

Having an ego doesn't make you selfish, I made sure to separate my opinion into different sections for a reason. In fact people with a big ego usually like to help others, it's a way of showing off their ability. I mostly used that example to establish a degree in growth concerning aspects of her personality from Part 1 to Part 2.

I'm giving you manga facts. No opinions. We can't argue with a person's opinion. Regardless, facts always hold more weight than opinions.

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

These are facts.

It's easy to play with words. You can take this and make it seem like Sakura was doing this because she felt guilty and trying to make herself feel better, not Naruto.

You aren't giving me manga facts, you're giving me scans depicting dialogue between characters. When Itachi said he would die if he went up against Jiraiya, did you take that as fact? I'm not playing with words, I'm drawing conclusions based on evidence, and by reading deeper into situations rather than just accepting exactly what the scans read each time. As in real life, you can design theories and make inferences by observing and taking an analytic approach to the information you take in. That's why discussions on subjects people are passionate about can become so lively, there exists room for interpretation and that stimulates the mind to no end.

Sai is the main cause of Team 7 drama. Plus, Sai was a *******. Naruto made threats to Sai.

Sasori did have information of Orochimaru, who at the time had Sasuke.. right? It make sense to me.

I'm sure Sakura was worry about Naruto when Jiraiya died. Both Naruto and Sakura wanted to see Danzo, he labeling Sasuke a missing Ninja(Which he was).

I agree, Sai does cause a lot of unnecessary problems, but Naruto didn't really make threats to Sai. He initially confronted him, but refusing to work alongside him was their initial problem.

I'm not denying Sasori having information or the prospect of interrogating him being fruitless, but Sakura making demands of an Akatsuki member is no doubt a display of arrogance.

It wasn't Sakura's place to step in regarding the subject of Jiraiya's death, everything involving that situation was way above her head.

Naruto made it clear he just wanted to talk to Danzo, Naruto being the Hero of the village, Konohoa's strongest shinobi, Kurama's jinchuriki, and the son of the 4th, gives him enough clout to make that request. Sakura never implied she wanted to talk and acted like she was going to go strong arm a village elder. Her clout is non existent, and that display was a perfect example of her bloated self opinion with regards to her place in the village.

Sakura is my least favorite, but people tend to portray her character wrong.


I can give you facts from the manga. To back every claim I make. Not make silly opinions and playing off words. If Sakura isn't a girl with a teenage girl with a crush, please correct me. Take it how you will, but that's the truth.

I don't know why you keep referencing "playing off words" and calling my opinion silly doesn't foster an environment for a healthy discussion. If you feel like I insulted you at some point apologies, but I question your comprehension of my posts and with just cause. I mentioned plenty of times in my original piece that Sakura is just a little girl out of her league, which doesn't seem to be an opinion you disagree with.

I created this thread to hear opinions, and debate the topic at hand. So why would I be upset with anything you post? I'm not mad. If that's what you believe, then that's what you believe. We can debate the topic, maybe I'll change your mind.. maybe I won't.

I truly feel people had forgot what Character Development really is.

If you're assuming my critique of certain facets of Sakura's character is me saying she hasn't developed as a character than that is a mistake. My two favorite characters are Naruto and Sasuke, this allows me to take an unbiased unburdened approach to analyzing the characters fairly. Observing Sakura's development as a character is no arduous task, I don't dislike Sakura but I don't like her either.

This war will prove to be a rewarding journey for Sakura, it is forcing her to understand sacrifice, pain, all the while throwing reality in her face. It's opening up her world, which is an important process for someone like her, and her showing distrust of Sasuke shows she isn't as naive as she was even a week before. War changes people, and the type of change it brings will be invaluable to Sakura. Sakura will come to know what is real, and what is truly important.

Character creation and expanding is Kishi's greatest talent, it's not that character development doesn't exist in Sakura it's that it came too late and to a character dwarfed by the Titans around her.

 

[OMGitsShakra]

i dont see where her character is badly written?? its exhausting to dislike a character for such silly reasons. Kishi wanted a normal girl to balance out the tragedy in her teammates lives. SHE WAS EXACTLY THAT. She was a young girl with a silly crush! I mean i know you people had to be kids at one point, she was portrayed no differently than a normal western, middle class, whatever girl.

Considering such, she has progressed and developed into an awesome character. OP characters are a dime a dozen, and so are characters with already preset powerups (fox, sharingan, kekkai genkais, etc) I like her character because she is different from all the tragedy induced characters. Its refreshing, and her personality is not annoying at all to me. She is fine