Highlights
- Sakura's growth from a weak character to a skilled medical ninja showcases her evolution throughout Naruto.
- Despite initial setbacks, Sakura's relationships with Team 7 and her daughter highlight her mature development.
- From being a damsel in distress to a respected kunoichi, Sakura's journey in Naruto is one of growth and empowerment.
Sakura Haruno is one of Naruto's most controversial characters, with viewers questioning her role in the show throughout its long run. Sakura's character had a rocky start, but that certainly doesn't mean she isn't bound to change eventually. Though she doesn't receive the acknowledgment, Sakura's character has witnessed exponential changes, going from a bratty child to a strong-willed, empowered woman.
While she's often viewed as Team 7's dead weight, Sakura has had to bear her fair share of trials and tribulations, and these very challenges served as a catalyst to her growth. While Sakura is far from being branded as a perfect character, overcoming her flawed persona has unveiled a more nuanced characterization.
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A Damsel in Distress
Unlike her male counterparts, Sakura lacked any special skills or training from the very beginning, deeming her a less than average shinobi on the battlefield. Her lack of resolve further presented her as nothing more than a love interest, with her character being relegated to a mere damsel in distress. The Land of Waves arc, the very first major arc of Naruto, centered around every single member of Team 7 fighting for their lives — except for Sakura, who was sidelined the entire time as a cumbrance.
The same pattern extended to the next major arc, the Chunin Exams arc, where Sakura remained practically useless throughout the Forest of Death. She was able to stand her ground for some time against the Sound Ninja, but all she could do was buy time until Rock Lee could jump in to save her.
During Sasuke's defection from the Hidden Leaf, Konoha 11 was sent to bar the Sound 4 from escaping, yet Sakura was nowhere to be seen in this exclusive rescue team. Instead, she was found hapless and despair-ridden, even begging Naruto to bring Sasuke back. This relegating treatment of Sakura's character continued in the entirety of part 1 of Naruto, cementing Sakura as nothing more than a woman in peril.
At this point, the only person who would be able to stop Sasuke... who would be able to save him... is you... Naruto.
Shippuden Witnessed the Beginning of Sakura's Growth
It wasn't until Shippuden came around that Sakura's character finally received some much-needed attention. Sakura's very first fight against an Akatsuki member offset her development, as her victory against Sasori showcased that she had the potential to hold her ground without turning towards any of her male counterparts.
After accepting Sasuke's defection, Sakura finally begins to hone her own strengths, straying from her previous position of Team 7's underdog. Sakura began to grow out of Naruto and Sasuke's shadow by carving out her own path, and her tutelage under Lady Tsunade aided most of this growth.
Sakura's Newfound Identity
Sakura experienced the most profound change after taking on the role of a medical-nin, as she had finally found her true calling. Before stumbling upon medical ninjutsu, Sakura never truly had her own identity, as she had always felt out of place within Team 7's framework. During the two-year time skip, Sakura trained under Lady Tsuande's expertise, garnering not just immense physical strength but also boasting the status of an elite medical Ninja.
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Her new status shined through most of Shippuden, as she remained at the forefront of the show's medical endeavors. From creating an antidote to save Kankuro to mastering the Hundred Healings Mark for wide-spread healing, Sakura has made a name for herself among the ninja world as a skilled medical kunoichi. Her feats during the Fourth Great Ninja War further cemented her status, as she was even tasked with heading one of the Shinobi Alliance's healing camps.
I've always considered myself to be a true ninja... but those were just empty words, because Sasuke and Naruto were always in the lead! But now, it's my turn to take the lead, and all of you can watch me from the background!
How Have Sakura's Relationships Evolved?
Sakura's inner growth and development becomes quite apparent by the end of the show, but her true growth lies in her relationships with friends and teammates. Sakura went from belittling Naruto over petty matters to forming a bond of trust and friendship. Sakura's friendship with Ino also blossomed into something much more profound after the two mended their past differences.
While her affection and sentiments towards Sasuke surely underwent several ups and downs throughout Naruto's run, the bottom line remained the same. Though it may seem like Sakura's character regressed as she ended up in a problematic relationship with Sasuke, the two are still a viable pair considering the deep-rooted past they share. Sakura's unwavering sentiments further showcase a sense of loyalty and affection that is certainly difficult to come by. Overall, Sakura's relationships only improved with time, and her maturity and growth shined through each one.
However, Sakura's true growth is reflected in her relationship with her daughter, Sarada Uchiha. Despite raising her as a single mother and navigating through the troubling phase of her daughter's curiosity about her missing father, Sakura was able to foster a healthy relationship with Sarada. The challenges they faced, such as Sarada questioning whether Sakura is her actual mother, only furthered their bond as Sakura navigated through these challenges with tact and healthy communication.
Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.
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Naruto
A popular shonen anime based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga, Naruto follows its eponymous shinobi's journey as he goes from his town's outsider to its hero.
