Key Takeaways:
– Although Masashi Kishimoto created Sakura Haruno with a vision to inspire and resonate with the female audience, her character didn't turn out as planned.
– The manga creator attempted to improve her role, popularity and storyline but faced a disappointing outcome.
– Unlike other characters, Sakura lacked a strong family background or characterization, leading to her limited growth.
– Kishimoto eventually focused more on the physical attractiveness of Sakura rather than her development as a character.
– Despite the attempt to give Sakura more prominence, it was fellow character Hinata who rose in popularity, making her one of the main characters.
Aspiring to Inspire: The Intention Behind Sakura Haruno's Creation
When Masashi Kishimoto first introduced Sakura Haruno, his aim was to inspire young girls and women across the globe with a character who represented potential and promise. He envisioned her as a protagonist but struggled to execute his vision accurately.
A Failed attempt to Enhance the Character
Over time, Kishimoto found that his attempts to flesh out Sakura's character were not achieving the desired results. Despite his efforts, her character wasn't resonating well with the audience. A lack of a strong family background or other supporting elements made further expansions tough and challenging.
The Drastic Decrease in Sakura's Popularity
As the series trekked on, Sakura's popularity plummeted. Her role seemed more suited for a supporting part than that of a main protagonist. Kishimoto considered letting her fade out, reasoning that her declining popularity only made her suitable as a side character.
The Physical Appeal Over Character Development
As Kishimoto grappled with Sakura's character, he resorted to making her more physically attractive as a character, thereby disregarding her personal growth and development. He also expressed his distress in an interview, sharing his concerns about how things weren't shaping up for Sakura's character as he had initially intended.
The Unforeseen Rise of Hinata
Interestingly, while Kishimoto was grappling with improving Sakura's popularity, it was Hinata's character that was winning hearts and rising in the ranks. Her growing popularity, against all odds, led to her being positioned as a leading character, ultimately pushing Sakura into the shadows.
A Missed Opportunity to Showcase a Great Female Character
While Kishimoto had high hopes for Sakura, her underdevelopment didn't cater to fans' expectations. Her character was presented with great potential but lacked the necessary growth. As a result, she was pushed around as a side character.
A Lesson in Manga Character Creation and Development
Sakura Haruno's character arc serves as a valuable lesson in manga character creation and development. The ability to come up with relatable characters and compelling storylines that appeal to diverse audiences is crucial in the manga industry, as evidenced by Sakura's disappointing storyline.
Kishimoto might have struggled to fully realize Sakura's potential, but his experience throws light on the need for manga creators to focus on each character's comprehensive development. Even when intentions are noble, execution is key. This experience can help creators avoid a similar fallout with their own characters in future tales.
In conclusion, Sakura's not-so-successful character development serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to connect with audiences with engaging and relatable characters. Despite this setback, “Naruto” continues to command a cult following among manga fans worldwide, proving the power of a great storyline and rich tapestry of characters. It goes to show that while some characters may fail to connect with audiences, their stories continue to inspire many more.
