A Naruto light novel does more justice to Sakura than the manga or anime ever did

Despite being one of the main characters in Masashi Kishimoto’s famous series, Sakura Haruno’s character development in the manga or anime series of Naruto is often criticized by fans for not receiving the recognition it deserves. The outspoken ninja with bright pink hair has been deemed to have a lack of progression, leading to disappointment among many fans.

Despite her teammates Naruto and Sasuke having story arcs that are filled with growth, battles, and insightful looks into their pasts, Sakura’s journey has seemingly been neglected, leaving fans longing for more.

Despite being a main character, Sakura’s role is often limited to her romantic feelings for Sasuke and rivalry with Ino, rather than allowing her character to showcase her own desires, ambitions, and ninja abilities. This issue is frequently debated among fans, with many citing the series’ lack of focus on its female characters, with Sakura being a prime example.

However, Sakura’s opportunity to shine comes in the Sasuke Retsuden light novel, which is a lesser-known component of the series.

The evolution of Sakura Haruno in the Naruto light novel

Sakura's evolution in 'Sasuke Retsuden' — Naruto Light Novel (Image via Studio Pierrot) — Sakura’s evolution in ‘Sasuke Retsuden’ — Naruto Light Novel (Image via Studio Pierrot)

From the beginning of Naruto, Sakura is depicted as having strong feelings for Sasuke, which often overshadow her ninja ambitions. Throughout the manga and anime, she is portrayed as being somewhat weaker than her teammates, struggling to hold her own against powerful enemies. Despite her growth as a ninja, her unwavering love for Sasuke continues to dominate her character development.

Despite moments where she displays remarkable growth and strength, these instances are often overshadowed. For example, her training under Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannins, enables her to become a formidable medical ninja. However, this aspect of her is not always given the recognition it deserves.

Despite receiving multiple arcs in both the manga and anime, Sakura’s character is consistently depicted as being primarily driven by her feelings for Sasuke. This often leads to her being portrayed as a supporting character rather than one of the main protagonists, despite her evident growth and development throughout the series.

Analyzing Sakura’s Growth in the Sasuke Retsuden Light Novel

Sakura is a medical ninja trained under Tsunade (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Despite her depiction in the manga and anime, Sakura’s character is greatly expanded upon in the Sasuke Retsuden light novel. The novel presents her in a more favorable and empowered manner, providing a deeper understanding of her beyond what was shown in the Naruto series.

Similarly to her previous depiction, Sakura is not merely a supporting character motivated by her romantic feelings for Sasuke. Instead, her contributions and participation are essential to the storyline. She plays a vital part in the quest to discover a remedy for Naruto’s sickness, assuming the guise of a physician, which showcases her proficiency in medicine and her courage.

In addition, the series delves into Sakura’s relationship with Sasuke in a more mature and mutual way, depicting her as an equal counterpart rather than just a romantic interest. This sense of equality is highlighted through their joint decision-making and moments of vulnerability, showcasing a more harmonious and equal dynamic between them.

Sakura’s character is further developed through her various adventures, highlighting her strengths, intelligence, and empathy. This is a notable improvement from her previous characterizations.

The Sasuke Retsuden light novel presents Sakura in a unique light compared to the manga and anime. In this version, she displays remarkable strength and stands on equal footing with her peers, rather than simply following her romantic feelings. The novel delves deeper into her development and resilience, providing fans with a more comprehensive understanding of her character.