Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-12509038-20140830021423/@comment-2156952-20140830103420

Hiyayaka-kun wrote: Every female character in the series (well except Tsunade maybe). "You sexist pig, how can you say that!?" you ask. I'm not the sexist here actually, that title is reserved for our beloved mangaka. You see Japan is well noted as a country that is extremely progressive technologically, but socially may as well still be sitting in the Meiji era. Racism is pretty rampant, many don't like gaijin, but probably even less than treatment towards even nihonjin women.

This sounds pretty harsh, but its true. While its true that Naruto is not a story with a strong female lead it can be noted that even major female characters get less face time and story than many supporting characters that may have even been revealed just a couple years ago. For instance we know a lot more about Bee and Ay than we do about say Shizune or Ino. Hell even Sakura gets less time and character story than the old 'bean' kage Oonoki.

In the event that there is an actual situation where the female gets some actual panels its generally relegated to healing/love/talk no jutsu/etc. And usually they end up over their heads and one of the boys has to come bail them out. Even when Sakura manages to kick some ass and do something cool, the only thing you ever see in her speech bubble is "Cha!" or "Shannarou!"

So to put it in perspective with a movie quote, "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." ~ Jessica Rabbit In this case its a matter of "I don't suck, the writer just never lets me shine." I agree with you on this, that the females aren't that focused on. However, it's a good thing that unlike other mangas, Sakura is surprisingly a good female lead instead of a pointless sex-appeal. Her appearance and development are fine the way they are......just that more heroic boost would've been cool!