Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-26955426-20150907145025/@comment-26143131-20150907185853

Sakura in part 1, was in my eyes one of the worst characters in the history of anime. She was annoying, useless and surrounded by more sympathetic and interesting characters. When she insulted Naruto for being an orphan I was in awe of how much I could hate a child character. She was also poorly written, her entire back story and character motivations revolved around Sasuke. What's more interesting, a demon sealed inside of you that wants to kill everything you love or a crush on some emo? In many ways I felt a bit sorry for her, she was given so little chance to do anything or given any character development. She was outclassed by the other characters it was a bit sad. I'm legitimately surprised Kishimoto didn't just put her out of her misery.

That being said, she has grown on me after part 1. In part 2 she became motherly and actually contributed to the team effort. She grew as a person, her whole life didn't always revolve around Sasuke. Nevertheless I still don't understand why she persisted to love Sasuke. At least in part 1 her obsession can be passed off as a childish crush. In part 2 however Sasuke not only acts like an asshole towards her and shows no interest in her but she never actually shows a reason for liking him. They share no common interests or goals and she doesen't benefit from this love. Her entire attraction to Sasuke is superficial. Naruto and Sasuke shared way more believability as a couple than Sakura and Sasuke. This is why I prefer Hinata, this character has an obsessive infuatuation with Naruto but at least there's a reason for it. She benefits from Naruto, she becomes braver and stronger because of him so the respect she has of him feels justified.

So after all this do I hate Sakura? No. Despite my frustration at her obsessions with Sasuke I do kinda like her. In The Last and Naruto Gaiden she shows great kindness and is willing to sacrifice herself for her friends and family. Admittedly I would liked to have seen more fights like her one with Sasori but she did aid her comrades many times as a medic on the field. I even feel quite glad that Sakura finally gets Sasuke. So although some arguments against her are valid and I do feel Kishimoto put much less effort on her than other characters, she's a decent character. I don't regret knowing her.