It's Getting Old, Sakura Is Far From Naruto's Worst Character and I Can Prove It
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR NARUTO: SHIPPUDEN'S FINAL ARCSSakura Haruno is one of Naruto’s main characters, both beloved and criticized by fans. As a member of Team 7 alongside Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, she was often overshadowed by their immense abilities, making some question whether she deserved to stand beside them. Her early portrayal, which heavily focused on her feelings for Sasuke, led many to overlook her strengths and contributions. However, dismissing her as weak ignores the fact that she was also evolving alongside her peers, steadily growing into a formidable ninja.
While she didn’t start as the strongest, Sakura’s development proves she is far from Naruto’s worst character. Through rigorous training under Tsunade Senju, she surpassed expectations and earned her title as the strongest kunoichi of her generation. Her growth wasn’t just about physical strength—it was about resilience, intelligence, and determination. It’s time to recognize that Sakura Haruno is one of Naruto’s most well-developed characters, and her experiences in and outside of battle can prove it.
Sakura’s Growth Was Never Instant, But It Was Earned
She Was a Young Ninja Full of Untapped Potential
As one of the most acclaimed and longest-running series, Naruto introduced numerous characters who quickly gained fans' admiration. While Naruto and Sasuke were the primary focus, several side characters also stood out due to their compelling backstories. However, Sakura Haruno’s strength didn’t come from a tragic past, which made her development harder for some to recognize. She is often criticized for being "useless" in battle, but this perspective ignores Sakura's true significance, especially in Naruto’s life. Despite the ongoing debates, she remained one of his closest friends, and her journey reflected a steady growth that was often overlooked.
Sakura became a key ally to Naruto, supporting him in major battles and standing her ground when it mattered most.
In Naruto Episode #32, Sakura showed her resilience and determination against Zaku Abumi during the Chunin Exams. With Naruto and Sasuke unconscious, she was left to fight alone, enduring attacks while using herself as a shield. Cutting her hair during this battle symbolized her shift from seeking Sasuke’s approval to protecting her teammates, including Naruto. While her growth wasn’t immediate, Sasuke’s departure motivated her to push herself further, proving that her strength didn’t just rely on natural talent but on relentless effort.
Moreover, determined to improve, Sakura chose to train under Tsunade, refining her skills and becoming a capable medical ninja. In Naruto: Shippuden Episodes #20 to #26, she helped take down the puppet master, Sasori, proving her tactical mind and combat ability. From then on, she became a key ally to Naruto, supporting him in major battles and standing her ground when it mattered most. Though she may not have had as many hyped moments as Naruto, Sasuke, or even Rock Lee and Kakashi Hatake, her steady growth showcased one of Naruto's best character developments, making her far from the worst character in the series.
Sakura’s Strength Goes Beyond Power—She Saved Naruto More Than Once
Her Strength Was Not Just for Sasuke, but for Herself and Naruto
Sakura might have been all over Sasuke in the earlier parts of the series, but after the timeskip, fans saw a different side of her that silenced much of the mockery about her usefulness in Team 7. Despite what her critics say, Sakura is an ideal kunoichi who embodies strength and intelligence. After the timeskip, her character shifted toward more mature priorities. She became strong, but not just for the sake of saving Sasuke or getting his attention—she wanted to stand on her own as a capable ninja. Her time as Tsunade's disciple made her a better shinobi, improving both her physical abilities and inner discipline.
Being left alone with Naruto in Team 7, Sakura became one of his closest confidants. She witnessed the hardships he endured through training and battles, which motivated her to be better too. Determined to support her best friend, she mastered medical ninjutsu to be of help when he needed her most. In Naruto: Shippuden Episode #43, when Naruto lost control and transformed into his Nine-Tails chakra cloak form, Sakura saw the pain he suffered. In later episodes, she used her medical expertise to heal the burns he endured, proving her worth beyond brute strength.
Don't Listen to the Haters, Sakura Haruno Is a Badass and These 8 Naruto Moments Prove It
Sakura has long proven that she belongs in Team 7 and is no longer a burden to the Seventh Hokage and his Shadow Hokage.
While her actions in Naruto: Shippuden Episode #206—when she pretended to reciprocate Naruto’s feelings—were widely criticized, she did so for his sake. She knew that Naruto would never agree to the idea of killing Sasuke, but with Sasuke's rogue and revenge-driven nature at the time, there seemed to be no other choice. Sakura deeply cared for Naruto—not romantically, but as someone willing to risk his hatred if it meant protecting him. Gone were the days when she hid behind him in battle; she had become one of the most intelligent kunoichi of her generation, using her strategic thinking to help Naruto and their allies gain the upper hand.
She Deserved Her Place on Team 7
Sakura's Strength is Just as Vital to Team 7 as Naruto and Sasuke's
Despite what others say, no kunoichi was more fitting for Team 7 than Sakura. Every ninja team in Naruto, whether during Jiraiya’s, Minato’s, or Naruto’s time, had one female member. In Naruto’s generation, Ino, Hinata, Tenten, and Sakura were placed in different teams, each contributing their strengths and intelligence. However, if Hinata or Ino had replaced Sakura, the team’s dynamic would have been entirely different. While both are strong kunoichi, neither achieved the same level of growth and impact as Sakura, solidifying her irreplaceable role in Team 7.
Being in a team with naturally gifted ninjas from prominent clans, Sakura was often seen as average. But instead of accepting this, she worked relentlessly to prove not just others wrong but also herself. Her dream was to catch up with Naruto and Sasuke and stand beside them as equals in battle. Though it took more time, her determination paid off, and her growth became undeniable during the Fourth Great Ninja War, where she played a crucial role in securing victory.
Haruno Clan of the Hidden Leaf Village does not have many ninjas aside from Sakura Haruno.
Despite ongoing criticism, Sakura's evolution proved vital. While her teammates received divine power-ups, her hard work resulted in mastering the Strength of a Hundred Seal to fight alongside Team 7. In Naruto: Shippuden Episode #373, she activated the technique faster than expected, assisting shinobi while holding her own in battle. When Naruto was nearly killed after Yang-Kurama was extracted, Sakura fearlessly used her medical expertise to pump his heart and save his life manually. These moments prove her worth in the narrative, rendering accusations of her being "useless" nothing more than those unwilling to acknowledge her growth.
The Outdated Criticism of Sakura Haruno Needs to End
Sakura Haruno's Failures Were Talked About, But Her Achievements Are Often Whispered
It’s about time the hate towards Sakura’s character comes to an end, and fans recognize not her failures, but her achievements that have too often been reduced to mere whispers in the fandom. Sakura didn’t just save Naruto from death during the Fourth Great Ninja War or provide medical assistance to the Allied Shinobi Forces. When it was down to her, Kakashi, Obito, Naruto, and Sasuke standing against the god-like Kaguya Otsutsuki, she proved she was far from helpless or useless. Her contributions were essential, and without her, the battle’s outcome would have been very different.
During the war, Sakura worked alongside Obito, even sharing her chakra with him despite the fact that he had tried to kill them just hours before. She also played a crucial role in saving Sasuke, the person she deeply loved both romantically and as a friend, when he was stranded in another dimension. In Naruto: Shippuden Episode #473, she delivered a full-force chakra-infused punch that helped Naruto and Sasuke seal Kaguya—something they couldn’t have done without her. Her actions proved that she wasn’t just a supporting character but an irreplaceable force in the story.
Naruto: Team 7's Best Scenes, Ranked
Team 7 is Naruto's most popular ninja squad, thanks to their unique bond, growth, and unforgettable missions that shaped the series' legacy.
Sakura Haruno deserves the same respect that fans give to Naruto and Sasuke. While her personality may not have been appealing to everyone at first, it’s important to remember that she was young and still maturing. The banter and bickering she shared with Naruto, which some exaggerate as abusive, were meant to highlight their bond, not diminish her character. Dismissing her growth and contributions over early series moments is unfair, and it’s time to acknowledge her as one of the strongest kunoichi in Naruto.
- Latest Film
- Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- First TV Show
- Naruto
- Latest TV Show
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- First Episode Air Date
- October 3, 2002
- Cast
- Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
