Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
In theNarutoseries, Sakura Haruno didn’t have a strong role, and her character lacked depth as the story expanded. However, the 2013 film“Road To Ninja: Naruto the Movie”explored an alternate reality where Sakura had a more significant role. This“what if”scenario changed her background and character, showing her untapped potential.
In the original series, Sakura was initially important, but her relevance in the story decreased as it expanded. The $17 millionNarutomovie creatively showed how Sakura’s narrative flaws could be fixed, giving her a more meaningful role in the series.
The movie demonstrated that a small change in her design could have made her character more useful. Sakura’s limited background, possibly due to a lack of an interesting backstory, made it hard for her to impact the plot like Naruto or Sasuke.
Also Read:Insane Boruto Theory Claims Kawaki is the Reincarnation of the Most Badass Naruto Villain
“Road To Ninja: Naruto The Movie”Enhanced Sakura’s Role in The Story
The film explored a different reality where Sakura’s father became the Fourth Hokage, suggesting that early changes to her character design could have improved her presence in the series.
The movie is about Naruto and Sakura in a different world where their parents swapped roles. Naruto has the family he wants, while Sakura’s dad dies protecting the village, leaving her an orphan.
However, Sakura’s dad being Konoha’s leader reminds her that she lacks strong connections to her own story. Sakura becomes less relevant in the manga as it focuses on Naruto and Sasuke’s families.
Other characters, like Sakura’s rival Ino, have ties to Konoha, but Sakura and her family remain mysteries, not connected to the ninja world. She ends up in a big clash between powerful bloodlines without impacting it or Konoha. Even her parents in the murkily canon story show little thought about her wider role in theNarutoworld.
Also Read:“End of an era”: Fans Adore Kenjiro Tsuda’s Last Reaction to Nanami’s Farewell as Behind the Scenes of Jujutsu Kaisen Gets Revealed
Kizashi as a Fourth Hokage Candidate and the Impact on Sakura’s Role in the Story
Saying Kizashi should have been the Fourth Hokage might be too extreme, but considering him as a candidate could have kept Sakura important in the story. This idea would give Sakura a solid role in fights and a distinctive background without relying on complex clan histories.
In a movie, the plot of Sakura’s dad becoming the Fourth Hokage shows a common problem inNarutoand maybe in shonen anime overall – women characters are acknowledged but often overlooked, serving more as filler than essential parts of the story.
Also Read:“Thought my guy was dead”: After Todo’s Epic Arrival in Jujutsu Kaisen, Fans Demand to See 1 More Iconic Character Return to the Shibuya Arc
Tanmay Jha
Articles Published :312
Tanmay writes about anime for FandomWire. He’s currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. With a passion for animation and graphics, he has authored over 240 articles on anime, sharing insights and reviews with fellow fans, seamlessly combining his love for animation with journalism.
