“Here is the solution to one of the most intriguing questions: why is Sakura hated?”

If you are a 'Naruto'fan, Sakura Haruno needs no introduction. She's a character who has sparked both love and hate in the fandom. Some people stand firmly in her corner, while others scratch their heads at her character arc.

Sakura's journey seems to be a rollercoaster of independence and dependence. Initially, she was designed to be submissive and helpless, despite having the potential to take charge. Her perpetual dependence on others has angered many fans.

In this post, we'll detail six reasons why Sakura left a bitter taste in the mouths of some 'Naruto' fans.

6. The Purposeless Burden

Before Sakura mastered medical ninjutsu, its usefulness was often questioned. Sakura had no Jutsu except her talent for throwing a punch that could surprise you. This lack of skills made her a liability on missions. She often cried out for help.

She complained about being a burden, but she rarely trained alone as Naruto and Sasuke did. They both had clear goals. But Sakura seemed adrift, which could explain her relative weakness. It almost seemed like her sole purpose was to be by Sasuke's side, rather than grow as a ninja.

5. Sakura's shallow response to Rock Lee

Lee bravely confessed his feelings to Sakura. But he received a painfully harsh rejection. We've seen Sakura's treatment of her admirers (excluding Sasuke), but this case stands out. Maybe it's our bias as Lee fans, but this revealed Sakura's shallowness.

Kishimoto noted Sakura's lack of intentional love for Sasuke. This makes her seem more obsessed than genuinely caring. Lee, a kind soul who treated her like royalty, was rejected for not being "cool" enough. She also criticized him for his eyebrows and appearance.

4. Sakura hesitated and missed the chance to end the war

In the Naruto War Arc, Sakura had a golden opportunity to break free from her “useless” label and become a true hero of the series by wrapping up the entire war arc. This was her moment to shine, but unfortunately, hesitation took over her with a vengeance.

She had the power to save countless lives and turn the tide of war single-handedly. However, she faltered. This allowed Madara to take the Rinnegan and nearly plunge the world into chaos with the emergence of Kaguya.

There seemed to be no valid reason for her hesitation. If she had acted decisively and cast down the Rinnegan, she could have redeemed herself. If she had acted decisively, her character could have evolved differently. But unfortunately, hesitation won out and left us questioning her true worth.

3. Sakura's treatment with Naruto

Sakura knew that Naruto had a huge crush on her, but she often brushed him off. We're not saying she had to reciprocate his feelings, but a little more kindness wouldn't hurt. Instead, she would throw her fists at Naruto for trivial reasons while praising Sasuke.

Interestingly, Naruto cared more about Sakura than Sasuke did at that time. Of course, she could have treated him better. She portrayed Naruto like the annoying one, but truth be told, his actions were sometimes quite annoying.

We understand that his punches were humorous, but in retrospect, they seemed rude. Let's just say that a little more empathy would have gone a long way in those early days.

2. Sakura's annoying personality

Hating a character usually comes down to them being too weak or their behavior being insufferable. When it comes to Sakura, it's a unique mix of both, making her an easy target for fan animosity.

Also, the whole “Sakura punching Naruto” thing started out as a fun joke. But it got out of hand. Many anime feature jokes that fans love. But Sakura’s constant anger towards Naruto became too much.

It became a relentless cycle of punches and beratements. This cycle is a major reason why fans developed such a strong hatred. In the world of anime, balance is key, and Sakura's antics tipped the scales unfavorably.

1. Sakura lied to Naruto

As we all know, Sakura's love for Sasuke was crystal clear. And Sasuke was deeply absorbed in his mission to kill Kage and anyone who got in his way. On the other hand, Naruto's determination to rescue Sasuke was unwavering. He refused to take "no" for an answer.

In a desperate attempt to deflect Naruto's relentless pursuit, Sakura resorted to a lie. She claimed her affection for Naruto and her indifference to Sasuke. While her intentions may have been noble, this deception raises ethical questions.

Love and friendship are precious bonds. But manipulating them, even for a noble cause, is a delicate matter.

The vast Naruto universe is filled with interesting characters. But let's be honest, Sakura feels like the black sheep here. Sure, there are some die-hard Sakura fans out there, but they're like rare Pokémon.

Every time they tried to spice up her character, it backfired and she became less charming. It’s a little confusing why Sakura didn’t get the redemption arc treatment like the others. But hey, opinions vary. So, what do you think about Sakura’s character? Leave your thoughts below.