“I can see why it’s easy to empathize”: Masashi Kishimoto Insulted One of Naruto’s Best Characters Who Inspired an Entire Generation
Sometimes interesting tidbits about a character don’t appear on-screen but from secondhand things like author’s notes or interviews. In a 2006 interview with Shonen Jump (U.S.), Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, revealed some shocking information about two of the most popular characters of the superpowered ninja series.
Of all people, Kishimoto was the most surprised by Sakura and Rock Lee’s popularity in the U.S. He further stunned everyone by saying that he never intended for Sakura Haruno and Rock Lee to play a major role in Naruto.
Kishimoto’s Unexpected Response
When questioned about Sakura and Rock Lee’s popularity despite lacking any special powers possessed by Naruto or Sasuke, Kishimoto was surprised that Sakura’s character was popular at all in the U.S. He also said that he would not have been surprised if fans ignored Sakura.
He further commented that he understood how some fans might empathize with Rock Lee since he can only use Taijutsu- the most basic martial art power in Naruto. But then he referred back to Sakura’s popularity and said that since she’s a girl and physically weaker than others, it might be easier to empathize with her character. Kishimoto said:
“Is Sakura popular in the U.S.? Well, Lee only has Taijutsu. And as a girl, Sakura is physically weaker than the others. So I can see why it’s easy to empathize with them. They represent human weaknesses.“
He ended his answer by pronouncing the characters representative of human weakness, hence why it is natural for fans to sympathize with them. The statement can sound jarring to the fans, given that Sakura and Lee are loved due to their kind and hardworking nature.
Kishimoto Understates Sakura Haruno and Rock Lee’s Contribution
Despite being the creator, Kishimoto sees the characters in a different light that undermines their importance in the series. Kishimoto heavily diminished their status by simply focusing on Sakura’s gender and Lee’s lack of innate ninja skills.
The statement downplays the role that these characters have played in the Naruto series. Sakura played a vital role in turning Sasuke for good just as much as Naruto’s friendship did. Lee, with his kindness and empathy, bridged the gap between Naruto and Konoha community.
However, in 2023, Sakura won third place in the NARUTOP99 worldwide popularity poll, and this time Kishimoto expressed that he felt proud as a writer to see Sakura so well-loved within the community.
Source: Shonen Jump (US) Interview with Masashi Kishimoto
