The Naruto series certainly has some of the most beloved characters that the fans just can’t get enough of. However, there are some that just seem to have missed the mark when it comes to likability. Sakura Haruno has certainly checked the mark for most fans, especially early on during the anime.
The reason that Sakura garnered so much hate was due to quite a lot of her comments towards Naruto early on in the series. Masashi Kishimoto also received some critique of Sakura’s bad character writing. However, to everyone’s surprise, Studio Pierrot might have been more than responsible for how Sakura turned out in the anime.
Studio Pierrot comes under fire for altering some moments in Naruto
Studio Pierrot, the studio responsible for animating Naruto seems to have changed some moments in the anime which painted Sakura in a way worse lighting than how Masashi Kishimoto actually wrote her. And this isn’t the first time that the studio has been criticized for not sticking to the original source material and dialogues.
A fan on Instagram by the username, @otaki_gains, made an edit that perfectly highlighted just how Studio Pierrot changed some scenes and dialogues in the anime which portrayed Sakura way worse than how Masashi Kishimoto wrote her character. During an interview, he claimed that he actually intended the pink-haired shinobi to be a character that he could show a girl’s true self. But, to his surprise, she became the most hated character, even among young girls.
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Though it isn’t uncommon for animation studios to exactly stick to the source material for loads of different reasons, Studio Pierrot’s aim for the character was quite off as compared to the manga. It became so apparent that it started a thread that claimed that the studio hated Sakura for some reason.
Sakura has since had quite a change in character in Boruto. However, the old fans still can’t forget her character in Naruto. But for those who don’t understand where all the hate for Sakura comes from, or at least seem to have forgotten, here are some moments to jog our memories.
Reasons why fans can’t seem to get behind Sakura Haruno from Naruto
The Orphan Jab: This one stings. Early on, in a heated moment, Sakura throws Naruto’s orphan status back at him. Which wasn’t cool, but to make it worse, she throws Sasuke, another orphan, into the mix. This insensitive jab highlights a lack of empathy and understanding of Naruto’s pain.
The Fake Confession: This might be the ultimate betrayal of trust (from Naruto’s perspective, at least). Sakura tricks Naruto into thinking she has feelings for him, just so she can get close enough to stop him from leaving the village to go after Sasuke. While her intentions were to protect Sasuke, using Naruto’s feelings in such a manipulative way was a low blow.
The Belittling Routine: Throughout the series, Sakura constantly belittles Naruto’s dreams and accomplishments. Whether it’s calling him names or dismissing his ambitions, these put-downs chip away at Naruto’s confidence. While some friendly jabs are normal between teammates, Sakura’s negativity can feel harsh, especially considering Naruto’s struggles with loneliness.
You can stream Naruto on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video.
Frequently asked questions
Did Studio Pierrot change how Sakura Haruno was portrayed in the Naruto anime?
This article argues that Studio Pierrot, the studio that animated Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, took creative liberties that altered some scenes and dialogue, painting Sakura Haruno in a harsher light than Masashi Kishimoto’s manga intended. It frames this as analysis and fan discussion (sparked by an Instagram edit) rather than a confirmed, scene-by-scene production fact, and it does not name specific episodes.
How did Masashi Kishimoto say he intended Sakura Haruno to be written?
The article references an interview in which Kishimoto said he meant Sakura to be a realistic character showing a girl’s true self, only to be surprised that she became one of the most disliked characters, even among young female fans. Kishimoto is the creator and mangaka of Naruto, and Sakura is part of Team 7 alongside Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
Why is Sakura Haruno such a divisive character among Naruto fans?
The article points to three commonly cited fan complaints it labels the orphan jab, the fake confession, and the belittling routine, mostly tied to her early treatment of Naruto. These are fan-community criticisms and interpretations rather than official statements, and the piece suggests the anime’s adaptation choices may have amplified them beyond Kishimoto’s original portrayal. It also notes her character shifted later in Boruto.
