Sakura Haruno

Origin

Unlike her teammates Naruto and Sasuke, Sakura grew up in a normal childhood with loving parents. She lived in Konoha village with her parents and began attending the ninja academy. The kids used to bully Sakura for her large forehead, and when she began covering them, they took advantage of her sensitivity about it and teased her even more. Soon after, Sakura would befriend Yamanaka Ino. Ino gave Sakura a ribbon to help show off her face more. Thanks to Ino, Sakura became more social and developed her own personality. Sakura and Ino became best friends throughout the academy. However, their friendship would take a turn when a boy named Uchiha Sasuke arrived at the academy. Sakura developed a crush on Sasuke but would learn that Ino also had a crush on Sasuke. Their friendship ended and they became rivals. It was later revealed that the true reason for their strained relationship was that Sakura felt that she was only living in Ino’s shadow and decided to become Ino’s rival in order to step out on her own.

Creation

Sakura Haruno (春野 サクラ, Haruno Sakura) is a lead character of the Naruto series that was created by Masashi Kishimoto. It first began serialization of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in November 1999. She was first introduced during the first story arc.

She first appeared in Naruto Volume 1, CH. 3 “Enter Sasuke!”.

Sakura was given pink hair to create a unique look for the series and relation to cherry blossoms, for which she is named. Her family name of Haruno (春野) means “spring field”, and her given name of Sakura サクラ comes from the Japanese cherry blossom (桜, sakura), the national flower of Japan. When put together, her full name Haruno Sakura can mean “spring field of cherry blossoms”.

Character Evolution

” I’ve always considered myself to be a true ninja… but those were just empty words, because Sasuke and Naruto were always in the lead! But now it’s my turn to take the lead, and all of you can watch me from the background! “

Sakura Haruno “Naruto”

While designing Sakura, Kishimoto first concentrated on her silhouette and wanted her costume to be as simple as possible. This wasn’t the case for the other male leads who were given more complicated designs. So much so that he was concerned about being able to draw the series every week. Shorts were added to her Chinese style of dress to give her a feel of being more active. The first design had them as long as past her knees but were brought up higher to mid-thigh. These became tighter and shorter as the series progressed. For her redesign after the two year time skip, Kishimoto wanted to give her a costume that reflected a more karate background that kept a Chinese design to keep a feminine feel. This is seen in her top.

In an interview with Kishimoto for Weekly Shonen Jump of June 2006, he said that she was the closest to being a normal person and would make the best ninja instructor of the Team 7 members. He also blamed his own lack of experience for not being able to draw her as looking “cute”. Even his staff agreed she was “far from cute”. He does imply that he felt she became cuter as the series went on and his skills improved. Her most prominent feature is her large forehead. He would occasionally overcompensate and draw it too large.

In a 2010 interview, he says he heard from those who worked with him, felt that Hinata Hyuga would be a better fit as the heroine of the series, but he insists that Sakura is ultimately the heroine he created, and that he will strive to give Sakura more heroic scenes in the future.

” This was how I first imagined Sakura. Let’s face it…she’s really not that cute, is she? Especially back then! But that was mostly because I’m not that good with female characters in general, so making one of them cute is always a big challenge for me. “

” There’s a lot more to being a good manga character than just cuteness, you know… At least, that’s my excuse. The trouble makers and the curmudgeons I can draw without breaking a sweat….but girls are really hard. “

Masashi Kishimoto

– “Naruto” Volume 3 Early Character Designs – Sakura

Despite Sakura’s popularity, she was not intended to be the heroine of the series. Kishimoto blames himself for this by describing himself as being unable to draw a good heroine character type. The best he came up with for Sakura is a girl who couldn’t understand men, who is an irritating character but always well-intentioned. Still, he became quite fond of Sakura and feels much of her personality can be found in just about everyone. This is possibly one explanation as to why she is so easy to relate with for most readers.

After a two year time skip in the manga series, Sakura is now at 16 years old and reached the rank of Chunin. She was trained in all the skills and techniques of Tsunade and even has the same level of monstrous strength. No longer would she be playing the support role and was now a force to be feared in hand-to-hand combat. When Naruto returned, their first mission together was to save Gaara from the Akatsuki.

Major Story Arcs

Introduction Arc

Eventually it would be graduation day, but first all the students must take a pass or fail test. They would have to demonstrate their ability to make a chakra clone of themselves, to which Sakura does and passes. She is now a Genin (lowest ninja rank) and would soon learn who her two teammates are. The next day, on her way to school she runs into Ino. The two immediately made it a competition to get to school faster. Sakura and Ino both wanted to be on Sasuke’s team, but only Sakura would be lucky enough. However, her other teammate was Naruto, who had a crush on Sakura. Sakura was now a part of Team 7 with Naruto and Sasuke, and their leader was Kakashi. The team learns of a pass or fail survival test that Kakashi is going to administer. Kakashi briefs the team about it and tells them that it will not be easy.

The next day, they arrive at the training location with their ninja gear ready to go. However, Kakashi deliberately arrives hours late, and tells them that he “crossed a black cat and had to take a detour.” Kakashi shows them two bells and tells them that both only two, one, or none of them are going to pass, and the failure will return to the academy. When the test begins, Sakura showed more interest in following Sasuke around and ignore Naruto, despite him being in trouble. After this, Sakura was lectured by Kakashi for not helping Naruto, and she finally realized how serious this test was. Kakashi then ties Naruto up and gives Sakura and Sasuke food to eat. He then threatens them that if they allow Naruto to eat, they will fail immediately. However, Sasuke and Sakura defy Kakashi’s words and feed Naruto anyway. Kakashi shows up extremely angry and demands an explanation, Sakura tells Kakashi that they fed him because he was their teammate. Kakashi then reveals that they are the first team to pass his test, and now the team is ready for missions.

Land of the Waves Arc

Team 7 is assigned to protect a bridge builder named Tazuna, however their mission becomes a Class A ranked mission when they discover that a high ranked ninja was after him. Sakura suggested that they abandon the mission because it is ranked A and Naruto’s hand was injured. However, Naruto takes the kunai out of his hand and it begun healing rapidly. They decide to proceed with the mission anyways. Team 7 would run into a Hidden Mist village ninja named Zabuza. They discover that he is extremely powerful and they prepare before the confrontation. Sakura, due to her lack in ninja skills, was charged with protecting Tazuna, while the others fight Zabuza. However, Sakura would eventually head to the battlefield herself, where she discovers that she has amazing control over her own chakra. When Sasuke was appeared to have died in the battle, Sakura violates Shinobi Rule #25, by crying when Sasuke “died,” which states that a shinobi may never display any kind of emotion in the battlefield. Sasuke would eventually be revealed to not have really been dead, and Team 7 would accomplish their mission by defeating Zabuza, and protecting Tazuna the Bridge Builder.

Chunin Exams Arc

Once Team 7 returned to the Leaf Village, Sakura Haruno ran into members of the Sand Village in the city boundaries. Kakashi then surprised them that he was entering them into the Chūnin Exam. Sakura easily passed the written test given to them by Morino Ibiki, then they were led to the Forest of Death by Anko Mitarashi. It was in there that teams of three must find both a Heaven and Earth scroll before reaching the center. During the battles, Sasuke was attack and infected by Orochimaru with some cursed seal, and Naruto was unconscious. Rock Lee tried to come to Sakura’s rescue when she was attacked by Sound Ninja as she was trying to protect her vulnerable team, but he was also defeated. She cut her own long hair to free herself, and she was aided in the fight by Ino’s team.

After meeting with Kabuto, they made it to the center with both scrolls. With still too many competitors, there were several preliminary battles for the final test. Sakura was paired off against Ino. Ino nearly one their fight, but Sakura broke her possession Jutsu with her willpower. Their fight ended in a double-knockout (tie) that disqualified them both. However, this fight cleared up much of the tension between the two and started their renewed friendship.

Invasion of Konoha Arc

The final part of the tournament came to an abrupt end as the Sound and Sand Villages attacked during Sasuke’s fight with Gaara. Sakura was given orders from Kakashi to follow after Sasuke with Naruto and Shikamaru. Shikamaru stayed behind to lure away their pursuers, and found Sasuke battling Gaara, who was possessed by the One-Tailed Beast. During the fight, Sakura was captured in Gaara’s sand and it threatened to crush her to death. When they returned, they discovered that the Third Hokage had been killed by Orochimaru, and the Sand Village had been tricked into the battle. Sakura went to visit Sasuke in the hospital, and she couldn’t believe it when he told her that Naruto was the one who saved her.

Search for Tsunade Arc

With the Lord Hokage dead, a new leader was needed for the village. Sasuke was brought back to the village after being injured in a fight with his brother Itachi, and Naruto returned several days later with Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, to be the Fifth Hokage. Sakura tried to stop Naruto and Sasuke’s rivalry from coming to a head as they went all out at the top of the hospital. She was nearly killed as she tried to run between their powerful attacks, but she was saved by Kakashi flinging them both away.

Sasuke Retrieval Arc

Soon after the fight at the hospital, Sakura ran into Sasuke trying to leave the village to side with Orochimaru. At first she begged him to take her with him, but he knocked her unconscious when she threatened to scream. As soon as she was awake, she reported to Tsunade about his defection. She in turn put Naruto, Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba as the retrieval team. At the gate and with tears in her eyes, she pleaded with Naruto to bring Sasuke back, and he promised he would.

However, much of the team that had been sent out returned nearly dead, and Sasuke had tried to kill Naruto. Sakura tried to release Naruto from him promise, but he still held on to his word. The next time, Sakura agreed to be there to help him. As Naruto left to train with Jiraiya, Sakura went to Tsunade to train as both a medical ninja and to fight.

Kazekage Rescue Arc

After two years of training, Naruto returned to the village, and Tsunade challenged the pair to defeat Kakashi in training. Before they could get a new mission, they were sent on an emergency call to save Gaara, the new Kazekage, form the Akatsuki. Once at the Sand Village, Sakura saved Kankuro’s life from the poison he had been infected by. Team 7 was joined by Chiyo in pursuit of Gaara. They were blocked by Itachi Uchiha, and Sakura learned afterward the fate a Jinchuriki faces once the Tailed Beast is removed.

Team 7 was joined by Team 9 as backup. Sakura broke down the bolder blocking the entrance to the Akatsuki cave, but they were too late. Gaara was dead, and Naruto chased after Deidara. Sakura stayed with Chiyo to fight Sasori, a master of ninja puppetry. When both were poisoned, they used the antidote Sakura had developed. Sakura then allowed Chiyo to manipulate her body as a puppet to use her experience with Sakura’s strength. They destroyed most of Sasori’s puppets, but Sakura was reinfected by the poison. After Sasori was defeated, Chiyo used a forbidden jutsu to heal Sakura using some of her own life force. Before Sasori died, he passed along information about Orochimaru and Sasuke.

Upon catching up with Naruto, who had rescued Gaara’s body, Chiyo used her jutsu to try and revive him. Naruto offerd his own chakra to help as Chiyo was faltering, but Sakura didn’t tell Naruto that this would also end Chiyo’s life. With Gaara saved, they returned to the Sand Village before returning home with Team 9.

Sasuke and Sai Arc

Kakashi had been badly wounded during the mission and was forced to be hospitalized after they returned to Konoha. Naruto and Sakura would gain a new leader and teammate for their next missions. Yamato was assigned as the team leader and Sai was assigned as their third teammate. Sai is a strange boy, who grew up without learning any emotions. The team is briefed about their next mission, they were to meet the “spy” in Orochimaru’s group. The new team sets out and discovers that the spy was waiting for the dead Sasori. However, it turns out to be a trap and the group battles Kabuto and Orochimaru. Naruto was left badly injured, but Sakura was able to heal his wounds. They then proceeded to Orochimaru’s hideout, and began infiltrating his lair. Going to room after room looking for Sasuke, they eventually confront Sasuke outside of the lair. They try to convince Sasuke to return to Konoha, but he declines once again and begins attacking them. Sakura tries to stop Sasuke, even attacking him. However, Sasuke was able to escape anyways. The team returns to Konoha after the failed mission, Naruto and Sakura were deeply depressed that they once again could not stop Sasuke.

Hidan and Kakuzu

Later during the Hidan and Kakuzu arc Sakura and Sai patiently wait for Yamato and Naruto as they are to provide back up for Team 10 therefore they are the first to see Naruto’s Rasenshuriken. As members of Team 10 and Kakashi are about to be killed by the Akatsuki member Kakuzu they are saved by the arrival of Team Kakashi and a Typhoon Water Vortex used by Naruto and Yamato. As the rest of the members are left to battle Kakuzu Sakura and Sai move on to back up Shikamaru, however by the time they get to the battle location Shikamaru has already defeated Hidan and walks toward Sakura and Sai in the accompaniment of a deer. Sakura, Sai and Shikamaru then head back to the rest of their comrades and see a defeated Kakuzu and an exhausted group of comrades who all soon head back to the village. At the village Sakura is worried about Naruto because of the use of his new jutsu damaging his chakra pathways, at Ichiraku Ramen Bar Sakura feeds Naruto due to his damaged arms being useless.

Itachi Pursuit Arc

Soon after the last story arc Tsunade is informed that Sasuke has killed Orochimaru. Therefore Tsunade Sends an Eight Man Squad consisting of Team 8 and Team Kakashi to search for Itachi Uchiha. However they soon are informed by Kiba that he has encountered Sasuke’s smell and that he was traveling with a team therefore they change their plans to search for Sasuke instead. While in a small town Sakura nearly encounters one of the teammates of Taka, Karin. While hot on Sasuke trail the team encounters Tobi. The team fights him together and through various attacks the team finds out that Tobi is able to phase his body and teleport therefore not allowing anyone to land a blow. Before the battle is over the team sees that Tobi has a Sharingan. The team soon is back on Sasuke’s trail and at the battle site of Sasuke and Itachi, Kiba inform everyone that he can no longer track Sasuke because he has been teleport away leaving no no smell for him to track, everyone then heads back to the Konoha.

Invasion Of Pain Arc

After word is sent to Tsunade via Jiraiya’s toad that Jiraiya is dead and was killed by beings who called themselves Pain, Sakura is seen scolding Naruto for lashing out at Tsunade after she has informed him of Jiraiya’s death. Sakura is then seen helping deciphering Jiraiya’s coded message but little to no help with that. When Pain attacks Sakura is seen helping and healing villagers seen also saves a villager from one of Pains giant (but not biggest) summonings. After Pain destroyed most of Konoha Sakura is seen alive protected by Katsuyu who Tsunade had summoned earlier to protect villagers. Sakura then comes in contact with a member of the Hyuga clan who is able to watch and inform Sakura of the battle between Pain and Naruto (who has returned from his training). Sakura is informed by the Hyuga clan member HInata was hurt defending Naruto and that Naruto had transformed and was becoming the Nine-Tails.

When the Hyuga clan member says that Pain and Naruto were moving away from Konoha Sakura goes to help Hinata who is next seen with her cousin and the rest of Team Guy slowly dying. Sakura is then seen healing Hinata and informing Neji that Hinata tried to save Naruto because she loved him. When Sakura heals Hinata she is thanked by her and Sakura told her she shouldn’t have done that. Sakura is next seen when Fukasaku is revived due to Nagato believing in Naruto’s dream she is next seen with all of Konoha greeting Naruto however she greets him with a punch and then a heart warming hug and thanks him.

Five Kage Summit Arc

It wasn’t long after the defeat of Pain that Naruto and Sakura had learned that Danzo, the newly appointed Sixth Hokage, had put Sasuke’s name in the Bingo Book. On the way to talk with Danzo, they were met by Sai, then several Cloud Ninja appeared looking for information on Sasuke. For he had abducted their master, Killer Bee. As Sakura was watching over Tsunade, Sai came to meet with her. He told her how Naruto had run off with Kakashi to try and plead for forgiveness for Sasuke to the Raikage, and he went on to tell her how she was to blame for putting too much responsibility on Naruto to live up to his promise. Soon after, Shikamaru called a meeting of their graduating class to agree on killing Sasuke themselves. Sakura agreed, but she wanted to be the one to tell Naruto.

Sai, Rock Lee, and Kiba joined her in following Naruto into the Land of Iron. When she finally caught up to Naruto, she confessed her love for him. Though, he doubted the sincerity of her words. She left appearing offended, then asked Kiba to track Sasuke down. Once located, she used a gas to knock out Kiba, Lee, and Sai. She planned to try and kill Sasuke herself. When she found him, she acted as if she wanted to join him, but he tested her by challenging her to kill Karin, one of his allies. Sasuke nearly tried to kill Sasuke as Kakashi arrived. She tried once more, but hesitated before stabbing him with a poisoned junai. This time, she was saved by Naruto. Sasuke was taken away by Madara Uchiha, who had declared war on the Five Great nations to claim all the Tailed Beasts; and Sakura returned to the village.

Confining in the Jinchuriki Arc

Tsunade had revived for her coma just as the other nations needed to unite and prepare for war. Naruto was tricked into hiding by telling him it was for a unique mission and to bond his chakra with the Nina-Tails. Sakura joined with the newly formed Shinobi Alliance to stop Madara and his army from capturing the Jinchuriki.

Fourth Shinobi War Arc

The army that Madara had created was filled with the greatest of all ninja who had ever lived. They had been revived using the forbidden jutsu. During the war, Sakura fought along Kakashi’s squad in a rematch with Zabuza and Haku.

Later, the threat of the shape changing Zetsu clones proved to be the greatest threat. They were next to impossible to detect, and they could appear to be anyone. One that looked like Neji Hyuga tried to kill Sakura and the other medical ninja, but she tricked the copy and destroyed it with her own strength. Clones of Naruto soon appeared across the battlefield using the chakra of the Nine-Tails. With it he weeded out the Zetsu clones from the allied forces. With that settled, Sakura and the other ninja set out to unite with the real Naruto.

Ten-Tails Revival Arc

Upon their arrival, Sakura and the others learned that the real Madara was among the revived ninja, and the man who had been impersonating him was actually Obito Uchiha. Together they had managed to revive the Ten-Tailed Beast, and they would use it to rewrite reality to their design. Naruto protected the alliance members by coating them in a chakra cloak, and Sakura healed Naruto as he rested. During the wait, the four dead Hokage arrived, having been revived by Orochimaru; and Sasuke had soon followed.

While the Hokages held the Ten-Tails in place with a barrier, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke teamed up to rush inside and finally defeat the Ten-Tails. With all her preparations and three years of storing chakra, Sakura was finally ready to reveal her use of the Yin Seal to increase her battle strength.

Infinite Tsukuyomi Arc

After the Nine-Tails was ripped from Naruto by a now mortal Madara, Gaara rushed a dying Naruto to Sakura. He then transported them both to Naruto’s father, Minato Namikaze. On the way, Sakura had to resort to open heart massage to keep Naruto alive. Although, Minato was prevented from passing on his half of the Nine-Tail’s chakra, Obito was able to transport Sakura and Naruto to his parallel dimension to protect them from Madara. He soon arrived and transferred some of all nine Biju into Naruto.

Afterward, Sakura was little more than a witness as Madara was betrayed by Black Zetsu in order to revive Kaguya Ohtsutsuki. She placed the world under the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Sakura and Kakashi were protected from falling into its spell by Naruto and Sasuke. To stop Naruto and Sasuke from sealing her again, Kaguya threw Sasuke into an alternate dimension. Sakura then aided Obito to be his power source to retrieve him.

With Kaguya sealed away, Sasuke refused to help Naruto release the world’s population, because he wanted to kill the Five Kage while vulnerable. To prevent Sakura from following them as they dueled over the issue, Sasuke used a powerful genutsu on Sakura to knock her out. By the time she awoke, the battle was nearly over. She and Kakashi arrived to find Naruto and Sasuke not moving and each was missing an arm. She used her medical jutsu to stop their bleeding. As he lay there, Sasuke finally apologized to Sakura for all he had done.

Epilogue

Some time later, Sasuke and Naruto went to travel the world. Sasuke refused to let Sakura travel with him, but made a promise to return. After several years, Sasuke did return, and the two married, and eventually had a daughter.

Powers & Abilities

Sakura is a young ninja who excels at understanding and controlling of chakra. However, she originally lacked much of a fighting spirit and would have to fall back from more intense fights. She eventually tired of being a burden on her team and following behind them. She trained with Tsunade to emulate her incredible strength and skills in medical-based jutsu.

Sakura’s Jutsu:

• Transformation Jutsu (変化の術, henge no jutsu): The Transformation Jutsu is a basic ninjutsu taught to in the Ninja Academy. It transforms the user into the appearance of another person and they can even speak as they do. This is a valuable skill for infiltration and deception. This is not a technique Sakura has frequently used.
• Substitution Jutsu (変わり身の術, kawarimi no jutsu): The Substitution Jutsu is basic fighting technique taught to ninja of the Hidden Leaf after graduation from the Academy. It’s designed to have the user replace their body in an instant with an object from the surroundings just before an attack can hit. Sakura is immense proficiency with this jutsu and used it to great effect during the Chunin Exams.
• Genjutsu Release (幻術解, genjutsu kai): The Genjutsu Release is a technique that allows the user to break basic Genjutsu. This technique was taught to Sakura by Kakashi Hatake. Though, this will not work on several more powerful Genjutsus.
• Sakura Blizzard Jutsu (サクラ吹雪の術): With this is a technique, Sakura throws a barrage of kunai knives, that have exploding tags attached to them.
• Chakra Enchanced Strength: Sakura’s enhanced strength is based from her chakra control training that she received from Tsunade. Chakra is gathered, condensed, and released at the point of impact.
• Cherry Blossom Clash (桜花衝, ōkashō): The Cherry Blossom Clash is a technique Sakura uses with her Chakra Enhanced Strength skills she learned from Tsunade. By focusing a large amount of chakra to her hand, she punches into the ground causing a massive shock wave. The destruction is dependent on the amount of chakra focused.
• Mystical Palm Technique (掌仙術, shōsen jutsu): The Healing Jutsu is a medical-ninjustu technique where the user forces chakra to their hand to speed the natural healing to the target and it can use used on one’s self. Sakura was taught this technique by Tsunade.
• Chakra Scalpel (チャクラのメス, chakura no mesu): The Chakra Scalpel is a technique for a medical-ninja to focus chakra at their hands to create an extremely fine and long blade that can cut into the body of a target. It can be used for surgery or to cut muscle and nerves of an opponent.
• Poison Extraction Jutsu (細患抽出の術, saikan chūshutsu no jutsu):The Poison Extraction Jutsu allows the user to actually isolate and remove poisons from the blood. Using the Chakra Scalpel, an incision is made into the victim then chakra is used to force a large amount of medicinal fluid into the incision. This fluid serves to isolate poisons to then be drawn out of the body. In the process, the poison is removed and the damaged areas of the body are repaired. The extracted poison can now be isolated and analyzed to create an antidote. This is a highly advanced technique that was taught to Sakura by Tsunade.
• Yin Seal (陰封印 , infūin): This is an advanced Fūinjutsu sealing technique that Sakura was taught by Tsunade. This is performed by collecting and storing chakra over an extended period of time in the forehead. It will take on the form of a diamond. The release of this technique grants the user even more enhanced strength. Sakura stored chakra for three years, and she doesn’t need to use any of the power to maintain a youthful appearance, as Tsunade does. It all goes to her fighting techniques.

Jutsu Stats

Ninja’s are ranked by their proficiency with the various types of jutsu and other statistics. The score rates as a best out of five and are added up in a total score. (source: First, Second, and Third Third Naruto Databook)

Ninjutsu	Taijutsu	Genjutsu	Intelligence	Strength	Speed	Stamina	Hand Seals	Total
1.5	1	3	3.5	0.5	1	1	4	15.5
2	1	3.5	4	1	1	1.5	4	18
3	3	3.5	4	3	3	2.5	4	26

Weapons & Equipment

Statistics

Affiliation: Hidden Leaf Village

Rank: Jounin

Registered Ninja #: 012601

Date Of Birth: March 28th

Age: 12 (Part I); 15-17 (Part II)

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Height: 148.5 cm–150.1 cm (Part I); 161 cm (Part II); 165 cm (Blank Period)

Weight: 35.4 kg–35.9 kg (Part I); 45.4 kg (Part II)

Blood Type: O

Occupation: Director of Konoha Children Mental Health Clinic

Completed Assignments:

• D-Rank 12 / C-Rank 9 / B-Rank 6 / A-Rank 7 / S-Rank 0

Other Media

Manga

On top of being a character in the main Masashi Kishimoto Naruto manga, Sakura also appears in a gag-spinoff manga that stars Rock Lee and others in chibi design. The series is titled Rock Lee Seishun Fullpower Ninden (ロック・リー青春フルパワー忍伝, Rokku RÄ« Seishun Furupowaa Ninden) and it written and illustrated by Kenji Taira. It began publication in Shueisha’s Super Strong Jump magazine on December 2010.

Anime

Naruto (2002)

The Naruto anime series is the first direct adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s original manga. It’s produced by Studio Pierrot and first began airing in October 3, 2002. The series lasted for 220 episodes. The last of which aired on February 8, 2007, and it was then followed by the direct equal, Naruto Shippuden. Sakura’s first anime appearance was in Naruto – Episode 1 “He Appears! Naruto Uzumaki“. Her character in the Japanese series is voiced by Chie Nakamura, and the U.S. dub produced by VIZ Media is done by Kate Higgins.

Subtle changes have been made to Sakura’s hair from the manga version when the Naruto anime was produced. The length of her hair was drawn to be slightly longer before and after she cut it. The original manga coloring for Sakura gave her subtle make up and nail polish, but this never appeared in any of the anime episodes. A major continuity error occurs in Naruto Episode 103. At 19min 30sec in, Sakura uses incredibly strength to rip out the mast of the ship. This is a trick of Tsunade, but Sakura would not be trained by Tsunade until well after Sasuke left the village.

Naruto Shippuden (2007)

The Naruto Shippuden anime series is the second direct adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s original manga. This series is produced by Studio Pierrot and first began airing in February 15, 2007. Sakura’s first appearance in this series is in Naruto Shippuden Episode 1 “Homecoming”. Her character in the Japanese series is voiced by Chie Nakamura, and the U.S. dub produced by VIZ Media is done by Kate Higgins.

In the seventh Naruto Shippūden opening, “Toumei Datta Sekai (透明だった世界)” performed by Motohira Hata, Sakura, Ino, and Hinata are shown fighting Konan of the Akatsuki in a non-canon battle.

NARUTO Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals (2012)

The NARUTO Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals (NARUTO-ナルト- SD ロック・リーの青春フルパワー忍伝 , NARUTO Sugoi Doryoku: Rokku RÄ« no Seishun Furupowā Ninden) is a short-comedy adaptation of the of the Naruto spin-off manga series, Rock Lee’s Seishun Full Power Ninden. It’s produced by Studio Pierrot and first began airing in April 3. 2012. While not a direct adaptation of the spin-off manga, it follows the same theme of chibi-style characters that focuses on Team 9 in wacky adventures and situations that frequently breaks the fourth wall.

Sakura’s first appearance in this series is in NARUTO Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals Ep. 2 “Love is a part of the Springtime of Youth, Love makes both sides Crazy”, which aired on April 10, 2012. Her character in the Japanese series is voiced by Chie Nakamura, and the series has not been dubbed in English.

Films

As a lead character, Sakura is one of the earliest appearing characters in the Naruto series, and she has appeared in every movie of the series. Her first movie appearance was in the movie, Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004). None of the events in this movie held any canon to the original manga story. In the third film, Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (2006), there is a similar continuity error that occurred in Naruto Episode 103. Sakura shows a remarkable amount of strength she would later learn from Tsunade, but the timeline of this film is designed to take place before her training.

• Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004)
• Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel (2005)
• Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (2006)
• Naruto Shippuden: The Movie (2007)
• Naruto Shippuden 2: Bonds (2008)
• Naruto OVA: the Cross Roads (2009)
• Naruto Shippuden 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire (2009)
• Naruto Shippuden 4: The Lost Tower (2010)
• Naruto Shippuden 5: Blood Prison (2011)
• Naruto Shippuden Movie 6: Road to Ninja (2012)

Games

Sakura has appeared in some form or another in Naruto franchise video games. Her first game appearance was in the fighter for the Nintendo GameCube Naruto: Clash of Ninja (2003). This game was eventually released in the U.S. in March 2006. Though she is a playable character, the Games Story mode only allowed players to use Naruto. She would go on to have numerous other appearances in the Clash of Ninja game series. In many of the games she was playable prior to time skip, her Inner Sakura was used as part of her fighting techniques.

(For a full list of games that feature Sakura Haruno, see her profile on Giant Bomb. HERE)