I don't believe SS will happen at all, but I don't think "It's a bad message" is a good argument against it at all.
Twilight is a perfect example. Bad messages happen even in the most popular media targeted at the younger generations. Just because it would send a bad message does not mean it can't happen, which is why that argument is not very strong. It's better to stick with the facts rather than bring in so so "bad messages".
A good message for naruto to still try to save sasuke would be something like: In every human is something good deep inside or sonething like that.
Also for the ok message: i think its hard to say that it would be a ok message if naruto ends up alone, because naruto is shown to have selfless love, what is very rare in other storys and it would be bad to show something like that rewardless.
Not to forget that it has a different impact to show a bad message in love instead of friendship.
I mean what would you think if you see a manga ending with the girl getting together with an total a**hole who treats her like crap and the selfless guy who cares for her more then anybody else ends up alone.
The same can be said that every human has a good side deep within, it's ok to be in love with them because they can change. It's ok for Naruto to risk his life for Sasuke because "he can change"? Why is it ok for Naruto to represent this bad message, but not Sakura? "Saving" a friend that made a "few mistakes" and shows no remorse is no better than being love in with someone because of the possibility that they can change.
The message is still bad, just because romance isn't involved doesn't make it any better. But that message is still there, and Kishi uses it every opportunity he can get. We never see Naruto reconsider saving Sasuke, it's always strong and persistent and even when he saved Sakura from death by Sasuke's hand, he never seemed to truly reconsider giving up on Sasuke. Kishi is not afraid to show a bad message, he has throughout most of the manga.
If Kishi decides to go with this "Sasuke is a good guy deep within" strategy, Naruto ending up alone is not really that big of an impact. Naruto is selfless and he decided long ago he'd do whatever he could to make Sakura happy. If he's able to succeed in bringing Sasuke back and make him good again, along with making the woman he loves happy at last, then his mission is accomplished. It's not great like we all want it to be, but it's "ok". Again, this is if Kishi throws all the bad things Sasuke has done out of the window and makes all his crimes seem like nothing.
While Naruto still acts this way (Acting as if Sasuke is just 'lost' or being mislead even though he makes stupid decisions all on his own), I don't believe the manga is heading in an all redemption, crimes forgiven direction. I think Sasuke will be redeemed, but I don't believe that redemption equals instant love between him and Sakura.
The FACT remains he doesn't care about Sakura and it's been shown time and again. Sure, it would be a "bad message" if they somehow ended up together, but instead of speculating the badness, the fact that he doesn't care for her should cut off just about any chances they have of SS happening right now. The "bad message" as I have shown can easily apply to other themes that Kishi has shown throughout the manga, it is too easily turned around. You can use it if you like, but it's just not helpful, strong, nor does it really matter whether something will happen or not.
Edited by kirabook, 12 December 2012 - 04:44 PM.