228 replies to this topic

[sioms]

From my point of view, it no longer has a chance of happening because circumstances have changed between the 3 of them.

But on the other side, neither could happen, along with the LeeSaku pairing, if Kishi introduces a random character ala Vegeta. We should remember that Toriyama wrecked fanbases by pairing Vegeta and Bulma, which was a crack pairing that nobody at that time could have expected. But I hope Narusaku will happen at the end.

Additional:

Sasuke is being compared to Vegeta, but Vegeta just appeared in the middle of the first arc of the DBZ series, unlike Sasuke who appeared in the very start of the manga.

But Narusaku will still happen, I hope

[Mizura]

Looking at it structurally, SasuSaku actually still Does have a chance of happening.

Basically, if you try to look at the big picture... Kishimoto most likely designs the manga from a top-down approach. This explains the so-called "inconsistencies" in his manga. The top-down approach probably works like this:
- decide the important stuff that goes into an arc
- design the arc to showcase said important stuff
- anything else comes last.

For the first half of part II, it probably went like this:
Arc I: Showcase Sakura and her determination towards her two teammates. Reveal Akatsuki goals and give example (Gaara kidnapping). Afterthoughts: team Gai.
Arc II: Showcase Kyuubi, resolve Naruto's inner Kyuubi conflict, give Naruto a stable team formation. Show Sasuke briefly, in a way to usher in a training arc.
Arc III: Showcase Naruto. Also showcase Shikamaru because he's Shikamaru. Get rid of two more Akatsuki. Afterthoughts: the rest of team 10.
Arc IV: Showcase Sasuke. Advance Uchiha plotline and mark the convergence of the Uchiha and Akatsuki plotlines. Give Sasuke a stable team formation as well. Afterthoughts: team 8.

The result of this top-down approach is that anything that's not "on the agenda" gets neglected. As a result, we witness supposedly "puzzling" elements such as Lee not reacting more to the news of Gaara, and Shikamaru overwhelmingly hogging the limelight surrounding Asuma's death.

The only way all this makes sense is if you look at it from a top-down approach. Which is likely Kishimoto's approach.

What this means, though, is that as long as SasuSaku isn't on the agenda, then it can be temporarily forgotten by the mangaka, -even if he Does plan on resolving it-. In the same way, while Naruto was rescuing Gaara, he didn't think much of Sasuke either. Not the current agenda priority.

But what it means, is that as soon as and if SasuSaku Does get on the agenda, a whole arc can be dedicated to building it as much as possible. The fact that Sakura had not reacted more could, as I said, be explained through negligence because of the top-down agenda approach. Everything we've seen up till not does Not prevent it from being on the agenda later, especially since it does actually have a base from which to develop on (part I).

That said...

The interesting part about NaruSaku-ish moments is that despite the fact that it probably wasn't on the agenda in most of the arcs, we got our moments anyway! the only arc without NaruSaku-ish interactions was arc III... and that was after arc II, the biggest arc for our pairing yet. This arc, we got a few interesting scenes at the beginning of the arc, despite the fact that both Hinata and Sasuke are in this arc.

So I'm pretty happy, I say!

[Enermil]

That said...

The interesting part about NaruSaku-ish moments is that despite the fact that it probably wasn't on the agenda in most of the arcs, we got our moments anyway! the only arc without NaruSaku-ish interactions was arc III... and that was after arc II, the biggest arc for our pairing yet. This arc, we got a few interesting scenes at the beginning of the arc, despite the fact that both Hinata and Sasuke are in this arc.

So I'm pretty happy, I say!

We got some moments in arc III

-Naruto winning that he wanted to go to the hospital with Sakura without Sai (how cute our blondie)

-Asuma´s funeral. Sakura is close to Naruto but she is keeping her distance so she doesn´t intrude Naruto´s moment comforting Konohamaru. She is also watching him comforting Konohamaru closely in that panel.

-Just before Sakura leaves with Sai to search for Shikamaru, she said to Naruto I´m counting on you, Naruto She trusts him and is showing him she believes that he can take on an Akatsuki member.

We didn´t got those awesome moments of the first two arcs. But the little moments we got show us what it makes NaruSaku relationship so unique.

[Radiant Eclipse]

I hope it doesn't happen. sasusaku wouldn't work for me.

[SakuDotz]

Lol. That's a good way to put it. xD They just lack everything to become a relationship. Even friendship between them is rusty. XD

[Mizura]

We got some moments in arc III

Oooh, I forgot about the "I'm counting on you."

Still, let's just say we've had a lot fewer scenes in arc III than in arc I, arc II or arc IV, shall we? ^^ But since it was just after the fest that was arc II....

[Enermil]

Oooh, I forgot about the "I'm counting on you."

Still, let's just say we've had a lot fewer scenes in arc III than in arc I, arc II or arc IV, shall we? ^^ But since it was just after the fest that was arc II....

We didn´t get the festival of scenes that Kishi gave us in arc II, but at last he threw us some in arc III and for that I´m happy, others pairings haven´t been so fortunate so far in part 2.

And for arc IV so far we´ve got the whole hospital conversation/ramen feeding scene (the I´m going to rape you look ) and the moment when Sakura goes to Naruto´s home and he ask her if they´re on a date . Did I miss any other?

Ah but arc IV hasn´t finished yet, if we are lucky we could have another NaruSaku moment.

[Mizura]

Ah but arc IV hasn´t finished yet, if we are lucky we could have another NaruSaku moment.

Hmm, it's unlikely we'd get more than Sakura taking a look at Naruto, or the likes.

These off-agenda casual interactions usually occur near the beginning of the arc, before they leave the village. In the later phases, the fights and plotlines take priority. In the coming chapters, the emphasis will likely be on Itachi/Sasuke and Naruto/Sasuke. At most, we'd get some interactions at the very end of this arc, but they'd likely not be very extensive.

Though... if you call that a plus, there's no foreshadowing for extensive Sakura/Sasuke interaction. Kishimoto usually build up these things a lot. with already Itachi/Sasuke and Naruto/Sasuke, I doubt there'd be much Sasuke/Sakura this arc.

Though as I've said, it's likely simply not on this arc's agenda, but might always appear on another arc's. ^^

[canis]

Aahhh! Great Mizura *worships*! I've read nearly all your essays, they're awesome!

The thought of Kishi neglecting everything that's not mandatory for the arc is interesting and makes a lot of sense. It also makes me hope even more for the NaruSaku pairing, because a "super-arc" for lesser developed pairings would make it feel.. rushed imho.
Even though the development for SasuSaku would have to be for the most part on Sasuke's side, imo.
I expect Kishi to flesh out all the pairings before the big showdown to raise the tension level to a max (Even though I guess the pairing wars would get kinda... bloody )

[Enermil]

Hmm, it's unlikely we'd get more than Sakura taking a look at Naruto, or the likes.

These off-agenda casual interactions usually occur near the beginning of the arc, before they leave the village. In the later phases, the fights and plotlines take priority. In the coming chapters, the emphasis will likely be on Itachi/Sasuke and Naruto/Sasuke. At most, we'd get some interactions at the very end of this arc, but they'd likely not be very extensive.

Though... if you call that a plus, there's no foreshadowing for extensive Sakura/Sasuke interaction. Kishimoto usually build up these things a lot. with already Itachi/Sasuke and Naruto/Sasuke, I doubt there'd be much Sasuke/Sakura this arc.

Though as I've said, it's likely simply not on this arc's agenda, but might always appear on another arc's. ^^

I too don´t expect another NaruSaku moment this arc. But who knows we could still get a lucky line like the I´m counting on you one or maybe I´m hoping fo too much.

Yeah the SasuSaku interactions don´t look so promising in this arc, the whole enphasys from the very beginning had been Itachi----->Sasuke<-----Naruto. So far it has only been Sakura´s reaction to the dog tracking Sasuke´s scent.

The same for NaruHina. Some fans were so happy when the two got paired together and were expecting a rush in the developement of their relationship and so far nothing of significance has happened.

Well Sasusaku still has got plenty of opportunities in the next arcs and I´m waiting for it to happen. I want to see the actual extend of Sakura´s feelings for Sasuke and Kishi must show this.

[JABR]

You could also have a Jotaro situation where out of nowhere, Sasuke and Sakura are revealed as a couple at series end despite NO build up to it.

There is that slim possibility.

[Mizura]

Aahhh! Great Mizura *worships*! I've read nearly all your essays, they're awesome!

Why thank you!

The thought of Kishi neglecting everything that's not mandatory for the arc is interesting and makes a lot of sense.

Another way to look at it is that he can't have all the development happen at once. If he does, where would he go from there? So he focuses on priorities, and leaves aside the rest for now. ^^

It also makes me hope even more for the NaruSaku pairing, because a "super-arc" for lesser developed pairings would make it feel.. rushed imho.

This is why I'm convinced that of all "opposing" pairings, only SasuSaku has the possibility of true development. The other pairing will have to happen via twiddling and confession at the very end or something and it being left like that. =\

SasuSaku can still happen in one arc, if they work side by side, and this is because it has had extensive interaction in part I. Yes, Sasuke -> Sakura needs work, but if the two work side by side to save Naruto or the likes, for example, right after Sasuke realizes the error of his ways and thus becomes more open to Sakura as well, then he can realize how courageous she is and warm up to her.

But you know... I'm still lol-ing at how this arc, the other pairing fans are calling NaruSaku the red herring when so far all the "foreshadowing" for the other pairings were what turned out to be red herrings this arc. X'D

[Enermil]

But you know... I'm still lol-ing at how this arc, the other pairing fans are calling NaruSaku the red herring when so far all the "foreshadowing" for the other pairings were what turned out to be red herrings this arc. X'D

Red Herring Narusaku? The what was th whole Hinata being paired with Naruto and Sakura following Sasuke´s scent thing?

I´m longing for some SasukeSakura interaction and SasukeKakashi too. So far Kishi has been focused on NarutoSasuke and whereas that is understatable, being the two of them the the main characters of the show and the ones with the deeper realtionship, I think it´s time we see the others ties Sasuke got with the rest of team 7.

[Mizura]

Red Herring Narusaku? The what was th whole Hinata being paired with Naruto and Sakura following Sasuke´s scent thing?

Yup. They were basically saying that all the NaruSaku interactions up till now were red herrings, and that the Hinata being paired up with Naruto and Sakura following Sasuke's scent thing were foreshadowing to the development of the Real pairings.

lol. XD

As I've said, structure-wise, I don't think SasuSaku is on this arc's agenda, at most it will have a minor moment. That said, it can very well be on next arc's agenda, depending on how things play out. ^^

[canis]

But you know... I'm still lol-ing at how this arc, the other pairing fans are calling NaruSaku the red herring when so far all the "foreshadowing" for the other pairings were what turned out to be red herrings this arc. X'D

Hehe, yeah I agree! I'm not too fond of the "red herring" statement as it is, because you can twist it around for the other pairings as well. Besides a pairing not coming true doesn't make all the development among the characters useless. Sakura still would have become more mature because of Sasuke's betrayal and Naruto would still like Hinata, even though she's a "shy, dark weirdo"...
If Naruto and Sakura wouldn't end up together, I'd be pretty sad even though I would still think that they had the best interaction among the pairing candidates.
Claiming they're just a plot device is kinda disrespectful..

[JABR]

Why thank you!
Another way to look at it is that he can't have all the development happen at once. If he does, where would he go from there? So he focuses on priorities, and leaves aside the rest for now. ^^
This is why I'm convinced that of all "opposing" pairings, only SasuSaku has the possibility of true development. The other pairing will have to happen via twiddling and confession at the very end or something and it being left like that. =\

SasuSaku can still happen in one arc, if they work side by side, and this is because it has had extensive interaction in part I. Yes, Sasuke -> Sakura needs work, but if the two work side by side to save Naruto or the likes, for example, right after Sasuke realizes the error of his ways and thus becomes more open to Sakura as well, then he can realize how courageous she is and warm up to her.

But you know... I'm still lol-ing at how this arc, the other pairing fans are calling NaruSaku the red herring when so far all the "foreshadowing" for the other pairings were what turned out to be red herrings this arc. X'D

The only way that I can see NaruSaku could ever be red-herringish would be if Naruto dies (temporarily) at some point or if Hinata suddenly does something very drastic and confesses to Naruto.

Both are highly unlikely to happen.

[I s u z u]

Of course SasuSaku is still possible. And of course, the fans can still say it, and be truthful about it. :/ I mean, SasuSaku has plenty of a chance -- especially if Sasuke kills Itachi and comes back to Konoha.

But I still think NaruSaku is more possible. :3

[Radon]

If SasuSaku does start to happen I have faith that Kish will give us hints on the matter before hand. If Sasuke suddenly comes back and starts loving Sakura I will be slightly miffed but I want to know 'WHY' he fell in love with her before I accept it in the manga.

As others have said, theres a chance that Sasuke could come back and get together with Sakura but theres just as much a chance that we will see him get back and nothing will happen.

[MagusKyros]

I'm still with my original opinion. Sasuke has next to no interaction with Sakura. Sakura herself has stated that Sasuke never tells her anything, so it's pointless to push SasuSaku together. Especially since Sasuke glanced at her once in part 2; then proceeded to stare at Naruto.

[Radon]

Stare? He was total humping him! I guess Sasuke picked up Oro's boy fetish while with him.

If the pairings were based on interaction alone the pairings would be ItaSasuNaru, SakuIno, ShikaCho, and LeeGai...