19964 replies to this topic

[StrikerTheNoble]

I think Naruto may have heard you....

Well Im f**cked

[Otaru]

The last interview was out six month ago.
There is nothing since then.

絶賛盛り上り中の原作についてお聞かせ下さい。もう最終話までの道のり見えてるんでしょうか?

岸本
まだがちがちには固めていませんが、どういう風に見せるのか、どうやって終わるのかはかなり明 確に決まっ
てます
あとはそこに向かって走って行くだけです

となるとラストまでのボリュームが気になります。

岸本
いや、それが全然読めないんです(笑)予想していたよりも全然進んでいなくって。
3年くらい前のJFでカカシ活躍させるよって言っておきながら
まだそれも出来ていない状況
正直、どれだけ掛かるのか、自分でも分かりません。
アニメのキャラデザの西尾さんにも「いつまで続くんだ～」って言われ
「もう1年半くらい」って答えましたが、どうやらもっと続きそうです

まだまだサプライズはあるとみていいんですか?

岸本
いろいろありますよ。本来出てくるはずのないキャラがまだ出てきます
そして………。まだまだナルトと一緒に盛り上って行きますので応援よろしくお願いしま

今回の映画に入らなかったネタはありますか?

岸本
頭の中にあったものは、とことん入れたつもりです
ただ、新たなアイデアも実はあるんです
もう原作の本編では描けそうにないので、編集部のオッケーが出れば
どこかで読切りなどで実現出来たらなと密かに思ってるネタもあります
ちょっとサスペンス的な展開とか…詳しくは秘密ですが、色々挑戦したいです


Otona Fami Magazine: Let me ask you something about your exciting work, that is so greatly admired. Can we already see the end of the story on the horizon?

Kishimoto-sensei: Not everything is set in stone just yet… like for example, in what way I’m going to show it – but the way I’m going to end it has been decided pretty clearly. So from now on, it will just be a matter of running towards that point.

Otona Fami Magazine: …in that case, you have in mind even the very last volume?

Kishimoto-sensei: No, you won’t be able to read something like that. (laugh) The story really hasn’t progressed as much as I was expecting. About three years ago, at Jump Festa, I said that I would give Kakashi more to do in the manga… and yet I still haven’t been able to do that. Honestly, I myself don’t know how much it will take. Nishio-san, who takes care of the character designs for the anime, also asked me for how long the story would continue… and I answered ‘About one year and a half’. But it seems like it will take longer than that.

Otona Fami Magazine: Can we be expecting any more surprises?

Kishimoto-sensei: There are still quite a few. Some characters who originally weren’t going to appear will come up again. And then… well, things are going to get exciting with Naruto, so please give me your support.

Otona Fami Magazine: Is there any material that you weren’t able to insert in this year’s movie?

Kishimoto-sensei: I intended to insert all the things that were inside my head. It’s just that I also have some novel ideas. There is some material that I probably won’t be able to insert in the original work, but if I get the okay of the editorial department, secretly I’d like to insert it somewhere, like in a non-serialized story… some suspensful developments… the details are a secret, but there are many challenges that I’d like to face.

[TouKen4Life3g]

I admit, before the whole fiasco that happened yesterday, I was planning something for April's Fool Day. Sadly, the plan got shattered and well, now it's been done. So no fool from me. On the other note, another week of flashback, but possibly the last.

[Sakura_Blossom]

The last interview was out six month ago.
There is nothing since then.

絶賛盛り上り中の原作についてお聞かせ下さい。もう最終話までの道のり見えてるんでしょうか?

岸本
まだがちがちには固めていませんが、どういう風に見せるのか、どうやって終わるのかはかなり明 確に決まっ
てます
あとはそこに向かって走って行くだけです

となるとラストまでのボリュームが気になります。

岸本
いや、それが全然読めないんです(笑)予想していたよりも全然進んでいなくって。
3年くらい前のJFでカカシ活躍させるよって言っておきながら
まだそれも出来ていない状況
正直、どれだけ掛かるのか、自分でも分かりません。
アニメのキャラデザの西尾さんにも「いつまで続くんだ～」って言われ
「もう1年半くらい」って答えましたが、どうやらもっと続きそうです

まだまだサプライズはあるとみていいんですか?

岸本
いろいろありますよ。本来出てくるはずのないキャラがまだ出てきます
そして………。まだまだナルトと一緒に盛り上って行きますので応援よろしくお願いしま

今回の映画に入らなかったネタはありますか?

岸本
頭の中にあったものは、とことん入れたつもりです
ただ、新たなアイデアも実はあるんです
もう原作の本編では描けそうにないので、編集部のオッケーが出れば
どこかで読切りなどで実現出来たらなと密かに思ってるネタもあります
ちょっとサスペンス的な展開とか…詳しくは秘密ですが、色々挑戦したいです


Otona Fami Magazine: Let me ask you something about your exciting work, that is so greatly admired. Can we already see the end of the story on the horizon?

Kishimoto-sensei: Not everything is set in stone just yet… like for example, in what way I’m going to show it – but the way I’m going to end it has been decided pretty clearly. So from now on, it will just be a matter of running towards that point.

Otona Fami Magazine: …in that case, you have in mind even the very last volume?

Kishimoto-sensei: No, you won’t be able to read something like that. (laugh) The story really hasn’t progressed as much as I was expecting. About three years ago, at Jump Festa, I said that I would give Kakashi more to do in the manga… and yet I still haven’t been able to do that. Honestly, I myself don’t know how much it will take. Nishio-san, who takes care of the character designs for the anime, also asked me for how long the story would continue… and I answered ‘About one year and a half’. But it seems like it will take longer than that.

Otona Fami Magazine: Can we be expecting any more surprises?

Kishimoto-sensei: There are still quite a few. Some characters who originally weren’t going to appear will come up again. And then… well, things are going to get exciting with Naruto, so please give me your support.

Otona Fami Magazine: Is there any material that you weren’t able to insert in this year’s movie?

Kishimoto-sensei: I intended to insert all the things that were inside my head. It’s just that I also have some novel ideas. There is some material that I probably won’t be able to insert in the original work, but if I get the okay of the editorial department, secretly I’d like to insert it somewhere, like in a non-serialized story… some suspensful developments… the details are a secret, but there are many challenges that I’d like to face.

As always he doesn't say much, but enough to make me think

I wonder if it has something to do with the new movie.

[Otaru]

I was searching since yesterday because of what's that guy said about some recent interview. But i can't find nothing.

[Dkey]

from the interview more like a prequel or something that belongs to the extended universe

[Slextrem]

I heard some people are anxious to see "NaruSaku - The Build Up!" resurface again. I'm definitely not done collecting panels (it's really tedious~), but I'll give you guys a sample in the meantime. Enjoy!

NaruSaku - The Build Up sample --Click here to view--

Aaaaand, it's done. I have a lot more panels than this, but it's going to take some time to collect the rest. I might be able to finish it today! We'll see.

[TouKen4Life3g]

I was searching since yesterday because of what's that guy said about some recent interview. But i can't find nothing.

Oh, that was April's fool joke.

[Otaru]

I presumed so too but i still wanted to search a little ^^

[Branden]

great job slex, cant wait to see the finished product

[Qia]

I heard some people are anxious to see "NaruSaku - The Build Up!" resurface again. I'm definitely not done collecting panels (it's really tedious~), but I'll give you guys a sample in the meantime. Enjoy!

NaruSaku - The Build Up sample --Click here to view--

Aaaaand, it's done. I have a lot more panels than this, but it's going to take some time to collect the rest. I might be able to finish it today! We'll see.

I'm getting feels just looking through them so far ;-;.

[T XD]

I heard some people are anxious to see "NaruSaku - The Build Up!" resurface again. I'm definitely not done collecting panels (it's really tedious~), but I'll give you guys a sample in the meantime. Enjoy!

NaruSaku - The Build Up sample --Click here to view--

Aaaaand, it's done. I have a lot more panels than this, but it's going to take some time to collect the rest. I might be able to finish it today! We'll see.

Great. Looking forward when it's done XD

[Inferno180]

Codus N,

Sakura did advance the story with the Sasori info, but its still evident she did more, remember the white zetsu? Zetsu was the one akaskuti member we had no idea who he or it rather was until the war arc. We only got a glimpse of zetsu primes (original white zetsu with the black half) powers during the kage summit and how he could take chakra away from one purpose and give it to another, we didn't find out about the shapeshifting until after the fight between Bee and Kisame in the land of iron, by the time of the war we were aware of these powers but had no idea it could be done perfectly, we just assumed Bee missed the zetsu clone because he was not that attentive in the same way Taka was not with his octo leg clone. So in a way, Sakura discovering the white Zetsu did advance the story when we found out they could shapeshift, but do it perfectly to the degree sensors and other specialists like huygua clan members could not figure it out. Sakura's discovery of the ability and how they were related to Hashirama and their perfection of the disguise basically helped set up Naruto's main reason to fight in the war by weeding them out by their malice with his new powers to detect hatred. If it was not for Sakura, until Naruto came, the alliance would not have made their troops set up boundaries between all soldiers so the zetsu themselves would not be found out. Sakura in essence gave the shinobi army time so the zetsu could not risk revealing themselves at the wrong moments to take out critical people like the medics, sensors, and commanders, once Naruto swept into the battlefields, it was problem solved. We can say this, Sakura did accomplish something many others did not, see through an ability without any fancy powers. This did not fully advance the story but it did move it along to another critical part with the 4th shinobi war.

I'd also be tempted to say she did advance some other parts, remember the promise of a lifetime? If not for that, things may have not been as dramatic or involving for the sake of the bonds element of friends in this series. Naruto could have just simply gone to try and get Sasuke back for his own reasons, but it would not have been as involving now. Sakura was the reason for the promise aside from Naruto making it, and it is a major plot point so she put this into motion because she did not know what to do with Sasuke only knowing that Naruto was the only one who could, though this was also her shortcoming in which how she felt useless combined with Naruto's determination that drove her to train and improve with Tsunade so she could help Naruto.

Maybe we can count her fear of Sasuke leaving when he first showed off the curse mark in the forest of death as an indirect way? There may be others, I'd need to look at her full character events so far to see what could possibly be explained, but the first two here are definite.

[TouKen4Life3g]

Sakura is like Naruto, wanting to have Team 7 an happy ending and/or be together once again. She said this in the beginning of part 2. It's her personal development that separates this. By that, I mean her love interest. Which is why the last arc was split into two: her love and team 7 being together. People often forgets this and keeps thinking about love, which is not entirely true.

[KnS]

And Troll!Baguette did bring up a good point about Hinata's faith in Naruto. Remember when Naruto said he wasn't a Zetsu clone after he saved her and Hinata believed in him?? isn't that also a showing of her faith in him??

I can understand about her role being to heal. But like I asked, did it contribute to the plot??

I suppose it depends entirely on how you define "faith." In my opinion, no, Hinata was not showing faith in Naruto. She simply recognized him. She said, "It's Naruto-kun. Just look at his eyes, you can tell. Besides that, he came to our rescue..."

How do those words or that brief scene in #559 demonstrate that Hinata understood Naruto's capabilities as a leader in this war? That she understood his goals and dreams and what drives him? That she understood who he really is, what he's fighting for, how he feels about Sasuke or Sakura or any of his closest bonds? How does it prove that she has faith that Naruto will find the right moral answer to the dilemma at the heart of the war, and that he will somehow manage to make the right things happen?

Short answer, it didn't prove any faith or understanding at all. It proved that Hinata knows Naruto when she sees him, that's all, and quite honestly, considering her fixation on him if she couldn't do that much I would really wonder about her.

As far as that entire scene in #559 goes, you'll notice that Naruto had to save Hinata. Meanwhile, when his clone appeared at Sakura's location he made the comment that he didn't have to save her because she already had the situation under control.

I've pointed out before how Naruto goes into bug-eyed panic mode whenever Hinata appears at a critical moment to "help." He did it during the encounter with Pain, and he did it again against Obito / Madara / Juubi. His reaction is not, "Oh, thank GOD Hinata is here to kick ass!" It's more like, "Oh, GOD -- Hinata is here, and now I'm going to have to look out for her because she's out of her league!"

Likewise, as I've also pointed out before, when Neji was dying Naruto said, "Why... not in a place like this!! You're the Hyuga's..." The Hyuga's what? Hope? Best and brightest? Genius? Future? In terms of Naruto's respect, there's no end to that sentence that is good for Hinata.

Hinata adopted Naruto's nindo early on by observing him from a distance, but without ever developing the confidence and guts to go with it. She never really knew Naruto or understood his personal feelings or his weaknesses. That's what makes #615 Hinata's pivotal moment of personal development. Naruto had a moment of weakness -- a momentary crisis in confidence -- something Hinata could finally see up close and understand. In #615, Hinata finally connected with Naruto as a human being rather than as the object of her affection/obsession, and for the first time she was able to reinforce his nindo -- the nindo she claimed to have adopted but was never able to really demonstrate -- when he needed it, just as he had for her many times before.

As others have pointed out, Naruto suffering a crisis in confidence was redundant. He had already been there, done that. So apart from allowing Hinata to finally grow, and allowing her to finally come full circle on her worship of Naruto and his nindo, how did her moment with Naruto in #615 advance the plot?

The proof of faith, understanding, and which girl is the main heroine was made crystal clear in #573. Consider what the two girls say:

Hinata: "Naruto-kun... I've always... always been chasing after you... even now. But... once this war ends, I'm going to stop once and for all. Next time, I'll be next to you, holding your hand... walking with you! Wait for me!!"

Sakura: "Naruto... you saved Konoha... And now you're trying to save the entire shinobi world... You always get left with these insurmountable tasks. But no matter what you say this time... we're going to be together... Not just me... We're going to all fight together this time!"

Spectacular difference.

Hinata thought about herself and about how what's going on affects her. She thought nothing at all about what the war means, why it's being fought, or about the tremendous responsibility that Naruto has on his shoulders and what it means TO HIM.

That's why #615 is a heroic moment for Hinata only, not for the story, and why it didn't advance the plot. Hinata is not connected to the overall plot because she's not connected to Naruto's goals, feelings, or purpose. Consistently through her words and actions, Hinata's character has revolved around her objectification of Naruto and her desire to emulate his nindo. I think #615 was the fulfillment of her purpose, setting Hinata on the road to closure.

By contrast, Sakura thought only about Naruto. She proved that she understands what the war means, why it's being fought, and is keenly sensitive to the tremendous responsibility that Naruto has on his shoulders and what it means TO HIM. Sakura didn't think of herself, instead she aligned herself with Naruto's goals -- thereby directly connecting herself to the plot.

So who's the main heroine again? Who's the girl Naruto admires? The girl he thinks is "great"? The girl he trusts and relies on? The girl who understands Naruto's burden and is focused on her unwavering support of him and his goals?

Oh right, it's Sakura.

From what I have seen in the manga so far, the importance of Hinata's moment in #615 is being greatly exaggerated. I think it was simply the resolution to Hinata's thoughts in #573, and to focus on it as if it is some kind of pivotal moment that elevates Hinata as the heroine of the story -- when her declared purpose and goals are not even connected to Naruto's role in the war -- is to ignore the obvious.

The resolution to Sakura's thoughts in #573 -- the girl whose declared purpose and goals are DIRECTLY connected to Naruto's role in the war -- is yet to come.

Lastly, I agree with what Kirabook says:

Hinata's moment does not equate to all of Sakura's past accomplishments, but I just wonder what is Kishi thinking. Why would you give Hinata that type of accomplishment at THAT moment. Why even create a situation where readers would question who the heroine is even after you confirm it yourself. That says to me that he's not being consistent. If there's this much unrest within the community over something as simple as 'who is the main heroine, he's just not being consistent. If you aren't consistent, then I think that means the quality is not where it needs to be.

Well, not all readers are questioning the main heroine of the story. Like I said, not everyone is threatened by Hinata's moment in #615. Not everyone looks at it and questions Kishimoto's intentions or perspective. Not everyone is seriously considering the possibility that Sakura has essentially been written out of the story or might as well be, and her importance is over. I, for one, insist on waiting until the story is complete before I reach that conclusion or offer that sort of criticism.

There is "unrest within the community" because people are impatient and panicky, or downright bored and disappointed. That's certainly their right. But it is hardly uncommon for authors to attempt to create questions about character resolution -- to create tension and suspense by dragging out unresolved love triangles, motivations, etc. -- and to leave people guessing. Is Kishimoto being inconsistent, or is he attempting to create drama?

Depends on the reader.

Listen, I'm not saying I'm satisfied with Sakura's role lately. I miss her and would love to see her have some quality focus, but I believe that's coming.

And I don't disagree that Kishimoto might have made some better choices. Sometimes I think he seriously misjudges the patience, attention span, and perceptions of his target demographic.

Edited by KnS, 01 April 2013 - 08:00 PM.

[Shadow1275]

Not too mention that the only girl Naruto has ever saved is Sakura. Hinata is either cut down or saved by Neji.

Edited by Shadow1275, 01 April 2013 - 07:52 PM.

[StrikerTheNoble]

Not too mention that the only girl Naruto has ever saved is Sakura. Hinata is either cut down or saved by Neji.

True. If it was Sakura jumping into the pain fight he would go out of his way to save her.

[StriderC]

I suppose it depends entirely on how you define "faith." In my opinion, no, Hinata was not showing faith in Naruto. She simply recognized him. She said, "It's Naruto-kun. Just look at his eyes, you can tell. Besides that, he came to our rescue..."

How do those words or that brief scene in #559 demonstrate that Hinata understood Naruto's capabilities as a leader in this war? That she understood his goals and dreams and what drives him? That she understood who he really is, what he's fighting for, how he feels about Sasuke or Sakura or any of his closest bonds? How does it prove that she has faith that Naruto will find the right moral answer to the dilemma at the heart of the war, and that he will somehow manage to make the right things happen?

Short answer, it didn't prove any faith or understanding at all. It proved that Hinata knows Naruto when she sees him, that's all, and quite honestly, considering her fixation on him if she couldn't do that much I would really wonder about her.

As far as that entire scene in #559 goes, you'll notice that Naruto had to save Hinata. Meanwhile, when his clone appeared at Sakura's location he made the comment that he didn't have to save her because she already had the situation under control.

I've pointed out before how Naruto goes into bug-eyed panic mode whenever Hinata appears at a critical moment to "help." He did it during the encounter with Pain, and he did it again against Obito / Madara / Juubi. His reaction is not, "Oh, thank GOD Hinata is here to kick ass!" It's more like, "Oh, GOD -- Hinata is here, and now I'm going to have to look out for her because she's out of her league!"

Likewise, as I've also pointed out before, when Neji was dying Naruto said, "Why... not in a place like this!! You're the Hyuga's..." The Hyuga's what? Hope? Best and brightest? Genius? Future? In terms of Naruto's respect, there's no end to that sentence that is good for Hinata.

Hinata adopted Naruto's nindo early on by observing him from a distance, but without ever developing the confidence and guts to go with it. She never really knew Naruto or understood his personal feelings or his weaknesses. That's what makes #615 Hinata's pivotal moment of personal development. Naruto had a moment of weakness -- a momentary crisis in confidence -- something Hinata could finally see up close and understand. In #615, Hinata finally connected with Naruto as a human being rather than as the object of her affection/obsession, and for the first time she was able to reinforce his nindo -- the nindo she claimed to have adopted but was never able to really demonstrate -- when he needed it, just as he had for her many times before.

As others have pointed out, Naruto suffering a crisis in confidence was redundant. He had already been there, done that. So apart from allowing Hinata to finally grow, and allowing her to finally come full circle on her worship of Naruto and his nindo, how did her moment with Naruto in #615 advance the plot?

The proof of faith, understanding, and which girl is the main heroine was made crystal clear in #573. Consider what the two girls say:

Hinata: "Naruto-kun... I've always... always been chasing after you... even now. But... once this war ends, I'm going to stop once and for all. Next time, I'll be next to you, holding your hand... walking with you! Wait for me!!"

Sakura: "Naruto... you saved Konoha... And now you're trying to save the entire shinobi world... You always get left with these insurmountable tasks. But no matter what you say this time... we're going to be together... Not just me... We're going to all fight together this time!"

Spectacular difference.

Hinata thought about herself and about how what's going on affects her. She thought nothing at all about what the war means, why it's being fought, or about the tremendous responsibility that Naruto has on his shoulders and what it means TO HIM.

That's why #615 is a heroic moment for Hinata only, not for the story, and why it didn't advance the plot. Hinata is not connected to the overall plot because she's not connected to Naruto's goals, feelings, or purpose. Consistently through her words and actions, Hinata's character has revolved around her objectification of Naruto and her desire to emulate his nindo. I think #615 was the fulfillment of her purpose, setting Hinata on the road to closure.

By contrast, Sakura thought only about Naruto. She proved that she understands what the war means, why it's being fought, and is keenly sensitive to the tremendous responsibility that Naruto has on his shoulders and what it means TO HIM. Sakura didn't think of herself, instead she aligned herself with Naruto's goals -- thereby directly connecting herself to the plot.

So who's the main heroine again? Who's the girl Naruto admires? The girl he thinks is "great"? The girl he trusts and relies on? The girl who understands Naruto's burden and is focused on her unwavering support of him and his goals?

Oh right, it's Sakura.

From what I have seen in the manga so far, the importance of Hinata's moment in #615 is being greatly exaggerated. I think it was simply the resolution to Hinata's thoughts in #573, and to focus on it as if it is some kind of pivotal moment that elevates Hinata as the heroine of the story -- when her declared purpose and goals are not even connected to Naruto's role in the war -- is to ignore the obvious.

The resolution to Sakura's thoughts in #573 -- the girl whose declared purpose and goals are DIRECTLY connected to Naruto's role in the war -- is yet to come.



Well, not all readers are questioning the main heroine of the story. Like I said, not everyone is threatened by Hinata's moment in #615. Not everyone looks at it and questions Kishimoto's intentions or perspective. Not everyone is seriously considering the possibility that Sakura has essentially been written out of the story or might as well be, and her importance is over. I, for one, insist on waiting until the story is complete before I reach that conclusion or offer that sort of criticism.

There is "unrest within the community" because people are impatient and panicky, or downright bored and disappointed. That's certainly their right. But it is hardly uncommon for authors to attempt to create questions about character resolution -- to create tension and suspense by dragging out unresolved love triangles, motivations, etc. -- and to leave people guessing. Is Kishimoto being inconsistent, or is he attempting to create drama?

Depends on the reader.

Listen, I'm not saying I'm satisfied with Sakura's role lately. I miss her and would love to see her have some quality focus, but I believe that's coming.

And I don't disagree that Kishimoto might have made some better choices. Sometimes I think he seriously misjudges the patience, attention span, and perceptions of his target demographic.

Nice post amigo. I'm definitely one of the more impatient people but I've calmed a bit. I'm now just anxious for Sakura's return.

[Inferno180]

I suppose it depends entirely on how you define "faith." In my opinion, no, Hinata was not showing faith in Naruto. She simply recognized him. She said, "It's Naruto-kun. Just look at his eyes, you can tell. Besides that, he came to our rescue..."

How do those words or that brief scene in #559 demonstrate that Hinata understood Naruto's capabilities as a leader in this war? That she understood his goals and dreams and what drives him? That she understood who he really is, what he's fighting for, how he feels about Sasuke or Sakura or any of his closest bonds? How does it prove that she has faith that Naruto will find the right moral answer to the dilemma at the heart of the war, and that he will somehow manage to make the right things happen?

Short answer, it didn't prove any faith or understanding at all. It proved that Hinata knows Naruto when she sees him, that's all, and quite honestly, considering her fixation on him if she couldn't do that much I would really wonder about her.

As far as that entire scene in #559 goes, you'll notice that Naruto had to save Hinata. Meanwhile, when his clone appeared at Sakura's location he made the comment that he didn't have to save her because she already had the situation under control.

I've pointed out before how Naruto goes into bug-eyed panic mode whenever Hinata appears at a critical moment to "help." He did it during the encounter with Pain, and he did it again against Obito / Madara / Juubi. His reaction is not, "Oh, thank GOD Hinata is here to kick ass!" It's more like, "Oh, GOD -- Hinata is here, and now I'm going to have to look out for her because she's out of her league!"

Likewise, as I've also pointed out before, when Neji was dying Naruto said, "Why... not in a place like this!! You're the Hyuga's..." The Hyuga's what? Hope? Best and brightest? Genius? Future? In terms of Naruto's respect, there's no end to that sentence that is good for Hinata.

Hinata adopted Naruto's nindo early on by observing him from a distance, but without ever developing the confidence and guts to go with it. She never really knew Naruto or understood his personal feelings or his weaknesses. That's what makes #615 Hinata's pivotal moment of personal development. Naruto had a moment of weakness -- a momentary crisis in confidence -- something Hinata could finally see up close and understand. In #615, Hinata finally connected with Naruto as a human being rather than as the object of her affection/obsession, and for the first time she was able to reinforce his nindo -- the nindo she claimed to have adopted but was never able to really demonstrate -- when he needed it, just as he had for her many times before.

As others have pointed out, Naruto suffering a crisis in confidence was redundant. He had already been there, done that. So apart from allowing Hinata to finally grow, and allowing her to finally come full circle on her worship of Naruto and his nindo, how did her moment with Naruto in #615 advance the plot?

The proof of faith, understanding, and which girl is the main heroine was made crystal clear in #573. Consider what the two girls say:

Hinata: "Naruto-kun... I've always... always been chasing after you... even now. But... once this war ends, I'm going to stop once and for all. Next time, I'll be next to you, holding your hand... walking with you! Wait for me!!"

Sakura: "Naruto... you saved Konoha... And now you're trying to save the entire shinobi world... You always get left with these insurmountable tasks. But no matter what you say this time... we're going to be together... Not just me... We're going to all fight together this time!"

Spectacular difference.

Hinata thought about herself and about how what's going on affects her. She thought nothing at all about what the war means, why it's being fought, or about the tremendous responsibility that Naruto has on his shoulders and what it means TO HIM.

That's why #615 is a heroic moment for Hinata only, not for the story, and why it didn't advance the plot. Hinata is not connected to the overall plot because she's not connected to Naruto's goals, feelings, or purpose. Consistently through her words and actions, Hinata's character has revolved around her objectification of Naruto and her desire to emulate his nindo. I think #615 was the fulfillment of her purpose, setting Hinata on the road to closure.

By contrast, Sakura thought only about Naruto. She proved that she understands what the war means, why it's being fought, and is keenly sensitive to the tremendous responsibility that Naruto has on his shoulders and what it means TO HIM. Sakura didn't think of herself, instead she aligned herself with Naruto's goals -- thereby directly connecting herself to the plot.

So who's the main heroine again? Who's the girl Naruto admires? The girl he thinks is "great"? The girl he trusts and relies on? The girl who understands Naruto's burden and is focused on her unwavering support of him and his goals?

Oh right, it's Sakura.

From what I have seen in the manga so far, the importance of Hinata's moment in #615 is being greatly exaggerated. I think it was simply the resolution to Hinata's thoughts in #573, and to focus on it as if it is some kind of pivotal moment that elevates Hinata as the heroine of the story -- when her declared purpose and goals are not even connected to Naruto's role in the war -- is to ignore the obvious.

The resolution to Sakura's thoughts in #573 -- the girl whose declared purpose and goals are DIRECTLY connected to Naruto's role in the war -- is yet to come.



Well, not all readers are questioning the main heroine of the story. Like I said, not everyone is threatened by Hinata's moment in #615. Not everyone looks at it and questions Kishimoto's intentions or perspective. Not everyone is seriously considering the possibility that Sakura has essentially been written out of the story or might as well be, and her importance is over. I, for one, insist on waiting until the story is complete before I reach that conclusion or offer that sort of criticism.

There is "unrest within the community" because people are impatient and panicky, or downright bored and disappointed. That's certainly their right. But it is hardly uncommon for authors to attempt to create questions about character resolution -- to create tension and suspense by dragging out unresolved love triangles, motivations, etc. -- and to leave people guessing. Is Kishimoto being inconsistent, or is he attempting to create drama?

Depends on the reader. One man's junk is another man's treasure.

Listen, I'm not saying I'm satisfied with Sakura's role lately. I miss her and would love to see her have some quality focus, but I believe that's coming.

And I don't disagree that Kishimoto might have made some better choices. Sometimes I think he seriously misjudges the patience, attention span, and perceptions of his target demographic.

Very good analysis, this is what 615 can basically be described as, also in a much shorter way we can say its not calling anything canon yet though when in that same chapter, theres the lone panel of Sakura reacting to Hinata's speech, we don't know what Sakura was reacting too, but this panel is important for 2 reasons:
1. She is the only character displayed in the few pages the speech is taking, aside from Naruto and Hinata, Sakura is the only real character shown besides them, so this alone is reason to make things suspicious.
2. Sakura's story is not done, in fact this 615 event could have driven more development or be a driving moment for Sakura. In a loose way Hinata's speech of everyone dying for each other to some did seem like Sakura's 573 speech of everyone fighting together, even if it did not, it had some impact on Sakura.

The fact that Sakura has a panel for this and we don't know her reaction is reason enough to suspect that she will have been effected from this speech in some way, and develop from it, even then there is more to Sakura than just this, many other lingering elements still persist

It is possible for NaruHina to happen but NaruSaku still has a lot more development and nothing can be called canon for either until we actually see more development, NH cannot be called canon and NS cannot be called dead until we actually see their feelings towards each other. Not to mention NaruSaku is still alive and well, Naruto is a forgiving guy, he understands why he loves Sakura, acknowledgement and also has reason to believe he cannot confess to her due to the promise. He has a big reason for his love, and anyone saying he gave up on his promise to Sakura well, they loose that argument for basically trying to make a case of Naruto getting out of character. Naruto has shown no reason to just move on, or doubt his feelings for Sakura, Sai even told him that Sakura was thinking of his wellbeing for the confession to get him to safety and end the promise and furthermore admitted it was his fault, I still say it would be insane to think of Naruto's mentality as a character if he could forgive nagato and turn him good, become bffs with Kurama, and even succeed against Sasuke bringing him back, yet not forgive Sakura or no longer love her after an event revolving around his wellbeing even when Sai basically said it was all because of him Sakura did what she did, if you are angry at anyone blame me.

Its not over and people cannot just "rule out" sakura's remaining development, she should have some development over both the 540 thoughts on Sasuke and 615 speech, these are both possible foreshadowing events for how she may change, its not impossible to think of that. She should get some development off these, she will definatly get some when the focus shifts down to Naruto and she will get interaction with Naruto again, one thing NH fans never advoacte is where Hinata fits into the picture of team 7 when it comes to Sasuke. Sasuke is a driving factor of development on both Naruto and Sakura, both positive and negative (however in Sakura's case the crush would be negative) but one major factor stands out that no fandom can deny, if they do they are fools, Sakura cannot love Sasuke in the end like she did in the start, heck she cannot hold onto that love after nearly dying twice at Sasukes own hands, if she reverted back or stayed loving Sasuke, this ruins her development all the way through the series, ruins her role in the journey almost like it was worthless. Sasuke is a mental obstacle for Sakura, she does not need to love Naruto in the end, she just needs to mature and overcome Sasuke and realize what is important to her, whats "important" can vary but its not hard to imagine that she can realize her feelings for Naruto, especially because she has close feelings and concern for him, she displayed this several times before even over her feelings for Sasuke, she has put Naruto above Sasuke and herself several times, she has put his sake above all a few times when things were dire and she still would Yet many act like she does not. Kishi even admitted this crush on Sasuke was selfish, he states it, we as readers know this, its a negative trait she should not keep till the end otherwise this undermines the sole purpose of her character development If sakura stayed loving Sasuke in the end, it results in 2 things, ruining one of the best ways she could have developed and she gets with Sasuke merely "because she hoped" that would occur without any real reason or purpose, especially considering this development between Sakura and Sasuke had minimal progress and all but stopped at the moment he left the village.

So why does Sakura still love Sasuke many ask? Wouldn't she love Naruto by now after all these events?

Oh my god.....

This type of question is answered so easily yet others ignore it or try to twist the meaning

The answer is simple, its a manga, real logic is not going to be applied to all characters, heck you can simply say love is a complicated emotion that makes us do things we would never think of, Sakura still loving Sasuke can even be part of her development, its not impossible to think she would begin a gradual mentality shift away from loving Sasuke just like Sasuke began seeking an answer for something other than revenge from Itachi's own reveal on the clan massacre and faith in his own choices, in this way Sasuke's actions could have given Sakura the start of a new development point turning her away from Sasuke. Sakura cannot just love Naruto but she can do it with gradual development and with the events of 540 and 615 its possible these could attribute to a gradual shift like it.

If Sakura would have gotten over Sasuke so easily guess what, Obito should have gotten over Rin's death rather than be portrayed as a very cliche villain of "OMG MY ONE LOVE IS DEAD, GOTTA DESTROY THE WORLD NOW! Not like I'd try to find more reason for her actual death like why my friend killed her

And we know there is a reason why Kakashi killed Rin, we just don't know, she could have been a spy who had critical info that could have cost the lives of many innocent or she could have wanted to die protecting a secret, yet this action made Kakashi very sad because he had to kill the one who loved him, this will be revealed and most likely make Obito look like a big douche who could have simply listened to reason but went all anakin skywalker crazy rather than try to listen and chill out, basically the whole crisis could have been adverted and he could have let madara rot in his own dirt hole to die and save the entire actions of the nine tails attack and clan massacre from ever happening.

[Shadow1275]

Even if Sasuke changes there is no way he will just be accepted back with open arms. He made that decision when he attacked B and the Kages. 540 proves that Sakura is conflicted over her feelings for Sasuke and in my opinion her feelings for Naruto. When it comes to Sakura, one of her biggest plot points is her maturity mentally and physically. For example, she has chased a guy who has no feelings for her and is incredibly unstable for the majority of the series. In the beginning of part 2, Sakura asks Naruto if she has grown more mature and Naruto says that she looks exactly the same. Kishi has him say this because Sakura had still not gotten over her silly crush[and Naruto is not always the brightest bulb in the box.]. She has shown some growth but she still has a way to go. However, we are seeing her for the first time question her feelings for Sasuke in 540 and the fact that she resolved to try to kill him shows that cracks are beginning to form.