Thanks I apperciate it. I guess I eventually just got tired of trying to justify why I didn't like the ending with other things besides the pairings.
Kishimoto and co made the pairings front and center for the ending and this movie that for me it will always be a main point of contention. Because Naruto's story had been bad for years leading up to this point that seeing NaruSaku become canon was a big reason for me to keep reading.
After the manga ended I haven't bought or read anything Naruto or Boruto canon related because I will never be able to get anything out of the series again.
It's very true, and that is something I recognized almost towards the end of 2017 with how pointless some of these debates gets... It's like a never cycle of arguments that lead nowhere.... Not to reign on anyone's parade here, but I'm just speaking from my personal stance here. We all have our likings towards NaruSaku and Sakura in this series and no one is gonna take us away.
However, we often complain why Hinata gets so much more praise for doing absolutely nothing, and is just a betamale's insert of what they see in a girl.. Which okay in all honesty that one is annoying.
I know the argument with a lot of these characters are "She's a side character" or "He's a side character" Why should they have precedent over the main characters and main story....?
Look, I'm not saying they should have precedent over the main story, but at least give the side characters like moments of interactions with Naruto and Sakura because.... I hate to say this, but from a writing stand point I honestly can not buy how the bond the Konoha 11 have.... Like yeah they were classmates good for them, but the argument "They are side characters!"
You know what other series has side character and knows how to handle them better.... Fairy Tail, Tokyo Ghoul, Rave Master, Full Metal Alchemist, Yu Yu Hakusho, Rurouni Kenshin, Berserk, Code Geass, etc... They don't overtake the main story, but at the very least each of the character have their own individual sub-arcs that contributes to the overall narrative. The side characters from those series I can understand and see why they have that connection to the main characters of their respective series, and sorry to say this... Naruto doesn't have that.
Let's start with the most important question, what can be done to help make Hinata a good character? and no... getting over Naruto is not a valid argument... It would be like oh all Sakura needs to be a better character is her getting over Sasuke... Yes that's one aspect for sure, but there has to be more to consider.... You got to actually think about this one.
Here's an example I can give for improving Sakura and Hinata as characters besides the whole have them both get over their crushes:
Sakura:
- Show her getting stronger
- Show how close her and Ino have gotten
- Training sessions with Tsunade
- Sparing sessions with Naruto
- Maybe have Ino help Sakura out
- Showcase Sakura's love for children
- Establish in Part 2 that after learning about Naruto & Sasuke, she wants to help children and build a children's hospital in Konoha.
Hinata:
- Inner turmoil about her role in the Hyuga Clan
- Wants to settle some conflict with Hanabi
- establish a sisterhood wit her (think Elsa & Anna from Frozen only in reverse)
- She seeks guidance from Neji on how to improve herself
- Showcase how close her and Neji have gotten post-chunin exams
- Show that she wants to be a good role model as a kunoichi that inspires people
- Her connection with Team Kurenai and how it could motivate her to wanting to lead her own team in the future!
I want to apologize if it sounded like I was on a rant, but it's just something I needed to get off my chest for a long time, but I hope you all get where I'm coming from on this!
Edited by LuckyChi7, 02 February 2022 - 04:31 PM.