Dear Kishimoto Masashi,

I honestly have nothing to say in defense of Sakura this time. Perhaps it was because she was protecting Naruto, or because she’s oh-so-hurt torn emotionally in so many places – to me, this chapter simply shows that:

SHE STILL HAS ZERO EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AFTER ALL THIS TIME.

Yes, even after that epic fight against Sasori with Chiyo, her taking a fatal blow for Chiba, that all-encompassing punch to Sasori’s face, all her kickass physical and mental training with Tsunade, her quiet, poignant embrace of Naruto before the entire village after Pain. And there were small, wonderful things in Part 1, too – her fight with Ino – her whole backstory with Ino, getting out of her shell to become the boisterous, assertive tween bitch she was at the start of the series, and her building appreciation for Naruto -

So apparently, Kishi, you’ve overturned everything - built Sakura’s character up all this way for nothing?

And why do you have to put Sakura in a position where all that matters to her character development is whether or not she has romantic feelings for the two protagonists in the series, anyway? Because if this contributes to her own development of her sense of self, or the characterization of Team 7 as a whole, then I understand.

Two things:

Either

1) Kishi, you’re a genius, you really are, because Sakura reads like a NANA character. Her story and development as a character is excruciating to watch because she is so human, so f-ing real. Real people make mistakes. Real people have real flaws, real faults, real, unlovable faults, that aren’t just rendered as part of archetypes (e.g. Shikamaru is a sloth, Chouji is a glutton and not-all-that-good-looking, Sasuke has an absolutely sexy teen angst revenge blood murder complex going on). Real people make mistakes, make stupid mistakes, over and over again. i.e. Kishi, everything you’ve done for Sakura so far is purposive; you’re going to continue building her slowly, slowly, painfully, so that by the end of the series she’ll go through the ultimate BLOSSOMING and completely redeem herself – at least she’ll still be the most 3-D character. (…actually, did I mention how tired I am of the stereotypical flower metaphors?)

Or

2) But really, no, Kishi, the argument above does not hold because you’ve never ever extended similar detailed treatment to any of your other male characters. You just keep blaming Sakura again and again, over and over, and I’m sick of your sexism.

I think serialization also has a part to play in all this.

I don't like what Sakura did here. It was completely the wrong thing to do, and, oh, Naruto... Though I still love her. I really do. That’s partly because I do always root for the underdog, and also because I have my feminist side. Part 2 Sakura was awesome. Until 469.

It's just that, Kishi, you still suck at writing females. Or, should I say, you absolutely suck at giving fair treatment to BOTH your male and female characters.

I do wonder why I still continue following this series despite feeling betrayed week after week. But I can’t help but remember all the amazing characters and character situations you set up. So many of the characters were so brilliant, had so much potential, in the beginning. Yes, even the female ones. And yes, I do accept the fact that they’ll always be sidelined in the Naruto verse. I’ve learnt to deal with your misogyny.

But I do not see your point with Chapter 469 this time.

Don’t tell me it’s an issue of genre (‘shounen’ vs ‘shoujo’ manga). That is too easy an answer, if it’s even an answer at all. The problem runs deeper than that.

In short, Kishi, I blame you.

I'll continue reading this series, if only because I don't let go easily.

Yours,
fated_bliss

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(Oh, did I mention how amused I am by the 469 commentaries on the respective pairing forums? I love Naruto/Sakura, but at least I'm trying for an objective viewpoint. Sakura 'deserved' the bashing. Is all.)

If anyone has recommendations for anime/manga series that aren't embedded in such blatant misrepresenations or under-representation of strong female characters, please let me know. >:(

edit: THIS.