In a not too long ago unearthed interview from 2016, Masashi Kishimoto, the artistic genius behind the long-lasting Naruto manga, had a candid dialog with Shonen Leap’s North American division. Among the many myriad matters explored, Kishimoto discovered himself shocked by the sudden recognition of two seemingly unassuming characters within the sequence.
Throughout the interview, Kishimoto answered questions starting from the inspiration behind his characters to the challenges of balancing his position as a manga artist with household life. Nonetheless, it was the discourse surrounding Sakura Haruno and Rock Lee that caught his consideration.
When confronted with the concept of their recognition regardless of their perceived weaknesses, Kishimoto expressed real shock. He mused on Sakura’s bodily limitations as a feminine character and Lee’s sole reliance on Taijutsu, suggesting that their battle resonated with followers for his or her portrayal of human frailties.
In an intriguing twist, Kishimoto revealed his alternative for essentially the most appropriate ninja teacher amongst his ‘three college students’, in the end selecting Sakura for her grounded angle regardless of her notorious obsessive tendencies in the direction of Sasuke Uchiha. Based on Kishimoto, Naruto’s brashness and Sasuke’s introversion made them unsuitable for the position.
However regardless of their recognition, each Sakura and Rock Lee have acquired criticism throughout the Naruto fandom. Sakura specifically has been the topic of scrutiny resulting from her perceived underdevelopment and repeated characterization as a nagging presence. This dissatisfaction has sadly spilled over into real-world harassment directed at these related to the character.
Conversely, Rock Lee’s endearing underdog standing has endeared him to followers worldwide, regardless of his struggles typically being performed for laughs. Some argue that Lee’s journey, as he struggles along with his lack of ninjutsu and genjutsu abilities, embodies the true essence of the sequence’ underdog story, surpassing even that of the titular character, Naruto Uzumaki.
Whereas debates about these beloved characters proceed to rage throughout the Naruto neighborhood, their continued recognition serves as a testomony to Kishimoto’s skill to create characters that resonate deeply with audiences, flaws and all.
