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Sakura is a character who has basically spent her life being overshadowed by her teammates in Naruto. Unfortunately for her, she was teamed up with the protagonist and the deuteragonist of the franchise. Thus, she spent the years basically being a support ninja.

Still, fans are of the opinion that both Masashi Kishimoto and Studio Pierrot did Sakura dirty by never giving her a proper win in a one vs one fight. Sakura did contribute to the story, but it would have been nice seeing her completely own a villain.

Sakura did not get many highlight battles in Naruo | Credits: Pierrot

But instead, there is another character in the series who snatched up wins all by herself, even when she was just a genin.

Masashi Kishimoto gave Temari more wins than Sakura

Sakura barely has any remarkable battles in Naruto. Some of her most memorable battles include her and Grandma...

For the longest time, I thought that Madara Vs the Five Kage was the most disrespectful scene Naruto has ever produced. But that was before I began rewatching Naruto and stumbled upon Gaara’s first appearance in the anime.

Gaara was a disrespectful little brat during his childhood until his encounter with Naruto, but the way he debuted in Naruto was just on another annoying level. Not even the most powerful of Shinobi in the series might have had that much attitude.

Gaara completely ignored Naruto in favor of Sasuke | Credits: Pierrot

Nonetheless, Gaara had substance behind his snobby behind, although Naruto had him under his tight grasp pretty soon.

Gaara’s first scene in Naruto was way too disrespectful

Gaara debuted in the Naruto anime in episode 20 and in manga, chapter 35th. But it wasn’t till episode 21 that the audience found out a bit more about the notorious Sand Village genin.

More often than not, a fantastic anime is an adaptation of an equally good manga or light novel; such is the case for most of the best-known series of today. Dragon Ball, Death Note, and Solo Leveling are just a few of the handful of great anime with fans who have fallen in love with the stories told on paper and ink long before they hit the TV screen.

The animation studios that adapted such adored series are also responsible for the greatest anime originals of all time. Sunrise, for example, has created the most famous sci-fi anime in history. There are also writers and directors, such as Gen Urobuchi and Shinichiro Watanabe, who’ve become anime legends for their hand in producing iconic anime originals. All this to say: just because it didn't come from a previously loved manga or light novel doesn't mean it shouldn't be given a chance.

Naruto is one of the most popular shonen series ever. Hailed as one of the Big 3s, Masashi Kishimoto’s masterpiece continues to entertain fans even years after its conclusion. Its spin-off sequel, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, has only added to that hype.

However, for all its success, there is one complaint that Naruto fans still feel enraged about. That is, the entire series revolves continuously around only Team 7.

Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke from Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot

While it is not exactly surprising since Team 7 does make up the extended protagonist trio, it makes fans dissatisfied due to the lost opportunity to expound on many other interesting characters the series boasts.

Naruto revolves entirely around Team 7 and their parallels

Naruto tells the story of the titular orphan boy, who goes to great lengths to gain the attraction of the people of his village while they try their best to ostracize him.

The Tmnt × Naruto series is a very interesting Western take on Naruto and the fans are very excited about the series from Idw Publishing. The second issue is coming out on April 2, 2025.

The official synopsis reveals the following: When Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi receive a mission to escort reporter April O’Neil and the mutation research she’s safeguarding back to her home of Big Apple Village, they aren’t expecting to be attacked by the Foot Clan. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arrive just in time to defeat the Foot’s ambush, but despite their shared enemy, the two teams have a lot to learn about each other if they’re going to get along! While the Turtles introduce Team 7 to their lives under the Big Apple Village, though, the Foot Clan sees another opportunity to steal the secrets of the ooze for themselves…

As for the preview images,...

Romance is one of the best parts of many anime series and movies. The characters' close connections and their gradual growing feelings for each other still make fans' hearts melt in older series. Unfortunately, many of the fan-favorite couples from years gone by have not aged well at all.

The most poorly aged anime romances are either neglectful, obsessive, or inappropriate. Things like uncomfortable age gaps, random emotional outbursts, and flinging insults are all reasons why many of these anime romances have aged poorly. Though many of these anime couples are beloved by fans, there’s no denying these romances have too many flaws to ignore nowadays.

Haida & Retsuko Were Never on the Same Page in Aggretsuko Stream on Netflix

Haida and Retsuko have a bit of a complicated history. Although Haida has had feelings for Retsuko since the moment he met her, Retsuko never truly seems to warm up...

We’re often told that things don’t go as they’re planned but Masashi Kishimoto overturned this whole notion in his series Naruto. It’s a mix of both planned and unplanned arcs, which is what makes it so interesting. But there is one such instance that ended up working in the mangaka’s favor.

Team 7 prepares to seal off Kaguya in Naruto Shippuden | Credit: Studio Pierrot

In other words, the mangaka had already planned on including a battle scene in his work. Little did we know that it would be one of the most epic fights in the series. It also highlights the theme of rivalry, which runs parallel within the story.

Masashi Kishimoto’s epic pre-planned battle for the manga

Masashi Kishimoto will go down in history for giving us one of the most memorable ninja stories. We all grew up witnessing the blonde knucklehead and his transformation into the legendary shinobi.

From fillers to fudgy animation, Masashi Kishimoto’s series Naruto has its fair share of criticisms. But nothing beats the good old bad writing critique. Yes, the series is phenomenal the way it shaped the idea of a ninja and whatnot. But it dug its grave in wasting one of the finest female characters.

Sakura’s Strength of a Hundred Seal jutsu in the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Surprisingly, it isn’t Sakura but yet another legendary Shinobi who deserves all the praise. Her mastery of kekkei genkai was commendable, yet the series did a major disservice to her. The sequel is no different, considering how both mangas treated this character. Why, you ask? Let us find out.

Another day, another powerhouse wasted in Naruto

Naruto lives up to its title of one of the Big 3 of Shonen. It isn’t a bog-standard ninja story but something that stood out during the 2000s.

Crunchyroll revealed its anime lineup for Spring 2025. The line-up includes Fire Force Season 3, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, The Begining After The End, among others.

Given below is a detailed list of the Spring 2025 line-up, encompassing new releases, returning and continuing series on Crunchyroll:

March 30:

1. The Unaware Atelier Meister (Emt Squared) – Exclusive to Crunchyroll

Dubs include: English and Hindi

Kurt Rockhans is a kind-hearted errand boy for a hero’s party, the Flaming Dragon Fang. One day, he’s banished from the party and finds out he has the lowest rank in combat. In order to make a living, Kurt picks up various jobs and discovers he has astonishing abilities. Though he doesn’t realize it yet, Kurt has Sss-rank skills in anything other than fighting, as he sets off on a new journey.

April 1:

2. Once Upon a Witch’s Death (Emt Squared) – Exclusive to Crunchyroll

Dubs include: English, Hindi...

From explosive action flicks to grounded soul-stirring drama to suspenseful horror, anime is limitlessly diverse when it comes to tackling different genres. On top of the classic demographics, shonen, shojo, seinen, and josei, anime ventures into many stories to suit every taste, and even the most picky fans would be hard-pressed not to find something to enjoy within the medium’s expansive catalog.

However, whereas some anime genres, like battle shonen anime or high school romance, never struggle to achieve acclaim, the more obscure anime categories regrettably face prejudice from the casual anime viewer. Anime is a multifaceted medium, and limiting oneself to familiar genres could easily result in incredible shows falling through the cracks. These anime subgenres might be controversial, yet many fans might find their new all-time favorite titles within their ranks.

Harem Anime Doesn’t Always Sacrifice Quality in the Name of Indulgence Monogatari Series, High School DxD,...

The upcoming Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube reboot anime announced six additional voice cast members at the special stage during AnimeJapan 2025 today. While some of the cast members, including Ryotaro Okiayu as the title role of Nube, reprise their roles from the first TV anime series in 1996, these six are newly cast in the reboot series. The six new voice cast members announced include: Akira Yamaguchi voiced by Matsumi Fujiwara Shuichi Shirato voiced by Ayahi Takagaki (Erika Karisawa in Durarara!! ) Noriko Nakajima voiced by Nao Toyama (Rin Shima in Laid-Back Camp ) Shizuka Kikuchi voiced by Yui Makino (Sakura in Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE ) Katsumi Kaneda voiced by Shoji Inoyama Manami Kimura voiced by Miyuri Shimabukuro (Ayame Sakuya in Momentary Lily ) Related: Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube Anime Releases New Trailer, Key Visual Key Visual Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1993 to 1999, the Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube manga was previously...

Although many action manga are written by male authors, there are several action manga written by women that shouldn't go unnoticed. Popular manga, such as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Fullmetal Alchemist already show how good manga written by women can be. They offer some of the most complex stories and characters that will immediately transport readers into an entirely new world.

Those looking to support action manga created by women have plenty to choose from. As the genre becomes more accepting, many manga have gained the recognition they deserve. While the manga industry is still male-dominated, female authors have risen in popularity. Their works are getting the proper recognition as they become more mainstream, which opens up fans to a whole new set of fantastic stories to dive into.

Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles Has a Complicated & Vast World Available on Amazon

Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles is a manga set in...

Humans are complicated beings. They are capable of great kindness and unspeakable horror. Media often reflects this duality in books, films, TV shows, and even anime. Some of the best anime explore the true nature of humanity in interesting ways that make audiences realize the darkest depths of which humans are capable.

The most thought-provoking anime that will make viewers rethink humanity cut to the heart of survival. Others display how far some people can fall when their livelihoods are threatened. Nothing is certain in life, and these anime prove that not even the safety of fellow humans is guaranteed.

Ajin: Demi-Human Will Haunt Viewers After They Finish the Series Streaming on NetflixImage via Polygon Pictures

One of the saddest truths about humanity is that it fears anything that seems different. The same is true for society in Ajin: Demi-Human. When immortal humans (dubbed Ajins) begin cropping up, the world panics.

Sakura Haruno is one of the most controversial characters in Narutobecause she came across as a useless and irritating ninja who always needed saving. What many Naruto fans fail to realize, however, is the fact that Sakura represents the heart of the anime more than Naruto ever did. In its earlier seasons, Naruto made the case that anyone could become a great ninja, regardless of their birth, but as the anime progressed, this notion fell to the wayside.

Most of the strongest ninja, including Naruto, belonged to well-established clans or had access to immense chakra. Sakura, on the other hand, rose through the ninja ranks and became a powerful kunoichi through years of difficult training. This training allowed her to master various high-level techniques. Even the most adamant Sakura haters have to admit she is a true success story, especially since she started off as one of the weakest Genin in Naruto.

Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto might be one of the greatest anime or manga series in history, but its reputation was ruined by its sequel spin-off series, Boruto. While Boruto got a lot of hype when it was announced, once the story started, fans couldn’t connect with it the way they connected with Naruto, and thus the series got criticized.

Boruto Anime Series | Credit: Studio Pierrot

A lot of factors contributed to the failure of Boruto as a story, which ranged from the plot development to disrespect towards the old characters. But still, the series continued because the hardcore Naruto fans were willing to give it a chance until the end, and Kishimoto finally managed to make it a worthy series.

However, the problem with Boruto getting the deserved fame and recognition is that, neither the protagonist of the story, Boruto nor the former protagonist, Naruto is responsible for it.

Prepare for a superbloom of anime with more than 30 new, returning, and continuing series coming to Crunchyroll this Spring 2025 anime season. With new episodes of exciting titles streaming every week from Japan, Crunchyroll’s Spring 2025 lineup is here!

March 30 The Unaware Atelier Meister (Emt Squared)

Kurt Rockhans is a kind-hearted errand boy for a hero’s party, the Flaming Dragon Fang. One day, he’s banished from the party and finds out he has the lowest rank in combat. In order to make a living, Kurt picks up various jobs and discovers he has astonishing abilities. Though he doesn’t realize it yet, Kurt has Sss-rank skills in anything other than fighting, as he sets off on a new journey.

Dubs include: English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and German April 1 Once Upon a Witch’s Death (Emt Squared)

Meg Raspberry is just an apprentice witch celebrating her 17th birthday. That is,...

Le Sserafim has never shied away from trying something new.

The five-member K-Pop group released two wildly different EPs last year — the vibe-y, aptly named Easy, released in late February of last year, months before their U.S. festival debut at Coachella, and the experimental Crazy, which dropped on August 30.

Back with the final installment of their album trilogy, Hot, and its lead single of the same name, Le Sserafim — comprised of members Chaewon, the group’s leader, Sakura, Yunjin, Kazuha and Eunchae — is once again showing off a new side of themselves, embracing a more stripped down, groove-oriented sound. The bass and drum-heavy title track is a softer sonically than some of their previous releases, while the b-side song “Come Over” — a collaboration with J Lloyd and Lydia Kitto from the British band Jungle — has a 60s-era vibe that might make one want to grab a polka dot...

The Crunchyroll Spring 2025 anime season begins this April! The streaming service will bring more than 30 new, returning, and continuing series to audiences around the world.

A prequel set five years before the main series story, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes will bring fans a fresh new look at the superhero world they know and love starting on April 7.

Working to uncover the world’s greatest secret, Company 8 will face their biggest challenges yet as Fire Force Season 3 embarks to bring the incredible action-packed series to its conclusion with Part 1 of its two-part finale arriving on April 4.

Utilizing an astonishing blend of 2D and 3D animation, To Be Hero X is the hot new original series from Link Click creator Haolin. The visual spectacle begins streaming on April 5.

Picking up where the first season left off, Wind Breaker Season 2 gets right into action as Sakura and his new friends he made...

The Spring 2025 anime season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, with a massive lineup of new and returning series hitting Crunchyroll. From action-packed sequels to highly anticipated adaptations, fans have plenty to look forward to. This season promises something for everyone, whether they enjoy heart-pounding shōnen battles, supernatural mysteries, or even classic literary adaptations. With over 30 shows slated to air, Crunchyroll is the place to be for anime fans this spring.

Among the most anticipated releases are Fire Force season 3, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Wind Breaker season 2, and The Beginning After the End. Alongside these major titles, viewers can expect unique new series like To Be Hero X and Witch Watch, as well as the return of fan-favorite shows such as The Apothecary Diaries and One Piece’s Egghead Arc. With so many big names and fresh stories debuting, Spring 2025 is bound to be a standout anime season.

Naruto, one of the most iconic anime shows of all time, has partnered with U.S. accessory brand Loungefly on a casual bag collection that merges fandom and fashion.

Loungefly unveiled four new items in its new collaboration with the iconic Naruto series, with prices starting at the $20 Akatsuki Itachi Cardholder. It's joined by the nylon Naruto Akatsuki Sling Bag ($40), the vegan leather Naruto Sakura Cosplay Outfit Mini Backpack ($40) and the vegan leather Naruto Cosplay Outfit Full Size Backpack, which retails at $100. Readers can check out the official collection images below.

Naruto & Loungefly Unite for New Anime Merchandise Release Starring Naruto & Sakura

The highlight Naruto Cosplay Outfit Full Size Backpack is described: "The first step to becoming a first-rate ninja? Finding a functionally stylish outfit, of course! Suit up to protect your village with a full-sized backpack inspired by Naruto's iconic look. With plenty of space for storing essentials,...

Le Sserafim’s Yunjin talks about all the hate and criticism she faced(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Le Sserafim is one of the popular girl bands formed by Source Music, a sub-label of Hybe. Although it was a six-member group, after Kim Garam’s exit, it now only consists of five members, including Sakura, Kim Chaewon, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae. The band has made its comeback with another album and single titled Hot. However, despite all the success, Yunjin has always faced a lot of criticism ever since she debuted with the band.

Now, Yunjin has taken a stand for herself and shared her feelings through an open letter on Weverse. She talked about her hardships, the negative comments, and the hatred she faced, and revealed how lonely she felt. The K-pop idol’s honest confession left netizens with much guilt. Many even appreciated the singer for addressing all these.

As one of the premiere magical girl anime franchises, there's a lot of gorgeous merchandise being made for Cardcaptor Sakura. This includes a new set of jewelry from a major Japanese brand.

Mayla has a new series of Cardcaptor Sakura earrings based on the magical girls from the classic anime. These have three sections, with the overall designs derived from the wands used by the characters, allowing stylish fans to make nostalgia into a fashion statement. Available now for pre-order, these jewelry pieces let classy ladies become magical girls.

Cardcaptor Sakura Anime Creates International Magical-Girl Fashion With New Earring Series

The new earrings are based on the original Cardcaptor Sakura anime and its titular character, themed more specifically on Sakura's wand and her different "opening costumes." The "Rebonded Rose" earrings are based on her primary outfit, while the "Angel Crown" and "Academic Nocturne" versions are similar but swap out...

The entire anime community and their mothers know how hated Sakura Haruno from Naruto is. Some genuinely hate her, while some just hop on the hate train. However, after years of unnecessary backlash, fans are noticing it might not be Sakura’s character to blame nor entirely Kishimoto’s writing.

Sakura Haruno from Naruto. [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

Studio Pierrot houses many iconic Shonen titles, like Naruto, Bleach, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Black Clover. While fans have complained about the animation quality, the studio has committed an even bigger offense.

Several scenes of Sakura Haruno were changed, deliberately making her look bad. The notion that her character adds nothing to Naruto, especially as a Team 7 member, was Studio Pierrot’s fault. It’s vastly different from her real character arc in the manga where she’s much kinder and selfless.

Sakura saves Naruto a lot in the manga, whereas the anime doesn...

The “dere” anime archetype refers to characters with certain personality traits fans often find endearing. There are many different dere types out there, though the most well-known are likely the tsundere and yandere personalities. However, there’s another common dere type that, though not as popular as these two, encompasses a wide range of beloved anime characters. The deredere archetype features the brightest and most cheerful characters in all anime, many of whom shine with true main character energy.

Derederes are the wholesome sweeties of the anime world. Characters within this archetype wear their hearts on their sleeves. They love big, and they aren’t afraid to show affection to those they truly care for. Deredere characters are overflowing with positivity and have an abundance of energy, making them really fun and likable. With their kind hearts and loving dispositions, many deredere anime characters are some of the sweetest around,...

What makes Naruto so great are the characters and this holds for the villains as well. From Sasori to Pain, Masashi Kishimoto outdid himself in writing some of the complex villains in his story. The backstories and their eventual fate in the series are well put out, but he may have fumbled in one aspect.

Obito Uchiha in a still from Naruto Shippuden | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Most specifically, his writing of Madara’s character and his ending betrays the purpose. This is true for the character’s redemption, which follows along the common thread of banality. In this case, another character tops the chart by being one of the finest villains in the series.

Masashi Kishimoto diluted villainy through redemption arcs

When we think about villains, Masashi Kishimoto gave us some of the top-tier antagonists in his series. But with the mangaka, the villains aren’t necessarily portrayed in a binary.

Naruto has some notoriously badly-written female characters, but none are hated more than Sakura Haruno. Even after years of analyzing and picking apart her character, the anime community continues to loathe her. It’s become abundantly clear it won’t stop unless they somehow rewrite history.

Sakura Haruno from Naruto: Shippuden. [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

What fans fail to notice, however, is the distinction between how Masashi Kishimoto wrote her in Naruto and Studio Pierrot’s additional scenes that created this terrible reputation.

The main complaint about her character is how bossy she is, all of which were included in Pierrot’s version of Sakura. She isn’t nearly as hot-headed in the manga nor is she very callous with her words. Unfortunately, her character isn’t the only female character they’ve butchered.

Studio Pierrot might be to blame for Sakura’s reputation in the Naruto fandom

Sakura Haruno deserved better writing and that is a fact.

Ayane Sakura is one of the most popular voice actors in the current anime industry. She is the voice behind Ochaco Uraraka in My Hero Academia, and many other well-known characters.

Deku and Uraraka in My Hero Academia | Credits: Studio Bones

Sakura has recently shared how the perception of anime and voice acting has drastically changed over the years. This can be seen from the fame and recognition that voice actors have been getting recently. Actors like Ayane Sakura, Aleks Le, are stellar examples of this new trend.

The voice behind many iconic characters

In a radio segment with Nogizaka46 idol Nagi Inoue, Ayane Sakura has reflected on how being an anime fan was once met with ridicule. This is true even more so when seen on a global level. There were many times when anime was obstructed or alienated due to being ‘cartoons’ or ‘for children’.

Sakura voices Lu...

In anime, some of the most influential and iconic series to ever release happened to come out in the same decade. The '90s were one of the most impactful decades for the anime landscape and, as such, quite a few series hold up much better than one would think. To appreciate the current era of anime, one only has to go back and experience what laid the groundwork.

Surprisingly, such anime series are not only masterpieces, but hold up to modern scrutiny through a retrospective lens. Sure, the animation can be a little dated and certain tropes dominated the era, but who doesn't like '90s anime sparkles and filters? While not every anime from the '90s aged particularly well, quite a few of the most important anime to ever be released during that time can still entertain modern audiences.

Ghost in the Shell Popularized Cyberpunk in Anime...

For a long time, the anime industry has remained at the top of its game, and it’s all thanks to the many different anime series and movies that earn global recognition. From the epic success of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece to the Oscar-worthy achievements of Hayao Miyazaki films, the global rise of the anime community is something that needs to be studied.

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

As anime has become a mainstream art form, it has helped other professions gain popularity. One such profession that has become popular because of the rise of the anime world is that of voice actors. The voice-acting craft was a lost talent that has only been rediscovered because of the efforts put in by the voice actors within the different anime series and movies.

In fact, it was recently revealed by Ayane Sakura, the voice actor of Ochaco Uraraka in My Hero Academia,...

The most recent generation of anime has brought fans so much to love. From compelling characters to thrilling action, there has not been a shortage of enticing anime for die-hard admirers. Some anime have been so incredible that they don’t even have any bad episodes to speak of.

The best new-gen anime are great from start to finish. Even if they are currently airing, they have yet to let fans down episode after episode. This has garnered them immediate popularity and has only bolstered audiences' love for them. While most anime have at least one bad episode, these particular series are exempt from that rule.

Related10 Best New Gen Anime Tsunderes, Ranked by Likability

Tsunderes are one of the most popular types of love interest, and the writing trend doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon.

Skip and Loafer Presents an Accurate Depiction of School Life Stream Skip and Loafer...

Most Narutofans dislike Sakura, and Sasuke's relationship, which has not aged well at all.Sakura's infatuation with Sasuke follows a tired anime trope and borders on annoying. Sasuke was cold towards her and, at times, abusive. It did not help that their character arcs were entirely different. Sasuke was driven by vengeance for most of Naruto's story, while Sakura spent the first half pinning over Sasuke and the second half trying to catch up to him and Naruto.

Their romance continues in the Boruto sequel series, and although they are both more mature, their relationship is still nothing to write home about because they hardly see each other. As problematic as their romance is, the argument can be made that Sakura and Sasuke's relationship is the most important outside of Naruto and Hinata's and Shimaru and Temari's.

Sasuke Did Nothing But Hurt Sakura For Most of...

There are educated and then there are literates. Masashi Kishimoto’s series, however, has a mix of both with a majority of illiterates. But that isn’t limited to his work entirely. Shonen series like Bleach and One Piece fandom is laden with the criticism of “lack of comprehension” and here’s why.

Sakura Haruno’s Hundred Healings Jutsu in the Shippuden anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Now, illiteracy here doesn’t equate to the inability to read but has more to do with the inability to comprehend. The fandom took to addressing this issue on Reddit and it was brilliantly done. This also fits perfectly with the problematic culture of haters and glazers in the anime community on the whole.

Are Masashi Kishimoto “fanatics” illiterate?

Decades back, Masashi Kishimoto made quite the splash with his ninja series in the Shonen genre. His manga is iconic, legendary and phenomenal in every single way.

The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #19, "Konohamaru-chan," by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto, and Snir Aharon, now available through Viz Media.

As the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga continues, the advantage is tipping to the franchise's God Trees. A lot has to do with Boruto being told by Kashin Koji that he cannot enter the battle. It results in Shikamaru's soldiers in Sunagakure fighting Ryu and Matsuri — two God Trees who are way too powerful for them.

Even with Araya having a sand-sealing blade, Ryu overwhelms them. As for Matsuri and Konohamaru, well, the Konoha-nin can't withstand her power once he rejects her affections. This leads to a major development in Two Blue Vortex Chapter #19 as the boss, Jura, expounds on the anachronistic nature of his species. He reveals that they actually have something in common with the Uchiha Sasuke of old: their view of love.

Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto has long been blamed for his handling of romance within the series. Fans often argue that romance within Naruto is rushed, not fully developed, or even completely ignored in favor of world-building and action.

Shikamaru and Temari’s bonding shows Kishimoto can excel in romance. | Credit: Studio Pierrot

While talking about this topic, Kishimoto himself once revealed in an interview, that he felt shy when writing romance and so did not depict it extensively. The comment was shocking to many fans because some of Naruto‘s relationships are really great, demonstrating Kishimoto’s skill in writing great romance.

Kishimoto can write romance: He just didn’t prioritize it

During an interview session with the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun, Masashi Kishimoto revealed why in his original work, the depiction of full-blown love did not appear. When asked by the interviewer whether it was difficult to imagine?...

2025 is a year full of anime anniversaries. Several beloved anime released in 2000 are now turning 25 this year, which is kind of hard to believe. So much time has passed since these beloved classics were first released, but at least streaming services make it easy to watch the anime fans had loved these past 25 years.

For fans who are feeling a wave of nostalgia, there's no time like the present to re-watch old favorites and treasure the memories of first seeing these anime series and films. These anime may be 25 years old now, but that doesn't mean they've lost their worth since they first aired. If anything, they've gotten better with time.

Mechs Enter the Taisho Period in Sakura Wars Streaming on Hidive

Sakura Wars is a steampunk multimedia series that first began with the Sega Saturn game in 1996. The first Sakura Wars anime adaptation was released in April 2000. The series...

In any anime, a strong supporting cast is just as essential as having a solid main cast. When the supporting cast is weak, it makes the rest of the anime suffer as well, since the supporting characters offer insight into the world of the anime and the development of the main characters.

What makes a supporting cast strong is when they're not there just for the development of the main character, but have their own goals and personality. Sometimes, supporting characters are the ones that carry the anime rather than the main characters, which shows just how influential and how much of an impact they have on the success of an anime.

Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun Has One of the Strongest Supporting Cast Streaming on Crunchyroll

Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun has one of the best supporting cast of any romance anime, especially since each character is so different from one another. This anime takes certain character tropes,...

Sci-fi anime are typically known for their thrilling action and dark themes. Although, just because they are supposed to feature fictional scenarios, that doesn’t mean they are exempt from romance. Many of the relationships in these anime series can even be described as the best sci-fi romances of all time.

The most romantic and loving sci-fi romances are endearing and enticingly romantic. Each of these couples displays unique dynamics that audiences can’t help but love. The couple's feelings are palpable. The best of the best sci-fi couples help each other navigate the unbelievable scenarios happening around them and love each other no matter what.

RelatedThis Upcoming 2025 Anime Could Be One of the Best Sci-Fi Romance of the Year

The upcoming 2025 anime adaptation of Kowloon Generic Romance offers something for everyone, making it unique and fresh among slice of life shows.

Zero Two & Hiro Vow To Even Be Together...

Teacher-student duos are a staple in the anime medium and Naruto has a variety of teacher-student combinations, with a fan favorite being the pairing between Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki. Fans adore their relationship because of the familial history between them, their strong bond and the combination of their dynamic personalities. Jiraiya is one of three Legendary Sannin, and he used his expertise to significantly improve the skill of many ninja in Naruto. Working closely with Jiraiya took Naruto from being the Leaf Village’s “Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja” to a ninja skilled enough to defeat Pain.

Naruto, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno are all former members of Team 7, and students of Kakashi Hatake. Eventually, the three of them branched off and found themselves training with the Legendary Sannin. While Jiraiya was molding Naruto into a refined ninja, Tsunade transformed Sakura into a formidable kunoichi and Sasuke became a...

There are pools and then there are plot holes and Naruto isn’t exempt from any of those. With a pool of unanswered questions, fans have pointed out a bunch of plotholes in the series. But that is not the end of it all.

While the series has an interesting power system and a diverse range of characters, it is ridden with criticism. The plot inconsistency is one such example, and with fans’ latest finding, it might just be the worst.

Nagato’s Shinra Tensei in the Shippuden anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

In particular, this has to do with one of the strongest weapons in the series. From its power to its conception, it is daunting in every aspect. But this also leaves room for several unexplained mysteries in the series.

While some call it plot armor or a foil, Masashi Kishimoto may have screwed the pooch yet again. This...

The role of Hokage is highly significant in the Naruto universe. As Konoha’s leader, the Hokage embodies power, leadership, and unshakable commitment to the village’s survival and success. Even Naruto Uzumaki’s greatest desire was to take over this position, and throughout the series, eight Hokage were featured, including Naruto himself.

Naruto and Kakashi | Credits: Studio Pierrot

In Naruto’s broad legacy, the title of “greatest Hokage” always stirred debate among the fans. While Naruto Uzumaki and Kakashi Hatake frequently take the stage as rivals for this honor, several fans feel Tsunade Senju stands out as a truly unique and underappreciated Hokage. Many fans believe that her leadership, sacrifices, and ideas during her time lifted her to the peak of Hokage’s brilliance, especially during Konoha’s most difficult days.

Was Tsunade the greatest Hokage in Konoha’s history?

Tsunade’s journey towards becoming Hokage is as fascinating as her tenure.

It is no doubt that the core of the entire series of Naruto is the unique bond between Naruto and Sasuke. The way their relationship starts, how they become comrades and enemies and then reconcile again, all of this is a constant underlying theme of friendship and brotherhood.

Uzumaki Naruto in Naruto: Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot

One of the most perplexing and controversial moments in the Naruto series is Sasuke Uchiha’s absence from Naruto and Hinata’s wedding. Despite the extremely strong bond forged with blood and battle between Sasuke and Naruto, Sasuke chose not to attend the celebration.

Sasuke’s absence at the Naruto-Hinata wedding

Many fans have been questioning his reasons. While the anime and manga never explicitly delve into this decision, the many fan theories and discussions provide plausible reasons as to why Sasuke didn’t attend the wedding.

Sasuke vs Naruto in Naruto: Shippuden...

Naruto is a pretty straightforward Shonen story with lots of wholesome elements. A first glance into the plot might not give away the dark nature of some characters that Masashi Kishimoto hid in the depths of the story.

The Chunin Exams arc, in particular, was an extremely creepy part of the anime. From weird and unexplainable rules to extremely harsh conditions, the Chunin Exams were nothing short of a huge nightmare. However, one character embodied the arc’s creepiness.

The Chunin Exam arc of Naruto featured one of the creepiest developments The Chunin Exams was one of Naruto’s most horrific arcs | Credits: Studio Pierrot

Zaku Abumi, a shinobi from Otogakure, was a part of Team Dosu. He was an orphan who lived on the streets while growing up and stole for a living. His childhood could be called worse than that of Naruto, making fans sympathize with him.

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Clamp is a group of four female manga artists who have created plenty of classic, fan-favorite anime such as Chobits and Cardcaptor Sakura. However, while their series may be known for the perky heroines driving the story, the group has also created several endearing male characters as well.

From the stubborn Syaoran Li serving as Sakura's rival to the anxious Watanuki desperately trying to handle the supernatural, Clamp has made it clear they're able to write interesting characters who aren't female. They have a wide range of personalities, but these characters have become near and dear to fans' hearts over the years.

Hideki Is Simple but Has a Problematic Side in Chobits Currently not Streaming

Hideki Motosuwa serves as the main character in Chobits and Chii's love interest. This young man is doing his best at a prep school in order to make it into a proper college, although...

When it comes to iconic fights in the shonen genre, Masashi Kishimoto’s series takes the cake. From Gaara versus Rock Lee to Might Guy versus Madara, the series has some of the legendary showdowns.

And while the original series had some epic battles, Shippuden is second to none. The series had a mix of good, bad, and ugly. This is especially true for the best and the worst duels, which happened in a single arc.

Naruto Uzumaki in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Recently, fans chose their pick for the best and the worst fight in the series. Their pick for the best fight is surprisingly similar. There was a consensus regarding the worst fight in the series.

Interestingly, it does tie well with the arc which ended up being a mixed bag in terms of its reviews. And while fans’ opinions changed through the years,...

Fans of the Bleach anime series are in for a treat next month. Part 3 of the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War English dub is set to be released for streaming in its entirety, matching the already-existing subtitled version of the show.

Those who prefer Bleach's English dub over the sub can already watch several episodes of the Thousand-Year Blood War anime's Season 3, but for fans looking forward to watching the third cour entirely in English dub in one sitting, then early February is the time to do it. North American streaming service Hulu is slated to drop the rest of the season on Feb. 1, 2025, also giving newer anime viewers the perfect excuse to start a Bleach: Tybw binge-watch.

Related Today Is an Unexpectedly Good Day for One Piece Fans

One Piece fans are treated to a sudden surprise as Toei Animation releases an original anime episode featuring Luffy and Law.

With the beginning of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, fans got to see what happened to the Naruto cast after they grew up. Many paired off, settled down and had families, leaving their time as shinobi behind. Even those that reamined in a more martial position, such as Kiba, ended up in a relationship. The commitment in these couples led to the new generation of up and coming shinobi characters populating the Boruto manga series.

While romance may never have been the focus of the series, Naruto is home to many different couples. Each have their own stories. Some are tragic, and others endearing. The series didn't delve much into the subject beyond Sakura's obsessive love for Sasuke and Hinata's silent and nervous pining for Naruto, but seeing all of Naruto's couples together as they lead a new generation, it's not hard to see which ones are actually enjoying a healthy relationship,...

Following the world-famous live-action film, popular American manga publisher Tokyopop has announced a manga-style graphic novel adaptation of Mattel's Barbie, alongside the toy company's Hot Wheels franchise.

Via X (formerly Twitter), Tokyopop announced a publishing partnership with Mattel Inc., the manufacturer of Barbie, for new manga-style graphic novels for children aged 8-12. Hot Wheels will also receive an adaptation, with both targeting a print release in 2026. Readers can check out the official announcement below.

Related Naruto De-Ages Team 7's Sakura for the Anime's Cutest Collectible to Date

An adorable new Naruto figurine from MegaHobby completes Team 7's lineup as it showcases the younger days of resident kunoichi Sakura Haruno.

Mattel's Barbie & Hot Wheels Get New 'Manga-Style Graphic Novels' in 2026 We’re excited to share our publishing partnership with Mattel, Inc., a leading global toy and family entertainment company known for its iconic brand portfolio!With this exciting partnership,...

Sakura Haruno is the main female character in the Naruto anime/manga series, and one of the most recognizable modern shonen heroines. Now, a new collectible is being released that showcases the happy youth of the young lady before she became a medical kunoichi.

Gem Series Naruto - Sakura Haruno Go! is the latest entry in a line by MegaHobby that features Naruto characters as children. Reimagining Sakura's iconic design from the original series, the collectible is a must-have for those wanting to celebrate the legacy of Team 7 from beginning to end. Releasing by the middle of the year, fans can order Sakura now to display alongside two other childish figures for Konoha ninja.

Related Naruto Unleashes a 'Whopper no Jutsu' With Exclusive New Burger King Release

A new fast food team-up between Naruto and Burger King is adding new sandwiches and jutsu to the menu, along with other Naruto-themed products.

Crunchyroll’s Solo Leveling has been making headlines over the internet as the second season has grown immensely popular since its premiere. The second episode has added to the show’s allure, where it ensured that they have overcome its shortcomings, which hindered it from being the most anticipated anime of 2024.

Igris and Sung Jinwoo. Credits: A-1 Pictures

The current season focuses more on Sung Jinwoo, delving deeper to quench his thirst for power, all while featuring a romantic subplot for our hero. The series also focuses on its female characters, where Cha Hae-in has displayed flawless chemistry with Jinwoo, making the fans adore their relationship and crave to see more of them.

However, her status might be in jeopardy because the power-fantasy series has introduced one name who might be a better fit for the Player and for all the right reasons.

Solo Leveling’s upcoming female character would...

Although anime fans often bemoan filler, Naruto has some of the best examples of filler that just works to uplift the story it's within. Naruto's filler is one of its biggest assets, and its filler works from every angle to fill out Naruto's sometimes scant world-building. The darkest corners of Naruto's world are just as much illuminated by its filler as are the daily minutiae and antics of Konoha's adolescent shinobi.

Naruto has quite a lot of filler, actually. Around 43% of Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, taken as a whole, can be considered filler. The reality is that even if the vast majority of filler is good, there are bound to be some slogs within such a huge batch of episodes. However, the same also works in reverse. Naruto has some absolutely killer filler, and these are the best arcs in the whole series.

In Naruto's Footsteps: The...