Can I just say how freaking articulated you are?!
Iāve been reading your thoughts/theories regarding NaruSaku and SS and I love how you keep your cool and analyze the facts and Iāve been having a blast reading your posts.
Also, when I first started watching the anime, I think I was 13/14 years old and, just like you, I used to ship SS but as I got older I was like OMGWHY, and at first I was really shocked with how much I started to enjoy the idea of NaruSaku since up until that point I only saw them as friends.
Adult me doesnāt like SS at all, Iāll protect Sakura with all that I have until the end of times and I canāt stand how some people see their relationship as āhealthyā.
Seeing that I just finished reading some NaruSaku stories, Iām feeling warm and fuzzy and filled with love, and I opened my tumblr and saw some hatred being throw your way, Iād come here and share with you that youāre awesome and I thoroughly enjoy reading/seeing/fargirling over your work. Happy Sunday and NaruSaku for life. ā¤ļø
First of all thank you so so much for your nice words!
Lol, itās like we have the same story, heheh. I was also a SS/NH as I started the anime. I think itās no wonder that many of us used to be, since thatās what the anime version of the story pushed forward.
They literally stole interactions from canon from NaruSaku and gave it to the others.Ā
For example how Naruto in the chakra training says to Sakura how great she is and whatnot? Studio Pierrot takes it and applies it to Naruto telling that to Hinata in fillers.
Sakura genuinely being concerned for Naruto and wanting to give up both her chance AND Sasukeās in the chuunin exams selection?Ā
Sakura is shown downright malicious there, like she is glad Naruto is going through this turmoil, when itās viceversa.
Also, in the canon manga Naruto never thinks about copying from Hinata, while in the anime he does so.
So no wonder people disregarded NaruSaku that much. By doing everything in their power to show Sakura as being this malicious little girl, this only had a ripple effect on both the fandom, NaruSaku and their reception.
Thatās why when I turned to the manga, I found a totally different story than the anime.Ā
Which is sad, because the manga tells a rather much more touchy story than the anime, to be honest.
And this is also the reason I wonāt be able to support SS. Because no matter what, the source material shows us SS as not being the right choice for Sakura. Through the plot, through character dynamics, through symbolism. You name it.Ā
People can try defend it as much as they want. Itās out of the necessity to fill a void. I know I used to do the same with Sakura, hoping that Kishi will finally make something of her. He didnāt, sadly. And thatās something I accepted.
I still love her, I still considers she has one of the best developments within the story (looking at source material, not the adaptation), but I wonāt hide under the pretenses that sheās perfect.
Hell no. Her love for Sasuke makes her miserable. Her potential is unused. She was sidelined compared to the main cast, like it or not.
There are a lot of problematic aspects with her as well, as a character. But I ADMIT that. Unlike SS-ers that make it look like this perfect love story that breaks the curse of hatred. Nah. Thatās NaruSasuās story first of all, and second of all, like I said, God forbid these kids enter such a relationship. And I very much mean it.
However, I do defend Sakura on other counts. On those which I can, on those that put her on this hateful pedestal that sheās the meanest, when itās not true. When she is one of the characters that has a change in behavior IN THE VERY FIRST CHAPTER SHE MAKES AN APPEARANCE!
I wonder how many people can brag about that in real life. People have NO IDEA how difficult CHANGE IS.
Look at this fandom. They werenāt able to change even now, years later, in their regards to Sakura. She is still one of the most hated characters in the history of characters (which is so interesting to look at from a sociological point of view).
But they talk all high and mighty about a character who is showing change ever since chapter 3, like I said.
Itās funny because when itās about admitting faults, like SS is problematic? Noo, itās whatever. But when itās about admitting that Sakura showed real change in her relationship with Naruto and even FLIRTED with the damn guy and ACCEPTED A DATE with him, people are like NAH, SHEāS A BITCH, NEVER TREATED HIM RIGHT YADDA YADDA YADDA.
Or like... when itās about her and the comedic relief punching thing, OMG SHEāS ABUSIVE!
But when they copied the same traits to Hinata and had Himawari punch the shit out of Naruto OUT OF THE BLUE FOR NO REASON, itās OMG SO KAWAII.
Like, these people are shown a mirror of their very moral standards and they still wonāt admit their double standards.
Itās fun to watch though. But aah, anyway, I donāt care about those kind of people. Itās funny to observe them, but NOT MY tribe.
Thank you very much for your kind message dear! You really made my day with it, gotta admit.
Sending back positive vibes towards you tenfold!!
SPREAD THAT NS LOVE, because thatās what NaruSaku always has been. ABOUT LOVE, about SHARING the love for one another, in more ways than one. Cheers!