Sakura Haruno is one of the most popular characters inNaruto, but even her biggest fans can’t deny that she has made some frustrating mistakes. As part of Naruto Uzumaki’s inner circle, she has had more screen time than most, allowing fans to witness her growth firsthand. While she has undeniably evolved as a character, her journey remains one of the most debated in the fandom.No matter how much Sakura improves, some of her past decisions are too difficult to ignore.
No character inNarutois perfect, but Sakura’s flaws stand out in ways that make them hard to defend. Even after the series concluded and she became more mature inBoruto: Naruto Next Generation,her past mistakes continue to spark discussions. Some fans still hold them against her, no matter how much she redeems herself. As a result, her greatest achievements are oftenovershadowed by the criticismthat has followed her for years.
7Lying to Naruto About Loving Him
Sakura Faked a Love Confession to Save Naruto
Naruto: Shippudenwas never a romance-focused series, but it had moments whererelationships developed as charactersgrew closer. One of the most significant romantic dynamics was Naruto Uzumaki’s admiration for Sakura Haruno. Aside from his dream of becoming Hokage, Naruto was always vocal about his feelings for her. While it was mostly a childhood crush, he clearly saw Sakura as more than just a friend, especially after Sasuke left the village.
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However,Naruto’s feelings were never taken seriously in the storyand were mostly portrayed in comedic moments. It was widely known that Sakura never reciprocated his emotions, as her heart belonged to Sasuke Uchiha. While she was never criticized simply for not returning Naruto’s feelings, she faced backlash when she faked a love confession. InNaruto: Shippudenepisode #206, Sakura told Naruto she loved him to stop him from chasing Sasuke, but this moment only frustrated fans, solidifying much of the hate towards her character.
6Trying to Kill Sasuke Alone
Sakura’s Attempt to End Sasuke with a Kunai
Sakura’s feelings for Sasuke definedmuch of her character, shaping her motivations and growth as a shinobi. Her admiration for him fueled her determination to become stronger and bring him back to Konoha. However, despite her devotion, there came a point when she believed that killing Sasuke was the only way to stop him. Wanting to protect Naruto from further danger, she joined her fellow ninja in planning to eliminate Sasuke, despite the emotional conflict it brought her.
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Just as she deceived Naruto with a fake love confession, Sakura attempted to trick Sasuke inNaruto: Shippudenepisode #214. She pretended to join his side, hoping it would give her the chance to kill him with a poorly concealed kunai. However, thisplan was not only flawed but also unrealistic, making her actions appear naive and reckless. Many fans criticized her for believing she could take down Sasuke so easily, reinforcing the idea that she was out of her depth in major battles.
5Being Physically Abusive to Naruto
What Seemed Like Typical Bickering Was Perceived as Hurtful
Sakura’s tendency to hit Naruto was a recurring gag throughout the series, aligning withNaruto’s comedic and lighthearted moments. Her exaggerated reactions reflected the classic tsundere trope, where a character expresses frustration through physical outbursts. However, many fans felt that her actions went too far, as there were times when Naruto was left bleeding from her punches. What made this criticism even stronger was how she never reacted the same way towards Sasuke, often appearing smitten with him instead.
Sakura being physically abusive towards Naruto remained a long-standing reason for all the hate.
Despite this, Sakura was not the only character with this trait, as even Jiraiya and Hashirama compared her to Tsunade Senju. Naruto himself never took her hits seriously, brushing them off as part of their dynamic. Still, some fans viewed this as unnecessary aggression that overshadowed her better qualities. As a result, the perception of Sakura as physically abusive remained a long-standing reason for the hate she received in the fandom.
4Letting Her Insecurity Hold Her Back
Sakura Always Felt She Was Not Strong Enough
Being on the same team as Naruto and Sasuke was both an honor and a source of pressure for Sakura. Initially, she was thrilled to be placed alongside Sasuke, but as Team 7 faced increasingly difficult challenges, she began to realize how much she lagged behind. Naruto and Sasuke constantly pushed themselves to grow stronger, while Sakura often found herself struggling to keep up. This self-doubt led her to believe she wasn’t as capable as her teammates, despite showing significant potential.
There were many instances where Sakura hesitated and relied on others, particularly Naruto, to protect her.
While her insecurities were understandable, many fans grew frustrated with how often she underestimated herself. Instead of pushing herself the way Naruto and Sasuke did, she hesitated and relied on others to protect her. Even after gaining Tsunade’s training, some felt she still fell short compared to her teammates' progress. As a result, her lack of confidence became another reason why she faced criticism within the fandom.
3Mishandling Her Relationship with Ino
Sakura’s Broken Friendship with Ino Still Sparks Hate
Flashbacks inNarutorevealed that Sakura and Ino were good friends long before entering the Academy. Ino was one of the few people who encouraged Sakura to be more confident in herself, helping her overcome her insecurities. However, despite their close bond,their friendship took a turn when they both developed feelings for Sasuke Uchiha. This rivalry led to their falling out, with Sakura choosing to sever ties, believing they could no longer be friends while liking the same person.
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WhileBoruto: Naruto Next Generationshows that Ino is now happily married to Sai and Sakura ended up with Sasuke, some fans still hold a grudge over their past conflict. Many argue that their friendship could have endured despite their shared crush, making Sakura’s decision feel unnecessary. However, they were just kids at the time, driven by emotions they barely understood. Still, Sakura continues to receive hate for choosing rivalry over friendship, even though the two eventually reconcile.
2Overestimating Her Own Potential
Sakura Claimed She Has Finally Caught Up to Sasuke and Naruto
The Fourth Great Ninja War set the stage for Team 7’s long-awaited reunion, and while it was exciting to see them fight together again, Sakura quickly became the subject of ridicule. During their battle against Madara inNaruto: Shippudenepisode #425, she confidently declared that she had finally caught up to Naruto and Sasuke. However, the moment turned embarrassing when she was immediately stabbed by Madara, proving that she had overestimated herself. Once again, Naruto and Sasuke had to step in to save her, reigniting criticism towards her character.
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While Sakura had a solid plan and used the powerful regeneration jutsu taught by Tsunade, many fans failed to see the bravery behind her actions. Instead, they focused on how her declaration didn’t match the outcome, making the moment feel unearned. Despite her growth, this scene became another reason for fans to question her role in the trio. Unfortunately, rather than being praised for her courage, Sakura faced more backlash for overestimating her strength.
1Focusing Too Much on Sasuke
Sakura’s Character Was Unfairly Hated for Her Feelings
Sakura has often been criticized for focusing too much on Sasuke, with many fans blaming her for prioritizing her feelings over her growth as a shinobi. While she undeniably cared for him deeply, this aspect of her character overshadowed her other qualities in the eyes of many. However, a similar trait in Hinata, who was equally devoted to Naruto, was never met with the same backlash. Unlike Sakura, Hinata’s feelings for Naruto were seen as endearing, whileSakura’s love for Sasuke became a reason for fans to dislike her.
This double standard led to Sakura receiving undeserved hate, as many refused to acknowledge the moments where she proved her worth beyond her feelings. Despiteher efforts to become stronger and her role in major battles, her past mistakes stuck with fans who refused to overlook them. Meanwhile, Hinata was praised for her unconditional devotion, even though she, too, placed Naruto at the center of her growth. In the end, Sakura’s character arc in both the original franchise andNaruto: Shippudenwas unfairly reduced to her love for Sasuke, while her accomplishments were often ignored.
