#Sasusaku analysis

[holly-natnicole]

Awesome analysis!!

Sasuke The Demisexual King

I was a bit apprehensive about making this post because English is not my native language. So, apologies in advance. But thank you @kirinlady for the comment.

First of all, being demisexual has nothing to do with being gay or straight; you can be either. Another point is that you can have your headcanon; you are free to do so. But I am focusing on the canon line Kishimoto intended, which was SasuSaku from the start, according to the databooks and the novels.

There is A LOT OF CONTEXT SO GET READY.

Let's start!

In the first part of the Naruto series, Sasuke is very touch-deprived, traumatized by his family's murder by his brother, living in the house where they were killed, and self-isolating. A more correct way to describe it is to say he is touch-starved. Lack of physical touch can lead to feelings of emptiness and loneliness.

Sasuke had been without care for so long that being touched in a non-aggressive way might have given him sensory overload.

It's important to discuss these points when it comes to Sasuke's story. Naruto was also touch-deprived, but he externalized it, while Sasuke internalized it. This context aside:

A good part of the reason why people think Sasuke is gay is because he repels the touch of women and rejects flirtations from many girls. Sasuke doesn't need to feel anything towards these people, no matter their intentions. A man rejecting a girl does not make him gay, just as a girl rejecting a guy does not make her a lesbian. People have the right to their own bodies. It doesn't matter if you or many people would act differently; Sasuke is not that guy.

As I said, you can have your headcanon, but even fictional characters are people. Doubting someone's sexuality just because they don't follow a pattern says more about people in real life than about the character.

A good example is Gaara, who is clearly asexual with clear romantic feelings towards Naruto. I can see that in him more than in Sasuke. But this is my headcanon. I said Asexual no Aromantic.

Back in the series, Sasuke eventually gets more comfortable with Team 7. Kakashi respects his boundaries, Naruto is not the hugging type with him, but Sakura is another story. He can not avoid her like all the girls.

But this time is different. He sees her maturing, becoming a friend to him, and like a sister to Naruto. And this is the part where Sasuke starts to change. Seeing Sakura and Naruto's interactions makes him angry, maybe jealous. Sakura's attention was entirely his, but now it isn't, though a lot of it still is for him.

And this healthy distance makes him realize he misses her, maybe even wants her close. This brings us to the second part of being touch-deprived: What do you do when someone touches you? Mostly, he stands there or keeps his arms still. But he is not annoyed or pushing her away. He could, but he just doesn't want to.

She has such power over him that she can stop him even while he is controlled by Orochimaru's seal. He reaches for her while in pain, he gets mad when she is hurt. We all love the phase "who did this to you". He remembers her hug when he is losing control. She is that light.

They are kids at this point, but I really think he had feelings already. He wanted to protect her as a friend, and as something he did not understand. Lets not mention the blant Jealousy at adate ( =I think that's his name", and feeling powerless when Naruto saves her instead of him. But he had no time to figure out his feelings before being manipulated by Orochimaru's machinations to leave.

Even when he left, Sasuke accepted her feelings but chose to go anyway. But accepting her feelings, doesn't mean he is ready or is the time to act on them.

I have a post on their goodbye.

Now to the point of the post: Is Sasuke demisexual?

Demisexuality means being sexually attracted to someone only when you have an emotional bond with them.

The first part of the post was about 12-year-olds. This part is about 15/16-year-olds. Sasuke could have had any girl, and this is the age where most people's hormones are crazy. But he does not feel that need.

When facing Sakura for the first time, he recognizes her immediately. Sure, her hair is the same, but it has been three years. He is not attacking; he is just looking at her. It could be coldness, or it could be a boy who does not know what to do. I can't know what would have happened if they were alone. Sasuke shifts after Naruto gets there. His voice tone is different; he is not as pleased to see Naruto as he is to see her.

(there are great fics on this cenario, I would love some links because it was the SasuSaku fanfiction golden age)

This part is a more general view, but MOST demisexuals don't flirt like most people. Since it is deeply connected to emotions, there are a lot of acts of service, a lot of stares, and small touches. Much of what Sasuke shows towards Sakura and only Sakura.

And there is Karin. I dont have her, I like her. She is a great charact with great backstory if you don't agree fight me.

But Karin is very disrespectuful at the begning. Maybe that is why there was so much hate.

Sasuke pushes Karin away in a more respectful way than she behaves with him. He is not interested in that. Karin is pretty; anyone would want to be with her, but Sasuke did not because does not have feelings for her, plus she did not respect him. Even traveling with him for some time, she still did not respect his boundaries. Maybe that is why he has no warm feelings towards her. Feelings that would keep him from doing that infamous Danzo scene.

Karin did nothing to harm Sasuke, yet he harmed her because she wasn't important to him. So there were no feelings to hold him back, even a little. The once-manipulated Sasuke, this time by Obito, had no problem getting rid of her.

Yes, he was wrong. Terribly wrong, because she had helped him so many times. But the reason was that she wanted him carnally. And this does not flowrish in Sasuke.

Sakura and Sasuke are on a whole other level. Sasuke was fed up with Naruto and Kakashi because, even though Sakura also wanted him in the village, her methods to pursue him were different on his eyes. Sakura had hugged him, Sakura had begged him to stay. He had a completely different vision of her.

He attacked Naruto first.

But Sakura attacked him first, so he reacted.

I really think "losing Sakura" made him even madder. He dived even deeper into his sadness. She was that one thing he was sure about. Honestly, I think his offer was to push her away because hurting her would hurt him.

Sasuke put those feelings inside once more. But seeing her again at the war, he answers only to her. The more he tries to push her away, the stronger those feelings come. And he is always watching her. He smiles when she destroys the ground, she shakes when she calls him.

And he claims, "I have no reason to be loved by her or to love her," even if that was not what Kakashi said or asked. He said Sakura wanted to help him. Honestly, he brought up the romance card. The moments their eyes clicked, when he came to save her and succeeded, the way he once felt powerless to do as a child. So he puts her to sleep because her words would stop him.

Maybe he could take Naruto in a fight, but he could not handle Sakura's cry one more time.

Because he thinks he does not deserve her. He leaves and travels. Again, he could have had anyone at this time once more. Now a man with crimes pardoned, a respected man. Only when he was complete did he come back.

People talk about Sakura's constant "afterglow" when Sasuke is in the village. They comment that they have pillow talks, the intimacy he craves, and a person to go and call home.

Sasuke never loved another because he had already accepted Sakura's feelings at age 12. Sasuke never wanted another physically because he had wished for only one person. His desires are connected to his emotions.

Sasuke says that no matter how far they are, or how long they haven't seen each other, his feelings for Sakura will never change.

And neither have hers.

Ending with this frame because it shows what I think is the start of his feelings. Look at how beautiful she is; this is Sasuke's vision. I think Sakura is very pretty. But here, she is much prettier than normal.

He sees her as more beautiful than we do.

[oraclesblog]

Sakura Blossoms

One of the most significant character moments for Sakura Haruno in the original series of Naruto remains one of the most misunderstood. This can, no doubt, be attributed to the fact that a large portion of shonen fans are incapable of understanding any form of writing that isn’t surface-level and doesn’t have to be spoon-fed to them. Many view this scene as an example of illogical decision-making by Sakura because she had an “opening” to stab her opponent, as shown here:

However, Masashi Kishimoto goes out of his way to provide two specific reasons as to why this approach wouldn’t work: a practical reason and a symbolic one.

Practically speaking, it is explicitly stated that had Sakura attempted to stab the Hidden Sound shinobi, it wouldn’t have worked.

It was also established very early on that there was a massive power imbalance between the two and that, no matter what Sakura did, the Hidden Sound shinobi would always have a counterattack because they were more skilled and had more experience. Hence, instead of using the Kunai to stab her opponent, as this particular Hidden Sound shinobi expected, Sakura decided to cut her hair—not only to catch her opponent off guard but because Sakura herself knew that stabbing her wouldn’t work; she’d simply be overpowered.

Symbolically speaking, the reason Kishimoto had Sakura cut her hair (the most important reason and the entire purpose of the scene in the first place) was to signify the beginning of her character arc. To understand this, we need to look at Sakura’s initial character traits and the perceptions she carried at the start of the series.

Initially, Sakura is introduced as a superficial, appearance-obsessed, boy-crazy girl who has a no real understanding of what it means to be a shinobi.

She even outright admits to already considering herself a full-fledged ninja despite having done nothing to earn that title.

This false self-perception is what leads Sakura astray compared to her teammates. She becomes disinterested in the idea of training to become stronger and doesn’t work for the skill she so desperately needs at this point in the story. In her mind, there’s no point in training if she’s already graduated the academy and become a “full-fledged” shinobi. Her own arrogance and naïveté on the subject even lead her to believe that she’s fully superior to her teammates on Team Seven.

However, as the story progresses, we see Sakura’s inexperience in battle and taijutsu, combined with her misguided priorities (particularly her obsession with Sasuke) and her arrogance regarding her own self-perceptions, make her overly reliant on her teammates. This not only makes Sakura a burden to her team but shows the consequences of her actions, behaviours, and beliefs.

The forest of death arc is so crucial for Sakura‘s character, as it pushes each member of Team Seven into moments of growth. For Sakura, it where she learns the true meaning of being a shinobi and the trials and tribulations that come along with it. Sakura is put in a situation where she’s forced to fight on her own for the first time in her life to protect her two teammates. As she does, her enemy grabs her by the hair, trapping her. With no escape, Sakura takes her Kunai and cuts her hair.

In this moment, Sakura is physically cutting off an aspect of her identity that aided in the superficial virtues of her character, both physically and emotionally. She is unbinding herself to the girl she used to be, freeing herself of her negative qualities and traits, and most importantly, her false self-perception regarding the identity of a shinobi. The act of haircutting within literature can carry various meanings, but the most common symbolism behind it is to mark a character’s transition into a new stage of life. In Ancient Greece, it was tradition to cut one’s hair as a sign of mourning, symbolizing a positive or negative change for the character. In Sakura’s case, she is “killing” her past self and mourning this loss through the act of cutting her hair, while also stepping in to a new sense of self with a clearer understanding of what it means to be a ninja and the harsh realities that follow it. That’s why this line:

Is so important because it serves as a representation, both figuratively and literally, that it’s Sakura’s turn to step into the role of a true shinobi—to be someone her teammates can count on and, most importantly, to say goodbye to the girl she once was.

What’s more is that we actually see how this character development impacts Sakura’s throughout the series. The Forest of Death scene is more than just words; it marks a transition she carries forward, not only becoming someone her comrades can rely on but also becoming someone who understands the deeper nature of things and people rather than viewing them through a superficial lens. This growth is especially evident in her desire to become stronger, seeking out training from a Sanin, and in the way she begins to see Sasuke after the Forest of Death. Instead of viewing him merely as an attractive classmate she has a crush on, she starts to see him for who he truly is—a traumatized boy falling prey to his own pain and going down a dark path. This new perception makes her want to help him, both physically and emotionally, rather than simply wanting to make him hers, as she did initially.

Ultimately, this scene is what gave Sakura the development to become the character she was at the end of the series—a strong kunoich and a true, full-fledged shinobi, as well as someone who can genuinely understand the pain and trauma of others.

[sweet-cuddlebug]

I just saw a guy declaring that Sasuke was abusive towards Sakura and that he doesn't deserve her... and now I want to implode because. What the hell.

First of all, Sasuke never wanted Sakura and that's something he made VERY clear to her.

The fact that she continued to pursue him shows the lack of respect she has for herself. Because she's not even trying to understand him as a person, she just loves (the idea of) him and wants to be with him, and after Sasuke makes it clear multiple times that that's not going to happen Sakura just starts to look stupid.

The fact that people call their relationship abusive has to be some kind of stupid joke. You're telling me that Sasuke trying to kill her after she tried to stab him in the back is abusive? That him not reciprocating her feelings and not being patient or kind after the tenth time is abusive? That him not treating her like his friend when they're enemies at war is abusive?

And I mean the relationship does seem abusive but from another perspective.

Who ignores the other's feelings and tries to make it about her all the time? Who ignores the other's decisions and goes on with her own actions? Who crosses the boundaries set by the other person multiple times? Who ignores the fact that the other is a independent person with a history and only tries to have him under her possession and tries to kill him when that option is no longer plausible? Mhhh.

Sasuke: I don't like you. I don't want you. What I want is for you to get away from me.

Sakura: I'm gonna try to chase you and declare my feelings over and over again hoping that my tears will convince you to stay with me.

Sasuke: Are you at least going to try to understand me as a person and my motives?

Sakura: Why would I do that? I just want to have you

Sasuke: ... Well that's not going to happen, and you're starting to irritate me.

Sakura: *tries to kill him*

Sasuke: *tries to kill her back*

Sakura: How is it possible that you care more about Naruto than me?!

Naruto: *Is worried that Sasuke is going to put himself in danger and ruin his life. Does his best to understand Sasuke's history and his motives. Cares immensely for him and tries to protect him at all costs. Understands that they both have a special connection and if the only way for them to be free from suffering is to die together then that's what they'll do.*

Sasuke: *The reason he wants to kill Naruto is because he is his greatest weakness. He loves him too much and he knows it. He knows that Naruto has the chance to stop him in his attempt to avenge his family. He does everything he can to protect Naruto from dying unless it is by his own hand and trying to kill him brings him great pain.*

Sakura: but I want youuu >:(

[pr1ncessasuke]

Dissecting Naruto’s Ending in Good Faith

Let's consider the possibility that Kishimoto's ending was deliberate—that things ended how they should've, and some plots weren't mistakes (looking at you, Kaguya).

Okay, hear me out. By assuming this, we can explore the series with a good-faith reading. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the series as an adult, and it’s shaken up many of my beliefs and perceptions—it's somewhat distressing, so I’ve been processing all this in therapy too, and coming to key conclusions. I think It's crucial to understand the motivations behind Kishimoto's choices, not just within the Narutoverse but also within the Kishiverse. Why did he make the decisions he did?

Why did he suddenly introduce reincarnations and fate? Aliens? Why the couples that seemingly came out of nowhere? Why doesn't Naruto quite change the system, or help the Hyugas? The final arc, overall, just seemed quite jarring, with some plots (like fate) seemingly subverting the message of the series.

I wonder, then, if Kishimoto's ending shows more of a realistic world rather than an idealized one. Reality often unfolds messily and sadly, devoid of perfect resolutions. Whether intentional or not, Kishimoto's storytelling may reflect his acknowledgment of the imperfect nature of existence. His reality bleeds into his creation, and he's subject to the same harsh realities his characters face.

Fate, Justice, and Change

In this unideal depiction, Naruto and Sasuke's actions are tied to fate rather than free will, Sasuke doesn't achieve his revolution, Naruto doesn't dismantle the shinobi system, and both end up in marriages that seem sudden and unsatisfactory.

If Kishimoto indeed intended this, why? Well, change often takes time, and sometimes change doesn’t even happen at all. People can become tired of fighting for a cause in certain ways, and settle for smaller victories. Relationships may not always align with desires, leading to compromises for convenience.

It's intriguing that Kishimoto explores themes of defying fate while ultimately making Naruto destined to save the world anyway. By making even the protagonists constrained by destiny, Kishimoto echoes historical cycles of rise and fall. Perhaps there's something inevitable about human love and hatred. We can begin to see Kishimoto's philosophical musings on how the universe came to be—the First Cause theory, that there's a divine Creator behind the universe. Or, perhaps, no matter the circumstances or our destinies, we must try to make our own decisions.

And, Sasuke's lack of revolution may not be a complete surrender. He doesn't fully support the system, remaining detached from the bureaucratic and familial norms by traveling. He pursues justice by roaming the world as a vagabond, championing justice as a vigilante. Sasuke has never been one to adhere strictly to Konoha's rules; he eschews the headband and prioritizes loyalty to his morals and loved ones. His rebellion does not manifest as he initially envisioned because his youthful idealism inevitably wanes. But this doesn’t take away from his fight, because Kishimoto portrays him as insightful and intelligent, showing that Sasuke can recognize the pragmatic benefits of partial conformity. He forever remains committed to his pursuit of justice by traveling and aiding others. Thus, his true surrender lies in acknowledging that he can be loved without compromising his strength, refuting the notion of love as a weakness.

As for Naruto, he isn't ignorant—he does comprehend the situation fully, sharing a deep understanding with Sasuke that transcends words (“I know your heart, and you mine” telepathic conversations). While it doesn't seem like much has changed, the events in Boruto unfold merely two decades after Naruto's era, a short span in historical terms. Significant societal transformations typically require centuries, not mere decades. Nevertheless, Naruto succeeds in establishing an era of peace, which Kishimoto shows through the relatively low stakes in Boruto. And when there are threats, they often manifest on a cosmic scale involving gods and extraterrestrial beings. While Naruto and Sasuke have brokered peace among nations, they acknowledge the inevitability of conflicts and warfare. Naruto's focus shifts towards fortifying the system itself, striving for safety within the constraints of reality.

Unexpected and Reluctant Couples

To thoroughly analyze the series, we must also examine the role of romance, as Kishimoto's introduction of romantic pairings significantly impacts plot themes, character development, and motivations. Whether we embrace it or not, these pairings alter the essence of characters in ways previously unseen.

In the canon material (manga and anime main story only), Sasuke and Naruto exhibit no romantic interest in Sakura and Hinata throughout the series. In fact, neither actively pursues romance in general. Sasuke states as such to Kakashi, and Naruto tells Jiraiya he’s not interested in girls. While Naruto initially does have feelings for Sakura, he eventually relinquishes them. Both protagonists prioritize their ideological missions above all else, with exceptions made for their friendship with each other. Sasuke, for instance, abandons his vendetta against Itachi when he sacrifices himself for Naruto in the Land of Waves, while Naruto is willing to forsake his dream of becoming Hokage to die to save Sasuke from loneliness and hatred.

So, how does Kishimoto portray their eventual marriages? Sakura pursues Sasuke persistently, repeatedly confessing her feelings until he ultimately relents and agrees to a family life with her. Meanwhile, Naruto displays no romantic interest in Hinata, even disregarding her confession during the battle with Pain. When he eventually marries her and starts a family, it feels contrived and dispassionate, a jarring image contrasting the boisterous Naruto we know. These relationships seem to emerge out of duty and resignation rather than genuine affection. Both Sasuke and Naruto appear worn down by their wives' persistence, leading them to reluctantly accept their marriages.

These couples have sparked considerable debate within the fandom, and rightly so, because they are not healthy or truly romantic relationships; rather, the depiction reflects the harsh realities of many real-life relationships. Kishimoto portrays Naruto and Sasuke's marriages with little prior development; perhaps a deliberate narrative choice rather than an oversight, highlighting their dissatisfaction through their roles as absentee fathers.

And in terms of specifics, Naruto's marriage seems to revolve more around Hinata than anything else. Consider this: why is Naruto portrayed as uncharacteristically serious and subdued when interacting with Hinata? Even during the pivotal moment when he finally confesses his love to her, his demeanor remains stoic and solemn. Where is the goofy and expressive Naruto we know and love? Additionally, why does Kishimoto include comments from other characters urging Naruto to "treat her well"? Because Naruto's marriage is not primarily about him; Hinata simply happened to be there, and it’s his duty to follow up on that.

And for Sasuke, why do we see panels like the family dinner in Boruto where Sasuke appears utterly miserable? Why is Sasuke never around? Why didn’t Kishimoto even give them a kiss scene? Why does Sasuke mostly display emotions when he's engaged in combat or interacting with Naruto? It's because Sasuke finds purpose and vitality in fighting for his beliefs, and Naruto is the only character depicted by Kishimoto who truly understands Sasuke's innermost thoughts and feelings. Sakura doesn't get Sasuke's essence. Isn't a marriage supposed to be built on true understanding, and progression?

One way we can see it is, Kishimoto, as an artist, is deliberate with his drawings, and these details are not mistakes. Canonically, both Sasuke and Naruto are depicted as tired or subdued in their relationships. Despite Kishimoto drawing them blushing in various situations before, neither of them ever exhibits such reactions when interacting with their wives. This deliberate choice by Kishimoto, despite them being his beloved main characters, shows that Sasuke and Naruto are not in love with Sakura and Hinata.

Love and (lack of) Romance

Sasuke and Naruto are not portrayed as romantic individuals; rather, they are depicted as traumatized fighters and idealists driven by a desire to change the world.

Kishimoto remains true to this characterization throughout the series, extending into Boruto. While Naruto is largely a series about love, it's not focused on romantic love. Instead, it delves into the concept of transcendent love and optimism amidst adversity, encompassing love found in seeking revenge, striving to change the world, and fostering bonds of friendship and loyalty. The relationship between Naruto and Sasuke is the one Kishimoto gives the most development to in the series, and embodies nuances of love, rivalry, loyalty, and compromise. This love isn’t necessarily romantic, but it can also be anything because it is transcendent love. This part is up to you to decide and I believe doesn’t take away from their story either way.

Another question that arises is, does Kishimoto really just suck at writing romance? Well, not really. He’s demonstrated his ability to craft compelling romances, such as those between Minato and Kushina, and Asuma and Kurenai. However, he chose not to apply this to Naruto and Hinata or Sasuke and Sakura. Although, he does show that Sasuke cares for Karin at one point, even awakening a new power for her, but takes it back as their relationship ultimately falls victim to Sasuke's madness at the time (although I believe this relationship, along with Naruto x Sasuke, can tentatively be argued for, but I digress for now).

These decisions reflect 1) the fact that Naruto and Sasuke's characters are not about romantic love; their goals and convictions for justice are prioritized above all else 2) Hinata and Sakura are not The Ones for them. Thus, their seemingly unhappy relationships serve as a reflection of their de-prioritization of romantic love in favor of their greater missions.

Further, realistically, people don't always end up with their ideal partners. Many people settle in relationships because they desire families or because they are pursued by others, rather than actively seeking out their soulmates. Kishimoto chooses to depict Naruto and Sasuke with a lack of emotional expression with their respective spouses. Even in the presence of their own children, Naruto and Sasuke are not depicted with joyful expressions, suggesting a lack of fulfillment in their familial roles.

The Whitepill

Ultimately, the way things turned out seems disheartening at first because shows are meant to inspire and provide an escape from reality. Throughout the series, Kishimoto led us to believe in the possibility of an ideal ending, where change is attainable and love conquers all.

But, Kishimoto's decision to depict Naruto and Sasuke's inability to achieve 100% of what we desire is, in fact, profound. The truth is, we can't always get exactly what we want, but we can make small compromises and strive for justice in whatever ways we can. This struggle is something humanity has faced throughout its history. Our world is far from ideal. But, we are still able to achieve bits of justice in ways we can; we get just enough to keep us going, to leave us with the thirst for more.

Perhaps Kishimoto portrays Sasuke's surrender not because he believes Naruto is unequivocally right, but because Sasuke wants to choose love, and is inherently kind and idealistic. He cares deeply about his friend and desires to see positive change in the world. Sasuke's journey leads him to become a protector of not just Konoha, but all villages, reflecting his compassion for people everywhere.

Similarly, Kishimoto may depict Naruto continuing on as part of the existing system not because Naruto is complacent, but because he's someone who seeks to work within established frameworks rather than tearing them down completely. This approach doesn't diminish Naruto's convictions or his commitment to change; rather, it reflects his pragmatic approach to achieving his goals while minimizing disruption.

Naruto and Sasuke's best efforts serve as inspiration for us to take up the mantle and continue the fight.

Ideal World and Optimism

Despite this, Naruto’s ending does not really make sense in an ideal world. In an ideal world, there would be a more perfect compromise, we wouldn't be bound by our fate, and the oppressive shinobi system would be dismantled. Naruto and Sasuke would have more time to heal and explore the world alone, and eventually find fulfillment in their love lives; Sasuke would find someone who truly understands him, while Naruto would enjoy a relationship where he can be his true, expressive self. Sakura would be able to move past her childhood infatuation and grow personally, while Hinata would gain confidence and develop her own identity.

Therefore, reading from a purely Narutoverse standpoint, the issues I mentioned do, in fact, undermine the themes and relationships built over the course of the narrative. Maybe Kishimoto fumbled after all, and Boruto sucks, and is simply a cash grab. Or, he intentionally wanted to troll us—suddenly breaking all conventional storytelling rules is suspicious, right?

Perhaps what really happened is a mix of all these things. While there are many external influences that led to this bleak ending, Kishimoto's intentions surely play a vital role.

Regardless, Kishimoto's big mistake is being too subtle and abrupt in introducing the new concepts at the end. However, in doing so, he has successfully sparked ongoing disagreement and discourse that persists even a decade after the series concluded.

In this sense, he has effectively brought attention to the messages: make love, not war; seek change, not complacency; and find The One, don’t settle. And even if I’m wrong in everything and this whole essay is just a copium, it's a lot better to believe in my ideals than to accept defeat. Because, Naruto taught me one invaluable lesson—no matter the odds, never give up.

[leportraitducadavre]

Ino and Sakura

It's often said that Sakura cut off her ties with Ino for more reasons than just Sasuke. For some fans, she even did it because Ino was pushing her down purposefully in order to be always on top.

In that sense, and while this post has been written in another response, the other one will soon become a monster too huge to control, so I'll leave this here for better access and to better expand their relationship for those who are interested.

A warning you should know: Many images are shown while others are linked (pay attention to the underlined-bold words, they'll guide you to the image analyzed).

Despite the claims introduced before, on the panels we were shown their previous relationship during their childhood at no point did Ino seem to downgrade Sakura -either physically or mentally-, on the contrary, she's constantly shown trying to lift her spirits, like when she complements her looks:

Let the world see that pretty face!! Strike a pose!

At no point did Ino downgrade Sakura or put herself above; telling Sakura to show confidence doesn’t automatically put her in a higher position in their friendship.

To explain myself further: providing help when someone needs it isn’t the same as putting oneself in a morally or physically superior position. Their relationship is of equals regardless of Ino supplying emotional support. The fact that Sakura inwardly elevates Ino's relevance in their dynamic isn’t Ino’s responsibility as everything Sakura thinks of Ino is never expressed (translated, Ino isn't aware of her position inside their friendship, as she's never told her relevance). Furthermore, Ino never states that she considers herself attractive or prettier than Sakura herself, every time they speak on the matter Ino tells Sakura to be more confident as she has a "pretty face".

Him! Hah! He just struts around, acting like he’s so cool.

At no moment does Ino seem upset at Sakura for liking the same boy, in fact, she chooses to lie about how she feels for Sasuke in order not to start a conflict. This is, of course, not specified in canon, but since Ino doesn't display her feelings for Sasuke and, quite the contrary, she criticizes him, it's safe to assume she lied about her feelings.

And even if Ino is upset about Sakura liking the same boy as her, something that is neither expressed nor shown, she doesn’t act around it.

Furthermore, Sakura engages in conversations with Ino about Sasuke (Hey, Ino! Sasuke seems to like girls with long hair, so I’m going to grow mine…) and it doesn’t seem as if Ino dismisses the subject out of jealousy.

Everyone says you’re after Sasuke too, Ino…

I'm aware that some fans, specifically S//S and Saku-Ino fans, claim that Sakura assumed Ino liked Sasuke and Ino, in retaliation, started to like him back to make Sakura jealous (?), however, unlike those fans who think Ino's whole character revolves around Sakura (she is, indeed, a supporting character of her, but she outgrew her role to the point where she's barely seen with Sakura after the Chünin Exams) I do believe that Ino truly liked Sasuke and that she was indeed surprised by Sakura having equal feelings for him.

[I will here say that, personally, those who diminish Ino's feelings for Sasuke to use that "lesser" type of love (there's nothing like a "lesser" type of love, there're different ways to love someone. Caring for someone romantically doesn't reflect equally on each individual), as a justification why Sakura "deserved" Sasuke are carrying a sexist view inside their reading of the manga: Cartoon or not, Ino is still a representation of a woman yet, for them, she isn't as valuable as Sakura because she loved Sasuke in a different manner she did.

They're measuring Ino, Karin, and even Sakura's value by the way they display their respective feelings for a man.

In the same manner, Karin, who shows more sexual desire for Sasuke (I will not deny her romantical feelings, but she is clearly more driven by her sexual interest in him), is not less of a woman or less deserving of being with him because of the nature of her feelings.

There's no such thing as a "suffering-meter" that determines which character suffered the most out of love and, therefore, who deserves a happy ending with the object of their affection. That not only links love's nature primarily to suffering but also measures a person's romantic value in terms of how much pain they can endure (either for their significant other or provoked by their significant other).]

Again, Ino doesn’t act around her feelings for Sasuke (in the next flashback Ino -despite knowing Sasuke likes girls with long hair, keeps her own hair short) nor around her friend's attraction.

It was Sakura the one who decided to break their friendship because someone (unspecified) told her Ino liked Sasuke in the same way she did.

This is how we learn about their breakup:

Chapter 53

If it's true... that makes us rivals!

Keep in mind that, until then, we only knew Ino was Sakura’s rival, it's Shikamaru the one that introduces the idea of Sakura and Ino being best friends once, and we have these panels to understand a little bit more about their prior relationship.

This rumor is, in fact, truthful as they do become rivals -so why would Ino allow this break-up if she truly didn't like Sasuke? It makes absolutely no sense, meaning that this theory of Ino faking her attraction to Sasuke is completely false, as she canonically is infatuated with him. Furthermore, when confronted, she chooses not to lie about her romantic interest in him to Sakura. The expression of Ino when hearing Sakura’s words is “uh-oh!”, which means she was keeping her feelings secret from her friend.

In chapter 54, we have a sneak peek at Sakura’s development as a ninja: After Naruto and Sasuke fight Orochimaru (and pass out), and Lee sacrifices his well-being in order to save her from the Oto team, Sakura cuts her hair as to free herself from Kin’s hold. Up to this point, we know this part is significant because of what Sakura thinks before doing it, but by Ino’s reaction, there’s something far deeper going on (Hey, Ino! Sasuke seems to like girls with long hair, so I’m going to grow mine…).

Her attack against Zaku isn't successful and, after barely hurting him, she has no more energy to continue (so she bites him). And here's when we have Ino’s flashback:

Chapter 54 - The flashback continues but all have been addressed previously.

The rivalry was started solely by Sakura. There’s no denying that Ino took up on that rivalry and started to act consequentially, but she wasn’t the one initiating it.

"I noticed your hair is lot longer, Ino" "What is it to you, Sakura?!!"

Let's acknowledge something, in this specific panel, it was Sakura who started their interaction (in a hostile manner, also) because she wanted to tell Ino about her position in Team 7.

She assumed Ino grew her hair long because of Sasuke -it isn't clear when was their fallout, but it must have been years prior to their graduation, so either they didn't see each other as much (or at all) since they went their separate ways, or Ino grew her hair long shortly after the beginning of the show, so there were at least a few years after their breakup when she still has her hair short.

It's safe to assume Ino did, in fact, keep her hair long for Sasuke's sake, yet it's not confirmed she did so to appeal to him, as she keeps growing it after his departure and it's shown how most people of her clan have their hair in a ponytail style, including her father.

So Ino, you'll never beat me now.

Despite some translations stating that Sakura said “I won’t lose to you anymore” (we were shown at no point in the manga how Sakura exactly lost against Ino), the official translation states otherwise -Sakura never exactly “lost” against Ino, nor Ino against Sakura.

Sakura's statement is based on Sasuke being on the same team as her, therefore, for this fact alone, Ino will never "win". Their whole rivalry is based on Sasuke. Now that Sakura is assigned to the same team as him, she has a better chance of winning his romantic reciprocation, therefore, Sakura's prospects are better than her rival's, which makes her the sole winner.

Yet, regardless of their mutual hostility, Ino still jumps to save her former friend, which means that she still has a deep connection with Sakura. Her face when remembering their childhood was a deeply troubled one, perhaps even mournful. In addition, by this point, Sasuke is unconscious: He isn’t able to see Ino’s heroic act, something Ino is aware of yet acts as if that is the sole reason why she jumped in.

After the fight, we have these panels:

To put some context: Naruto asks Sakura who “these guys are” when seeing Shikamaru, Chöji, Lee, and Ino; and after Sakura “thanks them”, Ino thinks that she’s selling herself short. Ino is shown constantly either telling Sakura or thinking of her as someone pretty and capable yet still self-conscious, even tho Sakura would have likely died had Ino and Team 10 not intervened, as Sasuke awoke after their tactic failed. Ino and Team 10 were saved by Team Gai and Sasuke, not Sakura.

During their fight in the preliminary rounds (CH 71), Sakura is particularly cruel:

First of all, she claims control and power of decision-making over a boy who has rejected her advances twice and who's not even present at the moment (he could, and honestly would, easily deny them both of the romantical reciprocation they sought). She starts their fight by trying to downgrade both Ino’s self-esteem (physically) and status in their “rivalry” (which she claims is now non-existent, as Sakura is the "winner" by being in the same team as Sasuke) -Ino’s words are a response to Sakura’s attitude.

[Kakashi saying that Sakura isn’t mean doesn’t make it automatically true -first, Kakashi doesn’t know Sakura that well as to claim she wouldn’t bully a person just because (she often displayed such an attitude towards Naruto during their first interactions, particularly when she told Sasuke that Naruto was annoying because he was parentless, Kakashi saw and knew none of that). Second, what he knows about Ino and Sakura’s relationship is what he read on a piece of paper -he knows nothing about how they actually interacted, nothing about their “power imbalance”, and, furthermore, he does nothing about Sakura’s insecurities -he hoped that Sakura would come around when the Chünin Exams came, but the whole reason she did so was because of Sasuke’s support.]

Sakura internally acknowledges Ino’s relevance in her life (1 and 2) yet none of that is actually told to Ino -who’s left in the dark. The last impression she possesses of Sakura is about her not being good enough to maintain a friendship outside their respective crushes on the same boy. Sakura, even without them being friends, still seeks Ino’s acknowledgment -the only one who is then made to do something for their relationship is Ino.

Personal opinion: Sakura hasn’t surpassed Ino. Much less at this point in the manga.

It’s Sakura the one who makes their rivalry just about Sasuke (here), while Ino states that she will not allow her to “show her up” (thus, for her, it seems to be more than just their shared crush on a boy, even during Asuma's last speech he tells her not to allow Sakura to win in "ninjutsu and love"), Sakura solely focuses on being on the same team as Sasuke as a signal of superiority; something she did absolutely nothing to gain as it was mere luck:

The teams are to be balanced and that’s why they put the dead last (Naruto) with the Rookie of the Year (Sasuke), there’s no canonical mention of Sakura’s part in the matter. The belief that she was put there because she was the “brightest” is a fanon belief (x). Furthermore, according to the Report Cards in the First Fanbook, Ino was behind Sasuke; making her the second-best overall and the best kunoichi amongst them (x).

Furthermore, Kakashi specifically visits Naruto's house alongside the Hokage who introduces him to the team he'll be leading, and at no moment do they even mention Sakura.

Meanwhile Ino, canonically speaking, would never be put on the same team as Sasuke, as she's the Yamanaka heir -her destiny was always to be with Chöji and Shikamaru.

Here

I’m not your little tag-along anymore Ino

Sakura says this in order to gain an emotional reaction -Ino is shocked by the words because she's never shown to consider Sakura to be what her former friend claims she used to be. Sakura is then painting the memories of their relationship in a negative light, downgrading it. What for Ino was a real friendship, to Sakura was a relationship of power.

[This is not a negative thing per se, Sakura needed a support system that Ino provided as she was too shy to socialize with anyone. What she's saying now is that she doesn't need Ino in order to interact with others. For Sakura is a positive thing, as she probably hated being "Ino's tag along", however, that doesn't change the negative impact that it has on Ino who never saw Sakura as a burden.]

Sakura's views of their dynamic diminish its relevance in her life and put Ino in the wrong (almost making her the abusive side of the relationship). Ino never reached for Sakura in order to make her her “tag-along”, Sakura was the one who put herself in that position.

I'm not blatantly denying Sakura's views on their former friendship, but from what we can see in canon, those views are either a lie she tells Ino to emotionally drag her during their match (stated before by Kakashi, she wants Ino to take her seriously), or a twisted version of the events transpired.

Much like with Sasuke, the fact that Sakura puts the weight of her well-being on another person’s shoulders means that she’s not responsible for the outcome or what her actions might entail: That’s why she makes Ino responsible for their fallout -hadn’t Ino liked the same boy, she wouldn’t have ended their relationship.

Sakura calling Ino a witch.

At the end of their fight, is Ino who -again, reaches out to Sakura and waits for her to wake, and, again: She gives her support.

We have a new interaction between them in CH 93 -where we see both of them visiting Sasuke in the hospital and bringing him a flower, there, we get to see them talking outside a ninja setting and inside Ino's flower shop.

1) It's established Sakura doesn't visit the flower shop until then.

2) They still bicker over Sasuke, the basis of their relationship hasn't changed after the Chünin Exams, but they seem to get along better.

3) Sakura learned the flowers' meaning in order to compete with Ino.

They even sit together in CH 99 to see the one-on-one fights of the last round of the exams, and while both Ino and Sakura are equally concerned about Sasuke, it's Ino the one who tells Sakura to cheer Naruto on during his match. How is Ino this "bad person who diminished Sakura" when she shows nothing but concern for her crush (Sasuke), her former friend (Sakura), and her rival's teammate (Naruto)? Furthermore, in CH 105, Ino realizes Sakura's change in mood when she admits (internally) to being somewhat jealous of Naruto.

After Shikamaru's match, once Sasuke appears, Ino compliments Sakura's team, praising both Sasuke and Naruto; Sakura's reaction isn't shown as the main focus is Lee -who hears Ino speaking-, but it amazes me how many people try to paint Ino's character as "shallow" and a "bully" when she has done nothing but encourage and praise those around her even when they're not close enough to hear her.

Then, after Sasuke's Retrieval Arc, Ino even goes as far as to look for Sakura once Shimamaru's team returns (x), and she even prioritizes Chöji before Sasuke (who they don't know actually left, x). How is Ino such a shallow, careless monster (who doesn't truly care for Sakura) if she goes out of her way to find her and inform her of their friends' return? Wouldn't have she taken the opportunity to visit Sasuke by herself? Wouldn't she have chosen to visit her crush first rather than Chöji if she was that obsessed with him and against Sakura?

In a way, and this is not to diminish some of the writing problems the author has, Ino is a nice representation of how Kishimoto is actually capable of writing a girl with a simple crush on a boy, who still prioritizes friends and comrades above the man she likes. Sakura's behavior, therefore, can't be attributed to Kishimoto not "knowing how to write women", but to him giving Sakura specific characteristics that just happen to be disliked by the fandom. In retaliation, her stans decide to blame such personality traits on his "incapability" to write female characters before giving them the actual relevance they have over Sakura's character.

[vitaxore]

Is it just me or do naruhina and sasusaku fans prioritise aesthetic a lot? Idk what is is but I feel like everytime I see naruhina or sasusaku posts, it's not analysis but "Oh they're so ____,"

For naruhina, it's the fact that technically both naruto and hinata are rich so they're the richest couple there. Or the fact that hinata is a princess so naruto must be a Prince.

For sasusaku, it's the whole she fell first, he fell harder. Or the pink/black aesthetic. Or the nonchalant bf/understanding gf

It's almost as if they don't have much analysis and actual reason behind their ship. Of course, you don't need a reason to ship something besides finding it cute. But as these ships pride themselves as the better ships, especially with their one-sided rivalry with sasunaru, it's kind of weird.

These ships offer nothing but tropes and aesthetics and are threatened by the actual in-depth analysis that sasunaru fans can do because we simply have more to work with besides "the vibes."

[deus-sema]

Having read these thought provoking posts in a row by @neyafromfrance95 and @anetherealpoetess , I racked my brain to remember when and how exactly did this drama over villain/heroine pairings start and how did it aggravate to such an extent?

But, before I begin, I want to get this out of the way: The intent of this post is not to generalize. Haters who hate everything fun without discrimination, those who aren't hypocrites, this post is not for you. You are the real deal. Hate and vent away and unless this hatred affects creators and fans adversely, which is when we would need to have serious conversations, we are good to go.

Where were we again? Yes. The heroine and the villain. The good girl and the bad guy. The M/F ship where the male character is not 100% morally upstanding and/or age appropriate. This dynamic goes by many names. Call it whatever you wish to.

Why this dynamic is enjoyed by many has been discussed often. Why it is disliked is also known. To each their own. Anyway, let's get straight to the point. This particular dynamic can result in the female character getting hurt at some point. Be it physically, mentally, or emotionally. It isn't mandatory but the possibility is always there. The villain/adversary with whom she shares a complicated entanglement that may or may not be 'officially' romantic is a challenge she must overcome. Be it by beating him, killing him, fixing him, smooching him or screwing him.

Preferences are one thing. But this vehement pushback specifically against stories that explore such a dynamic as well as against those who enjoy them is rather strange.

Now, why is it easier for some to separate fiction from reality when it comes to toxic m/m pairs as compared to similar m/f pairs? Aren't all these characters fake anyway? Maybe the belief that women are inherently fragile and, thus need to be protected and sheltered from any and all harm, genuine or perceived, still prevails. They aren't allowed to face so much as the slightest adversity or discomfort. They must be kept safe within the boundaries of propriety. If they are to have a partner then he must be a properly vetted 'green flag' who is safe for them in every aspect. Chemistry be damned. While it often stems from genuine, albeit misplaced, concern, it leaves the arcs of these female characters with limited scope.

Strangely enough, the characters in question can belong to any background: Human, demon, alien, witch, elf, warrior, zombie. Their natures might differ. They can all have different backstories, undergo varying experiences, follow rules and belief systems distinct from one another. But, when placed in an equation with a man who has been dubbed 'unsafe', they are all clubbed under one umbrella of victimhood. As long as the link between them and the unsafe male character exists, victims they must remain. Until that connection is severed and they are taken back to safety, all other identities cease to exist. Any conversation with respect to that equation must abritrarily categorize them as victim and the men as their victimizers and there should be nothing more to it. Not even if the narrative wills it. Fans who have different readings of the relationship are to be silenced with slutshaming, accusations of romanticizing abuse, not getting the plot, yada, yada. And, in certain cases, when the female character happens to be a WoC, her entire existence gets overlooked.

As a side effect of this approach, the  commercial creatives who are in the business for the paycheck and want to avoid unnecessary hassle, do not bother to put in effort or  undertake risks while creating female characters, let alone put them in a relationship with the bad guy. They know all it will take to calm the online pearl clutchers with pitchforks is to keep the female characters secure on the sidelines to play a supportive role leaving them free to focus and work hard on male characters who move the plot. The female characters are remembered only when the men have to be depicted in a better or worse light. Afterall, someone needs to be the scapegoat to help move the male character's arc forward.

The general audience, most of whom are in for the entertainment, must definitely notice the difference in importance that female characters hold as compared to their male counterparts but do not give it much thought. Meanwhile, in the online realm, puritantis and incels pat each other on the back after belittling real people who disagree with them for female characters in 'safe' and, possibly, passive roles is what both parties ultimately seek, albeit with different intentions. If a fictional woman doesn't toe the line, then the narrative is expected to set her right by 'humbling' her. As for the real ones deemed 'improper', the Internet is always ready with their pitchforks like we see here in this case highlighted by @problematic-faves-appreciation) concerning the Brontës.

Patriarchy truly is no different from the Hydra. Cut one head off and two more appear in its place wearing faux progressive hoodies.

[antisasukeretsudenantisasusaku]

Sakura’s love to Sasuke is not real.

If Sasuke was fat like Choji,if Sasuke had an ugly face like Lee,if Sasuke was unfortunate looking and stupid like Naruto,if Sasuke had a common,not eye catching at all, appearance like Shikamaru,Sakura would have never bothered paying attention to Sasuke.

Sakura does not know if Sasuke needs glasses (Naruto knows that he doesn’t): Sakura does not know something so obvious and so basic about Sasuke like an everyday use of glasses, and Sasusaku fans are delusional to insist that Sakura “knows Sasuke inside out and understands him perfectly”.

If Sasuke wasn’t hot, talented and popular, Sakura would have never even bothered to talk to him and would ignore him with disgust like she did to Lee and Naruto.

[mixu]

Naruto and H1n0t0's wedding chapter confirms SNS

While doing research alongside @ilbenmalpensanteus for a fanfic, the subject of Shippuden's last chapter aka the wedding and some misconceptions you might have heard about (promoted by s*s* no less) were brought up. I went to re-watch the scene and found some interesting things that, perhaps not so surprisingly, support sns case.

I want to do this as extensively as possible, so the analysis will be composed of multiple parts.

(pt.1) The usual delusion of Sakura and s*s* fans

It all started because I was informed some s*s* were saying the note Sasuke's summon delivered was meant to congratulate Sakura for her birthday and not Naruto for the wedding. I was pretty sure that wasn't the case but went to confirm it because I only watched the chapter once and superficially.

I confirmed s*s* claims as preposterous right away, as expected.

The kanji written in the note 「寿」 which is read as 「ことぶき」 or "kotobuki" simply means "congratulations" "best wishes" or "longevity". It is a formal kanji used for formal affairs (weddings, duh!) and definitely not for the birthday of a partner or love interest, in which case it is preferred to use some variant for 「誕生日おめでとう」 or "tanjôbi omedetô".

Also, no, the wedding didn't take place during Sakura´s birthday just because it looks like a "Hanami" event because there isn't a fixed date for such a celebration. The date on which it is celebrated depends on the region where it is celebrated, ranging from March to May in the northernmost parts of Japan.

The summon landed on Sakura's arm because at that moment Naruto was indoors and Sakura only smiled and blushed because she gets off on anything Sasuke related and is creepy.

(pt.2) Sasuke's not so subtle fuck this wedding congratulatory note

I don't know who was involved in this wedding thing but I don't think this wasn't on purpose. I can't believe I have not seen any discussion about this, but well, I joined Tumblr relatively recently, and there must have been some mention around Japanese forums that I most likely won't have the time to look for. (let me know if you have more information)

Anyway, for context, there are many social conventions followed by the Japanese people depending on the circumstances. One of the many that apply to celebrations is 「祝儀袋」 read as 「しゅうぎぶくろ」 or "shûgibukuro" which literally means "envelope for monetary gifts". Now, this could apply to funerals, new year and, of course, weddings, and there are strict rules one must follow to avoid being rude.

The amount of money gifted depends on the closeness of the relationship between the new couple and the wedding guests.

The amount of money must match the envelope. In other words, if you are using an expensive fine envelope, you should gift more money and vice-versa.

Even when you won't attend the wedding you should send a "non-attendance" envelope with a fixed amount of money.

The details and ornaments on the envelope the guests choose reflect upon the wishes they have for the newlyweds.

Here I present some examples:

First of all, you can see the kanji used in all the envelopes is the same Sasuke used for his note. The ornament that looks like an origami figure means good luck and the more complex it looks, the finer is the envelope. The same goes for the complexity and color of the knots. A golden-silver cord is better than the red-white one and the more difficult a knot is to unravel the better, because it means the newlyweds have strong bonds. The knot in the first image is one of the bests because the shape is meant to represent a rising sun and the start of a new stage in the couples lives, also its the most difficult to untie. The second one is considered standard and the third one is for no-attendees. The fourth is not recommended because the knot is easy to untie.

There are many other characteristics, but I think this overview is enough to understand Sasuke's note was a direct pronouncement against the wedding. As Naruto's best friend he should have sent half of his Uchiha inheritance inside an envelope like this one

What did Naruto get?

A "Fuck you" would have been more subtle.

Edit: What Naruto got from other wedding guests

****************************************************************

I'll leave it here for today, but expect the analysis of Kakashi and Iruka's conversation. Iruka and Naruto as well as Naruto and Hinata looking at the Hokage monument.

If you are skeptical about the information I shared, here's my source and there are lots of youtube videos where this is also explained.

[ilbenmalpensanteus]

It's funny how ss fans can be wrong even when they are... right. Yes, I'm not contradicting myself.

As you all can see thanks to the pics I posted, one of them was "talking" (read: whining) about how ss has mythology references as well.

Well, I won't denying it.

Saying otherwise could be 1. false, 2. wrong, 3. hypocrite, 4. honestly against my very line of work.

However, I would like to point out something:

Ninigi has, indeed, similiarities with Sasuke, such as:

a. his "connection" with Amaterasu

b. kusanagi

c. he will marry Sakura

But. The similiarities end here.

Now, that could be hardly casual given Kishimoto's clear knowledge of mythology, history and literature; however, aside from the marriage and the sakura flower, the similiarities between Sakura and Sakuya-hime, instead, stop here.

Thinking he could have used this specific, eventual, references to mark Sasuke and Sakura's relationship as a romantic one is ontologically wrong.

Why? For the genericity of the references, obviously.

Amaterasu and Kusanagi are two milestones of Japanese mythology and one can find them in several legends, related to very different characters.

Secondly, the comparison between Sakura and Konohana Sakuya-hime isn't flattering.

She was the usual empty, batshit crazy woman who burned the hut with their children inside to prove she didn't cheat on him.

You can find it in every, single, version of the myth. The girl was not fine.

The usage of fire as well: great, really, but a fuckton of japanese deities are fire-repellent, so it's like to say... nothing spectacular?

Now, about the "sources" they shared:

Aside from the one pic with Kaguya (totally out of the blue, I would say, given I only stated sun and moon symbolism are often associated with sexual intercourses or lovers), we have:

- Sakura and Sasuke's name on the sand (probably written by Sakura, don't know why this is relevant.

- Sasuke with kusanagi (that's okay) and snakes: here the snakes are clearly the focal point. But why? Was Ninigi associated with snakes?

- The cover with Sakura wearing a sakura-flowered dress and while holding the Uchiwa fan.

The last one specifically is... interesting because: where is the deep references? The flowers? That's the girl's name. The fan? It seems more like another sign of Sakura crushing on Sasuke and writing "Sakura Uchiha" on her notebook while giggling.

So, the point is:

If you want to make an analysis you need:

1. real sources (not photos already crafted to prove your ss point) - btw, I gave actual books, but they refused to take them in consideration;

2. to use images consistently.

Here a summarised analysis:

Shinjū is a Japanese term meaning "double suicide". Lovers committing double suicide believed that they would be united again in heaven. It was also possible for lovers to commit a murder-suicide (muri-shinjū).

This is a clear example of Shinjū's reference:

Here, we have:

- the will to die together

- the hope they will meet again in the afterlife

- the "connection of hearts" (from the very term's meaning and the context)

Here the sources:

1. Becker, Buddhist Views of Suicide and Euthanasia, Philosophy East and West

2. Takahashi, Cultural dynamics and the unconscious in suicide in Japan

3. Leupp, Male Colors: The construction of homosexuality in Tokugawa Japan

4. Heldt, Between followers and friends: male homosocial desire in Heian Court Poetry

5. Saikaku Ihara, Love of Comrades

6. Saikaku Ihara, The Great Mirror of male love

7. Rogers, She loves me, she loves me not. Shinju and Shikido Okagami

8. Heine, Tragedy and Salvation in the Floating World

THIS is a sensible reference. And a very small analysis.

And a parallelism.

Bye :)

PS Tumblr fucked up the pics order (sorryyyy)

[llaureleii]

Happy Birthday Sakura!!! 💕💕🌸

[generisydtoo]

Splitting up Team 7....Let's get into it

Disclaimer❗️: I'm not trying to dog on anyone who makes alternate team headcanons for fun. I have my own thoughts ofc, but as long as you're truly not hurting anyone, it's not that deep. I'm sharing my thoughts on this since I've seen this take a few times over the years, but do with it what you will!

As always, you're free to share your thoughts! Just be sure to keep it respectful :)

Tbh, it baffles me when ppl say that Sakura (bc that's usually who's removed from the team in these takes) or anyone else on Team 7 would've had better development if they were assigned to a different team. I think people fail to consider that Team 7’s close, consistent proximity and becoming teammates was one of the key reasons why they were able to get past their initial impressions of each other and form a deep bond.

This is only one example, but as far as we know, no other team went on any dangerous missions like Team 7 did to the Land of Waves. Granted, that was an outlier since that mission was supposed to be a C rank; however, it was vital to their individual growth. It shaped their perceptions of each other as teammates and of the shinobi world as a whole. If Sakura, Sasuke, and/or Naruto were placed on a different team (assuming little-to-nothing else was changed in the series), I'd deem it unlikely that they would've grown to be the shinobi they became, although not as quickly.

If you want, you can view this through the lense of recent media, particularly the YA genre. There are many reasons why they tend to be set in middle/high school (though I think that's starting to change and expand, thank goodness), one of them being the outcomes of forced, consistent proximity.

The characters are placed in an environment where they're (more often than not) forced to interact; it's not like college or other settings where you can simply leave if you don't want to be there, especially without it being fair to others in your group. While it’s ultimately up to them to choose whether or not they want to become more than acquaintances with their classmate(s), their relationship has a higher chance of forming due to being consistently around each other.

The same applies to Team 7 and honestly, the other Rookie 9 teams. They were all placed on their teams- a learning and training environment with forced, consistent proximity- for a reason. Ino-Shika-Cho being placed together since they're THEE Ino-Shika-Cho trio (if any sensei had messed that iconic trio up....bless their hearts fr), and Team 8 all being trackers.

For Team 7, it was also so they could all learn and benefit from each other in some way. Naruto could benefit from Sasuke’s proficiency in ninjutsu, Sakura's intelligence, and both of their calmer personalities(give or take with Sakura) seeing as he got the lowest marks at the academy and misbehaved a lot. Sasuke could benefit from Naruto and Sakura's social and outgoing personalities seeing as he got low scores in cooperation and teamwork.

While Sakura performed well in her academics, she slacked greatly in anything pertaining to using physical strength. She could benefit from Sasuke and Naruto's taijutsu and battle skills seeing as she got low marks in taijutsu.

I think it's also worth noting that Sakura is a balance of their personalities while having her own. While she's not always on 10 like Naruto was, she was able to be social and upbeat and like him. She wasn't emotionally cold or nonchalant like Sasuke, but she was able to match his calmer "think first, act later" demeanor. Ofc, they've all had their moments and didn't act the same way all the time. I love that Team 7 can share one brain cell at times, lol.

As I said in the preface, I'm not trying to down anyone making alternate team headcanons for fun. That being said, it's just odd to me that people claim that placing them on different teams would suddenly "fix" their characters. Becoming a team was an integral part of their characterization, with each of them serving a unique purpose in one another’s growth. (This includes Sai too, though that may be a convo for another day.)

Like the title says, this was a starting "Let's get into it" post. I have more specific thoughts on this take, but these are my initial thoughts for now :).

Sources: The academy report cards are only in the physical fanbook. You can find an online transcription of it here and photo scans here!

[classygreydove]

the casual and deeply embedded misogyny and objectification of women in most shounen manga and anime is the primary reason canon hetero ships are often forced, depressing, and shallow

in this essay i will

[justanopinion]

SasuSaku: started so well, went wrong so fast

I might be the only one that thinks this but; early SasuSaku was really sweet. 1. (in the Forest of Death) 2. [ can’t remember :’) ] 3. (when Sasuke got the curse mark) [PS: couldn’t find a screenshot from the show :’)] 4. “This isn’t you”(In The Forest of Death when Sasuke woke up) 5. “No, I refuse to let you rat me out”(after they survived the Forest of Death) It is was all so…

[sakuratruther]

Stranger in the Alps is a Sasuke album but Punisher is a Sakura album. hope that clears out

[manhu]

SasuNaru is Canon🌙☀️

Despite the official and "canon" ships and the monstruosity of Boruto, but a lot of times and even in real life we see that the "unnoficcial" things are stronger than the canon-officials one. For example in tv shows were cannonly one is married to another, but deep inside they love another person, so what's more important? His "official" marriage? as Robert Baratheon for ex in got, or the men in Brokeback. So, do you consider SNS as canon or at least is canon down the surface? I mean, you just need to scratch the surfe a little bit to see what a really canon couple is, you dont even have to go that deep because everything is there, it's not even the subtext xD taking into account their behaviours in Boruto, in Naruto manga, and also taking into account that a marriage paper certificate or having kids...actually means nothing.

IS SNS CANON?????

Naruto and Sasuke kissed each other. It's canon. This one scene is enough to shot down all those ‘They are Brothers’ theories.

After the kiss, To verify whether he is an Heterosexual, Naruto made a deliberate plan to knock off Sasuke and went on to verify his feelings with a known girl and found that, "I like this girl because she loves the boy in a same way that I love him... And on top of that she likes to kiss him, just like I liked the kiss I gave before...". It's canon.

Naruto's Rivalry concept is not to beat Sasuke and surpass him to flaunt his powers. It's mainly to show that he is an Equal to him and save Sasuke from any Danger. It's canon.

Sasuke wanted to walk next to Naruto because he was crushing about Naruto's bravery by stucking a Kunai in his hands. It's canon.

Sasuke said to Sakura and Kakashi that he was going for a walk but in reality he went to train along with Naruto. Sasuke lied. It's canon.

Instead of asking tips from a person who succeeded in the task, Sasuke was asking tips from a Dunce like Naruto. Sasuke is trying to initiate conversation without being obvious. But it was obvious. It's canon.

Sasuke, despite having a lifetime ambition of getting revenge for his Clan, shrugged it aside as if it was nothing and gave his life for Naruto. When asked about the reason, He simply said, "My Body moved on it's own". Indication of cluelessness. It's canon.

While dying, instead of thinking about his happy times he had with his family or Team 7.... He was only thinking about Naruto and his stupid actions like falling from the Tree. All for a boy with whom he never had any proper conversation (Including the Accidental Kiss). It's canon.

Despite being mistreated by the Villagers for all those years, Naruto’s emotions got enraged enough to extract Kyuubi Chakra for the first time on seeing Sasuke’s dead body. A boy he 'supposed' hated the most. It’s canon.

Naruto, a person who makes friends with everyone so easily, was being catty with Sasuke after he gave up his life for him. Shouldn't he be grateful for him???. Instead both were behaving weird by not making eye contact. It's canon.

Naruto, with his persistent Hard Work, impressed Sasuke with his skills. And finally got the Acknowledgement he always wanted. This is one of the happiest moment for Naruto. It's canon.

When Sakura was pinned up by Gaara sand, Naruto attempted save her. He tried to summon Gamabunta Frog by using Kyuubi Chakra but failed. He could produce only 4 Kage Bunshins. But when Sasuke simply said, "I'll act as a decoy even if it means death.... YOU ARE CAPABLE OF SAVING SAKURA.. SAVE HER AND RUN AWAY AS FAR AS YOU CAN.. And I don't want to watch my precious comrades die"... Naruto could produce 1000 Kage Bunshins and could summon Gamabunta without any issues. A Girl in danger couldn't evoke anything from Naruto but Sasuke's words could. It's canon.

On hearing that Itachi came to the Village and was looking for Naruto, The very first concern that crossed Sasuke's mind was to not let Naruto die. It's canon.

Naruto was trembling on the sight of Itachi's Aura.... But when he saw Itachi was beating Sasuke left and right, Naruto could no longer afford to tremble and was pulling out Kyuubi's Chakra which impressed Itachi. It's canon.

After bringing Tsunade to cure Sasuke, Naruto felt something unexplainable on seeing a girl hugging him. He just left that place with an awkward smile. It's canon.

Naruto, a boy who faced worst things in his life, was weeping rivers when he realized that Sasuke was really trying to kill him. It’s canon.

Naruto almost lost in his thoughts when Sasuke was trying to kill him. And his thoughts were all about how he always wanted to be friends with Sasuke but couldn’t because he was a loser and hence he decided to become an equal with Sasuke and become a ‘True Friend’. To be honest, he always admired him. It’s canon.

When Sasuke asked why he was going so far as to stop him.... Naruto revealed that he liked Sasuke back when he was just 8 on the day when Sasuke threw him a simple smile. A fact which Sasuke also acknowledges because he also liked the fact that he was noticed by Naruto. It’s canon.

Conveniently, Rain interrupted Sasuke from completing, “Naruto.... I....” It’s canon.

Sasuke despite saying he wanted to kill Naruto, he pulled his punch when he got the chance to ram his Chidori into Naruto’s chest.... Stared at Naruto for quite a good amount of time with a painful face.... A Visual symbolism very similar to Mary Jane kissing Peter Parker in Spider Man movie which Kishimoto liked a lot. It’s canon.

Naruto wanting to remain as a fool if that means saving Sasuke. It’s canon.

Naruto couldn’t able to find any difference in Sakura’s womanly appearance but could admire Sasuke’s cooler appearance when he was compared with Sai. It’s canon.

Naruto was Okay with Kakashi being replaced by Yamato. But not Sasuke being replaced by Sai. Instead he became hostile, which is very uncharacteristic of Naruto. It’s canon.

Sasuke said ‘I remember someone (Naruto) like that’.... But the moment Sai said ‘I will replace Naruto and get along with you better than Naruto’.... Sasuke put Sai in a Genjutsu. It’s canon.

Sasuke hugged Naruto in a femme-fatale way by wearing open chested costume while asking Karin not to come closer. It’s canon.

Sasuke threw a genuine smile on seeing ‘The Great Naruto Bridge’. It’s canon.

Naruto was brainrotting about Sasuke but when Sakura appeared in front of him, he lied about making a plan to date Sakura. It’s canon.

Naruto wished for Sasuke under the Shooting Star by keeping his hands in his heart. It’s canon.

When Naruto got the chance to finally be alone with Sakura who was caring about Naruto’s health.... Instead of making a romantic move of confessing his ‘supposed’ feelings.... He started to talk about getting closer to Sasuke. It’s canon.

Naruto was happy about the fact that His Wind element was compatible with Sasuke’s Fire Element. Because it would make Sasuke stronger. It’s canon.

Naruto was pining about Sasuke in his Bedroom for an entire night without sleeping. It’s canon.

Sasuke asked about Naruto’s whereabouts to Obito in a subtle way. It’s canon.

Naruto erupted 6 tails after experiencing Jiraiya’s death, his village being reduced to dirt, Kakashi’s death and Hinata’s suicide. But just the mention of Sasuke’s name from Orochimaru’s mouth evoked 4 tails from Naruto. It’s canon.

Naruto became a Hero of Konoha. But got beaten to death by Karui and took all the brunt of her hatred that she had on Sasuke. It’s canon.

Naruto despite breaking the chain of Hatred by forgiving Nagato who killed Jiraiya and Kakashi.... But went on to hint Raikage that there will be war if he kills Sasuke. It’s canon. Hatred what???

Naruto didn’t mind losing his dignity by begging in front of Raikage to pardon Sasuke. It’s canon.

Naruto got into hyperventilation mode on hearing Sasuke was going to be killed very soon. While clearly ignoring Sakura’s life in possible Danger as she was planning to kill Sasuke. It’s canon.

Naruto always knew that Sakura loved Sasuke from the day Team 7 was formed. He confessed that the promise he made to her about saving Sasuke was never for her but for himself... It’s canon. 

Naruto ignored Hinata’s confession even though he remembered that incident. He also rejected Sakura’s confession by saying “Stop lying to yourself” just like he was lying to himself that he hated Sasuke, just like he was lying to himself that he thought of Sasuke as his brother, just like he was lying to himself that he thought of dating Sakura even though he knew she loves Sasuke from Chapter 3 onwards, just like he was lying to himself that he was saving Sasuke for that promise he made with Sakura.... And later, he went on to confess Sasuke as to how he felt about him all along.... It’s canon.

Naruto declared that he will die along with Sasuke. It’s canon.

Naruto literally said he can’t become an Hokage unless he can’t save Sasuke. It’s canon.

Naruto wanted to control Kyuubi Chakra in order to save Sasuke. It’s canon.

Kushina thought Sasuke was a girl on the first glance. And after realizing he was a boy he wanted him to get along with her unborn son, Naruto. It’s canon.

Before her death, Kushina asked Naruto to find someone like her. Sasuke shares lot of similarities with Kushina while Hinata kind of people was what Kushina specifically asked Naruto to avoid. It’s canon.

Sasuke was left in Naruto’s hands by Itachi and he believed that Naruto was the one who could change him. It’s canon.

Sasuke was worrying about Naruto after feeling his chakra from some miles away even though he already planned to kill him. It’s canon.

Minato literally brought Sasuke as a Gift for Naruto. It’s canon.

Sasuke on realizing that the entire shinobi army was going to be destroyed by the Tailed Beast Bombs, immediately created a plan to save Naruto while ignoring Kakashi and Sakura. Sakura who???. All the while, he wanted to kill Naruto personally. It’s canon.

Sasuke gave a three layered protection to save Naruto and his reflex to protect Naruto was much faster than Minato, Naruto’s father and Tobirama.... Both are the fastest shinobis in that Battlefield. It’s canon.

Naruto displayed his feelings about Sasuke to the entire Battlefield and was wondering that “I should have reached Sasuke out on that day”. It's canon. Hinata who???

Sasuke just left Kakashi and Sakura to die in the Lava pit but went on to save Naruto. Even agreed that he saved them during Mugen Tsukuyomi because they were just happened to be next to Naruto. It’s canon.

Sasuke literally called Sakura and Kakashi as useless. But answered Naruto’s question without any mockery. It’s canon

Naruto who speaks endless speech about the importance of Comradeship and Bonds never got angry when Sasuke left them to die in Lava Pit. Instead he was making a callback to that time Sasuke’s body moved on it’s own. It’s canon.

Naruto outright said that Sasuke was not his Brother. It’s canon.

Sasuke said the only living tie was Naruto after Itachi’s death and that he needs to kill him to be alone. It’s canon. 

Sasuke asked, ‘What does Friend means to you?’. It’s canon.

Naruto said, ‘I don’t know why I feel immense pain whenever you are suffering’. It’s canon.

Sasuke literally said that Just by observing Naruto gave the feel of his Family. And that he felt Happiness but also he was distracting him. (Dude, How could someone distract you and make you weak when you were just seeing him??). And this explains why he went so far as to give up his life in the Land of the Waves Arc because he always liked Naruto’s presence. It’s canon.

Sasuke literally said that Naruto came closer to his heart. And he was going to place Naruto as his family and try to feel his pain, hopes and dreams. And also he acknowledged that Naruto saved him. It’s canon. 

Many years later.... We find that Naruto was desperately ignoring his family by choosing to spend his time to count some stupid Head bands. He sleeps separately. He ignores his Son. He ignores his daughter’s birthday. But wanting to go on that long mission with Sasuke. Thought about Sasuke while receiving Hinata’s bento filled with her purest form of love. Thought about Iruka and Sasuke as his bonds made without having any blood connection. Hinata who??? It’s canon.

On the other hand, Sasuke abandoned his Family for 12 years, couldn’t recognize his own daughter’s face and was about to stab her, annoyed on seeing Sakura after many years, refusing to kiss Sakura, made a disgusting face while having a Family Dinner, didn’t keep any memento to remember his family but kept that Headband which Naruto gave to him years ago. And also he don’t mind spending time with his ‘Friend’s Son’. It’s canon.

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I might have missed many things but it doesn’t matter because it’s good to be overwhelmed by so many things rather than desperately looking for empty scraps to justify my reasoning to support SNS. 

In a media, where Marriage means an implication of 2 people living ‘Happily Ever After’ and in a culture where a Man or Woman’s life always revolves around the ‘Traditional Family’ under the name of Marriage where Parents’ ultimate job is to care and provide for their Kids in whatever way they can.... The Author literally spat on everything by refusing to give them that ‘Happily Ever After’ and went on to ascertain the Fact that Naruto and Sasuke don’t care about their kids but he made sure to show us that Naruto cares about a random kid named ‘Kawaki’ who looks like Sasuke and..... Sasuke cares about someone else’s kid named ‘Boruto’ who looks like Naruto. 

What more do we require??? Anything more than this would be like a last straw... Like Say if Kishimoto comes out and say “Naruto and Sasuke were Lovers”.... And I’ll be like, “So??? Is there anything new we don’t know already???”

So, Yes... Like every other SNS shippers I felt angry about the Ending... Not because they didn’t become Canon but because they took a route which betrayed everything that they built up till Chapter 699.... 

But nobody can still disregard SNS as Fanon or Crack Ship or Non-Existent ship or Red Herring Ship. (*** It’s the only ship that’s Filled with Only Canon elements not some fucking delusional headcanons***) 

Narratively, Kishi created Haku & Zabuza, Obito and Kakashi, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, Hashirama and Madara to parallel Naruto and Sasuke as to how N and S are similar and yet different from everyone else. If this is just Friendship or Brotherhood, what is the need to create these many parallels???

All the While Main Pairings were horribly written (intentionally) but side pairings like ShikaTema, MinaKushi looks much more cuter and profound in it’s own way.

While we have all these canon incidents which had some clear romantic undertones in a refined manner, What do those ‘supposed’ canon pairings have??? Just the dicks of those boys which was used to spew out some babies and after that those boys went on to ignore everything but they still find comfort in each other’s presence. In Short, NH/SS shippers simply put their value in those character’s reproductive part alone. That’s their ultimate form of love.

If that’s the kind of thing they want under the label of ‘Canon’, Welll..... LET THEM HAVE IT and I don’t mind staying unofficial. AT ALL. And In fact, It’s the only functional ship in Narutoverse with Love and Understanding under the label of ‘Unofficial’ and I think it’s perfectly ALRIGHT.