strongest anime characters of all time, many of whom are still widely discussed even after the series’ conclusion. However, debates about these characters go beyond physical power or development. As Naruto Uzumaki gradually expanded his once-small circle of friends, fans have long argued over who among them deserves the title of his best friend.
The most common answers are Sasuke Uchiha and Shikamaru Nara. Sasuke, Naruto’s first real friend, and greatest rival, played a crucial role in his growth, but his long absences make his claim uncertain. Meanwhile, Shikamaru was one of the first to accept Naruto when the village shunned him, yet his best friendships depicted in Naruto were with Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka. But one person stood by Naruto through every high and low, without absence—his childhood crush, Sakura Haruno.
Sakura Might Not Have Been the Closest to Naruto, But His Feelings Brought Them Together
He Liked Her First, and She Eventually Saw His True Worth
Sakura and Naruto's relationship did not immediately suggest that they would become constant best friends. Early on, their relationship revolved around Naruto’s iration for Sakura, while she only had eyes for Sasuke Uchiha, her longtime crush. She never saw Naruto in the same way, dismissing him in favor of Sasuke. However, just as Naruto never gave up on proving himself as Sasuke’s rival, his crush on Sakura never wavered either.
In Naruto Episode #3, when the genin were assigned to their teams, Naruto was eager to be grouped with Sakura. While she was disappointed when it happened, Sakura brightened up upon learning Sasuke was also on Team 7. Naruto’s feelings for Sakura and his rivalry with Sasuke were what initially held their team together. In Episode #56, he even itted to Jiraiya that he liked Sakura, leading to Jiraiya challenging him to hug her—only for Naruto to fail miserably and get punched.
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This comedic violence constantly featured in the series has made some fans reluctant to acknowledge Sakura as Naruto’s true best friend. However, their history reveals a deeper bond. Naruto’s feelings for Sakura were not just fleeting iration. His for her, especially in moments of pain and doubt, showed Sakura a side of Naruto she had never truly acknowledged when they were younger. Even when she was at her lowest, Naruto never hesitated to comfort her, proving that his feelings for her went beyond simple affection.
Sasuke’s Infamous Rogue Journey Strengthened Their Bond
Sasuke May Have Left, But Naruto and Sakura's Bond Only Grew Stronger
As the story progresses, Naruto’s feelings for Sakura extend beyond iration. Team 7 struggled the most after Sasuke’s fallout with Naruto, which led him to leave both the group and the village completely. When Sasuke left, Naruto remained by Sakura’s side—not just as a teammate, but as someone who genuinely cared for her. He understood how deeply Sasuke’s absence affected her, so he never abandoned her, proving that she was more than just a crush. Over time, Sakura began to see Naruto in a new light, not only as a persistent irer but as a true friend who always stood by her.
Though both were determined to grow stronger to bring Sasuke back, their friendship deepened along the way. In Naruto Shippuden, their bond became more evident, as shown in their teamwork during Kakashi’s bell-stealing training and their other heartwarming scenes together. Through their relentless training under Jiraiya and Tsunade, their improved coordination as a team reflected how much they had grown individually and together. Beyond chasing Sasuke, Sakura trained tirelessly, not just to catch up, but also to protect Naruto and his dreams. She was one of the few people who truly believed that Naruto would one day fulfill his dream of becoming Hokage.
Sakura trained tirelessly under Tsunade Senju to protect Naruto and his dreams.
In Naruto Shippuden Episode #43, when Naruto transforms into his Nine-Tails chakra cloak form after losing control, Sakura did not see a monster—she saw his suffering. Instead of fear, she felt empathy, realizing the burden he carried throughout the years. Their friendship may have been strengthened by their shared goal of saving Sasuke, but unlike Naruto, Sakura was never blinded by that goal alone. At some point, she began to weigh her feelings for Sasuke against Naruto’s safety, showing how much she truly cared for him.
Sakura Has Saved Naruto’s Life and Always Stood by Him
Sakura Would Sacrifice Everything for Him, Just as He Would for Her
Sakura might have been perceived as too reliant on Naruto's strength, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t capable of saving him just as he did for her. Learning and mastering medical jutsu allowed her to heal Naruto countless times, especially since he was always fighting and sacrificing himself for others. Sakura became the Naruto needed in fulfilling his dream of becoming Hokage. In Naruto Shippuden Episode #45, Sakura used her medical jutsu to heal Naruto after he suffered severe burns from losing control of his Nine-Tails chakra cloak—a moment that proved her importance in his journey.
There were many times when Sakura saved Naruto’s life, but none were as crucial as during the Fourth Great Ninja War. In Episode #414, when Naruto was on the brink of death, it was Sakura—not Sasuke or Shikamaru—who rushed to his side and fought to keep him alive. Using all her medical expertise, she manually resuscitated him, determined to save the one person she believed could rescue them all and one of the people she treasures most. Moreover, while her desperate cry for Naruto during the Pain Arc became a meme, it was another moment that showcased how much she valued and believed in him before anyone else did. Even before the world acknowledged Naruto, Sakura already saw his potential, his kindness, and the greatness he carried.
Sakura Haruno May Be Controversial, but Here's Why She is Actually One of Naruto's Best Ninja.
Sakura is often the brunt of jokes among the Naruto fanbase, but the character deserves a lot more credit, judging from her five best moments.
Even after the war, her friendship with Naruto never wavered. Though Naruto once had feelings for her, he eventually outgrew them, realizing they were better off as best friends. However, Sakura knew that if there was anyone who truly deserved Naruto, it was none other than Hinata Hyuga. When Naruto was still unaware of Hinata's feelings, Sakura took it upon herself to push them closer, acting as their cupid. While Sasuke and Shikamaru played important roles in Naruto’s life, Sakura was always present—ing him, saving him, and standing by his side as his true best friend.
- Latest Film
- Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- First TV Show
- Naruto
- Latest TV Show
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- First Episode Air Date
- October 3, 2002
- Cast
- Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
