How the Upcoming Naruto Movie Can Fix a Character Complaint
With the upcoming Naruto movie on the horizon, fans are eager to see how the live-action adaptation will address one of the anime's biggest flaws. The portrayal of female characters in the original series has been a point of contention for many, and the movie has the potential to rectify this issue. From underutilized female characters to the need for better story arcs, the Naruto movie has the opportunity to make significant improvements. Let's take a closer look at how the film can fix the anime's approach to female characters and why it's an important step for the franchise.
The Live-Action Naruto Movie: A Big Undertaking
The upcoming Naruto movie is a big undertaking, but the live-action film can finally fix one of the anime's biggest flaws 21 years after its debut. Naruto is one of the 'Big Three' anime, and it earns its reputation with its lovable characters, thrilling action, and compelling story. After the success of Netflix's One Piece, it's no surprise that it's next on the list of series to get a live-action remake
Sakura Haruno rubs her head in confusion in Naruto
A live-action Naruto movie will have challenges to overcome bringing the original story to the big screen, from fitting all the storylines and characters into its run to capturing the humor of the anime. However, with a dedicated and passionate creative team behind the wheel, the film may be able to do its source material justice. It could even improve upon Masashi Kishimoto's story in one area, fixing a character complaint that's existed since the series began back in 2002.
The Original Series Underutilizes Female Characters
The Naruto manga and anime have many strengths when it comes to characters, but both offer flawed portrayals of the girls and women present in Naruto's life. Although Naruto includes Sakura in its main trio, she's undoubtedly the most underutilized main character. The series focuses heavily on Naruto and Sasuke's rivalry, sidelining Sakura and giving her much fewer opportunities to develop abilities on the same level of her peers. Sakura's not the only female character who gets relegated to the background in Naruto either; in fact, most of them do. None of the girls training to be ninja alongside Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are given the same amount of screen time or power as their male counterparts. They often serve as love interests first and foremost, diminishing their characterization to their romantic relationships. Sakura and Ino's entire rivalry in the early parts of Naruto comes down to impressing Sasuke, a depiction that doesn't hold up years later. Even better-written women, like Tsunade, pale in comparison compared to Naruto's male characters. While Tsunade gets an interesting arc, she's still portrayed as less powerful than the other two Sannin when it comes to combat.
A young Sakura and Ino stand together during a Naruto flashback
Naruto's Female Characters Need Better Story Arcs
A live-action Naruto movie shouldn't make too many changes to the source material, but one way it can improve upon the manga and anime is by giving its female characters more to do — and making their motivations more about themselves than their love interests. Sakura has a few great moments throughout the Naruto anime, and the movie should play them up. It should also give her interests and goals outside Sasuke. Far too much of Sakura's dialogue and behavior revolves around Sasuke. The film can rectify this, making her a more independent character while keeping the main trio's storyline intact. Additionally, the Naruto movie — and any sequels — can flesh out the other female characters in more depth. Ino, Hinata, Temari, and Tenten can be just as interesting as characters like Shikamaru, Neji, Choji, and Lee given the chance. Unfortunately, the Naruto anime and manga don't offer them such opportunities, instead focusing on their male peers. While a movie might have a hard time fitting such changes into its runtime, it would benefit from stronger women. Anime like Attack on Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen prove there's a demand for such depictions of female characters. Including them could see the Naruto movie improving the original series' legacy. One way it can improve upon the manga and anime is by giving its female characters more to do — and making their motivations more about themselves than their love interests.
Hinata in the arena in the Chunin Exam arc in Naruto
Naruto Wouldn't Be The First Movie Adaptation To Make This Change
With movies and TV improving their depictions of women over the past few decades, Naruto wouldn't be the first adaptation to make its source material's female characters more independent and interesting. The Super Mario Bros. Movie created a new take on Peach upon its 2023 release, turning her from a damsel in distress to a competent heroine. This ramped up the movie's appeal when it came to girls and women, and future adaptations would be wise to take a similar approach. The Legend of Zelda movie could certainly benefit from copying this element of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and so could Naruto's upcoming adaptation. A Naruto movie could appeal to female audiences by improving Sakura and her peers' characterization, and it could also make them more popular among the rest of the fan base. After all, female fans aren't the only ones to acknowledge how Naruto: Shippuden failed Sakura or wish for more interesting storylines for Naruto's women. Fortunately, a Naruto movie can finally address those concerns.
Mario, Peach, and Toad all looking content in Super Mario Bros Movie
