The pink-haired heroine of the Hidden Leaf Village, Sakura Haruno, has been around since day one and has been progressing into a good character over the years. She went from being one of the weakest characters in the series to being trained by Tsunade to participating in part of the final battle against the god-like Kaguya.

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Sakura tends to think many of her lines, like most anime characters. She has several quirks in her comments, typically being about someone else or self-deprecating, and filled with dozens of ellipses. With that said, she has had many quotes that deserve a shout out over the years.

10 True Ninja

Sakura Haruno putting on gloves in Naruto Shippuden.

"I've always considered myself to be a true ninja...but those were just empty words because Sasuke and Naruto were always in the lead! But now it's my turn to take the lead, and all of you can watch me from the background!"

Sakura has been a backseat character when it comes to Naruto, Sasuke, and even Kakashi. Because of this, when she does step up, it is impactful. While she may not be the best ninja in all of Konoha, she pulls her own weight as the series goes on. By taking the reigns of certain battles, she proves her worth alongside her Team 7 compatriots, even against Obito Uchiha and Kaguya.

9 Training

"I've been through some harsh training, you know! I've gotten stronger, too!"

After the three-year time gap between Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, many fans were interested in knowing just how the rest of the Konoha Eleven had grown. While all of them made incredible progress as Naruto had, Sakura became an important fighting force for the village. Her training under Tsunade helped her to become a powerful medical ninja with an earth-shattering punch. In just three years, her character grew so much, and it helped define what fans were going to see from her as the series picked up with the powered-up teens.

8 Books

sakura haruno

"The things that are most important aren't written in books. You have to learn them by experiencing them yourself."

Sakura could be a great philosopher if she tried to write a book, ironically. Her quote about the important things is correct though. Experience is the best teacher, not just books. Sakura exemplifies this through her training and battle prowess throughout the series. As she becomes a stronger ninja, she owes her strength to those around her.

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Her rivalry with Ino and her training with important figures like Naruto and Tsunade are experiences that she needs to become the shinobi she is at the end of the series.

7 Ino

ino sakura dual punch naruto

“Ino… I have always believed those words you told me. I always hoped they were true. I wanted to be like you. You were my goal. Thanks to that, I’m here now. That is why, Ino, I want this to be an all-out fight. Unless I… really surpass you, it’s meaningless.”

Naruto had Sasuke, so there had to be someone for Sakura to have a rivalry with. While the breakdown of their relationship over a boy was controversial, the two being friends turned frenemies was actually explored quite well. Sakura feeling stuck behind Ino also helped her to become a strong ninja.

6 Victory

"The beauty of the cherry blossoms color the world! And the will of the girls brings victory!"

Girl power is strong with Sakura and no quote (on this list) explores that more. Sakura’s name means cherry blossoms, the pink flower that can be seen in practically every anime you’ve ever seen. This is a two-fold statement. It starts with a sense of self-worth for Sakura and is then followed by female empowerment. The will of girls cannot be underestimated, even in a Shonen anime, which are typically aimed towards male viewers. As the lead woman of the show, Sakura is the perfect person to stake this claim in Naruto.

5 Suffering

“I’m the one who made Naruto suffer the most… I’ve just been getting it wrong… just been messing it up… I don’t want to get it wrong anymore… don’t want to screw it up anymore.”

This quote is less about Sakura as a character, and more about her sense of importance in the story. While Sakura is a major character in Naruto’s life, you’d be hard-pressed to find any fan who says that Sakura was the one who made Naruto suffer the most. Sure, the promise he made to her to bring back Sasuke kept him fighting, but that is small compared to the many others who have caused him greater struggles.

4 Contempt for Losing

"I may not have amazing weapons like a puppet in me, but what I do have is my master's contempt for losing!”

This was one of the strongest moments of Sakura’s life as a Shinobi. Paired with Lady Chiyo and fighting against Sasori and his puppets, Sakura decides to not give up against a foe that is technically much stronger than herself. Instead, she calls him out and ends up beating him down.

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It was the first time fans got to see Sakura in a battle without relying on Naruto, so it was an important moment for her as a character.

3 Naruto

Sakura giving unconscious Naruto CPR

"Naruto's here because he's made up his mind. My resolve is nothing compared to his now! I'm supposed to be a ninja, but all I've ever done is lean on him and cry... I was supposed to change that... I came here and I thought I was ready. But I can't do anything... I can't say anything. The only thing that remains for me...is to believe in them!"

Just because Sakura was always playing backseat to Naruto and Sasuke doesn’t mean she was blissfully unaware about her own world. Most of the other Konoha Eleven were legacies who had grand powers already, so she needed to make up her own way. While she may not be on the same level, she made great strides and became a powerful character in her own right.

2 Alone

Naruto Sakura and Sasuke

"On that day, you taught me that solitude is painful! I understand that so well right now. I have family, and I have friends but if you're gone... To me... It will be the same as being alone."

Some of the lines Sakura has in the series are poetic, yet very undermining of her own character. The biggest time this is a problem is when she is talking to or about Sasuke. While the two end up married in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, it is constantly clear that the two don’t belong together. Her own autonomy as a character is drenched in Sasuke-centric themes leading to lines like this.

1 Together

Team 7 from Naruto posing for a picture together

“Naruto… You saved Konoha… And now you’re trying to save the entire Shinobi world… You always get left with these insurmountable tasks… But no matter what you say this time, we’re going to be together… Not just me… We’re all going to fight together this time.”

One of the best parts of Sakura’s character is her willingness to help others. That is one of the biggest reasons she became such a powerful medical ninja. This is exponentially increased when it comes to Naruto. When he is saving the world, she has no problem stepping up to the plate and helping him in any way she can. It is a strength of character that she proves throughout the whole series.

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