Most Naruto fans would agree that the relationship between Sasuke and Naruto was one of the most important dynamics in the entire anime series, if not the most important one entirely. However, while some fans might read too much into their relationship, there are some who believe their relationship isn’t everything it is made out to be.
Sure they have a love-hate relationship. Sure they are competitive yet brotherly. However, what many fans fail to realize is how very toxic these two young boys were for each other, as well. Here are 10 points that argue for and against the complex relationship Naruto and Sasuke have with each other.
10 BROS: Sasuke Sparing Naruto’s Life
Naruto fans will always recall the battle of the Valley of the End as one of the best fights of the series. Two strong-headed boys were fighting each other, both wanting the other to agree to their demands. Sasuke’s one and only aim was to kill Naruto, but ultimately he spared his life.
He rejects the path of darkness and claims this is not how he wants to obtain power. But the truth was that he did not have the heart to kill his only friend, Naruto.
9 TOXIC: A Rushed, Forced, & Underdeveloped Relationship
Part of the problem here is the poor writing, something which shounen is infamous for. However, part of it is the toxicity between these two boys. After a time skip of two years, Naruto and Sasuke are suddenly considered to be best friends in Shippuuden.
The two did not spend much time with each other, they did not know any intimate details of the other’s life, and not once did they hang out as just friends. So how can such a relationship be healthy?
8 BROS: Their Ability To Coordinate With Each Other On The Battlefield
No matter how long after they reunite with each other, Sasuke and Naruto are like well-oiled machinery. Having trained for so many hours together, they completely know the other person’s fighting abilities.
They are able to flawlessly coordinate with each other without even uttering a single word. Such a strong physical connection cannot happen without a strong mental connection.
7 TOXIC: Naruto Turning A Blind Eye To Sasuke’s Evil Actions
In the real world, a healthy relationship entails calling out one’s toxic traits. If that toxicity turns into actions that break the law, then that person should take responsibility for their crimes.
In Naruto, Sasuke hurts and betrays Naruto and his friends, becomes totally corrupt, and sells out his principles. Yet, Naruto still views him as a victim. Such is Naruto’s blindness that he found it better to be abused by Kumo-nin than sell out his friend Sasuke (who was an international criminal at that point).
6 BROS: Sasuke Wants To Be The Itachi To Naruto
There is no denying the parallels that exist between the relationships shared between Itachi and Sasuke, and Sasuke and Naruto. Sasuke feels he is like an elder brother to Naruto, which triggers his instinct to protect him.
In episode 65 of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, when Momoshiki is about to hit Naruto, Sasuke defends him. He claims his body moved on its own, and this happens only when you care deeply for someone.
5 TOXIC: Naruto’s Literal Obsession With Sasuke
There is not a single Naruto fan who can deny Naruto was so obsessed with Sasuke that at one point, it became less about saving Sasuke and more about Naruto fulfilling his own needs for a friend and rival. In any relationship, platonic or otherwise, obsession is deemed to be an extremely toxic and alarming trait.
A large portion of Naruto's actions and decisions were made with Sasuke in mind. For a time, it even felt as though his one-track mind for rescuing Sasuke overshadowed his childhood dream of becoming Hokage.
4 BROS: They Shared The Same Past As Children
There are stark similarities between the childhoods of Sasuke and Naruto. Both of them had an absentee older male figure in their lives, both spent most of their childhoods in solitude, and both were discarded by society.
A shared pain forms a solid bond between even the toughest of people because they are able to empathize with the other. These two were nothing but young boys when they met each other for the first time, which would make their bonds very strong.
3 TOXIC: Naruto Forcing Sasuke To Live A Certain Way
Friendship means accepting your friends for who they are to a certain degree. Yet this was impossible for Naruto. He wanted Sasuke to change his life like he changed his own.
He was completely incapable of seeing how Sasuke was an entirely different person. Not to mention how Sasuke had consistently lied to and betrayed Naruto, and the fact that Naruto always had the option to let go, but never did.
2 BROS: Acknowledging Their Feelings
From Hagoromo, Naruto and Sasuke learn of their reincarnations. At this point, Naruto said that even though they weren’t brothers by blood, he had enough faith in Sasuke that they would be able to change the world together.
It is at this point that Sasuke finally admits he considers Naruto to be his best friend, and also the only friend that he has. This scene is a great example of the emotional growth between these two boys.
1 TOXIC: Naruto Clinging Onto The First Friend He Made
Even though two people share a similar past, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re destined to be the best of friends. Naruto imprinted on Sasuke like a baby duck would imprint on the first animal or human it sees.
Apart from their childhoods, the two shared nothing in common. Their friendship was of convenience, and also where Naruto was unable to accept Sasuke for who he really was. Not to mention how much abuse Sasuke made Naruto go through, consistently.