Reflection and Analysis

Naruto - End Game Ships Do Work (7/8/21)

Naruto—hands down there are a ton of issues regarding the plot, but contrary to what people say shipping isn't one of them. Let's though, talk about the so-called problematic ships before we get into some of the alternatives and the problematic attitude of the fanbase for said ships.

Pairing 1 – Naruto/Hinata – Fans claim there was no lead up to him getting with her. Perhaps it is fair to argue that the relationship was one-sided on her part for the longest time, yet degrading her to being a stalker when there are end game pairings such as Ichigo/Orihime and Gray/Juvia whose fanbase claims they're not stalking.

The fact Orihime crossed a boundary when she wanted to kiss Ichigo while he was asleep, but it becomes obsessive to the point she literally forgets about her friends is ignored she is so obessed with Ichigo, nor do we see Hinata crossing these kinds of boundaries let alone forgetting about her friend. As for Juvia, her attention was obsessive to the point her attention became unwanted and a form of harassment.

Yet, Hinata is simply guilty of being a stalker because she secretly watches Naruto, meaning any person with an overly shy personality—no, Orihime and Juvia aren't shy—can be accused of being a stalker when they aren't one. When she gives Naruto medicine, it is appreciated. When she tries helping him cheat on the test, yes, he wonders if it is some kind of trap at first, but it is still appreciated.

Those gestures that Naruto appreciates despite being clueless to Hinata's feelings are actually hints that they're going to get together narratively, but it shows a building of a relationship on trust so when Naruto finally gives up on his obsession of Sakura—interesting—he can start noticing Hinata actually cares about him. Hell, Hinata wouldn't care if she got with him, so long as Naruto was happy.

Of course, let's talk about Neji's death, apparently the one crime this ships guilty of. True, Die For Our Ship is an awful trope, but is that really an issue with the ship or how Neji's death was used narratively. It's the latter, but the truth is—there is no valid argument a person can put forth against this pairing which isn't "She doesn't deserve him" and "Someone else deserves him more."

Pairing 2 – Sakura/Sasuke – Is it fair to question why Sakura is still in love with this jerk after all the time that's pass. Yes. It's truthfully the one pairing that can be argued against which ended up being end game, yet—does it really hold up? I mean, does this argument that he is an abusive jerk towards her something that holds up?

So, Sasuke is an abusive jerk to her because he treats her like the enemy when she is the enemy? Yup, that actually makes perfect sense, particularly when we all know Sasuke's struggling with who is ally or enemy because Orichimaru messed him up that much mentally as did his older brother. True—his behavior towards her isn't nice but isn't the real argument that he'll be abusive to her after he's gotten his head straightened out.

Sure, it might be true that there might be some rough spots in their relationship given the fact Sasuke is a bit socially inept, but social ineptness doesn't equate abuse, or are people on the spectrum who struggle with social situations and thus come across as socially inept abusive to the people around them? That's the kind of logic people are using here, isn't it?

Oh, and here's a bonus for you on this one.

Sasuke shouldn't have actually left the village after Kakasi's lecture about revenge. I've written about this before, but we're supposed to believe that Sasuke went to Orichimaru to seek power despite the fact the cursed seal is known to limit what he can do, but the proof he's powerless is four older shinobi beating him only after they use their power boost and he'd gone and beat them.

Four on one is unfair enough as it is, but there's also the fact they had to use a powerup with unknown repercussions to one's body just to beat up a twelve to thirteen-year-old kid. We're supposed to believe Sasuke is doubting his own abilities, particularly since Naruto one upped him despite the fact he should be smart enough to realize Naruto has a month on him because he was in a comma.