Sakura takes the spotlight in the latest release of the Naruto Novels franchise. Having come off the heels of the Fourth Great Ninja War Sakura begins her career as a medical ninja. After traveling the land to heal those affected by the war, she opens up clinics to heal the wounded. However, after learning that injuries are continuing, she surprising finds evidence pin pointing Sasuke as the ultimate culprit, Sakura must now find a way to clear his name before he’s branded as a criminal of the ninja world once more.

Sakura’s Story is an 2016 novel adaptation of Naruto, it is published and licensed by Viz Media. It is currently available in both print and digital format in English.

Sakura Haruno’s evolution.

After not having her own moment of relevance for some time (barring the final segments of the Fourth Great Ninja War), fan favorite Sakura Haruno gets her own little epic in the Naruto Novel spin off franchise. Previously featuring subplots focused on Shikamaru and Kakashi, it seems the purpose of these novels are to provide fans with singular plot lines dedicated to side and main characters who weren’t given proper development in the latter half of the series some much needed spotlight. Which is great considering Sakura hasn’t had much of a key story point since her fight with the Akatsuki’s Sasori.

Sakura gets the spotlight once more.

THE GOOD: Sakura finally gets her first real arc since the fight with Sasori in Sakura’s Story. One thing about the second half of Naruto that irked me was the lack of character development during the final arcs. Granted the main focus was the Fourth Great Ninja War and Kishimoto could digress only so much, but I still felt that some key side characters could have received some kind of story, and while a few did, others like Sakura really needed it after basically becoming afterthoughts.

Much needed character growth for Sakura.

THE BAD: The story kind of goes into repeated territory with Sakura trying to clear Sasuke’s name. Just felt too much like a redux of the series’ main b plot.

Sakura’s own arc is a fun one but feels like a redux.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Sakura’s Story provides fans with some much needed character growth for the character. Giving her the spotlight for the first time in several years, Sakura takes charges as a leading character. Despite how good the arc is, it still feels like a repeat of the Sasuke subplot from the entire franchise. The little new territory that is explored is enough to keep the arc afloat however. Otaku Dome gives Sakura’s Story an 79 out of 100.