Of all kunoichi present inNaruto, Sakura Haruno is the most iconic, thanks to her development throughout the series. Her role in Kakashi’s Team 7 student group early in the story has her had a major disadvantage, placing her in the role of boy-crazy girl with very few skills. This is especially true when compared to Naruto and Sasuke’s early potential. However, she would ultimately come to have some of the best character growth overall. A stunning cosplay from @onlyraidens of Sakura highlights the kunoichi’s beauty and grace, while including the visual cues that reveal her true strength and potential.

On Reddit, @onlyraidens shared her cosplay of Sakura. Photographed among flowers in a garden, this glimpse of the heroine is exceptional in its smaller details which highlight her journey very well. Sakura’s youth was defined by being a background, minimal support to her teammates. Her early actions consisted primarily of mocking Naruto and obsessing over Sasuke in a youthful and highly immature rivalry with Ino Yamanaka. However, throughout NarutoShippudenandBoruto: Naruto Next Generations, she becomes a truly beneficial ally to her friends and an asset for the Hidden Leaf Village.

Illustration of Naruto’s main cast of characters

Sakura’s Journey is One of The Best in the Naruto Franchise

Cosplays Have the Potential to Highlight Her Best Features

This cosplay from @onlyraidens showcases Sakura’s outfit fromThe Last: Naruto the Movie, which is arguably one of her best costumes. It features Sakura’s traditional forehead protector on her red headband as well as her usual red dress. However, the dress has a belt which features a pouch and perfectly accents the look while being highly practical. It also features her elbow wraps and black gloves.The cosplay is also sure to include her Strength of a Hundred seal, which is seen on both Sakura and her mentor, Tsunade, marking her impressive mastery of chakra control and powerful potential.

Naruto released a video celebrating the characters who shaped the protagonist and were important in his journey.

This cosplay can also include a fun nod to her name, as well as her development with Ino.Though not sakura blossoms, this garden is full of beautiful flowers in shades of pink. Flowers can also harken back to her development relative to Ino in a deep dive back to Episode 41 ofNaruto. While the episode primarily focuses ona battle between Sakuraand Ino during the chunin exams, there’s also a flashback to one of their lessons at the academy: flower arranging. While not a combat skill, “girlish” abilities could allow kunoichi to effectively camouflage in some situations.

Sakura’s Strength Comes From Her Willingness to Grow and Learn

Sakura’s growth from her first appearance to her years as one of the Hidden Leaf Village’s top kunoichi – and a mother - is a long, but exciting journey.Her ability to use the Katsuyu healing network and use multiple regeneration, extraction, and other healing techniques allows her to shift awayfrom being Team 7’s most uselessmember to one of the most unconventionally powerful ninja in her village.This cosplay from @onlyraidens is not only a great portrayal of one of her best outfits, but it also highlights Sakura’s journey inNarutoin subtle, yet effective ways.