Controversial Sarada Design on New Cover: Overreaction or valid concern?

I was thrilled to hear that Sarada was finally getting her own cover. She’s been killing it in the recent chapters and definitely deserves the spotlight. But when I saw the actual cover, my excitement quickly turned into disappointment.

Why is she posing like she’s auditioning for America’s Next Top Model? She’s a ninja and 12 years old!

Fans of the Boruto manga are disappointed with the latest Sarada cover due to its distasteful fanservice. This is not the first time it has happened, and given that Sarada is a child, it’s not an overreaction for fans to call out the questionable depiction.

Controversial Sarada Design on New Cover: Overreaction or valid concern?
Boruto cover 3 | Source: Fandom

Her dress is way too tight and short, making her look awkward and uncomfortable. Can the manga give Sarada the respect she deserves and stop objectifying her for once? 

1. What is wrong with Sarada’s design on the new Boruto cover?

As someone who’s not the biggest Sakura fan, even I have to admit she looked super strong on some of the Naruto covers. But Sarada? Not so much.

Sarada played a massive role in chapter 80, getting serious character development. So why does Ikemoto have to ruin it by focusing on her looks instead of her story arc? It’s frustrating, to say the least.

Sarada’s new cover art has been criticized for being overtly sexual and not representing her character’s role in the chapter. Her dress is tight and too short, fitting awkwardly, and the pose is unnatural.

Ikemoto’s been under fire for a while now for his questionable covers featuring Sarada. She’s a significant character in the story so why does he keep drawing her like some kind of eye candy instead?

Fans are calling him out left and right, and I don’t blame them. We must let him know that this kind of stuff is not okay. I hope he gets his act together and starts drawing Sarada as he does with the male characters.

But let’s be real, I highly doubt it’s gonna change.

2. Why is Sarada so sexualized?

Why is it that every fandom has those creepy fans who just wanna see female characters half-naked for no reason? Every time I try to enjoy something, I have to train my brain to ignore the gross fanservice and focus on the damn story.

Don’t get me wrong, fanservice can be fun and all, but it needs to be done right. There’s nothing wrong with some tasteful appeal for all genders, as long as it’s appropriate and fits the character’s personality and age. 

But when you start sexualizing literal children like Sarada, that’s when it gets really messed up.

The depiction of Sarada in the Boruto manga has received backlash for being sexualized. This issue is not new in the entertainment industry, as many female characters are often eroticized just to please certain sections of the fanbase.

https://twitter.com/uchihassasusaku/status/1648392437415526401?s=20

Even Sakura and Hinata wear more modest clothing than Sarada. It’s so in your face; I don’t know how anyone can defend it.

Bottom line, we shouldn’t have to put up with this crap just to enjoy our favorite media. No character should wear skimpy clothing just to please degenerate fans.

3. Why was Sarada’s outfit changed in the anime?

Have you noticed the difference between Sarada’s portrayal in the manga and the anime? Thank goodness the anime fixed the unnecessary fanservice and made her look like a proper ninja.

Many kids watch the Boruto anime, so they changed her outfit to be more suitable.

The anime has changed Sarada’s appearance from the manga to reflect her true role as a Kunoichi. The anime’s more child-friendly approach prompted the creators to alter Sarada’s design, making it less sexualized and more age-appropriate.

Controversial Sarada Design on New Cover: Overreaction or valid concern?
Sarada | Source: Fandom

Ikemoto was given complete freedom by Kishimoto in designing the characters, but he definitely went overboard with Sarada. She shouldn’t be acting all flirty and doing back-breaking poses at that age. I really hope they don’t do the same thing to Himawari, or the fandom will lose it.

Watch Boruto: Naruto Next Generations on:

4. About Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is written and illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto, and supervised by Masashi Kishimoto. It came into serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in June 2016.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is the series that follows the exploits of Naruto’s son, Boruto, during his academy days and further on.

The series follows the character development of Boruto and the looming evil that challenges the fate of him and his loved ones.

Comments

Leave a Reply