In the world of manga and anime, the term “canon” refers to the material that is considered “official” part of the story. This discourse often extends to the light novels associated with the series, including Naruto’s “Sakura Hiden: Thoughts of Love, Riding Upon a Spring Breeze”. The issue regarding its canonicity can spark intense debates among fans, given the complex facets that determine what is considered “canon”.
Light Novels and Canonicity
- Sakura Hiden belongs to the “Naruto Hiden” series, a collection of light novels that explore the narratives of different characters. These texts are illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, the original creator of Naruto, adding a layer of authority to their content.
- Despite being written by different authors, these novels are often regarded as part of the official Naruto “canon” due to their integration in the series’ timeline and themes. An important example resides in novel-based elements such as Kakashi Hatake’s “Purple Lightning” becoming canon in both anime and manga continuations.
- However, this canonicity is subjective and may vary from fan to fan, primarily due to the perceived inconsistencies in the story or character portrayals in the novels. A segment of the fandom maintains that only the material explicitly created by Kishimoto can be considered canon.
Arguments For Canonicity
- The Hiden series, including Sakura Hiden, has been included in the official series timeline, suggesting their integral role in the storyline of Naruto.
- The fact that a successor to the Naruto manga, Ukyo Kodachi, has recognized and worked on the light novels, and the undisputed inclusion of these novels by Kishimoto himself and the official timelines published by JUMP, supports their canonicity.
- Official recognition by other media, such as the Boruto anime, also adds weight to their role as part of the official storyline. For instance, the plot and features of the novels being picked up by the anime series conform to the continuity and validity of the novels.
- The narratives of the novels are interconnected, reinforcing the consistency and continuity with the original manga and anime series.
Arguments Against Canonicity
- Despite the authoritative status of the Hiden series, some critics argue that the books were not penned by Kishimoto himself, thereby denying their canon status.
- Others opine that some novels depict the characters out of their known characteristics or introduce unrealistic scenarios, leading to an interpretation of these novels as “non-canon”.
- AminorityperceivethattheremustbeexplicitconfirmationfromKishimotoforsomethingtobeconsideredcanon,andinthecaseofsomeofthesenovels,suchexplicitaffirmationsareabsent.
Conclusion
In the end, the canonicity of Sakura Hiden and the other novels in the series largely depends on individual interpretation. For some, the integration of these novels into the timeline, their connection to the main storyline, and the author’s apparent approval suggests their part in the “official” canon. Others may negate their canonicity based on deviations from the original storyline and characters. However, it is essential to remember that enjoying the narratives, whether you regard them as canon or not, is the most crucial aspect of engaging with the series.