Kanae

You can also find this essay in my tumblr, HERE. I'm posting it here as well because the it's easier to browse this way.

Those who know me have probably seen me say that I'm over the never-ending pairing wank that goes down in this fandom, but if there's one misconception that still irks me after all these years, it's this one.

For years I've seen people say that: "there's no way I can ship SasuKarin, it's basically the same thing as SasuSaku or even worse. Liking it while disliking SasuSaku is hypocritical."

And all I can think about is: you haven't even bothered to actually look at SasuKarin, have you?

SasuSaku and SasuKarin are not the same. Their similarities are purely circumstantial (having feelings for him, being the female on his team, nearly dying by his hand). But when it comes to their roots and their substance; to their dynamics, to the things that makes each of these two couples what they are—they are fundamentally different.

I realize that there's no point in saying that without explaining my reasons for thinking as such, so here I'll try to explain what (to me) are some of the biggest differences between them. However, please note that it is just my personal opinion (I'm sure we all find these two couples different for, well, different reasons). And it'll most likely be a long post because I've been holding myself back from addressing this misconception for nearly 4 years now.

But before I get started on my perspective, there's something that I need to address from the get-go. A truth that I've seen being overlooked or outright denied way too often. That is: Sasuke cares about both of them and I say cares because we all know that despite what might have gone down / may still go down from now on, by the end of the manga, Sasuke will have mended his bonds with those dear to him. Kishi is predictable like that, lol.

And both of these girls qualify in that very, very reduced ‘precious people’ list. When it comes to Sakura, Sasuke basically outright admits that he considers Team 7 as his precious people in Chapter 133. When it comes to Karin there are no words to accompany it, sure, but Sasuke still demonstrates it fairly clearly through his actions. I've been over that a thousand times already, so rather than repeating myself I'll just say that one only needs to look at his expressions when he thought he would lose her to know he considers her as such as well.

So, what is it that makes me feel that it’s perfectly valid and not hypocritical in the slightest to strongly advocate for SasuKarin, while having SasuSaku as my most disliked couple in the series? 

I'll break it into four parts:

● 1. SasuSaku and SasuKarin: An Overview.
    → SasuSaku
    → SasuKarin
● 2. Each girls' behavior around Sasuke.
    → Sakura
    → Karin
● 3. Their respective dynamic with Sasuke.
    → a) Team 7 and Team Taka
    → b) ‘Darksuke’: aka, the Kage Summit fiasco
    → c) Sasuke’s behavior towards Sakura and Karin
● 4. Kishi’s themes and as such, his writing intent.
( 1. SasuSaku and SasuKarin: An Overview ) ( b) SasuKarin ) ( 2. Each girls' behavior around Sasuke ) ( a) Sakura ) ( b) Karin ) ( 3. Their respective dynamic with Sasuke (individually and in Team 7 / Taka) ) ( a) Team 7 and Team Taka ) ( b) 'Darksuke': aka, the Kage Summit fiasco ) ( c) Sasuke's behavior towards Sakura and Karin ) ( 4. Kishimoto's recurrent themes )

In conclusion: no, I don't feel hypocritical at all when I say I don't like SasuSaku in the slightest but absolutely adore SasuKarin. Neither do I feel like I'm making this distinction is out of bias, because as far as I'm concerned, Kishimoto has written and developed both pairings in fundamentally different ways; and only one of those appeals to me. 

If you actually read this far: thank you, and have a great day! 

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