Naruto Just Lost the Top Spot in New Sakura Character Ranking

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One particularly well-known anime character has now lost out in a new character ranking list.

Anime! Anime! recently revealed the results of its survey to find the most beloved “Sakura” characters of all time, as of 2026. Nearly 650 anime fans participated in the “Who do you think of when you hear ‘Sakura’?” poll, which was held to celebrate Sakura Day on March 27th.

About 60% of the survey participants were women, and most were under 40 years old. Roughly 30% were in their 30s, and almost another 30% were younger than 19. Interestingly, the final four people who ranked on the list all shared ninth place.

The Top ‘Sakura’ Anime Characters of all Time in 2026, According to New Japan Survey

  1. Kinomoto Sakura — Cardcaptor Sakura
  2. Sakura Haruka — WIND BREAKER
  3. Saigyouji Yuyuko — Touhou Project
  4. Shinguji Sakura — Sakura Wars
  5. Haruno Sakura — Naruto
  6. Kanroji Mitsuri — Demon Slayer
  7. Kuchiki Byakuya — Bleach
  8. Matou Sakura — Fate/stay night
  9. Tony Tony Chopper — One Piece, Hatsune Miku (Sakura Miku), Shiguji Sakura — Kyoukai no RINNE, Mouri Ran — Detective Conan (all tied)

It’s understandable that fans of Naruto are disappointed to see Sakura Haruno ranked fifth, considering the strong characters she was up against. Although she isn’t always seen as the most powerful, the series’ popularity and the frequent use of cherry blossoms – a symbol closely tied to the main character – clearly resonated with voters, earning her a surprising 33% of the vote.

Sakura Kinomoto came in first place, followed by Sakura Haruka from WIND BREAKER, who received 8% of the votes. Yuyuko Saigyouji from Touhou Project placed third with about 6% of the vote, earning her spot thanks to her connection to cherry blossoms.

Coming in at number four, just above Sakura Haruno, is Sakura Shinguji – a somewhat unexpected but well-deserved addition to this list. As one of the original members of the Flower Division in the Imperial Combat Revue, Sakura Shinguji is a remarkably powerful fighter, capable of handling nearly any demon she faces.

Sakura Uchiha first appeared in the third chapter of the Naruto manga and the very first episode of the anime, quickly becoming one of the most well-known characters in the series. As a close friend to Naruto and Yamato, and a key member of Team 7 with Naruto and Sasuke, she consistently proved to be a vital asset to her team.

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2026-04-08 03:08