Kishimoto Interview on Karin/Taka

English Translation

Will we see Team 鷹 (Taka) in the new era project? 

Most definitely. I have been planning for that. They will likely appear alongside Orochimaru. After all they play a huge part in Sasuke’s life. Sasuke chose 鷹 (Taka’s) qualities and abilities by the example of Team 7. So to speak, Juugo is Kakashi, Suigetsu is Naruto and Karin is Sakura. They have grown very close and much of a family like Team 7 has. They are left in a mystery for now! They were miles away from Sasuke after the war ended.

The databook number 4 told us there is no way 香燐 (Karin) would stop being by Sasuke’s side, did she really get over him so soon?

(laughs) Honestly I haven’t given it much thought. It is hard to find a way to explain how she got over Sasuke. I don’t think she ever would and it was not in my original intention to have her give up. If I was ever going to end the story with romance I had been planning to let Sasuke end up with 香燐 (Karin). In the process I decided to make her a member of the うずまき一族 (Uzumaki-clan). It would symbolize the end of the curse of hatred between Uchiha and Senju and the end of a repeating circle. Sadly she did not gain as much popularity as Hinata and Sakura so we discussed to ditch the idea.

There are rumors about Sasuke and Sakura’s daughter looking more like Karin than Sakura, what would you say to that?

I was conflicted when I realized I could not let Karin end up with Sasuke. Things went much tougher from then on since for me it would have been much easier to write Sasuke romantically if he had went for Karin. It becomes extremely hard with Sakura because she is an overly emotional woman. That is why at some point in the story I planned for her to get with Naruto. He’s the person who always understood her. Once more due to popularity reasons the idea was ditched in the progress and she went back to loving Sasuke. I always liked Karin’s design so I suppose the reasons for this resemblance is a franchise I am possibly creating (laughs) I do love all of my characters so it was hard to just not involve Karin anymore.

How would you describe the relationship between Sasuke and Karin?

Deep. In fact throughout the times they spent together Sasuke developed feelings for Karin. That became relevant when he awoke a new power to save her during their fight with キラービー (Killer Bee). When an うちは (Uchiha) learns to love changes occur with their visual powress. It increases out of hatred and love – out of the desire to save somebody. Even if they are apart now Sasuke still cares as much for Karin as for Sakura. The two have always been liked on a similiar scale by him. Karin is like the voice of the Sasuke fandom! (laughs)

Indonesian Translation cooming soon!