Sai

Ninja who materializes paintings

A ninja from Konoha's Anbu organization 'Root' who joined Team 7 and materializes paintings. Received training to suppress emotions, initially struggled to bond with teammates but gradually developed camaraderie.

Quotes

  • The 'connections' between people are strong. Everyone here is my comrade.
  • I just read books without thinking about it. I said I could memorize what's needed right away—that was a lie.
  • Life is breathed into my paintings... this is my ninjutsu.
  • Speaking sharp words is a defensive instinct to hide the truth.
  • I killed a person on orders only once... and that's the end of it.

Trivia

  • Originally a Root ninja who completely eradicated emotions, extremely poor at social interactions.
  • Ninjutsu: Super Beast Imitating Drawing is a unique technique that materializes paintings with considerable power.
  • Code name 'Sai' assigned by Root leader Danzo; real name unknown.
  • Once assigned secret mission to assassinate Sasuke but abandoned it.
  • Enjoys reading but struggles with interpreting expressions, often leading to misunderstandings.
  • Popular among fans for unique poker face and sharp tongue in anime and manga.

Alternate names

Sai Yamanaka Sai Code name: Sai During Root affiliation: Unknown

Tags

ninja Konohagakure Root Anbu Super Beast Imitating Drawing Team 7 Replacement for village defector Emotion suppression Materializing paintings

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Profile

Species
human
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
Pale-skinned young man with slit eyes and somewhat sharp facial features. Black hair in a smooth style. Said to somewhat resemble Sasuke in appearance. Usually wears black Anbu attire or ninja garb.
Height
About 170cm
Eye color
Black
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Pale skin
  • Slit eyes
  • Sharp contours
Iconic items
  • Ninja sword
  • Brush
  • Scroll
  • Black Anbu attire
  • White ninja garb

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Impassive
Detailed personality
Trained from childhood in Root to suppress emotions, resulting in sparse expressions and emotional displays, but gradually regains human-like feelings through interactions with comrades. Slow on the uptake, sharp-tongued but sincere with high combat prowess. Enjoys reading but struggles with comprehension.
Keywords
  • Expressionless
  • Sharp-tongued
  • Sincere
  • Hard worker
  • Painting enthusiast
  • Cares for comrades
Talents
  • Innate talent for ninjutsu that materializes paintings
  • Advanced combat ability
  • Keen senses
  • Calm judgment
Skills
  • Ninjutsu: Super Beast Imitating Drawing
  • General ninjutsu and taijutsu
  • Information analysis
  • Assassination techniques
Motivation
To serve the village and understand human connections while growing as a person.
Habits
Sharp tongue that slips out, enthusiastic about reading.
Favorite foods
Tea while reading
Hobbies
Drawing, Reading

History

Backstory
Raised in Root, Konoha's Anbu training organization, trained to eradicate all emotions. During a top-secret mission, refused memory alteration and was nearly manipulated but rescued by Kakashi, then transferred to the Hokage's direct Anbu. Joined Team 7 as a replacement due to Sasuke's desertion; initially struggled to fit in but gradually bonded with comrades.
Debut date
March 15, 2006
Work title
NARUTO
Media type
Manga
Episode or chapter
Around volume 32

Joining Team 7

Significant event
Joining Team 7
Description
After Sasuke deserted the village, joined Team 7 as replacement, experiencing friction and reconciliation with teammates.

Tenchi Bridge mission

Significant event
Tenchi Bridge mission
Description
Handled assassination mission alongside Team 7 mission, deepening bonds with Naruto and others.

Fourth Great Ninja War

Significant event
Fourth Great Ninja War
Description
Joined the Allied Shinobi Forces, grappling with personal emotions and comrade bonds while fighting.

Relationships

Uzumaki Naruto

Teammate

Deepened bonds through shared missions, sharing the moment Sai first opened his heart.

Haruno Sakura

Teammate

Directed sharp tongue at Sakura, sparking team emotions and initiating interactions.

Uchiha Sasuke

Rival

Secret Sasuke execution mission and abandoning it led to complex relationship.

Hatake Kakashi

Mentor

Rescued from Root and recommended for Hokage direct Anbu, becoming a mentor figure.

Root

Root: member

Team 7

Team 7: team-member

Media appearances

NARUTO Shippuden

Anime / Supporting

2007-2017 TV series

NARUTO

Manga / Supporting

First appearance 2006 (around volume 32)

Naruto the Movie

Movie / Cameo

Appears in multiple films

Voice cast and creators

Satoshi Hino

Voice actor
Satoshi Hino
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime version
Notes
Original/representative voice actor

Ryo Kitamura

Voice actor
Ryo Kitamura
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Live Spectacle 2017

Kaede Motomoto

Voice actor
Kaede Motomoto
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Live Spectacle 2019 onward

Masashi Kishimoto

Creator name
Masashi Kishimoto
Role
Original author

Masashi Kishimoto

Creator name
Masashi Kishimoto
Role
Character designer

Related goods

Super Beast Imitating Drawing figure

Item name
Super Beast Imitating Drawing figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Sai long-sleeve shirt

Item name
Sai long-sleeve shirt
Category
Apparel
Availability
Limited

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