.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
It's no secret that the Naruto franchise has a recurring theme, where villains eventually succumb to good and turn from foes to friends. One such example is that of the Three Sand Siblings; Temari, Kanuro, and Gaara, the Hidden Sand's top-tier shinobi. Being the Fourth Kazekage’s children, the three held great respect and prestige among the Hidden Sand, as evident from their key positions in the village’s leadership.
The Three Sand Siblings were initially seen at the forefront of the Konoha Crush, an invasion of the Leaf village led by Orochimaru, yet became allies with the Leaf by the end of the arc. Despite the three being prominent recurring characters throughout the series, only Gaara's past is explained in detail, while little is revealed about the other two siblings. However, piecing together details from the whole series reveals several notable features of the Sand Siblings in depth.
The Three Sand Siblings – An Overview
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
After undergoing relentless training from a very young age, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro became known as the ‘Three Sand Siblings’, a title that reflected their status as elite shinobi, as well as their direct lineage to the Fourth Kazekage. Despite Naruto presenting the three siblings as having a close relationship, the same wasn’t the case for them while growing up, as they bore an estranged relation with one another.
Since Gaara was chosen to become the One-Tails Jinchuriki, Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, kept him separated from his siblings, with the purpose of allowing Gaara to hone his strengths in solitude without the distraction of other children. The older siblings, Temari and Kankuro, initially feared Gaara, especially due to his indifferent demeanor. It wasn’t until much later on when the three were made into a team, primarily due to Gaara being able to control the tailed beast’s power to some extent.
Gaara of the Desert
Being made the One-Tails Jinchuriki, Gaara’s childhood was quite similar to that of Naruto, as he was seen as an outcast by those around him. Gaara’s paternal uncle, Yashamaru, looked after him for most of his childhood, but even he turned his back when Rasa ordered him to kill young Gaara. Losing the only person he cared about, Gaara became highly unstable and vowed to only live for himself.
However, Gaara's sentiment soon changed when his paths crossed with Naruto during the Konoha Crush, as seeing another Jinchuriki who remained unfazed by their tragic past and instead found friendship and love, emulated something inside of him, allowing him to realize that he too can find something he cares for. This event also pushes him towards pursuing the position of Kazekage, a title that he earns later on due to his formidable prowess and his relation to the previous Kazekage. Later on, Gaara played an essential role in moving the plot forward, as evident from his position as the commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces' Fourth Division, and the commander-in-chief of all other divisions.
Kankuro – The Puppeteer
Initially shown as Gaara’s bodyguard during the Chunin exams arc, kankuro’s character slowly develops throughout the series, providing viewers a glimpse into the Sand’s puppet master. Being the Kazekage’s son, Kankuro underwent exhausting training in his early years, as apparent from his capabilities during the Chunin exams despite being a Genin. His fighting style primarily revolves around puppets, using them as his pawns to do his bidding, while maintaining a safe distance from the enemy.
Kankuro’s journey from being afraid of his ‘monster’ brother to becoming his closest confidant perfectly showcases his growth throughout the series. Even during the Konoha Crush, Kankuro had his reservations about his younger brother, given his bloodlust and unfettered power. However, Kankuro eventually starts to believe in Gaara’s dream of becoming the Kazekage, and even takes a position as the Kage’s personal bodyguard. His love and care for his younger brother truly shines through in the Kazekage Rescue Mission arc, where he puts his life on the line fighting Sasori just to save Gaara from the clutches of the Akatsuki.
Temari – The Sand’s Ambassador
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Being both the Hidden Sand’s strongest wind release user and the Kazekage’s daughter, Temari held quite a high position among the village. However, having such high prestige came with a price – from being forced to undergo exalting training to being ignored by other children due to her lineage, yet the young kunoichi took responsibility for whatever task she was assigned with honor.
Despite boasting a blunt and stoic personality, Temari, out of the Three Sand Siblings, is the only one that always had an affinity towards peace. Even during the Konoha Crush, she was the only one who questioned the reasoning for invading an ally. She even became an ambassador and acted as a diplomatic liaison between the Hidden Leaf and Sand Village to conduct the next Chunin exams. During the Great Shinobi War, Temari cared more for her comrades rather than focusing on her own wellbeing. All in all, the Three Sand Siblings underwent tremendous growth throughout Naruto’s runtime, and they have played an essential role in moving the plot forward, along with being iconic characters that made the series much more enjoyable.