Matsuri

Matsuri is shy and polite when first introduced in the anime, with a deep reluctance to hurt others. Having witnessed violence at a young age, she is uncomfortable with weapons and initially struggles to understand how becoming a shinobi can be reconciled with her aversion to causing harm. Gaara's instruction gradually gives her a different perspective: a weapon can be used to defend another person rather than simply injure an enemy.

As she gains experience, Matsuri becomes considerably more confident and outspoken. Her admiration for Gaara is particularly strong; she reacts angrily when others insult him and is willing to disregard instructions when she believes his welfare is at stake. The manga emphasizes this infatuation more directly, with supplementary material describing her as interested in powerful men, particularly Gaara.

Matsuri's signature weapon in the anime is a jōhyō, a dart attached to a long rope. Gaara chooses it for her because it can be employed defensively, allowing her to maintain distance, entangle targets, intercept attacks, and protect allies. With further training she becomes proficient enough to use the weapon offensively as well.

During the later Chūnin Exams, Matsuri's proficiency with the jōhyō is sufficient to pressure Shira, an accomplished taijutsu specialist. She is also depicted among Sunagakure's Wind Release users during the Fourth Shinobi World War, although Temari notes that Matsuri is not suited to long-range Wind Release combat. These abilities are anime-specific expansions rather than material established by the manga.

Matsuri's principal early storyline comes from the anime-original Sunagakure Support Mission. As a student at Suna's new Academy, she chooses Gaara as her instructor when the other students remain frightened of him. He teaches her to use the jōhyō and explains that weapons can protect comrades. Their growing bond makes Matsuri a target for the Four Celestial Symbols Men, who kidnap her as part of their plan to exploit Gaara.

After being rescued, Matsuri uses the jōhyō to save Naruto during the confrontation with Seimei, finally putting Gaara's lesson about protecting others into practice. By Part II she has become a genin and appears among the people awaiting Gaara's return following the Kazekage Rescue Mission.

The anime later places Matsuri on a three-person genin team with Yukata and Mikoshi. They participate in the joint Chūnin Exams, and Matsuri subsequently serves in the Allied Shinobi Forces' Fourth Division during the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Gaara is the person Matsuri admires most strongly. In the anime, he becomes her instructor and teaches her to use the jōhyō, helping her overcome her fear of weapons by showing that shinobi tools can protect people. Matsuri subsequently becomes fiercely loyal to him.

Naruto Uzumaki participates in the mission to rescue Matsuri from the Four Celestial Symbols Men. Matsuri later develops considerable admiration for Naruto as well, although Gaara remains the shinobi she most openly idolizes.

Yukata and Mikoshi are Matsuri's fellow Sunagakure genin and teammates during the joint Chūnin Exams. The three operate together as Team Matsuri.

Shira is a fellow Sunagakure shinobi whom Matsuri seeks out during the Chūnin Exams because she wants to test herself against another student and supporter of Gaara.