Master Dias wrote:But, I guess this means Kurenai won't get any battles any time soon.
From the very first moment Kakashi was introduced in American Shonen Jump, back when I was first getting into the series, I wondered when (or if) the main characters would surpass him. It turns out I don't have to guess at the exact time. Personally, I feel this is too soon. I don't buy Naruto actually being that strong (in the sense that it feels realistic).
MasterDias wrote:Meanwhile, there's only like three people including myself posting here anymore. Wasn't there a number of others here way back when? Has everyone else completely lost interest or something?
Orochimaru is in the superlative category of Naruto, a level above Kage. In my opinion anyone in this category should never be beaten easily or surpassed (certainly not by some teen) or you damage the integrity of your power system. If the day comes when a Sannin-level shinobi isn't anything special Naruto will have become another DBZ in a very bad way. Plus, unless Kishimoto is setting up for the characters to fight demons that are even stronger than this level, I don't see where he'll go from here.
Furthermore, Orochimaru has been set up as the major villain of Naruto for a long time. Akatsuki seems to have taken somewhat of this role as well, but I liked that the story had three major forces instead of the general two. I like to believe that authors have things fairly well planned out, but if Orochimaru isn't significant in the rest of the plot I will be disappointed.
MasterDias wrote:Yeah, but something has been bugging me about Naruto power levels recently. Orochimaru stated, I believe, that he couldn't handle Itachi which is why he went after Sasuke, and yet Itachi+Kisame ran away from Jiraiya and we've never been given any evidence that Jiraiya is stronger than Orochimaru. In fact, Orochimaru held off both Jiraiya and Tsunade even with damaged arms (although it's been awhile since I read that fight so I don't remember it very clearly.)
uc pseudonym wrote:Generally speaking I'm not a fan of Orochimaru, but after Sasuke's speech I was really kind of hoping he'd win. Though I wouldn't like it, I would have been willing to accept Sasuke being on par with him. But it looks like this battle will only be for Sasuke to show off (especially if the text about next chapter ending the battle proves true), in which case I'm highly annoyed. The fact that Orochimaru is flashbacking is a sign he might actually die.
The only good thing I have to say about this is that at least it seems Orochimaru is being given some motivation.
The fan in me would rationalize by saying that Itachi might not be any stronger than Orochimaru, but much too strong for him to use his body-switching jutsu successfully.
However, the cynic in me (especially strong given recent developments) would suggest that perhaps Kishimoto was merely trying to inflate the threat of individual villains at different times without thinking it through.
uc pseudonym wrote:
Long term, I wonder what will happen to Kabuto. Earlier they seemed to set up a rivalry between him and Kakashi, and I wonder if that will be furthered.
MasterDias wrote:345 has a disturbing cover.
uc pseudonym wrote:I'd be amused if Orochimaru actually won and Sasuke is gone (imagine what that'd do to Naruto and Sakura, given their world seems to revolve around him) simply because it would be original. However, like you I'm certain that won't happen. I wonder about Orochimaru, though. Even with development he seemed to be brushed off as a villain.
Yeah. I've been wondering for a while if the author is actively catoring to yaoi fans...
MasterDias wrote:He's always made Orochimaru out to be rather disturbing character though, so this is probably what he was intending here with this cover. But, while I certainly find yaoi disturbing in and of itself, I really, really, really, hope no one stoops low enough to write SasukeXOrochimaru fanfiction....
uc pseudonym wrote:Well, it looks like we're not in any suspense. Overall I think this was a good move, because it's not like anyone would actually believe Sasuke was absorbed. However, since it seems Orochimaru is really defeated, I have lost all faith in this manga being seriously planned. He'll probably be back once to interfere with Sasuke from within, but unless I'm surprised it looks as though he's essentially removed from play.
And about the fanfiction bit, I'm afraid it's already much too late...
MasterDias wrote:But how are Naruto and Sakura ever going to catch up to Sasuke now?
MasterDias wrote:If that Danzo guy tries something, and Naruto & co. wind up having to face enemies and hostile politics at home, I will like it, as that should add some complexity.
uc pseudonym wrote:Your opinion regarding Plot I and Plot II is very much the same as my own. But in my mind the most important part of planning is the end, therefore unless the series really comes together I feel the value of earlier planning is much reduced.
Actually, you could argue that all the old shinobi in Konoha (except perhaps Tsunade) are obsolete. I suspect the other shinobi of this generation will prove able to fight on this level as well, of course.
Actually, you could argue that all the old shinobi in Konoha (except perhaps Tsunade) are obsolete. I suspect the other shinobi of this generation will prove able to fight on this level as well, of course.
MasterDias wrote:True. Kishimoto does claim he knows how he wants the series to end, in one of his interviews, I think. But, we will see if he manages to pull it off.. or not.
MasterDias wrote:And wasn't Kakashi supposed to know 1000 jutsu or something? It feels bizarre for his old students to outclass him this easily.
MasterDias wrote:Although, how many of them have really had impressive showings even in Part 1. Jiraiya and Tsunade did, Kakashi did, and maybe Guy]
Good point. Like most shonen series, Naruto focuses on the young generation rather significantly. Still, there's a slight difference between a character we presume is powerful (for example, we didn't see Guy do much of anything until fighting the Akatsuki clone) and knowing that they don't really matter anymore. There are enough young shinobi to take out all the Akatsuki members with fights to spare.MasterDias wrote:Well, to an extent at least, I suspect that there are still currently three sides. Sasuke was quite hostile to Naruto and co. last time after all. Although, whether he's being made out to be a villain or more of an anti-hero, I can't say as his behavior is quite irrational to me.
And we still know basically nothing about Kabuto's motivations...
That's a good point. Sasuke has taken over Orochimaru's role somewhat, though I've always felt any arc involving him will be purely focused on his rivalry with Naruto. I could be surprised though.
I more or less get the feeling Kabuto is being written off. Sasuke certainly seemed to...Kurama wrote:*Random fact: Orochimaru`s Jap voice actor is a GIRL 0.0 Random fact end*
uc pseudonym wrote:I haven't read or don't remember that interview. He's actually made me worry slightly with some of his comments I've read recently (in Shonen Jump). Some of them seem to imply he's doing things as they seem good to him. If he at least has an ending in mind I can hope the manga will improve as it draws near it.
I more or less get the feeling Kabuto is being written off.
MasterDias wrote:Oh? Was it that interview that they had in one of the last few issues? Which particular comment struck you that way?
MasterDias wrote:Hmmm, wonder if this means that this Suigetsu guy will fight Kisame...
MasterDias wrote:I don't know. I'd figured we would probably get some sort of backstory on him at some point.
uc pseudonym wrote:I had two comments specifically in mind, one from the most recent interview and one from further back. Unfortunately, I don't have my Shonen Jumps here at the moment so I can't direct you more specifically. However, in one of the interviews he was asked about what he still wanted to do in the series and he said something about he tries to include new ideas as he thinks of them, which doesn't sound like good writing to me. He also indicated he hadn't done much romance yet, but I'm not sure what that implies.
In the more recent interview, it was what he said about Sasuke making the series come together. When I reflected about how Sasuke-focused the series was this comment struck a negative chord with me. The elements I have hope for are related to Akatsuki and larger forces, not Sasuke's obsession. To be honest I'm not particularly fond of how many of the arcs focus so much on him. So hearing this comment made me negatively inclined, though it isn't anything terribly specific.
MasterDias wrote:I don't hate him (like a lot of fans seem to) but I'm not sure I've ever been satisfied with how his character has been handled. I would prefer for him to have some actually character development again...
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