Recent Naruto Manga (Chapters 400+)

[crossalchemist]

Oh god, Naruto. How can you guys still stand reading that after the fillers, general lack of direction in the plot, and cliches? And don't even get me started on emo kid Sasuke. Kishimoto ran out of ideas a long time ago.

Its horrible, some of the worst shounen I've ever read, even worse than Bleach.

To answer your insult:

There are no fillers in the manga, never were, never will be.

Kishi has so many plot lines going, the manga has enough to keep me interested for ANOTHER 300 chapters and could very well run for that long.

Sasuke isn't emo anymore and has awesome potential as a villain.

It's not a matter of containing cliches as much as it is how you use them. There is nothing new under the sun, hasn't been since 2000BCE. Therefore everything is a cliche, so stop knocking people for using a plot divice that's been used before, every story teller does it. It's only when something is exactly the same and obviously copying somthing that it gets annoying, which doesn't really happen in the manga.

And as the last thing, don't base your judgement of a series (and its fans) based on the crap anime that it spawned, and especially don't posed that uninformed opinion on a thread for the MANGA (which rocks).

[crossalchemist]

On another note, I am excited about these most recent chapters because Hinata gets to be with Naruto and perhaps 'things' shall happen!

(Yes, I am a NarutoHinata supporter as well as ShikamaruTemari, SakuraLee, and NejiTenTen, even though only the first two are likely!)

[lordoftempest]

To answer your insult:

There are no fillers in the manga, never were, never will be.

Kishi has so many plot lines going, the manga has enough to keep me interested for ANOTHER 300 chapters and could very well run for that long.

Sasuke isn't emo anymore and has awesome potential as a villain.

It's not a matter of containing cliches as much as it is how you use them. There is nothing new under the sun, hasn't been since 2000BCE. Therefore everything is a cliche, so stop knocking people for using a plot divice that's been used before, every story teller does it. It's only when something is exactly the same and obviously copying somthing that it gets annoying, which doesn't really happen in the manga.

And as the last thing, don't base your judgement of a series (and its fans) based on the crap anime that it spawned, and especially don't posed that uninformed opinion on a thread for the MANGA (which rocks).

The funny thing is, I've read the whole thing up to this point. The fact that its been going on for 300 chapters made me drop it. I couldn't stand the copypasta plot, the lame two dimensional characters, and a certain antagonist that, by the way, is still very, VERY emo.

I personally think Kishimoto gave up on this project, and I wouldn't blame him. His assistants do all the work for him, he hasn't taken an active roll producing this manga in a long time, and it shows. That's not even mentioning the train wreck of an anime, and the new slew of Yaoi fangirls spawned from Naruto fandom.

And insult? Its not wrong if somebody doesn't like something you do.

[MasterDias]

I personally think Kishimoto gave up on this project, and I wouldn't blame him. His assistants do all the work for him, he hasn't taken an active roll producing this manga in a long time, and it shows.

As much as I can be critical of Kishimoto about certain things, you shouldn't make statements that you have no proof for. I'm certain he's still drawing/writing the manga, and I don't see any evidence to say that he isn't.

Also, ignoring the filler, the anime basically follows the manga really closely.

The funny thing is, I've read the whole thing up to this point. The fact that its been going on for 300 chapters made me drop it

But, really though, most of these kinds of series generally wind up being pretty darn long. One can't really be a shonen, or even a seinen, fan without reading fairly lengthy series.

[lordoftempest]

But, really though, most of these kinds of series generally wind up being pretty darn long. One can't really be a shonen, or even a seinen, fan without reading fairly lengthy series.

Not even Dragonball was this long (and here I love that series, go figure). It just doesn't seem like the plot is going anywhere.

[MasterDias]

There are other series that are or look to be much longer than Naruto or Dragonball.
Do you read One Piece? It doesn't even appear to be ending any time soon, and may well be twice as long as Naruto when it finishes.

And there are others. I think Detective Conan has 60 volumes by this point. Hajime no Ippo and Jojo's Bizarre Adventure have been running for a long time and have around 80 and 90 volumes by now.
So, yeah, Naruto and Dragonball are pretty long series, but they aren't the longest.

[Mave]

I'm interested to know what each dog can do in order to protect their companions. I was half expecting the fight to be a cats vs dogs fight. Luckily, Sasuke didn't bring any cats along with him. Phew.....

Naruto and Hinata team up! Yippee!

I think Kishimoto has done a decent job holding the story for as long as he could. I wouldn't consider every single part brilliant, of course. The parts I would consider as fillers would be anything dealing with Sai. I almost think the story can still go on without him (do correct me if I'm wrong, pls, maybe I missed something).

About Sasuke, there are like 300+ other (very non-Sasuke like) characters for us to cheer on so don't get so hung up on him. Some of us don't mind him the way he is. XD

I see this section as a final countdown since the significant groups are proactively seeking each other in a "Let's get this over with" attitude. If the story gets pulled further AFTER this clash, I don't know if I'll continue reading.

What are you all expecting by the end of Naruto? Let's see, my current laundry list would be:
1) resolution between Sasuke and Itachi (kill each other, one kills the other, both make peace, both join forces and get killed, both join forces and kill everyone....I don't care, just something)
2) further explanation on why/how/what Itachi did with his clan (still don't get Itachi's way of thinking)
3) all Akatsuki's characters revealed including big boss
4) something big happens to Akatsuki (totally destroyed, forced to retreat, forces scattered, successfully takes over the world XD)

No, Naruto doesn't have to be hokage at the end and as much as I'm a fan of many pairings in Naruto, I don't need to see them confirmed/resolved......maybe I'm missing some other things Kishimoto has left vague but that's all I can think for now. Hmm

PS: I don't watch the anime so I'm totally free from any crappiness associated with it and my thoughts on Naruto are always based on the manga.

[Eaglestrike]

Well, Naruto and Sasuke need to resolve things too. Whether that'll be
A) One kills the other.
B) They team up and be friends (again)
C) They go their separate ways (which basically means Naruto will be longer, imo)
is up to Kishi. But I'd imagine we'll get at least C at the end of this arc. Though I'm also thinking we'll get a little of B.

[uc pseudonym]

Expressing opposing opinions is fine, lordofthetempest, but take care in doing so. I was going to ignore you until I saw that you responded (as opposed to committing a post and run). If you want to continue discussing this intelligently, that's perfectly fine, so long as it doesn't devolve into bickering.

How can you guys still stand reading that after the fillers, general lack of direction in the plot, and cliches?

Because it takes less than five minutes to read a chapter. I have five minutes a week. If I had to go to significant effort for the chapters, I would probably given the manga up around the beginning of part two.

On another note, I am excited about these most recent chapters because Hinata gets to be with Naruto and perhaps 'things' shall happen!

I'm not happy about this. What I think is more likely is that Hinata will sit around and be useless this battle, or be involved in a minor way that will further the emotional subplot. I don't see her getting anything decent, anyway. Though I suppose Kishimoto could surprise me and have her save Naruto, but he tends to be focused on overly much any time he fights.

Not even Dragonball was this long (and here I love that series, go figure). It just doesn't seem like the plot is going anywhere.

Dragonball ended at 519 chapters.

Interesting that you like both, though. I do as well, but that is because I am willing to tolerate repetitive plots and one-dimensional characters. In my mind, I don't think Naruto and Dragonball are all that dissimilar. Hardly real literature, but still enjoyable entertainment.

What are you all expecting by the end of Naruto?

Well, there are a whole slew of things I expect, but most of them aren't all that amazing. Final character revelations, climactic finish, emotional confrontations, etc. More importantly:
1) Akatsuki should have a better goal than the one they've currently stated.
2) All the secondary characters get 1-2 fights.
3) Naruto gains abilities that make his supposed strength more plausible (alright, that's more of a hope).

[crossalchemist]

Fear not, uc, I shall cease my bickering (bows humbly).

I'm not happy about this. What I think is more likely is that Hinata will sit around and be useless this battle, or be involved in a minor way that will further the emotional subplot. I don't see her getting anything decent, anyway. Though I suppose Kishimoto could surprise me and have her save Naruto, but he tends to be focused on overly much any time he fights.

Ugg, that was why I hated Sakura for so long! I hope not. I hope Kishi answers the fans' wishes. Everyone else seems to have developed new abilities (and Sakura has changed to be less whiny and more useful as Sasuke has become less emo and more of a silent ponderer, kinda like an evil Shino) so hopefully this will extend to Hinata.

Well, there are a whole slew of things I expect, but most of them aren't all that amazing. Final character revelations, climactic finish, emotional confrontations, etc. More importantly:
1) Akatsuki should have a better goal than the one they've currently stated.
2) All the secondary characters get 1-2 fights.
3) Naruto gains abilities that make his supposed strength more plausible (alright, that's more of a hope).

This is what I'm thinking:
[spoiler]
1) Yondaime is the leader of Akatsuki or Naruto is the reincarnation of Yondaime.
2)Tobi is Kakashi's friend he got the eye from.
3)If the first idea in number one is true then Yondaime is getting all the demons together for one of two reasons: Either to destroy them all (so he doesn't have to kill himself or seal them in people to stop them) or to seal them all within himself or Naruto to make an ultra powerful being. The later is more likely as he is using criminals to do this.
4) Naruto gets taken by Akatsuki and Tobi confronts Kakashi. Sasuke and his group get found by Sakura at the same time. Sasuke agrees to a momentary truce so they can work together to get Naruto back, Sasuke more minded on the goal of killing his brother.
5) more would naturally follow from here but I havn't realy thought it out much.

I actually had a dream late one night after falling asleep reading a Naruto chapter that Kakashi had an incounter with Tobi in which he was critically wounded. While he was in the hospital dying Naruto came to him just before he and the team left to do battle with Akatsuki. Kakashi had Tsunade give Naruto Kakashi's sharingan and gave Naruto the ability to summon dogs (an ability he would have given to Sasuke). Somehow one of the Hyuuga chan dies and Naruto gets his other eye replaced with a Byakugan eye. So now he is possessed by the power of Kyubi, has a Sharingan eye, a Byakugan eye, and can summon both dogs and frogs and he goes to war with Akatsuki backed up by all the secondary characters. I woke up right when the good stuff was about to start, made me mad. Naruto looked killer though, all serious, with two different eyes and the classic Kakashi eye scar on both side of his face. T'was exciting. Just thought I'd share! lol, this became quite long...[/spoiler]

[crossalchemist]

The parts I would consider as fillers would be anything dealing with Sai. I almost think the story can still go on without him (do correct me if I'm wrong, pls, maybe I missed something).

No, Naruto doesn't have to be hokage at the end and as much as I'm a fan of many pairings in Naruto, I don't need to see them confirmed/resolved......maybe I'm missing some other things Kishimoto has left vague but that's all I can think for now. Hmm

PS: I don't watch the anime so I'm totally free from any crappiness associated with it and my thoughts on Naruto are always based on the manga.

lol, HMM. Sweet! I don't watch the anime either. I was excited about Shippuden, but it's just more of the same....

As far as Sai goes, I think Kishi may have forgotten about the little intrigue business going on behind Tsunade's back that Sai was involved in. I'd deffinitely like to see that resolved, even if its just Tsunade saying, "Oh yeah, I had all those guys killed." Oh actually I just thought of a way to incorporate that into my perdiction in my last post!!!!:wow!:

When Naruto get's kidnapped by Akatsuki have that group Sai was working for use it as leverage to take control of the leaf and then command all the ninjas (who by now are all people who were friends of Naruto) not help him! But instead they all show up at Akatsuki's door even though it means banishment from the village! ZOMG!!!There are so many possibilities!!!

[uc pseudonym]

As for Akatsuki, here is my main thought (posted earlier, but I blame no one for not trudging through this entire thread):
[spoiler]I'm hoping that the summoning statue is actually some sort of ten-tailed monster. It just strikes me that way, plus it would make a cool revelation. That would also be a logical next step up, as the main characters already seem to be able to defeat shinobi of the highest caliber.[/spoiler]

[MasterDias]

Well, I wasn't exactly expecting this. A certain character returns and I have no idea what to make of what happened at the end of the chapter.

As for what I'm expecting from the end of the series, well, Mave and UC basically said all of mine.

Interesting that you like both, though. I do as well, but that is because I am willing to tolerate repetitive plots and one-dimensional characters. In my mind, I don't think Naruto and Dragonball are all that dissimilar. Hardly real literature, but still enjoyable entertainment.

Heh. The 2006 Quill Awards disagree with you, although I really do wonder what the other Graphic Novel nominees were.

[Kurama]

I`m really shocked about this...I`m like totally spechless....and in the past 2 minutes 4-5 people said to me "OROCHIMARU LIVES WITHIN YOU!!" of corse I was confused then I spazzed.......(I`m a Kabuto Yakushi Cosplayer)

then I found this....click if you know whats coming...
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j14/KabutoSoundNinja/NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO.jpg

I`ve done cursed Kabuto, Bunny Kabuto, Akatsuki Kabuto...but should I try out for this? o.o

[Hitokiri]

Yeah, this chapter was a real head turner. [spoiler]Kabuto turning into a partial Orochimaru and then into a entirely new person was a shocker. He's like....Kabuchimaru now haha.[/spoiler]

Here's what I would like to see near the end of the series:
[spoiler]- Akatsuki revealed along with the boss
- Akatsuki disbanded, destroyed, temporary restrained, etc.
- The conflict between Naruto and Sasuke
- I would like to see Sakura be recognized by Sasuke as a strong. I love Sakura.
- What the heck is up with Gaara right now.
- Kiba, Shino, and Hinata get thier fight.
- Conflict between Sasuke and Itachi finalized.
- Shikamaru after defeating Hidan.
- Orchimaru's demise (resolved kinda haha).

As well, Obito as Tobi is a very valid idea. If you look at his mask, the hole is where his Sharigan used to be so it's quite possible. Why he's a criminal I have no idea though.[/spoiler]

[uc pseudonym]

Ah yes, Gaara. I do want to see him have to deal with fighting without the unfair advantage of his sand shield.

As for the most recent chapter: this was an unusual turn. Whether it will have immense significance remains to be seen. While it is good that Kabuto isn't getting brushed aside, I wonder if this means we won't be seeing Orochimaru interfering as directly as we thought.

Heh. The 2006 Quill Awards disagree with you, although I really do wonder what the other Graphic Novel nominees were.

Interesting, though it obviously doesn't change my opinion. I wonder what exactly "Consumer's Choice" means. Actually, I would be willing to say that a single volume of Naruto at early stages might be a solid graphic novel, but overall I'd say the plot is essentially mass-produced entertainment.

[Hitokiri]

[spoiler]I can't wait to see Deidra and Tobi fight against Sasuke.[/spoiler]

[uc pseudonym]

Oddly enough, do you know what interested me most in this chapter? Tobi. Taking that hit and then getting up implies he has some manner of power we do not yet know. My hope is that his foolish behavior is all an act and something deeper is developing. Otherwise, though, it is interesting to see this fight because it is the usual speed/power package versus more complicated techniques. Hopefully it will be a good one.

Otherwise, my hope is for more fights to start so we can see some other characters. Quite a few individuals have yet to be seen.

[MasterDias]

That was my initial thought on the chapter as well. Looks like Tobi has some sort of defensive or evasive technique that enabled him to get up unscathed.

[Mave]

I'm expecting Tobi to be of some value. As much as he acts cowardly/useless in some situations, he is ~still~ Akatsuki so there must be something more to what he has shown so far.

Whee! I'm looking forward to this fight more than the other matchups. I mean, we've already seen Leaf Ninja vs Akatsuki and Leaf Ninja vs Sasuke.

[uc pseudonym]

After logging off yesterday, I had another thought: in all the fights being set up, we have yet to see one character of some minor importance: Itachi.

That was mostly just mildly amusing, but as I reflect it does have more significance. Obviously it will not be someone other that Sasuke or Naruto that fights Itachi (funny as that would be), and I rather expect it to be both. That means that they'll finish their battles and then have another fight this arc. Thus some of the secondary characters are even less likely to get any time in the limelight.

[tokiklok]

whats the website for that manga to read?

[MasterDias]

358 is out.

Although I am impatient to see what the other characters are doing, I thought that this was a good chapter. Both Deidara and Sasuke were using strategies to try to outmaneuver each other. This is what I like to see.

...but I severely doubt Deidara was defeated by this, although I did say the same thing about Orochimaru. But Tobi is still a wild card in this battle.

[Mave]

I doubt this fight would end so quickly or rather, I hope it wouldn't. I'm enjoying it quite a bit, actually.

Yeah it would be funny if Itachi got killed by someone else before Sasuke got to him. Hehehehe.....

[Hitokiri]

I agree. Deidara is one of the most ppopular Naruto characters currently so to have him killed off in such a anti-climatic manner would proably tick off fans.

[uc pseudonym]

Deidara is one of the most popular characters? Did I miss a character poll, or do you have access to information I don't? Either way, why? I preferred both of the recently dead Akatsuki members to him...

I agree he likely isn't dead. I'm somewhat expecting a "C3" (is this a play off the explosive C4?) due to the chapter cover regarding three tongues.

[Hitokiri]

He ranked Third, ranking higher then Naruto in Japan.

Taken from the Wikipedia article
"Deidara has become the most popular member of Akatsuki among fans in Japan. In the most recent character popularity poll, Deidara ranked in third place, even higher than Naruto Uzumaki."



There is a picture of the poll.

[Doubleshadow]

Sakura is 12th? Wow, what a shame. I feel bad for her. And when was he last time the 4th made an appearance anyway to be 9th?

I also have been waiting for Tobi to do something to prove he is worthy of his position within an organization that prides itself on having having highly intelligent, dedicated mass murdering sociopaths as its members. Every village needs its idiot, but honestly.

I wonder if the panel with Sasuke's crazy girl and Sakura appearing together hints at an ability to foil pursuit, or if she was up to something she handled alone.

Orochimaru isn't dead yet?! Now, I suspected something after his rather lackluster demise, and thought the lack of attention to Kabuto indicated he would come into play again, but now it seems as though Watsuki is finding plot devices to drag out the story.

[Mave]

I, for one, admit to being rather fond of Deidara among Akatsuki members along with Sasori and Kakuzu (the last two being already sighhh....gone).

Hidan and Tobi are my least fav. at this point. The former because he is the arrogant loudmouth and more importantly, he [spoiler] killed Asuma. Curses, I won't forgive you for that! - No regards, the only fangirl who stubbornly won't let go of that issue [/spoiler]

Sakura is 12th? Wow, what a shame. I feel bad for her. And when was he last time the 4th made an appearance anyway to be 9th?

Yeah I never quite understood the craze over the 4th. We know little about him except from secondary sources (i.g. what others have said about him) and some observations from the Kakashi flashback. We know he did a great deed, sacrificing himself for the village and he seemed like a sincere good guy but....

I also have been waiting for Tobi to do something to prove he is worthy of his position within an organization that prides itself on having having highly intelligent, dedicated mass murdering sociopaths as its members. Every village needs its idiot, but honestly.

I'm hoping that he's the 'think smart, act dumb' representative.

Orochimaru isn't dead yet?! Now, I suspected something after his rather lackluster demise, and thought the lack of attention to Kabuto indicated he would come into play again, but now it seems as though Watsuki is finding plot devices to drag out the story.

Kishimoto, you meant? LOL I think Orochimaru and Kabuto are the villian characters who won't go away until the end of the series. Previously, I've always wondered whether Orochimaru would ever take over Kabuto's body out of desperation one day. I wonder no more. XD

The series still has a long way to go since we haven't seen the other unknown Akatsuki members unless for some bizarre reason, Kishimoto-sama is forced to pull the plug on Naruto and have them quickly introduced, only to be obliterated in seconds by Naruto. Hooyeah.

[Doubleshadow]

Kishimoto, you meant? LOL

\(O0O)/;; WHOA!!! My bad! Sorry 'bout that everybody... ^_^;;